Survivalon was originally designed in 1975 to fill a void in the market. At that time, there was nothing available for sailers and sport fishermen who wanted an authentic and rugged jacket that would pro form well in most marine environments. Bert Pulitzer grew up in Long Beach LI and was on the water either off shore fishing and sailing he basically grew up grew up on a beautiful sand bar. Back then sun protection was baby oil with iodine adding some tanning possibilities.

At the time, the only sailing jackets available were either in Army Navy stores and made of nylon with zippers that would rust. The best quality sailing jackets were also made of nylon with brass zippers and snaps that would corrode.

searching for something better took 18 months and that is when he was shown by a mill representative who said “Ok Pulitzer, here is your G.. D… fabric..

Survivalon® is a water repellent tightly woven high count yarn poplin fabric. The zippers are YKK #10 which were only used on tents at that time, they break in not out. The snaps are solid brass nickel coated and capped and or black anodized. They to break in over time.

There have been several updates to the original jacket. The original draw cords were braided cotton with round wooden stoppers. Today’s versions have military grade nylon elastic cords and nylon stoppers with stainless steel springs. keeping a good cinch when used for wind protection.

Filling a void again. The reason for the comeback of the Survivalon® jacket was Travers Mahan sitting bert down in Las Vegas 2 years ago saying that the jacket needs to come back and I am not leaving this booth until you agree!

Travers’ point was that all menswear seemed to be based on one up product ideas featuring pockets one season, different fabrics the next season, hot colors for now, not a timeless approach . That in addition to this, there was a need for just good old forever products like this one that many manufactures had moved away from They are as good for today as they were then and will be for 20 more years from now.

Point well taken when one thinks of basic jeans, Topsiders, RayBans, the list is not huge, but there are these special products that are forever.