[Sold Out Alert] Who will dominate the 2026-27 season? 686 Mid-Season Ranking and Pro's "Serious Buy" List Revealed

"Always Different" - 686, a leader in outerwear for 34 years, has released its early bird reservation and mid-season ranking for the 2026-27 season, predicting trends. This release is not just a record of "best-sellers." It's a crystallization of functional beauty that ambassadors, who know the snowy mountains inside and out, declare they would "buy with their own money," and the originality born from collaborations with FOX RACING and METALLICA. With the reservation deadline on April 30th approaching, severe size shortages are already occurring. The choice made at this moment will determine the quality of next season's riding.

686 Official Online Store here
https://shop.likesdowell.co.jp/view/category/ct_686

The mid-season ranking released this time is based on actual order data during the early reservation period.
It visualizes the real trends of which models users are choosing this season.

MENS WINDSTOPPER PYRODOWN PUFFER JACKET

A new WINDSTOPPER series jacket starting next season. This model is highly regarded for its versatility, combining windproofness and heat retention to support comfortable riding in cold conditions, and also being suitable for town use. Also available in a collaboration color with UNION.

COLOR: CHARCOAL PATINA, LIMESTONE, BLACK, UNION SOLAR

Price: 74,800 yen (tax included), UNION SOLAR 77,000 yen (tax included)

MENS GORE - TEX DISPATCH THERMAGRAPH JACKET

This model is popular for its design that incorporates the Thermagraph Active Body Mapping System, allowing it to adapt to a wide range of conditions by considering temperature regulation.

COLOR: LIMESTONE COLORBLOCK, WASABI, BLACK

Price: 126,500 yen (tax included)

・LS1 SHELL ANORAK

This model is chosen for its versatility, being lightweight, easy to move in, and offering a great balance of style and function, making it suitable for a wide range of situations. Japan-exclusive SMU model.

COLOR: KHAKI COLORBLOCK, PALE FIRN COLORBLOCK

Price: 52,800 yen (tax included)

MENS FOX RACING SPEC INSULATED JACKET

A collaboration series between 686 and Fox Racing. This jacket is praised for its street-like design and practicality, allowing riders to achieve both style and performance.

COLOR: FOX YELLOW COLORBLOCK

Price: 60,500 yen (tax included)

MENS FOX RACING SPEC SHELL PANT

[Photo]

A collaboration series between 686 and Fox Racing. These pants are popular for their balance of mobility and silhouette, and the high level of completeness when worn as a set-up.

COLOR: FOX YELLOW COLORBLOCK

Price: 52,800 yen (tax included)

Extra Edition

METALLICA CUFF BEANIE

A collaboration model between 686 and METALLICA. This item attracts attention for its iconic graphics, which serve as a styling accent.

COLOR: METALLICA BLACK

Price: 7,150 yen (tax included)

Each model has its reasons for being chosen.
User choices reflect this season's unique trends in terms of silhouette, functionality, and wearing scenarios.

■ Models Chosen by Ambassadors (GORE-TEX Line)

From a different perspective than the ranking, we introduce models that 686 ambassadors have actually chosen and plan to wear for the season.

They regularly ride in the snowy mountains and use the products in real environments. Their choices are based on clear practical reasons, not just appearance, including range of motion, comfort, and adaptability to conditions.

MENS GORE - TEX DISPATCH THERMAGRAPH JACKET

COLOR: LIMESTONE COLORBLOCK, WASABI, BLACK

Price: 126,500 yen (tax included)

Ambassadors wearing: Atsushi Hasegawa, Kotaro Minamitani, Wataru Okamoto, Koji Sugimoto, Kana Kinoshita

Ambassador Voice: Kotaro Minamitani

"I've worn other GORE-TEX jackets before, but this is the most comfortable one yet. It's incredibly easy to move in. I've been wearing 3L jackets for several seasons, but even 2L is light enough. It's warm and doesn't get stuffy. The fit feels good around the body, and the hem is neat, so it doesn't get bulky when wearing a backpack."

Ambassador Voice: Kana Kinoshita

"It's not as thin as the core jackets I used to use, so I like it because it's easy to adjust my inner layers both in Japan and overseas (especially on cold days)! When I used the core, it was easy to adjust, but there were fewer vents, and during peak season, it was generally cold, so I had to wear a lot of layers. I also like the vibrant solid colors! And I thought the chest pocket would be huge like a GT jacket, but the phone pocket is separated inside, so it doesn't fall out and doesn't interfere with my beacon, which is a huge selling point."

