Brand In Focus: Airblaster
In the early 2000s, snowboarding was taking itself pretty seriously. But in a basement in Portland, Oregon, three friends decided to change that. Airblaster was born in 2002, founded by pro snowboarder Travis Parker alongside Jesse Grandkoski and Paul Miller. Their mission was simple: bring the fun back to snowboarding. Forget the cool vibes and trend-chasing—Airblaster focused on friends, freedom, and fun. That irreverent, authentic spirit has defined the brand ever since.
From the start, Airblaster wasn’t just another gear brand—it was snowboarders making gear for snowboarders, rewriting the rules with a DIY ethos. Their first products? Three T-shirts and a beer coozie. Over the years, they’ve grown that basement-born creativity into a globally recognized brand, setting trends like the now-ubiquitous snowboarding anorak.
Airblaster’s personality shines not just in their gear but also in their community. Their roster of team riders reads like a who’s who of snowboarding’s most creative talents, including legends like Temple Cummins, Bode Merrill, and Max Warbington. Max’s Brain Bowl Sessions, a DIY snowboard park built with friends, perfectly captures what Airblaster is all about: innovation, inclusivity, and celebrating the sheer joy of riding. This ethos has also extended into their involvement in supporting films which embody the creative, unpretentious heart of the sport. Unlike brands that spend months producing high-budget projects, Airblaster focuses on documenting one-month team trips. These films don’t just showcase banger clips but also the good times that go hand in hand with the mega-booters and gnarly street rails.
Sustainability has become a cornerstone of Airblaster’s vision, and it’s another area where they refuse to cut corners. Their outerwear is 100% PFAS-free (nasty chemicals often used in waterproofing that stick around in the environment forever and can even build up in people and animals), a major win for reducing environmental harm. They’ve also committed to using recycled materials and minimizing waste throughout their production process, proving that caring for the planet doesn’t mean compromising on quality or style.
Airblaster’s collaborations further showcase their influence and creativity. They’ve partnered with respected names like Union Binding Co. to create a custom house binding that was heavy-duty, retro-inspired, and unmistakably Airblaster. Their collaboration with GNU brought the Gremlin snowboard to life: big, purple, and covered in pterodactyls—a true reflection of their fun-loving identity.
Ultimately, Airblaster is more than a brand—it’s a celebration of snowboarding at its best. Whether you’re looking for gear that works as hard as you do or just want to reconnect with the joy of riding, Airblaster delivers. Check out their latest adventures on Instagram, and don’t forget to explore their gear on our website or visit us in store. As they say, Stay Wild!
