Company Teams Up with Professional Athletes to Develop the Ultimate in Performance Winter Apparel FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Oakley announced its new Pro Rider Series, a line of premium performance apparel for the Fall 2009 season of mountain recreation. The company relied on the expertise of top skiers and snowboarders from around the globe to develop and test new designs that incorporate some of the best technologies in technical outerwear, along with refinements in fit, convenience features and aesthetic cues inspired by today's pros. Concurrent with the performance apparel program, the Oakley Signature Series goggle program honors the lifestyles and inspirations of winter sports legends by creating unique art treatments for select goggles. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090929/LA83257-a) (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090929/LA83257-b) (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080828/LATH022LOGO) "The Oakley Pro Rider Series takes advantage of our most coveted assets: the knowledge and experience of the world's best athletes," said Colin Baden, president of Oakley. "The new line isn't just about answering wish lists. We approached it with the goal of re-imagining, reshaping and reinventing from scratch, and we relied on extensive testing to optimize even the smallest details -- the features most manufacturers take for granted. The breakthroughs demanded hands-on, real-world research with some of the most respected athletes in skiing and snowboarding. The end result will serve everyone, from medal contenders to weekend warriors," Baden concluded. Oakley's new Pro Rider Series apparel combines state-of-the-art technologies with conveniences that maximize functionality. Primary features vary between garments and may include such technologies as the waterproof and breathable laminate known as eVENT®, the lightweight and highly efficient insulation from 3M® called "Thinsulate®," and the avalanche rescue reflector system developed by RECCO®. Premium designs are engineered with up to 20,000mm waterproofing (equivalent to supporting a 65-foot column of water without leaking) while maintaining breathability equivalent to transporting 20,000 grams of moisture through an area of one square meter over a 24-hour period. The prime technologies served as starting points for the new designs, which were then optimized by extensive testing with pro athletes. No detail was overlooked, no matter how subtle. Utility features include split storm flaps and laser-cut wrist gaiters that eliminate bulk; a new system to prevent pant cuffs from dangling; engineered seams for better moisture management and mobility; a redesigned magnetic hold-down system for hoods; and even basic modifications such as longer zipper pulls for easier grabbing with gloved hands. Some of the best American professional freeskiers were utilized in the development and testing phases of the new Oakley Pro Rider Series. Renowned for earning a record seven gold medals in the Winter X Games, Tanner Hall assisted in the development of the Oakley Alps Jacket and Alps Pant. The use of highly breathable eVENT® lining in these designs was also inspired by Seth Morrison, a freeskiing icon known for throwing front flips off high cliffs. Quarterpipe world record holder Simon Dumont guided the fine-tuning of Oakley's new Air Raid Jacket and Air Raid Bib snow pant. Along with key input from Pep Fujas -- considered one of the most innovative skiers in the industry -- Simon directed Oakley's designers toward the best possible combination of comfort, mobility and breathable waterproofing. Winner of X Games gold in 2005 and 2006 (plus a silver medal in 2007), Norwegian freestyle skier Grete Eliassen inspired Oakley's new Trina Jacket and Trina Pant. The 20,000mm waterproofing and 20,000g/m2/24h breathability will serve her in competition, and she will have added convenience features for practice sessions, including hidden thigh vents and a handy side pocket for her lift pass. Winner of four first-place competitions in 2005 and 2006, Finn snowboarder Eero Ettala helped Oakley develop and test the new Arrestino Jacket and Arrestino Pant. Another snowboarding pro, Canadian Marie France Roy was the guiding light behind Oakley's new Float Jacket and Float Pant, offering her expertise in the development of critical performance details. Marie earned the title of Transworld Women's Rider of the Year in 2008. Complementing Oakley's Pro Rider Series apparel, the company's Signature Series goggle program is offering new premium performance designs with graphic treatments honoring the legends of winter sports. Oakley designers teamed with athletes to capture their personalities in art and turn goggles into expressions of lifestyles and inspirations. The program currently includes special editions of three premium Oakley goggle designs. Coveted in the world of winter sports, the Oakley Crowbar® Snow goggle is part of the Signature Series program and is available in multiple renditions. Skull graphics on the Seth Morrison edition are a nod to the athlete's defiance of gravity and fate. Rasta-inspired art highlights the Tanner Hall edition to salute the medal-winning wonder's approach to life. Champion snowboarder Danny Kass chose "Military Rain Camo" for his Signature Series design, and phenom freestyle skier JP Auclair's love of Japan led to graphics that depict a Tokyo subway map. For the Godfather of snowboarding, Oakley took Terje Haakonsen's unique logo and turned his Signature Series goggle into a masterpiece. Additional Oakley performance goggles are part of the program, including a Shaun White edition of the Oakley A Frame® that features an "Illusion Stripe" pattern chosen by the legendary snowboarder. For snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler, another Olympic medalist and sport icon, the company created special editions of its A Frame® and Oakley Stockholm(TM) goggles. Visit Oakley.com for more information on the company's premium performance winter apparel and accessories. Additionally, both the Pro Rider Series apparel and Signature Series goggles are available at Oakley O Stores nationwide. 3M and Thinsulate are registered trademarks of 3M. eVENT is a registered trademark of BHA Technologies, Inc. RECCO is a registered trademark of RECCO Invest AB. About Oakley, Inc. Established in 1975 and headquartered in Southern California, Oakley is one of the leading sports brands in the world. The holder of more than 600 patents, Oakley is continually seeking problems, solving them with inventions and wrapping those inventions in art. This philosophy has made Oakley one of the most iconic and inimitable brands on the market, with innovations that world-class athletes around the globe depend on to compete at the highest level possible. Oakley is famed for its insuperable lens technologies such as High Definition Optics® (HDO®) which is incorporated into all Oakley sun and prescription eyewear, and goggles. Oakley has extended its leadership position as the world's leading sports eyewear brand into apparel, footwear and accessories collections. Laser focused on the consumer, Oakley has both men's and women's product lines that target Sports Performance, Active and Lifestyle consumers. Oakley is a subsidiary of Luxottica Group (NYSE: LUX; MTA: LUX). Additional information is available at http://www.oakley.com/. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090929/LA83257-a http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090929/LA83257-b http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080828/LATH022LOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Oakley CONTACT: Brianne Bates, Public Relations, +1-949-829-6358, , or Alyssa Gross, Public Relations, +1-949-829-6291, , both of Oakley Inc. Web Site: http://www.oakley.com/

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