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Orage, where have you gone?

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nothanks
Posts: 13551 - Karma: 31
A disclaimer: I have no affiliation to Orage, besides owning a jacket of theirs three seasons ago. I think they make some good stuff, and am not trying to rag on them, but some of these questions I need some insight into...

There is a sale thread over in Ski Equipment. Inside of the thread are two great looking, well made, Orage jackets.

I think they jackets are sick, have great styling, and just overall are a jacket I would wear this season.

However, I had no clue these jackets even existed. Orage seems dormant. I flip through my new Freeskiers and Powders and don't notice any Orage ad's anywhere. Maybe I missed them, but that's just as bad as them not being there in the first place...I sure noticed ALL the other ad's...Under Armor included.

So then, I poke around their site. Team Orage still looks strong, and the gear looks nice. I head to jibij.com to check it all out.

Everything is 300+ dollars. Jackets around 350-400. All pants running upwards of 200.

What's going on with this company? What's with their marketing? What's with their pricing? 400 dollars for a great looking, averagely waterproofed jacket, with pit zips and "strategically sealed seams"(aka not all seams).

I don't feel I should spend almost 1/2 a grand for a jacket.

Orage, what is going on? What are you doing with these prices? Who are you marketing this stuff to nowadays?

You company ideas and manifesto are great. Maybe you're taking the motto "innovation through style" too much to heart?
Sep 25 2007 1:21PM
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R.Fahey
Posts: 8602 - Karma: 539
Fuck looking good. If I spend 400 on a jacket, and find myself out the BC cold and wet, I'm not gonna give a shit if I look good. People need to get over style.
Sep 25 2007 1:35PM
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R.Fahey
Posts: 8602 - Karma: 539
And I don't argue that it looks nice, because it does... but $350 for a 10k waterproof/breathable jacket with critically taped seams, that weighs a ton because there are so many steezy pockets on it it silly. I guess they market to primarily park skiers though.
Sep 25 2007 1:38PM
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nothanks
Posts: 13551 - Karma: 31
Well don't jump down their throat, some of their stuff is 20k. But some of it is 10k. Not bad, but not REALLY good, especially in wet snow.

So, back to the original question...why be so quiet and why be so expensive? Style and looking good is important, but I want a technical jacket that also looks good. I don't want JUST look good for 400 dollars and have an under-preforming jacket.
Sep 25 2007 1:39PM
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gab_mori7
Posts: 1099 - Karma: 55

They are doing freaking good marketing
At if3, there was an orage ad before each presentation
The orage pro and powder tour as a succes

Sep 25 2007 1:54PM
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nothanks
Posts: 13551 - Karma: 31
But that's not really reaching a massive audience. I knew all about IF3 but I couldn't really remember any of the sponsors...

The Pro and Powder tour was cool too, but not thousands upon thousands were there.

...print advertising is sort of dieing anyways, but still reaches so many more people. Online stuff is getting huge. I don't know, I feel like there is something missing, along with ridiculous prices to boot.
Sep 25 2007 1:59PM
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Pipe_Munky
Posts: 10888 - Karma: 2,184
fyi dude, any company will charge whatever price they can get for their gear! sorry but it's true!



Sep 25 2007 1:59PM
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acc
Posts: 4122 - Karma: 222
Aren't they a lot bigger in Europe?  I know what you're saying, but I know their #1 shop in North America is at Killington where there are so many rich fools that they don't care about price.  Pretty much the same as Europe right?  Their stuff has always been expensive and has always ranged from 10k - 20k.   It is quality gear for sure.  Some of the new stuff is super sick.
Sep 25 2007 1:59PM
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nothanks
Posts: 13551 - Karma: 31
Thanks for the info but most of us know that. I just don't understand WHO is paying it...at least inside of freeskiing.

...and if they're all about "the kids" "rails to powder and everything in between" and "progression and innovation" why are they pricing they way they are. Look at their "manifesto."

I know Spyder charges those prices, because it's a label for older skiers, and racers. Their market has the money to pay. Orage however, seems to be all mixed up.

I believe Orage is having an identity crisis. They attempt to market to freeskiers and the hardcore skier, but seem to price and sell straight to skiings elite.
Sep 25 2007 2:04PM
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skier_boy26
Posts: 11295 - Karma: 502
I dont really think that's the issue at all. For one reason (among others that I wont even bring discuss), Orage doesn't really produce a ton of their Gallery and Masters stuff (the good stuff), and all that they do produce gets bought nearly in its entirety or completely from stores and people usually months before the first snows fall. Since it sells well, it does come with a cute pricetag (at least through retailers).
Sep 25 2007 2:12PM
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nothanks
Posts: 13551 - Karma: 31
Their wholesale prices are still steep in contrast to others wholesale prices...
Sep 25 2007 2:15PM
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Pipe_Munky
Posts: 10888 - Karma: 2,184
in the few times that i had to sell some clothing at the shop i used to work at, most people bought orage. not a single one of them were a kid with mom or dad, they were late 20s to late 30s with a lot of money in their pockets.

orage has worked its way up from a "core" brand to one of those brands that caters to the wealthier client.

if you haven't noticed, the freerider style is taking over on the slopes whether you're a kid or an adult. spyder isn't a brand for older skiers and racers, leave that to descente, karbon and colemar. a company like orage is offering a freerider style that isn't too baggy and out there so the older folks are buying it. because of the demand at the comsumer level, the stores are paying more to be able to carry it and therefore the customer will end up paying more. it's supply and demand.

