Empire: Authorized 686 Dealer – Online at ThinkEmpire.com and In-Store.
Founded in the early 90s by Michael Akira West, 686 was built on a collision of worlds: the skateboarding culture of Los Angeles and the emerging snowboard scene taking shape on th...
Founded in the early 90s by Michael Akira West, 686 was built on a collision of worlds: the skateboarding culture of Los Angeles and the emerging snowboard scene taking shape on the local mountains. Thirty years and hundreds of innovations later, 686 remains founder-led, still driven by Mike's original vision.
What sets 686 apart in technical outerwear is a commitment to the kaizen principle: gradual, consistent improvement applied to every garment, every season. Three decades of engineering and field-testing apparel in volatile, high-elevation conditions have built a depth of technical knowledge that runs through everything the brand produces, from snowboard outerwear to everyday wear.
Innovation, sustainability, and purpose.
686 is built around four pillars: technical innovation, circular sustainability, people, and purpose. The brand is now B Corp certified, a genuine commitment to using business as a force for good, not a marketing claim. The goal is to create products and experiences designed to go everywhere and do anything, while contributing positively to the world where riders live and play.
The 686 community is made up of artists and athletes. The brand defines itself through a culture-over-contests ethos: being outside is where inspiration lives, and sharing that passion is the legacy worth building. That perspective shows up across every collection, in cuts engineered for movement and materials chosen for both performance and reduced environmental impact.
As an authorized Canadian dealer of 686, Empire carries a full selection of technical outerwear for men, women, and kids, built for the mountain and the conditions that come with it. Shop 686 in-store at Empire locations across Quebec or online at ThinkEmpire.com, backed by a team that knows snowboarding from the inside out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 686?
686 is a technical outerwear brand founded in the early 90s by Michael Akira West, rooted in LA skateboarding culture and built around snowboarding. For thirty years, the brand has applied kaizen principles, gradual, consistent improvement, to engineer performance apparel for high-elevation conditions. 686 is B Corp certified and remains founder-led.
Does Empire carry 686 products?
Yes. Empire is an authorized Canadian retailer of 686. Men's, women's, and kids' 686 outerwear is available at Empire store locations across Quebec and online at ThinkEmpire.com.
What kinds of 686 products does Empire carry?
Empire carries 686 technical outerwear designed for snowboarding and mountain conditions, with collections available for men, women, and kids.
What does 686's B Corp certification mean?
686's B Corp certification reflects a verified commitment to social and environmental responsibility, not a marketing claim. It is part of the brand's broader goal to create circularly sustainable products and use its business as a force for positive impact.
Empire: Authorized 686 Dealer – Online at ThinkEmpire.com and In-Store.
Founded in the early 90s by Michael Akira West, 686 was built on a collision of worlds: the skateboarding culture of Los Angeles and the emerging snowboard scene taking shape on th...
Founded in the early 90s by Michael Akira West, 686 was built on a collision of worlds: the skateboarding culture of Los Angeles and the emerging snowboard scene taking shape on the local mountains. Thirty years and hundreds of innovations later, 686 remains founder-led, still driven by Mike's original vision.
What sets 686 apart in technical outerwear is a commitment to the kaizen principle: gradual, consistent improvement applied to every garment, every season. Three decades of engineering and field-testing apparel in volatile, high-elevation conditions have built a depth of technical knowledge that runs through everything the brand produces, from snowboard outerwear to everyday wear.
Innovation, sustainability, and purpose.
686 is built around four pillars: technical innovation, circular sustainability, people, and purpose. The brand is now B Corp certified, a genuine commitment to using business as a force for good, not a marketing claim. The goal is to create products and experiences designed to go everywhere and do anything, while contributing positively to the world where riders live and play.
The 686 community is made up of artists and athletes. The brand defines itself through a culture-over-contests ethos: being outside is where inspiration lives, and sharing that passion is the legacy worth building. That perspective shows up across every collection, in cuts engineered for movement and materials chosen for both performance and reduced environmental impact.
As an authorized Canadian dealer of 686, Empire carries a full selection of technical outerwear for men, women, and kids, built for the mountain and the conditions that come with it. Shop 686 in-store at Empire locations across Quebec or online at ThinkEmpire.com, backed by a team that knows snowboarding from the inside out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 686?
686 is a technical outerwear brand founded in the early 90s by Michael Akira West, rooted in LA skateboarding culture and built around snowboarding. For thirty years, the brand has applied kaizen principles, gradual, consistent improvement, to engineer performance apparel for high-elevation conditions. 686 is B Corp certified and remains founder-led.
Does Empire carry 686 products?
Yes. Empire is an authorized Canadian retailer of 686. Men's, women's, and kids' 686 outerwear is available at Empire store locations across Quebec and online at ThinkEmpire.com.
What kinds of 686 products does Empire carry?
Empire carries 686 technical outerwear designed for snowboarding and mountain conditions, with collections available for men, women, and kids.
What does 686's B Corp certification mean?
686's B Corp certification reflects a verified commitment to social and environmental responsibility, not a marketing claim. It is part of the brand's broader goal to create circularly sustainable products and use its business as a force for positive impact.
686
20 products