Pacsun steps into men’s activewear category

Dive Brief:

• Pacsun has entered the men’s activewear category with a new collection that launched Friday.
• The 28-piece line, called A.R.C., includes short-sleeve and cut-off T-shirts, flight shorts, vests, crewnecks, hoodies, pants and joggers. It’s available both online and in stores, and prices range from $29.95 to $74.95.
• Pacsun’s entry into men’s activewear follows the launch of its women’s activewear line. It opened a physical store for the sub brand Pac1980 in the Mall of America in Minnesota last year and opened 20 active shops within existing Pacsun locations.

Dive Insight:

A.R.C. is the debut collection for Pacsun’s men’s activewear category, but following the initial release, a portfolio of outside brands will be added. Another drop with activewear brand Y.I.W.O launched Tuesday.

The company said it was “taking a distinctive approach” to the men’s activewear category by creating multifunctional pieces. The collection’s name, A.R.C., is an acronym for active, recreation and comfort.

Pacsun said the new collection is “tailored to the dynamic lifestyles of Gen Z males, merging active, recreational, and comfort-focused elements.” Fabrics used in the collection include heavyweight fleece, stretch nylons, and moisture-wicking polyblends, per the company.

The launch also includes a campaign starring young athletes such as NCAA quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Carson Beck, basketball player Shareef O’Neal and gymnast Khoi Young.

“The A.R.C. Collection marks a significant milestone for Pacsun as we introduce our first dedicated men’s activewear line and look to fill a gap in the market,” Richard Cox, vice president of men’s merchandising and design at Pacsun, said in the release. “The three unique style categories within the collection are designed to reflect the diverse lifestyles of our consumers. Our goal was to create high-quality, versatile pieces that resonate with their evolving lives while remaining accessible to everyone.”

Activewear has offered mixed financial results for different brands. Lululemon has maintained revenue increases over the last several quarters, despite its CEO saying it had missed opportunities in its women’s business in Q1. At HanesBrands, however, the Champion brand and overall athleticwear category served as a drag on its earnings for the bulk of its latest fiscal year. HanesBrands sold Champion to Authentic Brands Group last month.

Meanwhile, the athleisure trend, which grew in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, is expected to become timeless, according to a consumer survey conducted last year by Bolt and YouGov.