The popular brand Dockers is releasing a line of outdoor specific clothing for fall of 2008. We got a chance to review some of the clothes before they hit the shelves.

The Dockers Outdoor line features eco-friendly materials including recycled polyester and organic cotton. Some garments are made entirely of these materials, others are blends. I think it’s great to see the big brands moving in this direction.

Dockers Outdoor clothes are made for those of us who work and play in the same clothing. From what I see, the Dockers Outdoor clothes are a more rustic, versatile and durable version of the existing Dockers line-up. The outfit I tested out is suited for general outdoor recreation, and/or if you spend time in the office and in the field. (i.e. Contractors, Engineers, Architects) As you get into more specific activities you may prefer more specialized attire.

Dockers Outdoor at Work

This outfit was very comfortable to sit and work in. I call the look “rustic sophistication”. It may be a little too casual for some professions, but I felt right at home.

Dockers Outdoor at Play

This is a sample outfit, so I didn't get it too dirty. The wood chips brushed off the vest, pants and shirt very easily. The outfit flowed with me as I was working. I didn’t feel restricted and I wasn’t worried about tearing the back of the pants open. I could tell the construction and the materials of the outfit are very durable. These clothes are great for doing some quick chores around the house, and rugged enough to do much more. I worry I'll get them too dirty to wear back into the office.

Dockers Outdoor Blackcomb Henley Shirt

Materials
100% Organic Cotton

The Blackcomb Henley is a traditional Henley style shirt. It has a small pocket hidden on the inside of the shirt, where you can hold keys or MP3 player while you’re out for a hike. The material wears comfortably and breathes fairly well for cotton, due to the waffle-knit.

Dockers Outdoor ECO Tahoe Convertible Pant

Materials
50% Organic Cotton
27% Normal Cotton
23% Nylon Canvas

The ECO Tahoe Convertible Pants are very comfortable. The material coloring and sheen make them look much dressier than your average hiking pants. The front pockets are a bit too deep, so if you have bulky items in them while you’re hiking, they may bounce around. There are also small pockets on the sides of the pants just above the knees, two pockets in the rear and one zipper pocket inside the left front pocket. The ECO Tahoe’s also have a small metal loop in the front where you can attach a badge or a keychain. The bottom part of the pant legs zip off, so you can convert these pants into shorts. It’s a nice feature if you’re traveling light and only bring one pair of pants

Dockers Outdoor Truckee Vest

Materials
67% Recycled Polyester
28% Polyester
5% Spandex

The Truckee Vest is a simple fleece that can be worn in cool temperatures. The sheen of the material is stylish enough to wear to work, yet the stretchy enough to hike or run in. The vest runs a size too large. The pockets take a little getting used to. When I first put the vest on, I didn’t like how large the pockets were, and how high the zippers went up on the vest. After a doing some wood chopping, I noticed the pockets also acted as air vents. Very Clever.