The Anuġi is a windbreaker jacket inspired by our traditional qaspeq (kuspuk). This one-of-a-kind jacket has the following features: Breathable. Coil Zipper Pockets Jacquard Trim Elastic Bound Cuffs.

Our Inspiration

The Qaspeq (kuspuk) is a traditional Alaskan garment. It is a hooded overshirt with a large front pocket. Before modern fabrics and designs, Qaspeqs were carefully handcrafted with local resources to provide protection from Alaska’s harsh climate. Seal intestine was used to make Qaspeqs water-resistant, and the garments were worn over fur parkas to keep the parkas clean and dry.

As western culture made its way north and barges brought in supplies, Alaskan women started utilizing imported materials, such as cloth from flour sacks that came off the barges, to create Qaspeqs.

As time passed, distinct designs were developed that made it so people's genders and home villages could be easily identified from a distance based on the type of Qaspeqs they were wearing.

The Qaspeq has a rich history that continues today with new designs and materials. At Naataq Gear, we offer our own version - a breathable, hardshell, water-resistant jacket with the traditional pocket design, trim patterns, and Alaskan spirit.

Our Story

Alice Bioff, founder of Naataq Gear, is Inupiaq. She has lived in Nome with her family since 1999.

Alice was working as a tour guide when the Crystal Serenity made its first voyage up and over the arctic circle. One day at sea, a tall passenger with a white cowboy hat admired Alice’s traditional Alaskan garment called a Kuspuk. The man asked if the Kuspuk was waterproof. This sparked Alice’s vision for Naataq and her idea to create a water-resistant jacket inspired by the traditional Kuspuk to share with visitors that came to the region via cruise ships. To her surprise, not only did the visitors love her garment, but so did her fellow Alaskans!

Today, Naataq Gear offers quality products that are not only functional and beautiful but share a story and a culture that has been in existence for over 10,000 years.