Cool Hunting

Nau won us over from the beginning with their impeccably designed, eco-conscious outerwear and business concept. This behind-the-scenes video features insights into their design process, retail store design and their guiding philosophy.

Designers Mark Galbraith and Peter Kallen show us a few items from their latest collection and Ian Yolles, the VP of Brand Communications, walks us through the process of shopping at one of their "Webfront" boutiques.

We've partnered with Nau to give away an item from their collection—any item!—to one CH reader that we'll pick at random. See the last paragraph of the post to get the details.

Here are a few of our favorite pieces from Nau's Fall/Winter 2007 Collection:

The Merchant Coat (above left, $325) updates a classic sailor look with Nau's own unusual blend of recycled polyester and wool. With room for layers underneath, the stand-up collar keeps necks warm, open underarm construction reduces bulk and leather trim adds a contrasting level of detail.

The go-more-pile (above center, $160) is a fleece coat that's closely shorn on the outside but thick on the inside. The result is a thin jacket that provides a surprising amount of warmth on its own but is also comfortable to layer on the coldest days.

The most surprising aspect of the Down Shirt (above right, $175) is how slender they get a 850-fill goose down shirt to look. It could be because they strategically place more thickness where it's needed most. The shirt bunches up into a small ball while the insulating source packs the most amount of heat per ounce on the market.

Like the name implies, the Clean Line rain jacket (above left, $220) keeps fussy details to the barest of minimums making for the ultimate modern wet weather gear. Welded seams, laser cut vents, construction that mimics the body and waterproof zippers are just a few of the features that make this one of our staples.

Made of a Japanese stretch fabric that's eco-friendly and engineered to wick moisture and lined with soft material, the "Shroud of Purrin" series are high-functioning garments for urban wear. The trench (above center, $324) marries the timeworn shape with modern details, like a high collar with an asymmetrical design. Angled cuffs that integrate easily with gloves on the jacket (above right, $258) are another example of Nau's commitment to perfecting what they make down to the smallest features.

Shop now for the holidays and receive free shipping on all orders.

To enter follow the contact link at the bottom of the page, select "Nau Giveaway" from the pull-down menu and make sure you enter your email by Monday, 19 November 2007, 11:59pm EST. Update: You now have until Wednesday, 21 November 2007 at 11:59pm EST! We've chosen a winner! Thanks to everyone who entered. Please note that by entering the giveaway you will be added to Nau's Off The Grid monthly mailing list (see the current issue here).