Royal Robbins Returns
Roughly 20 years ago I bought my first Royal Robbins Collared Shirt in a small outdoor shop in picturesque St Johns Newfoundland. It quickly became a staple in my wardrobe, travelling to many countries and surviving more adventures than I can remember. After a several years and it’s fair share of wear and abuse I had to part ways with what was my ‘go to’ shirt for everything from hiking, camping and climbing to dinners out with friends. After this, the Royal Robbins brand seemed to be harder and harder to find, so the shirt was never replaced.
Fast forward a whole-lotta living over (almost) two decades and I’m happy to report that the Royal Robbins brand is alive and well. Thanks to my work with Backcountry Skiing Canada I was recently asked if I’d like to sample some new Royal Robbins apparel. Given my affection early on for the brand, thanks to that favourite shirt, I jumped at the chance to see how things had changed, stayed the same, and also find out exactly what happened to the brand over all those year.
Liz Robbins (iconic Sierra Nevada climber and the first woman to climb Half Dome) and her husband, Royal, one of the world’s most influential climbers, started the brand that carried his name in 1968. Royal was the first person to climb the north face of Half Dome in Yosemite and is essentially responsible for starting the big wall climbing movement. Liz and Royal were tired of climbing in old army surplus clothes and decided to create an apparel brand that produced casual yet affordable clothing. Over the next 32 years the pair built a global brand, loved the world over. It was known for an ironclad commitment to innovation, style, durability, and sustainability. Likely, it’s these same reasons why I still remember my first Royal Robbins shirt from over 20 years ago. Like all good things however, Liz and Royal decided to retire and sold Royal Robbins in 2000. In the years following Royal Robbins was sold a number of times and in the process the brands identity, heritage, design aesthetic and philosophy were essentially lost.
So, I was right to think that Royal Robbins had faded into the wood work. But there is a new chapter in this story. In the Fall of 2015 Michael Millenacker, the former director of marketing and one of the first Royal Robbins employees decided to return to resurrect the brand. Before returning, Michael had spent time as president of Eagle Creek and the vice president of sales at The North Face. Upon returning he managed to lure Liz out of retirement and hired a new marketing and design team. His plans are to bring the company back to its former glory and re-establish its roots, designing functional and fashionable clothing.
Over the past few months I’ve been testing out the Royal Robbins Convey Shorts – $58US, Royal Robbins Go EveryWhere Cricket Shirt – $55US, Royal Robbins Cool Mesh Short Sleeve Shirt – $49US and the Royal Robbins Billy Goat Stretch 6 Pocket Pants – $72US. Just like that original collared shirt from over 20 years ago, each of these pieces is casual, functional, affordable and above all fashionable. If you’re looking for clothing designed and manufactured by a company that considers the environment (after all they’re Bluesign certified) and has a solid history in the business, then look no further. At almost 50 years old now, the Royal Robbins brand is one of the founding companies in the outdoor clothing industry and the new Royal Robbins line of clothing is due to hit retailers in the spring of 2017. But don’t wait until then, check out the selection of apparel on their web site now.
Royal Robbins Convey Shorts:
Royal Robbins Cool Mesh Short Sleeve Shirt:
Royal Robbins Go EveryWhere Cricket Shirt:
Royal Robbins Billy Goat Stretch 6 Pocket Pants: