Skip to main content

Worn Out Wednesday – Alpine Climber Jess Roskelley

My name is Jess Roskelley. I’m an alpine climber sponsored by adidas outdoor, Julbo and CAMP USA. I was born, raised and still live in Spokane, Washington. I grew up learning to climb and enjoying the outdoors with my father, John Roskelley. My father is one of America’s most renowned alpinists, so naturally I was introduced at a young age.

I started climbing in high school and then began guiding on Mt. Rainier when I was 18. At 20, my dad gave me a great chance to climb Mt. Everest. I summited, and for a short time was the youngest American to summit Everest. It was an amazing bonding experience with my father, but it wasn’t until I was about 25 that I found my niche and real love for the sport. Eventually, I figured out that alpine climbing was my calling. I love the mountains in Alaska, Canada and Patagonia. The climbs that I’m most stoked about involve first ascents on steep, technical rock and ice routes all over the world. With alpine climbing you are forced to be great in all aspects of climbing rather than just a single aspect such as rock or mountaineering. I’m also a welding inspector by trade. This allows me to work for short commitments making the maximum amount of cash to keep up the expensive addiction of climbing. It also helps that I have a beautiful, supportive wife with a great paying job.

Recommended Videos

Jeans: As a welder, you can imagine that durability is a must. I wear Ariat’s fire-resistant jean. They look good and last forever. Plus my favorite attribute is not catching my pants on fire.

Shirts: adidas outdoor makes the lumbercheck shirt. They are comfortable and fit well. I climb, work and go out to dinner in these shirts. I recommend getting a few for your closet. You won’t be sorry. I also wear a lot of The Great PNW t-shirts (the owner is from Spokane, and the brand is all about the Pacific Northwest) and Filson crew sweaters.

Pants: If I’m not working I usually spend most my day wearing pants I can climb in, go to yoga in and do anything in between. It doesn’t make sense for me to change pants all day. I can’t bring myself to wear sweatpants…ever! For that reason, I live in the adidas Outdoor Terrex Swift All Season Pant. They stretch and are water and wind resistant.

Suits: I can’t say I’ve ever needed a real suit. I prefer an adidas sequence jump suit.

Shoes: My favorite shoes by far are the adidas Outdoor Terrex Solo shoes with Stealth rubber. They are light, look good and climb well.

Accessories: As a welder and a climber I have a hard time wearing any sort of jewelry or watches. I don’t even own a watch. I do enjoy a nice crisp flat-billed hat though. adidas makes a couple that are pretty sexy. I also carry a Filson briefcase when travelling.

Outerwear: Jackets are easy. I always have an adidas Outdoor Terrex Ndosphere Hoodie with me. As an alpine climber, I end up getting damp no matter what, and for that reason I love this jacket. With PrimaLoft insulation it dries fast and still stays insulated when damp.

Favorite Cologne: I wear authentic man scent, which often smells like burnt steel and welding rod, or climbing chalk!

Your favorite App: My favorite app is NOAA weather radar. This is a good weather app for me to find out what the weather is doing all over the world. I look at the weather daily at areas that I would like to climb. To waste time, the CHIVE app keeps me entertained.

Favorite piece of technology: I always have a hard time charging all my cameras and my phone in the backcountry, but my mother-in-law recently bought me a Cobra JumPack 7500. It charges mobile devices multiple times and will jump start a car, and it’s less than a pound!

Next tech purchase: I think I’m going to throw down on a Goal Zero Yeti 1250 Solar generator kit. I have a small A-liner camper I use ice climbing in Canada. Generators are generally loud and have fumes. This generator will run everything for quite a while and I don’t have to hear it run all night.

Topics
Cator Sparks
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
Bulova’s new Snorkel watches bring the vibrant world of marine life to your wrist
This Bulova collection will remind you of the ocean
Bulova Snorkel collection

Bulova welcomed the new year with a new line of timepieces, the Bulova Snorkel Collection, which draws inspiration from sharks, turtles, and marine life. This new collection complements other aquatic timepieces that were launched in the past, extending Bulova’s catalog.

“It is meant to create an extremely price-competitive sport watch, utilizing innovative materials while also celebrating what makse us passionate about the oceans, the seas, and marine life, a universe which is both mysterious, vibrant, and exciting and inspiring—all values we seek to embody in Bulova,” said Jeffrey Cohen, CEO of Citizen Watch America.

Read more
New Balance goes a silent bold look for the Lunar New Year
New Balance releases Lunar New Year collection
models wearing new balance lunar new year

Although the start of the Lunar New Year typically calls for vivid designs, New Balance is setting itself apart with subdued sneakers that are still bold for them. With decadent hues and minimalist touches, the latest New Balance sneakers celebrate the ‘Year of the Snake’ with a sleek design far from what you would expect from the athletic company. Although we’ve seen variations of New Balance in their previous collaborations, these stand-alone sneakers are a fresh and modern take that’ll easily become your favorite throughout the year. Available in three different editions, the New Balance Lunar New Year collection has an option for every type of fan. The brand has also released clothing options that match your footwear perfectly and complete your Lunar New Year look.
New Balance’s Lunar New Year releases

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, New Balance has taken to their 740, 1906R, and 1000 designs for a thematic upgrade that’s sleek and bold. While New Balance doesn’t tend to stray much from its array of colorways, these designs infuse interesting patterns and accents worthy of the festivities. In their 740 design, the brand uses a segmented midsole, streamlined silhouette, and an open knit mesh upper that mimics snakeskin. Using two-tone color mesh and angular overlays, this redesign is an elevated way of celebrating the ‘Year of the Snake.’ The 1906R follows a similar path, using open-holed mesh and synthetic overlays in a rich grey tone. This sneaker also comes equipped with a sturdy Ndurance outsole and shock-absorbing N-ergy. 

Read more
nonnative remixes ASICS’s Y2K trail boot with style
nonnative, ASICS release new boot
nonnative boot among dirt

With many brands joining forces for exciting collaborations, it’s no secret that many look into the archives for a design to revive. Following last year’s collaborative design, nonnative and ASICS have again reached into the brand’s retro designs to create an innovative look that fuses modern and classic. Joining the trend of retro designs, this new release is about a rugged yet sleek hiking boot that won’t go out of style. While different than what you may expect from ASICS, this release is a statement moment that will look great on the trails. Whether you wear them for an urban stroll or a quiet nature hike, this collaborative design is a multiuse silhouette that works for any closet. 
ASICS × nonnative “GEL-YETITOKYO HI GTX”

Inspired by ASICS’ Gel-Yeti boot released in 2000, both brands have gone rugged for their newest partnership that’s all about timeless style and practicality. Crafted with brown suede and equipped with GORE-TEX, this boot has a sophisticated look with the protection needed to face nature. The added toggled lacing system adds prominence to the silhouette, with a high visual impact in the front of the boot. Subtle branding can be found on the front shin section of the upper for an earthy and minimalist look. Adding to the practicality, this boot also comes with a rugged traction pattern for advanced grip. This mid-rise boot is ready for any surface, even if you use it to complete your outfit. Available for $260 via ASICS’ and nonnative web stores, this boot is perfect for thrill seekers looking to add stability and style to their wardrobe.

Read more