Point Loma Outfitting - sailing clothing, outdoor performance wear, foul weather gear in San Diego

From time to time we want to take the opportunity to get to know our vendors a bit better. Here we had a chance to sit down with Brian Camet, of Camet International and chat about some of the thinking that goes on with regards to their shorts; enjoy:

1. Why do you make your products in the US?

Because there are still people who value American made products.  It is also to circumvent issues in turn around time, shipping, and overall cost (among other concerns).  Another gain involves simply avoiding loss of product and time.  If you have to jump on a plane and spend twenty-seven hours getting from here to there, it is not as easy to go and check on your products. It is much better to be able to oversee each step of the process.

Plus, if a team wants 100 pairs of shorts that match the color of the boat, we can do it in no time at all!  Go see if some other manufacturer will do that for you.

2. How do you rank the quality to other makers?

I would like to think that we are right at the top with other manufacturers. Our products  last a long time…maybe too long.  Yesterday I saw someone wearing a pair of shorts that we have not made for 8 years. Talk about a return on his investment!  I definitely think that we lead the way in short design.  You can go to any regatta and you will see that there are a lot of CAMET shorts out there…so we are doing something right. Our customers love their shorts and we love to hear that.

3.  Who does the design work for the Camet Line?

We have a group of amazing designers that travel all over the world to check out the latest fashions to see what will be the next great thing. We gather ideas from all forms of active sports to infuse our products with innovative ideas and features that keep us in the front of the pack. Most of the style comes from right here in California where the sun shines all the time. California is where all the trends start.

4. Where do you get your fabric… is everything made and bought in the US to build for consumers?

Yes, all of our fabrics are made in the US. We have mills on the east coast that make propriatory fabrics for all of our clothing. Then they are shipped to the west coast by truck where they go to the cut and sew facility to be made into garments.

Thank Brian for taking the time!

By Wendy Donahue | Chicago Tribune reporter

July 13, 2008

Johnny Depp’s puffy shirts in “Pirates of the Caribbean” are one version of nautical performance wear. Attire for the historic 100th running of the Race to Mackinac next weekend is quite another.

A record number of boats—460—are competing this year in the race, which stretches 333 statute miles from Navy Pier to Mackinac Island, Mich. The crews don’t exactly primp or fuss over their clothing during the world’s longest annual freshwater sailing distance race.

But the course demands a great deal of adaptability from a pair of shorts, shoes and a shirt. Mariners must be dressed for blistering sun, breaking waves, gale-force winds and slippery dashes from stern to bow.

Perhaps not all that different from the demands on other athletes. Or tourists. Or parents.

Besides availing themselves of Patagonia, and other standbys, sailors are abetted by a number of specialty brands, many of which are known only to its subculture, some of which are worthy of broader applications. We’re spilling a few style secrets for your next Kankakee River kayaking adventure, Starved Rock hike or just a stroll along Lake Michigan.

BRAND: Slam, based in Genoa, Italy

KNOWN FOR: Being worthy of Russell Coutts, three-time winner of the America’s Cup.

CROSSOVER APPEAL: Equally adaptable to running or biking, the Evolution Fresh shirt, $75, is a half-zip top made from Silver Aid fabric, with threads covered with pure silver, which has antistatic and antibacterial properties (essential for long passages without long showers). It stays cool in summer and warm in the winter.

ANOTHER MVP: For feet, Slam’s Defender shoes replace laces with elastic fastenings for a closer fit. A rubber anti-slide sole negotiates slippery surfaces. The suede upper is treated with Scotchgard, the felt midsole is water resistant, and an antibacterial insole is removable. Plus, the denim blue (the most popular color) just looks cool. Available in women’s and men’s, $109.95 at www.slam-shops.com

BRAND: San Diego-based Camet (pronounced CAM-et)

KNOWN FOR: Breathable shorts that repel water and still look and smell presentable after three days at sea.

CROSSOVER APPEAL: Perfect for travel, mountain biking or hiking, Camet Agility shorts, $84 (above), boast a Cordura-reinforced seat to withstand abrasive surfaces. Cut loose for ventilation, they feature a two-tone shell with deep side pockets as well as unobtrusive cargo pockets. Velcro waist adjustments keep the shorts from shooting down to the ankles if the wearer dives in the water to cool off (not advisable in the middle of the Mac race).

ANOTHER MVP: Camet’s Hobart Extreme Technical Shorts, $80, add a UV rating of 40-plus, weigh in at a featherweight 9 ounces and offer offset side seams to reduce chafing.  See www.pointlomaoutfitting.com/camet.php