Digg This Story   Apr 16 08

/ by rich auger

The year was 1998, the location - British Columbia's North Shore Mountains in Vancouver, the idea - start a kickass clothing company and so it was - the birth of Sombrio. To the present day where Sombrio celebrates their 10 year anniversary with their biggest line up of freeride clothing to date. For 10 years the mountain bikers turned businessmen have been supplying us with some of the coolest designs and graphics available in the cycling industry. In a world dominated by Sesame Street characters sublimated on jerseys worn by spandex clad riders Sombrio has been a giant blessing to freeriders who prefer the baggier approach to cool. The visual design trends illustrated on the various pieces through out the Sombrio line up have always been years ahead of the ever stagnate cycling industry, taking their cues from the surf, skate and snow culture. Nothing looks cooler than a rider hitting a jump and launching through the air wearing a crazy a$$ pattern by Sombrio. I am sure you have seen a photo much like this in Bike Magazine a few times.

Just in case John F. is reading this, I am not a freerider who gets crazy air or hits mad tricks, I am just a weekend warrior who likes his single track but refuses to wear spandex. I may look like a poser but I love many baggy a$$ Sombrio jersey and I say it is not just for freeriders. If you love killer graphics Sombrio is for you. Join me in making cross country look a little more modern in design and demand that your local shop offer more than cartoons on tight fitting jerseys. Thank you Sombrio and happy birthday. Now if we could only get the killer graphics on cross country bikes. The freeriders get all the good stuff - it is just not fair (whine).

Click here to check out the Sombrio site and here to check out the Sombrio Girl site. If you are interested check out the short video on the evolution of Sombrio here.