THE KANUK HISTORY
More than thirty-five years ago, a few outdoor enthusiasts created Kanuk, a small Quebec company.
Since 1974
Thrirty-five years ago, the only way to get outdoor equipment suitable for our climate was to make it yourself. That's when we designed our first Kanuk anorak with zippers under the arms for ventilation, and our first parka made of hand-made insulated fibres to fight humidity.
COMMITTED TO HAND-MADE FIBRES
Kanuk’s use of certain materials and hand-made fibres that do not absorb humidity greatly contributed to improving the garment comfort. At the time, the best insulator, down, would lose all of its insulation properties in humid conditions and would dry very slowly.
At first, Kanuk was for outdoor enthusiasts, the "boys and girls of wood" (actually, especially the guys). The choice of colors: royal blue or ... Royal Blue!
IMPECCABLE DESIGN
In addition to using new materials, Kanuk developed a unique technique to increase its coats’ insulation. To shut the cold out entirely, no stitching is allowed to penetrate the thickness of the coat. This technique, the cornerstone of Kanuk’s production, has been refined over the years and is still the secret of our coat’s warmth. Made for adventurers and winter campers, people in Quebec now wear their Kanuk everywhere. Kanuk coats are so comfortable that those in the know wear them for all sorts of activities: skiing, hiking, walking or even heading to the office!
WEAR YOUR KANUK IN TOWN
Cameramen and movie technicians were the first to wear their Kanuk in town. They had to work outside under harsh conditions and were quick to appreciate the value of a Kanuk! They talked about the comfort of their coats to their friends, and through word of mouth, Kanuk has became the small, successful company it is today.
People in Quebec who face winter daily are now looking for comfort. Ten years ago, only the eccentrics would wear heavy parkas. Now big, warm, comfortable coats are extremely popular. Today, Kanuk offers more than 35 models of warm winter jackets in eight sizes and more than 30 colours.
The first winter jacket to be designed and sewn by Kanuk. The hood was lined with polarguard (now replaced by more attractive and resistant polar fleece). The Kanuk design — no stitching penetrates the thickness of the jacket to shut outcold, and hand-made fibres do not absorb humidity — is the cornerstone of Kanuk’s success.
The very first garment to be designed and sewn by Kanuk in the seventies: the Kangaroo anorak with zippered openings at the sides for ventilation.
Made in Quebec
HOW THE KANUK COATS ARE MADE
The 35 years of experience of Kanuk has made them experts on finding the warmest insulations, the most performing and durable materials, the strongest zippers that you can find on the market. The Kanuk coats and jackets are made to last years and we demand from our suppliers an irreproachable quality of their products.
The design team creates models that are truly warm, light and comfortable. Each new sample is tested for both material and cut. Kanuk differential cut, with the outside component of the jacket cut larger than the innercomponent, offers more warmth and ease of movement. Particular care is paid to the sizing so that our jackets are as comfortable and flattering in XXS as in XXXL.
The team of tailors, Michel de Lafontaine, Armando Ayerdis and Dominique Hallé, cuts the fabric and insulation by respecting the main line for impeccable drape and for a more esthetic look even after several washes.
After cutting, each piece of insulation is stitched one to the other, onto the lining, and each stitch is tacked at the beginning and end for absolute solidity of seams. Each piece of insulation, once stitched, is individually overlocked before assembly for even greater sturdiness.
The insulation, cut larger than the lining, is solidly anchored in the seam by overlocking for perfect stabilization. Thanks to Kanuk manufacturing (stitching and overlocking every piece of insulation), the insulated components a Kanuk jacket is stable and withstands washing. This technic also means that the jacket falls better and is more flattering, even with very thick insulation.
Diane Devault assembles the windbreaker and insulation with a minimum of sewing. No seams go through the jacket, so loss of heat through the seams is avoided. The windbreaker and insulation components are joined only at the collar, the cuffs, the hem and along the zipper.
At the same time, Denise Désilet sews the windbreaker component of the warm Kanuk jacket.
Everything is assembled together, windbreaker and insulation, with just a minimum of stitching. The two parts are joined only at the collar, wrists, waist and along the zipper. No seams go through the coat so no heat wil escape from inside. Then, the snaps are installed. The Kanuk snaps are anchored to the fabric that separates the fibres to ensure the fabric's integrity.
Last step in production: quality control. The seams of each jacket are inspected. The quality controle is rigourous at Kanuk. Only coats answering the strickest standards cross the doors of our workshop. We love our job and we are proud of our work.