What is Burton Analog?

Photo Credit: Jeff Curtes | Website

Burton Analog (or Burton AG) is a distinct line of clothing, outerwear, and hardgoods from Burton Snowboards that aims to blend fashion, function, and performance. Launched around the turn of the millennium, Analog has evolved since inception but always pushed the boundaries of what riders expect. Specifically designed to make a statement, Analog employs the same rider-driven philosophy that Burton is known for with a style that can’t be found anywhere else in the industry.

Celebrated for its resistance to conformity, Analog refuses to repeat itself or do “what everyone else does.” With a clear dedication to bucking the status quo, Analog is unmatched in its uniqueness—from fit and features to colors and patterns. And as an important part of Burton’s legacy, the history of Analog is important context for understanding what comes next.

The Origin of Burton Analog

What is Burton Analog: Concrete Halfpipe

Photo Credit: Blotto | Website

In 2001, Burton Analog was created in Burlington, Vermont, under the direction of Burton’s Chief Creative Officer Greg Dacyshyn, in partnership with key team athletes. At the time, the goal was to create a fashion-forward line of winter outerwear that captured the grit and creativity of a fast-changing snowboard culture and delivered bulletproof performance. The best softgoods designers in the industry came together to create jackets and snow pants that would change the public’s perception of outerwear.

The early years of Analog were defined by boundary-pushing collaborations with renowned designers (including Errolson Hugh from ACRONYM and streetwear godfather Hiroshi Fuhiwara) and innovative outerwear features (like the integrated Sony mini-disc player in 2002’s Clone MD Jacket). Other disruptive pieces would follow (like the Black-Ops jacket that folded into its own carrying briefcase), but limited quantities and zero marketing created an aura of mystery around the brand. (Who remembers the “secret” members-only Analog website from the early days?)

Photo Credit: Blotto

The Analog Artist Series

It was around this time that the collection expanded beyond snowboarding and fashion. The Analog Artist Series partnered well-known photographers and artists with core snowboarders to craft unique outerwear pieces. A testament to the Artist Series is its continued demand on the second-hand market several decades later.

Discoverable Details

The conceptual nature of Analog allowed Burton to think outside of the box, leading to a design technique known as “discoverable details.” From hidden pockets to unique liner prints, discoverable details were outerwear features that were not marketed and could only be found once the new owner took the piece home to wear. The discoverable details approach went on to become an important part of Burton’s outerwear offering across other collections like [ak] and Mine77

The (R)Evolution of Burton Analog

Photo Credit (left): Adam Moran | Website, Photo Credit (right): Blotto

In the mid-2000s, the Analog collection took on a military vibe and feel, incorporating olive tones and tactical styling. Jackets like the Blunt carried the tagline “Subvert. Resist. Deny. Revolt.” and the entire collection was positioned as the most progressive, style-conscious outerwear available at the time. Additional features like built-in lights and secret pockets were unlike anything anyone had seen. What is Burton Analog: Luke Winkelmann

This period also saw the release of Analog Clothing, a streetwear-focused collection of apparel and other softgoods for men and women that carried a similar style as the outerwear. With this new clothing line, Burton attempted to define the intersection of west coast boardsports and east coast boardsports. Developed in collaboration with professional skateboarders and surfers, Analog Clothing was heavily grounded in culture, with design inspiration coming from riders, art, travel, music, and more.

Analog Matures

Photo Credit: Blotto

As Burton Analog continued to explore its place in the universe, the clothing line expanded to include an assortment of cleverly designed shirts, pants, and jackets. Offering a proprietary fit system and unique detailing across a variety of washes and finishes, Analog Clothing could be found on the mountain, at the skatepark, and everywhere else in between.

Over the next decade, Analog’s aesthetic ebbed and flowed, pushing boundaries with unconventional, uncommon, and uncompromising products. But the core DNA of the brand maintained through it all: function and style.

Then in 2016, the decision was made to refocus Analog as a winter brand and the clothing line was eliminated. Returning to its snowboarding roots, Analog built on its previous softgoods design innovations to include new materials and manufacturing processes. This shift helped bring the brand to an entirely new generation of style-focused, performance-obsessed riders.

Photo Credit: Blotto

A few years later in 2022, Burton AG was reimagined and relaunched. A limited collection of softgoods and hardgoods called on the spirit of the brand to push the boundaries even further. Experimenting with some of the most advanced materials available, the refreshed collection continued to resist conformity.

Key features of the rider-designed 2022 Burton AG collection:

Unisex styling
Oversized fits
bluesign® materials
GORE-TEX® shells

The 2022 Burton AG collection also saw the brand’s first hardgoods offering, with three AG snowboards (that sold out almost immediately).

Photo Credit: Jeff Curtes

Dedicated to Snowboarding

Snowboarding has changed a lot since 2001 and so has Burton. But AG is dedicated to snowboarding and dedicated to finding the perfect blend of vibe and attitude that has always defined standing sideways. To do this, we’ve eliminated the fluff and focused on skin-to-snow, providing everything that riders need and nothing extra.

The Future of Burton Analog

AG stands proud on the unapologetic experimentation that has defined it from the very beginning. And Burton will persist in delivering on this promise to riders. Analog will continue taking chances. Continue pushing the boundaries. Continue resisting conformity. And continue designing unlikely futures.

Analog Team Riders

Photo Credit (left): Adam Moran, Photo Credit (right): Jeff Curtes

Any discussion about Burton Analog must include the incredibly deep bench of riders who have contributed over the years. Across snowboarding, skateboarding, and surfing, some of the most influential boardsports athletes of all time have had a hand in Analog’s development.