MENS GORE - TEX DISPATCH SHELL BIB

COLOR: BLACK, DARK EARTH, LIMESTONE COLORBLOCK

Price: 110,000 yen (tax included)

Ambassadors wearing: Koji Sugimoto, Sora Sakashita, Kana Kinoshita

Ambassador Voice: Koji Sugimoto

"Chest pocket position: It's very easy to use because it shortens the time it takes to take out my phone and shoot. The waterproof zipper gives me peace of mind even if I put tissues in it. The stretch back panel makes them comfortable to wear, and the silhouette isn't too slim, which is good. The durability of the hem is also good, so it's a good piece of clothing for backcountry users because it's hard to break. There are no downsides."

MENS WINDSTOPPER PYRODOWN PUFFER JACKET

COLOR: CHARCOAL PATINA, LIMESTONE, BLACK, UNION SOLAR

Price: 74,800 yen (tax included), UNION SOLAR 77,000 yen (tax included)

Ambassadors wearing: Shuhei Sato, Shunto Yoneya, Wataru Okamoto, Daisuke Nishimura, Sora Sakashita, Kaho Minamitani

Ambassador Voice: Shuhei Sato

"I love down jackets, and I was excited to see down back in the lineup after a long time! The fit is casual and easy to wear, and it's light and very comfortable. And since it's made with Gore WINDSTOPPER fabric, it can also be used as outerwear, which is the best! I need all the colors."

DOJO GORE - TEX SHELL PANT

COLOR: DARK EARTH, BLACK, MOSS GREEN

Price: 73,700 yen (tax included)

Ambassadors wearing: Shuhei Sato, Atsushi Hasegawa, Kotaro Minamitani, Wataru Okamoto

Ambassador Voice: Atsushi Hasegawa

"Among all the jogger-type pants I've worn, I think these have a particularly good fit. Perhaps because the GORE-TEX fabric is light and soft, the fabric doesn't bunch up around the hips and waist, and it falls straight down to the hem, so the hips and waist look neat. And the way it gathers around the knees is good. Since it's a jogger type, the area around the bindings is clean, which is nice. It's so comfortable to wear that I can relax and slide."

GORE - TEX GT THERMAGRAPH JACKET

COLOR: ALPENGLOW BLUE, BLACK, LIMESTONE COLORBLOCK, MOSS GREEN, DARK EARTH

Price: 84,700 yen (tax included)

Ambassadors wearing: Keita Yamazaki, Kaho Minamitani

Ambassador Voice: Keita Yamazaki

"It's only warm where it needs to be, and there's no unnecessary stuffiness, so it's really easy to use throughout the season. Even when I get hot hiking, it's comfortable, and it keeps me warm when I'm riding. This balance is just right. I can wear it all day without stress, and it's a jacket that makes me think, 'You can't go wrong with this.'"

■ Early Reservations are Limited, Size Shortages Occurring

As the early reservation period approaches its end, popular models and sizes are steadily decreasing in stock. Especially for top-ranked models and models planned to be worn by ambassadors, movement is fast, and some items are already experiencing size shortages. To ensure you get what you want for the main season, now is the crucial time to make your choice while options are still available.

■ About Early Reservation Sales

Reservation Period: March 11, 2026 - April 30, 2026
Sales Site: LIKES ONLINE STORE
https://shop.likesdowell.co.jp/view/page/2627preorder686
Estimated Delivery: Around November 2026

■ How to Reserve

Eligible products can be reserved with a 20% deposit of the selling price.

Early Reservation Benefits (for specified high-end models only)
・10% point back
・686 original pouch gift

● About 686

Founded in 1992 in Los Angeles, California, USA, by founder and designer Michael Akira West, 686 is a snowboard apparel brand. Since its inception, the brand has consistently pursued its philosophy of "Product is King," "High Tech, Good times," "Always Different," and "REIMAGINE PERFORMANCE," focusing solely on creating outerwear.

He continues to create innovative and original products that exceed users' imaginations.

686 has pioneered collaboration wear with artists, famous brands, and characters, and developed unique technologies such as the SMARTY 3-IN-1 SYSTEM, ORIGINAL TOOL BELT, THERMAGRAPH BODY MAPPING SYSTEM, and HYDRASTASH SYSTEM. They have also fused outerwear with fashion through items like the REAL DENIM JACKET & PANTS, PRINT DENIM PANT, and FLANNEL SHIRT JACKET, setting them apart from other brands. As a leading outerwear brand, they are widely supported by users ranging from beginners to core enthusiasts. Thanks to their originality, even after 34 years since the brand's launch, they remain among the top three most popular brands in both the United States and Japan.

Official Website: https://sixeightsix.com/
Official Online Store: https://shop.likesdowell.co.jp/ct_686
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/686_jpn/
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LINE Official Account: https://line.me/ti/p/%40697efaqx