The Elevated Collection - Shred Dog Gear Review
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Two years ago I came across a new company calling themselves Shred Dog and promising to outfit the world’s lil’ rippers in high performance gear at direct to consumer prices. I was immediately intrigued. My experience has been that it’s hard to find everything you would expect in premium adult outdoor gear, made specifically for your kids. High performance materials, construction and special features are usually saved for those who fit adult sizes. But, if you are a Mama who gets your kids outside in all conditions, you know there is no such thing as bad weather… UNLESS your kids don’t have the proper clothing.
Shred Dog gave me hope!
I can first and foremost say, Shred Dog truly listens to their customers. It’s obvious that their commitment to the co-design process has become a strong foundation from which they have created The Elevated Collection; elite technical apparel that helps kids live outside.
Elevated Hardshell
My 12 year old son Tanner has always been very particular (anyone have one of those in the family?) about two things on his jacket. The collar and the cuffs. He wants a collar that zips up completely and protects him when it’s blowing but isn’t too bulky and doesn't get in the way of his range of motion. This is one of the topics we shared during the co-design process and Shred Dog hit the mark. Tanner loves the new collar on this Elevated Hardshell. Soft and flexible, yet protective in all the right ways. This new design seamlessly merges with the helmet friendly hood and zips up around his neck like a cozy gaiter. Well done Shred Dog!
The cuffs were up for the test next. Tanner is a kid who likes to wear his jacket cuffs over the end of his mittens. This can be tricky with the large gaiters that gloves tend to have these days. For Tanner a must have for any great jacket is an adjustable cuff, large enough to fit over the gaiter on his mittens. So he tried the Elevated Hardshell on with his favorite Hestra mittens, first thing, and I am happy to announce… we have a winner! Personally I love the rubberized wrist gasket which helps create a secure seal around said mittens. This should really help to keep his wrists and arms dry on wet days.
Tanner’s first thought was how he’ll probably wear this layer alone on those warm spring days. He usually likes to strip down to a cotton sweatshirt which drives me crazy because he is out for hours, sweating and cooling. The weather between the bottom of the mountain and the summit can be drastically different and we all know cotton is not the proper material for such conditions. So I was glad to hear he’s already thinking of the practicality of stripping off an under layer and wearing this weatherproof shell instead.
Break time usually calls for a good roll in the powder! Loving the adjustable rubberized wrist gaskets on the Elevated Hardshell. Keeping the snow on the outside, where it belongs.
Other great features include:
20k/20k waterproof/breathability rating - “top notch”
Fully-seam taped - “thank you”
Waterproof zippers - “did I say thank you”
Underarm vents - “my favorite adult feature”
Adjustable sleeve length - “so useful”
Rubberized/adjustable wrist gaskets - “brilliant”
Helmet-compatible hood with a high collar for cold and windy days - “so we can stay out when the powder is good”
Element Insulator
Designed to layer comfortably under any hardshell or more specifically zip-in to the Elevated Hardshell, Tanner likes the idea of being able to wear this layer, on its own, up to the hill in the mornings. He loves having a warm layer that doesn’t make him overheat while in the car or running around the lodge. As a Mom I see the benefit of being able to keep that warm, core layer on his body, while adding the hardshell over the top as soon as he’s ready to head out on the slopes. He noticed the dropback hem immediately, right now that’s his favorite style!
On opening weekend Tanner had a chance to get out and ride using the Element Insulator zipped into the Elevated Hardshell, wearing only a base layer underneath. It was a nice brisk ski day, somewhere in the 20’s. He was concerned that the lack of “bulk” in his new Element Insulator was going to make for a cold day. But, there were no complaints on the hill, even on the coldest of chair rides. As we headed back to the car I asked him if he felt cold while out skiing, “No, I just felt like room temperature all day, never too hot and never too cold” he said with surprise. I have to admit, I was a bit surprised myself. When you first feel this layer of the Shred Dog system you may think it to be too thin and lightweight to do the cold weather justice. But, Shred Dog knows cold weather and utilizing body-mapped insulation, have created a layer that does a good job of keeping warmth around the core, where the body needs it most.
