But with time, snowboard clips began to outnumber ski clips, to the point that if you type in “Does Sean Pettit” into a search engine, it auto-populates with “Still Ski?”

A lifetime on snow — and in the air — translated. Pettit’s style and skill matured at unprecedented speed, and he all but skipped the pubescent awkwardness of learning to ride. It’s as if Robin Williams’ 1996 flick Jack was produced by Absinthe. Esoteric references aside, Pettit’s prodigious growth spurt has been equally inspiring and depressing, especially for those of us who have been snowboarding for decades, and now must watch this spry savant add to his bag of tricks while we’re mired in mediocrity, eternally plateaued. But I digress.

 

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Such a proverbial 180 might cause some sponsors to bail — marketing departments are paying Pettit to throw award-winning 7s, 9s, etc. on skis, not take a crash course in snowboarding. But luckily, Pettit rides for K2, who crafts both award-winning skis and boards, and Oakley, the optics and outerwear juggernaut who’s home to many of the biggest names in snowboarding: Sage Kotsenburg, Mark McMorris, Eero Ettala, Ayumu Hirano, Chloe Kim, Jamie Anderson, etc.

Pettit’s certainly not the best snowboarder in Oakley’s stacked lineup of riders — no one’s arguing that — but his late-to-the-party, learn-as-you-flow antics make him arguably one of the most follow-worthy. This year, you can catch him in a head-to-toe Oakley kit that embodies Pettit’s adaptability — his unparalleled ability to drop jaws on skis one line and style out a perfectly tweaked air on a snowboard the next.

“While many pros exclusively rock a brand’s top-of-the-line gear, Pettit values style over price tags”

On colder days, Pettit amps it up a notch with the Gradient B1B Patch FZ Fleece. The Sherpa fleece is thick and plush, trapping warm air beneath a shell for extra insulation. Like the hoodie, it’s stylish enough to wear solo during aprés or travel days. The biggest danger with FZ Fleece? It’s so soft that significant others will try to steal it, and strangers may pet your back in pubs.

Pettit’s not one to miss a grab, so he keeps his phalanges dexterous and dynamic in the well-insulated Ridge Gore-Tex Mitten — a staple in grab guru and teammate Sage Kotsenburg’s mid-winter arsenal as well. 3M’s thermally efficient yet slim Thinsulate insulation wraps the hand in winterproof warmth, while a synthetic leather palm can carry, slap, grab, and tweak sharp edges at will. A Velcro cinch keeps the wrist locked down, and low-profile leashes ensure you don’t lose a mitt on the lift. Of course, there’s no need to ditch the Ridge when you’re checking clips or filming friends — Oakley kitted the mitt with touchscreen-compatible patches on the thumb and index finger.

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Even chargers like Pettit who never get proverbially cold feet can have days ruined by literal cold feet. That’s why he stays comfortable, cosy, and cold weather-ready in the Pro Performance Sock. Stitched from soft, odour-resistant merino wool and reinforced in the toe and heel for longevity, these socks are a no-brainer for freeriders who aren’t fond of frostbite.

There you have it — Pettit’s top-to-bottom Oakley kit. While many pros exclusively rock a brand’s top-of-the-line gear, Pettit values style over price tags. The resulting kit is heavy on “drip,” as the youth might say, yet light on the wallet. Adaptable, affordable, and fresh to death, this gear will have you balling out from bell to bell, whether you’re plateaued like yours truly or progressing like Pettit.