Spyder

History

Montreal-born Spyder founder David Jacobs turned his experience as a Canadian downhill champion and national team coach into a new venture in 1978, creating the first padded race sweater. The company that would later become Spyder began as a mail-order business in Colorado operated out of Jacobs’s kitchen. The eventual name came from one of their next products, race pants with injection-moulded pads that wrapped around the knee and the thigh, which his young son thought looked like spiders.

Through the 1980s and 1990s, Spyder built its reputation as a racing innovator. The first speed suits appeared in 1986, and the brand’s SpeedWyre technology—so effective it was eventually banned by the FIS—underscored its drive to harness cutting-edge technology to give athletes every possible advantage. In 1989, the U.S. Ski Team signed Spyder as its official supplier, a partnership that would span decades and showcase the brand on the world’s biggest stage.

As skiing evolved, so did Spyder, who applied their expertise into the sport’s new spheres. In 2000, the brand launched Team Venom, bringing freeski icons such as CR Johnson, Seth Morrison, and JP Auclair into the fold and expanding its influence beyond the racecourse. Today, the brand continues to innovate with advanced fabrics, moisture management, and insulation technologies to create better clothing for all ski disciplines, including carving, freestyle, and touring. Its latest step forward is a commitment to sustainability, including the launch of PFAS-free outerwear beginning in 2024.

Performance with Style

Spyder’s aesthetic has always carried the same edge as its performance. From race suits with a superhero look to outerwear that merges advanced fabrics with sharp, athletic lines, the brand is instantly recognizable on the slopes. The iconic spider logo reinforces a design language that’s bright, stylish, and technical.

Technologies in Spyder Products

EXO Shield

Spyder’s proprietary EXO Shield fabric is engineered to keep you dry, comfortable, and moving freely in all conditions. A microporous membrane blocks snow and rain while allowing moisture to escape, helping regulate your body temperature during active days on the slopes. Available in 10K, 20K, and 30K waterproof ratings, it offers the right balance of protection and breathability for every skier. With options in 2-way and 4-way stretch, EXO Shield maintains its shape while giving you the easy mobility you need. Starting in fall 2024, all EXO Shield fabrics will be PFAS-free and made with recycled materials.

GORE-TEX

GORE-TEX fabric has long been trusted for its ability to keep skiers warm, dry, and comfortable. Its ultrathin membrane is durably waterproof, windproof, and breathable, with billions of microscopic pores that block rain and snow while letting sweat vapour escape. The result is dependable protection that helps regulate your body temperature through changing weather and activity levels. Many Spyder jackets use GORE-TEX with stretch materials for freedom of movement and long-lasting durability. For drier days, GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ offers windproof, highly breathable comfort without the need for full waterproofing.

Graphene

This wonder material is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon with extraordinary properties. When applied to fabrics, it enhances performance without altering the textile’s natural feel. Graphene helps regulate body temperature by dispersing heat evenly, reduces static by conducting and dissipating electric charges, and offers natural anti-odour benefits. Lightweight and versatile, it’s incorporated into select Spyder outerwear pieces to give skiers added comfort and consistent performance across changing conditions.

Sorona®

Sorona® Aura insulation delivers lightweight warmth and long-lasting loft, helping Spyder outerwear stay comfortable without excess bulk. Its breathable structure retains heat efficiently while reducing the amount of filling needed, so jackets and pants feel lighter to wear. Made in part from renewable, plant-based materials, Sorona® lowers environmental impact without sacrificing performance. Every Sorona® fabric is tested and verified through the Common Thread Certification Program, ensuring transparency and traceability from production to final garment.

PrimaLoft®

An industry leader in synthetic insulation, PrimaLoft® is renowned for its warmth, softness, and lightweight comfort. Its ultrafine fibres trap heat efficiently, helping you stay warm while remaining breathable and easy to move in. While not waterproof, it’s naturally water-repellent; PrimaLoft® continues to insulate even when damp and dries quickly if exposed to snow or rain. Many versions are made from recycled or biodegradable fibres, which reduces their environmental impact. Lightweight and packable, garments with PrimaLoft® are perfect for layering and offer dependable warmth from mid-winter through spring.

Dermizax™

Developed in Japan by Toray, Dermizax™ is a waterproof, breathable fabric designed specifically for winter sports. With protection up to 20K, it blocks snow and rain while allowing perspiration to escape, helping you stay dry and comfortable in changing conditions. Unlike traditional membranes, Dermizax™ uses advanced technology to regulate moisture and maintain warmth without sacrificing comfort.

RECCO®

The RECCO® Avalanche Rescue System makes you searchable by professional rescuers in the event of an avalanche or if you become lost in the outdoors. Integrated reflectors in Spyder gear can be detected by RECCO® devices on the ground or from helicopters, helping rescuers quickly locate your position. Lightweight and requiring no batteries, the reflectors last for the lifetime of the garment. That said, RECCO® does not replace avalanche safety equipment such as a transceiver, probe, and shovel. It serves as an additional tool to increase your chances of being found.

Spyder at Oberson

Looking for the right Spyder gear to be your best on the slopes? Our team of passionate skiers is here to help. Reach out online or stop by our Laval and Brossard locations. Explore our collection of Spyder outerwear, including jackets, pants, bibs, mid layers, and beanies, all designed to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable on the slopes.