Functional Menswear: Meet Your New Favourite Techwear Brand
Function, meet fashion. There’s a dichotomy shaping menswear right now. On the one hand, you have fashion with a capital ‘F’, with its currently stuttering cabal of luxury brands, where selling £800 cotton T-shirts is finally gnawing at its audience. On the other hand is menswear ‘IRL’, where a more adventurous sort is demanding apparel that looks as good traversing the city as it does scaling mountains.
‘Techwear’, as it has come to be known, has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent years because it perfectly combines material quality and performance with sharp, intentional style. Enter Arksen, a brand that was born at sea by founder Jasper Smith and his son as they sailed the expansive waters around Greenland.
Arksen’s vision is to redefine functional menswear with purpose, precision, and a commitment to sustainability, and from what we’ve seen so far, they’ve ticked every box.
Purpose-Built, Style-Led
Arksen’s muses are different. They don’t seek out the style icons of generations past for inspiration, but rather the great explorers – the likes of Jacques Cousteau, Fridtjof Nansen, Thor Heyerdahl, and Bill Tillman. It’s these stories that have shaped the brand, chiselling it into a rugged platform of marine and overland expertise.
From shipbuilding and Land Rover customisation, now comes Arksen’s third pillar – apparel – and they are applying to it the exact same precision engineering they’re renowned for.
Arksen’s clothing line, developed in collaboration with cutting-edge material innovators, is designed to withstand the unpredictable while looking effortlessly sharp. This is minimalist menswear with maximalist performance. Arksen’s apparel is not just about surviving the elements – it’s about thriving in them.
Arksen’s Key Pieces
Arksen’s modus operandi revolves around the principles of functional design, blending technical innovation with a minimalist aesthetic. Here are three standout pieces that embody the brand’s vision:
Obex 3L Waterproof Jacket
Crafted for serious adventurers, the Obex 3L Waterproof Jacket blends innovative Schoeller® C‑Change fabric with a rugged 3‑layer recycled shell to deliver expedition-calibre performance. It adapts to your environment – ventilating in warmth and sealing in cold – while remaining fully waterproof, windproof, and highly breathable.
Outfitted with YKK Aquaguard zips, pit vents, an adjustable Cohaesive hood, articulated sleeves, drop hem, chest and ski-pass pockets, and reflective logos, this is a jacket that doesn’t cut corners. It strikes a balance between lightweight and durable, ideal for mountain, ski, or urban use.
It’s technical outerwear at its very best.
Vellum Sherpa Wool Fleece
Crafted from a sumptuous Italian wool-blend sherpa fleece and fortified with Cordura® at high‑wear zones (elbows, collar, chest), the Vellum fleece combines warmth, durability, and refined style.
Designed for active use or cosy après moments, its down‑proof, ultra‑light recycled shell balances insulation with breathability. Thoughtful touches such as the Schoeller® stretch cuffs, heavy‑duty YKK zips, two‑way centre zip, adjustable collar and hem, fleece‑lined hand pockets, and reflective logos, elevate performance and wearability.
At £550, it’s a premium, stylish layering essential that is built to last.
Polaris Soft-Shell Trousers
Crafted for adventurers and city explorers alike, the Polaris Softshell Trousers deliver exceptional versatility. Made from Italian recycled polyester with Lycra® stretch and Coolmax® tech, they shed wind, water, and sweat while ensuring breathable comfort.
Thoughtfully designed with darted knees, diamond gussets, an adjustable Fidlock® waistband, and cinchable ankles, they adapt seamlessly from trails to urban commutes. With multiple YKK zip pockets, including a cargo pocket accessed without lifting your jacket, they offer smart storage on the go.
Ethically made in Europe, these trousers balance sustainability, performance, and sleek design, perfect for year‑round wear.
Sustainability Without Sacrifice
Arksen’s commitment to the environment is as robust as its apparel. Partnering with FuturePlus, a sustainability platform, the brand tracks its environmental and social impact across climate, economic, diversity, social, and environmental themes.
By sourcing low-impact, recyclable materials from world-leading suppliers, Arksen ensures its garments are built to last, offering a lifetime warranty and repair services to promote circularity.
The brand’s ocean-centred mission is particularly compelling: Arksen’s partnership with 10% for the Ocean channels support to marine conservation, addressing the critical underfunding of ocean-related causes.
Stepping Up To The Top Table Of Techwear
There is no shortage of excellent competition in the techwear category of contemporary menswear, and not forgetting that luxury brands are also trying to get in on the play. But Arksen has some serious pedigree and definitely deserves to be sat at the top table with the likes of Arc’teryx Veilance, Acronym, and Stone Island Shadow Project.
Its collection has been deftly crafted with a minimalist aesthetic that feels seamlessly compatible with a modern urban wardrobe, while at the same time boasting expedition-ready performance. This is menswear with a mission: to empower exploration without exploiting the planet.
Discover the collection at arksen.com and redefine what it means to dress with purpose.
