Joseph
This article was produced in partnership with Pit Viper
Get anti-venom – hit the snake pit again. The fun-loving brand has been killing it with its impossible retro glasses since 2012, all while the Snakes charm the party crowd with irreverent stunts (Watch Jim York limousine jumps across an RV) and funky sweepstakes (did we find out who won the 1996 Thunderbird Racecar?). But the Pit Viper isn’t over yet, as it announces its expansion into mountain biking gear and apparel known as the LXIX range. (Yes, that’s 69 in Roman numerals. You can always count on the highly effective trick.)
“Sunglasses and T-shirts only cover half of your body,” says Spencer Harkins, Brand Manager for Pit Viper. “Black mountain bike shorts and shirts are boring. We’re here to have fun.” That’s why the team bugged me Weight BoucherChuck Mumford, a longtime founding friend of LXIX, has led the development and creative design of LXIX. The new collection marks a slight departure from Pit Viper’s current wearables, which were once limited to casual and party tees, and now offers exclusive high-quality wearables that can be worn while mountain biking or installing a DJ booth.
“Needless to say, I was thrilled with the opportunity,” Boucher says. “Getting complete creative expression is a rare opportunity, and I’m very grateful for it.” Prior to joining Pit Viper, Boucher spent nearly a decade at Aspen-based winter sportswear company Strafe Outerwear (he was actually the company’s first employee), doing everything from customer service to design and marketing. Last May, the fruits of Boucher’s work as a “key player” in the Snake Pit came to fruition with a suite of technical mountain equipment called Off-road high speed.
Witt is a devout mountain biker and addicted to the saddle (“Better than hooked on hookers and cocaine, right?”), so designing a tech line as a first edition was a no-brainer. “The materials used in High Speed Off-Road are really what I think sets our product apart,” he explains. “A lot of time on the bike has made me very special when it comes to fabrics that perform really well across a range of criteria important to mountain biking.” This included checking for lightweight fabrics that wouldn’t be hot or bulky, especially those with a stretch element to allow for dynamic movement. But in the end, durability was the top priority. “Like it or not, if you ride, you will eat shit every now and then,” he continues. “Me? I eat at Doo Doo all the time. So I needed to find a canvas that could tick all the boxes, and I personally think we found it!”
With the motto “Be Fast, Have Fun,” the performance-focused mountain bike line looks to the trails with a series of unisex Downhill Ski Shorts, mountain bike shorts, T-shirts, cycling jackets and bibs, and moisture-wicking tanks for men and women. The bottoms are made from a blend of nylon and spandex and are packed with comfort-enhancing features, like laser-cut thigh ventilation, hidden pockets, and an adjustable loop waist system. The jerseys are made of UPF + 50 fabric for added sun protection.
Just this week, the snake pit fell Coco Bronze, a summer line of men’s and women’s tanks, tops, shorts, swim trunks, and bikinis — all designed with styles directly influenced by the ’90s, which Boucher developed along with Pit Viper Artistic Director, Joel Bender. Coco Bronze’s overall aesthetic draws from several different points of inspiration: the Boxier, a broader fit of reference Japanese streetwear and designer youth wear, while the bold colors and bright geometric graphics are reminiscent of Nike’s original Challenge Court apparel from the ’90s.
What pieces should be the most dizzying, according to Boucher? “A thousand percent Bubba Tease And tanks Made from Supima Cotton grown in the USA. “It has a classic relaxed feel, but also incredibly stretch, loose fit, boxy, and classic cut; it’s an everyday tee.” Think of your dad’s hand-coordinated shirts—but without the hole stains. And of course, there’s a chest pocket for the Pit Viper shades.
Since we’re in full swing for summer, Boucher also brings super stretch men mankini (Available in our signature black and orange violet and black) For its close-to-skin feel, wear the cannon in the pool or saddle to the bar. “It’s all here in the Pit Viper,” Boucher adds. “It’s all about celebrating self-expression. I think that’s really what sets us apart. Be exactly who you want to be, own that shit, and have fun while doing it!”
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