Kathmandu is doubling down on its winter trading momentum, launching two limited edition puffer jackets co-designed with brand ambassadors and comedy duo The Inspired Unemployed.
The two jackets were born out of a seven-month creative process, with Matt Ford and Jack Steele from the Inspired Unemployed working alongside Kathmandu's head of design and head of product management – from initial design workshops through to prototyping and final production.
Both styles use the brand's boxy and slouchy Epiq silhouette as the base, with the duo making every design call: main fabric, lining colours, zip and pocket types, patches, embroidery and product names.
The drop lands at a commercially significant moment for Kathmandu. The outdoorwear retailer delivered double-digit same store sales growth for the first time in over two years, with its direct-to-consumer same store sales (including online) lifting 11.1 per cent in the six weeks to March 15, 2026.
The brand's key Winter trading periods is still to come – making the high-profile collab a timely shot of cultural heat heading into its peak season.
According to Kathmandu, the two styles by Ford and Steel cannot be any more different. Ford's Epiq Falcon is a bright yellow jacket adorned with patches, a detail Ford spent considerable time deliberating over.
"I didn't know how many to do, or to do any at all," he said. "There's a fine line between the patches being too much, and just right. The patches make the jacket unique and individual, and that's what I want people to feel when they're wearing it."
For Ford, who describes himself as always having been interested in fashion, the Epiq Falcon marks his first-ever product design.
Steele took a different direction. His Epiq Steele pairs colour-blocked trail brown and black with a cold brew inner lining and icy blue zip pullers. Its most personal touch: the words "life is rare, don't waste it" are embroidered across the back.
"This is beyond a dream," Steele said of the collaboration. "I have worn Kathmandu puffers for over 14 years and never thought this would happen in my life."
Despite their contrasting identities, both jackets share the same materials – 100 per cent recycled outer fabric and lining, and 600 fill power duck down.
Kathmandu's head of design, April Burrows, said the brand was proud to have brought the duo's personalities to life without compromising the Epiq's performance credentials.
"Matt and Jack were extremely thoughtful and took the time to dig into what represents them best,” Burrows said. “As product experts, our role was to support them through the process and provide guidance. A true collaboration that we're excited to bring to our consumers."
The timing underscores Kathmandu's broader momentum under KMD Brands' 'Next Level' strategy. The retailer recorded a 12.3 per cent lift in underlying sales in the first half of FY26 to NZ$176.1 million, alongside an 81.6 per cent improvement in underlying EBITDA to negative NZ$2.4 million. The company is also on track to achieve gross margin expansion year-on-year in the second half of FY26, with consumers responding positively to improved product flow and assortment.
KMD Brands group CEO Brent Scrimshaw has pointed to Kathmandu's renewed focus on innovation as a key driver.
"We're particularly encouraged by the improved performance of Kathmandu, which has delivered double-digit same store sales growth for the first time in over two years," he said, adding that it was pleasing to see consumers responding positively to the brand's accelerated product freshness, flow, and assortment.
The limited edition Epiq Falcon and Epiq Steele are available now online and in select Kathmandu stores across Australia, priced at an RRP pf $429.98.