Burton’s [ak] Line Heads Into Burton’s Anniversary Season With Redesigned GORE-TEX Shells

Burton’s most technical outerwear range is arriving for the new season with a revamped set of jackets, bibs and pants. The [ak] collection is designed for long days and demanding conditions, and combines GORE-TEX protection, considered detailing and decades of snowboarding experience. The email from Burton’s PR agency promises pieces for both men and women across jackets, trousers, layering and accessories. The timing is notable. Burton will mark its 50th anniversary in 2027, and [ak], born in the Alaskan backcountry, is one of the brand’s most credible performance lines.

Born in Alaska

The [ak] story starts with two riders pushing their equipment to its limits. In the mid-1990s, Burton team riders Craig Kelly and Dave Downing were riding the big mountains of Alaska and found that Burton’s outerwear of the time couldn’t handle the conditions. They called Jake Burton Carpenter and the softgoods engineers in Vermont and laid out the improvements they needed. Kelly approached the design team in 1997, wanting uncompromising outerwear for Alaska and the backcountry, and the line was named [ak] in homage.

The same rider-led development still runs the programme. Team riders including Kimmy Fasani and Danny Davis continue to work with the design team each season to test and refine products. A Burton product merchandiser has said the hallmark of [ak] is putting best-in-class materials first.

The key pieces for 2026/27

Cyclic GORE-TEX 2L Jacket. This is the workhorse of the range. Burton calls the Cyclic the home of [ak] 2-layer performance. It is a windproof, waterproof shell with a rider-wrapped fit and Crossflow Venting to manage heat when climbing for turns. It has a RECCO reflector, a two-way front zip, a zippered sleeve pocket with a detachable tethered scraper, and a zip-out waist gaiter. The US price is $529.95. Burton describes it as the shell to build your [ak] kit around.

Swash Synthetic and Swash Down jackets. The insulated options are redesigned for 2027. The Swash Synthetic is the Cyclic’s insulated counterpart, with the same GORE-TEX 2L shell and 60g of body-mapped PrimaLoft Silver insulation. A retailer describes it as completely redesigned for 2027 and as Burton’s most popular all-mountain insulated jacket. The Swash Down uses down insulation under the same 2-layer GORE-TEX for backcountry riding, from storm days to cold lift rides.

Men's [ak] Swash Synthetic Insulated GORE-TEX 2L Jacket 2027 

Cyclic pants and bib. The Cyclic Pants are completely redesigned for 2027, with an updated fit, refined pocket organisation and a mesh-lined continuous inner-thigh vent. They have a regular fit and a PFAS-free DWR finish. The Cyclic Bib is new for 2027, with a relaxed fit and exterior and continuous inner-thigh venting, which Burton describes as the most temperature control in the [ak] bib lineup. It also has a zippered drop-seat for field transitions, a beacon-friendly thigh pocket and boot gaiters. The Cyclic Pants are $479.95 in the US. An insulated Swash Pant has 40g of PrimaLoft Silver.

• Men's [ak] Cyclic GORE-TEX® 2L Jacket - Rum Raisin/Chinchilla Gray £460

• Men's [ak] Helium Stretch Insulated Vest -Dried Moss £160

• Men's [ak] Cyclic GORE-TEX® 2L Pants - Chinchilla Gray £390

• [ak]® Dispatcher 25L Backpack - Rum Raisin £160

• [ak] Clutch GORE-TEX® Gloves - Summit Taupe £125

• Men's [ak] Swash Synthetic Insulated GORE-TEX® 2L Jacket - Rum Raisin £520

• Men's [ak]® Baker Down Jacket -Chinchilla Gray £250

• Men's [ak] Swash Insulated GORE-TEX® 2L Pants - Dried Moss £420

• Women's [ak] Cyclic GORE-TEX® 2L Jacket Nightshade Purple /Purple Voltage £460

• Women's [ak]® Swash Insulated GORE-TEX 2L Pants £420.00

• Women's [ak]® Baker Down Jacket - Chinchilla Gray £250

The [ak] range sits within a company that is itself approaching a milestone. Jake Burton Carpenter founded Burton in 1977 in his Vermont barn. Today the company is based in Burlington, Vermont, with offices in Austria, Japan, Australia, Canada and China.

Burton's [ak] collection brings together technical performance, considered design and dependable protection for demanding days in the mountains. From GORE-TEX outerwear to adaptable layering and backcountry-ready accessories, every piece is built to handle changing conditions without compromising on comfort or movement.The 2027 pieces use recycled nylon shells and C0 or PFAS-free water-repellent finishes. Many pieces also carry a lifetime warranty.

Closing thoughts

A technical outerwear line is only as good as its performance in a storm. With [ak], Burton is trading on a reputation for rider-tested design and on GORE-TEX protection in a market where many brands compete on price. The 2027 redesigns of the Swash jackets and Cyclic pants, and the new Cyclic bib, show the line responding to feedback. As Burton heads towards its 50th year, [ak] remains a reminder that the company’s roots lie in snowboarders asking for better gear.