Zipping the Element Insulator into the Elevated Hardshell was extremely comfortable. Tanner said he stayed “room temperature” while riding all day, “never too hot and never too cold” he shared.
Other great features include:
3M Thinsulate insulation - “love it”
Durable water repellency - “hallelujah”
Body mapped insulation - “great idea!”
Adjustable sleeve length - “can you say hand me downs”
Drop down hem that keeps the lower back protected - “also very in style”
Can be easily zipped in to the Elevated Hardshell - “a comfortable fit”
Elevated Convertible Bib/Pant
Since my first review of the Convertible Bibs a couple of years ago, Tanner has really put them to the test. After two seasons of riding, he has worn them in all weather and under all skiing conditions, in training and in competition, he has loved these bibs more than any before. I love that they made it through two whole seasons of growing and riding! From tree skiing, to crashing to sledding on his knees down the hill. He threw down and his convertible bibs held up to the torture.
On stormy or powdery days he would wear them with the bib top piece, keeping him warmer and providing him with more protection from the snow but, he was also happy to remove that bib at the end of the day, so he could wear his snow pants around town more comfortably. Honestly, he utilized the convertibility of these bibs way more than I thought he would and despite a massive growth spurt, was ready to squeeze into them for a third year if he had too. He refused to wear anything else. He loved them that much.
So this season he’ll be putting Shred Dog’s new Elevated Convertible Bib/Pant to the same rigorous test. He’s excited about a couple of new features on this new design like the stretchy back panel and the velcro waist adjustment. From first observation we can also tell that this bib design will be easier than the first to add or remove, utilizing a larger zipper at the bottom of the panel and velcro instead of a zipper on the chest.
Again great job listening to your customers Shred Dog. The only frustration Tanner ever had with the first convertible design was that he often struggled to add or remove the bib on his own. This new design should allow for independence, which is important, when you’re 12.
Other great features include:
20k/20k waterproof/breathability rating - “always dry and comfortable”
Fully seamed tape - “that’s quality”
Zippered side vents - “so useful”
Reinforced knees, instep and bottom hem - “Put the needle and thread away”
Waterproof Zippers (pockets) - “keep that lunch money dry”
Adjust-A-Fit System - “best feature ever!”
Snow gaiters with gripper elastic - “they’ve thought of everything”
The new and improved Elevated Convertible Bib/Pant are an even better fit for Tanner than the originals. We are taking full advantage of the Adjust-A-Fit system, to shorten the legs so they fit comfortably over his boots but don’t get stepped on when he’s walking back to the car.
“In the meantime, we’ll see you outside. Creating magic. Creating memories.”
Our excellent experience with the Shred Dog brand is enough to keep me coming back for more but, they have won my heart by committing themselves to three important missions.
First, Our Children!
Shred Dog donates 1% of their sales to non-profit organizations that share their vision to get more kids outside, while simultaneously working to build their own non-profit program to do the same.
Second, Our Planet!
Shred Dog believes they have a responsibility to our planet and have introduced Shred Dog Renewed. By partnering with The Renewal Workshop, Shred Dog is able to take back the gear that no longer fits your family and renew it for continued use by a new family.
Third, Our Pocket Books!
Shred Dog was built with the idea that in order to make technical gear at a price point that parents, with constantly growing children, can actually afford, they’d have to sell direct to consumer. No middleman means no retail markup, that means you can purchase Shred Dog gear at anytime for 40% off the retail value.
Listen… I’ve been skiing myself for 41 years, teaching others to ski for 22 and venturing into the mountains with my own lil’ rippers for 17… and here’s my advice.
Check out Shred Dog! You can view their entire collection HERE
I get it! Their gear is not cheap but, that’s the bonus. We already know cheap gear comes with other prices. Take advantage of Shred Dogs direct to consumer pricing to keep things reasonable and I think you’ll find, both their mission and their gear are worth the investment!
Sizing Tip: Tanner is 12 and average to small for his age. This season he is wearing a size 14 Elevated Hardshell with a size 14 Element Insulator and a size 12 Elevated Convertible Bib. All fit comfortably, are not too big, yet offer plenty of room for growth. Shred Dog provides a detailed sizing guide on their website to help you find the right fit for your lil’ripper.