Sep 25 2007 2:16PM
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uskidsknow
Posts: 444 - Karma: 5
their shit is sick. definately the most original outerwear made by a ski company
Sep 25 2007 2:26PM
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nothanks
Posts: 13551 - Karma: 31
The only people I sell Sypder to at the shops I work at are older guys, and racing families.

I'm not disagreeing that an older and rich clientele is now buying Orage, it's why Orage is still trying to orientate themselves as a freeride / freeski centric company, and then knowingly selling their gear to a different market?
Sep 25 2007 2:27PM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,351
Orage is expensive because the construction is quite good, it is well marketed and it is very stylish.

The water proofing scale isn't necessarily indicative of quality. You're going to get wet at seams and zippers even if you're rocking 24,000 gear and the construction is shit. 10,000 is fine for just about everything and doesn't necessarily mean the same level of proofing company to company. Orage puts a lot of detailing and thought into their designs and when you use it, you can tell.

I know a number of people who wear Orage and stores that sell Orage. They have been lucky as it is no longer just sold in ski stores but stores selling other types of clothing as well. The pricing has always been to a premium to their peers as far as I can remember, going back 5 or 6 years.

They still do a ton for the sport such as sponsoring a great team, giving support to cool videos, and running the most innovative (my opinion) and coolest events in skiing. They are selling more now than ever and giving more than ever too! I have no problem with them selling to people not in the sport and neither should you.
Sep 25 2007 2:46PM
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nothanks
Posts: 13551 - Karma: 31
That is awesome.

...but not worth my 500 dollars.
Sep 25 2007 4:36PM
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gab_mori7
Posts: 1099 - Karma: 55
I don't care for the price, the team i'm in have a employe cost on everything. they present stuff from this year last february, we can choose and we gonna receive the stuff in october.
Sep 25 2007 5:01PM
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396222687862
Posts: 0 - Karma: 350
orage does seem like and expensive company. i've always looked at orage as real good quality outerwear because of the price, and mostly the durability. now that i look harder, sme of their prices and water proofing are outrageous matches. i know other companys sell their 10k stuff for a lot cheaper then orages. and the reason why they can sell that high is because shops buy orage, because people buy orage.
Sep 25 2007 5:08PM
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whattheshit
Posts: 6562 - Karma: 107
its called brand exclusivity.
Sep 25 2007 5:26PM
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fouldsys
Posts: 7404 - Karma: 39
they cancelled all the good outerwear this year. like all the pros are rocking sick suits but they never made it to production. i was really disappointed.
Sep 25 2007 5:44PM
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Tha_Grouch
Posts: 2216 - Karma: 14
The shitty thing is that they never produce the stuff that is amzingly mind blowing. I wanted a full get up from them this year and this insulated hoodie..which was pricey (~$150), but the coolest thing I've seen ever.

Damn the clothing companies.
Sep 25 2007 6:24PM
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dilla_says_go
Posts: 5333 - Karma: 168
they're the bmw of ski gear. everybody else is just rockin' scions and eclipses. they don't have the ultra high tech shit like mountain hardware/arcteryx/marmot but when you roll up to a bar with your club jacket you know you're gonna get laid. it keeps you warm and dry, too.
Sep 25 2007 6:47PM
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lizziebeth
Posts: 1596 - Karma: 22
you have to keep in mind the purpose of the master's line and how it's pricing is not at all representative of orage as a whole.  orage has so many different product lines each to, theoretically, meet the needs of its many potential customers.  just like any other company.  they do have price point/$200ish jackets in one line.  then they have the extreme opposite, super limited collection (a.k.a. the masters) for those that are into having "one of a kinds" or close to it and are willing to pay for it.  and people do pay for it.  believe me.  but the fact that orage's outerwear sells itself without the use of lots of marketing says something.  is it for everybody?  no, obviously not.  the price itself makes it exclusive.  is it crazy to spend $450 on a jacket you'll use for a season?  probably, for most people.  but it's a status symbol for those in the know.  just like every other trend associated with status.  purses are a good example.
Sep 25 2007 7:44PM
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bigwhite.steeze
Posts: 8227 - Karma: 1,032
im just gonna throw it out there but, who the fuck needs 20,000 waterproofing? honestly. I wore my HH francis 7 suit all day. In the pouring rain. hiking rails during a comp. i didnt get wet all day and guess what my waterproofing was? 10k. now i thought that was alot cause no amount of water getting poured on me was going to get me wet, it just kept beading off. anyone that thinks there going to need 20k waterproofing is not going to unless they swim with there ski gear on. 20k is not necessary unless you plan on going creek finding while skiing
Sep 25 2007 9:00PM
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skogenjake
Posts: 6685 - Karma: 511
well they sell it at like Dicks for good prices. my jacobs was like 120
Sep 25 2007 9:21PM
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bp.lando
Posts: 9297 - Karma: 1,495
Shit is real Premium Quality, plus the Club Jacket, you dont get attention to styling out of most other companies, fits right too, Orage isnt like all the other companies, they add some sweet touches into our coat, that you really notice when your rocking it.
Sep 25 2007 9:34PM
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wrenegade
Posts: 6631 - Karma: 41
The wet coast requires > 15,000 mm waterproofing if you want your stuff to stay waterproof for longer than a season. It's much different snow in the interior. My goretex oakley jacket (28,000 mm) from like 4 years ago is still going strong. I'll pay a little extra to have my stuff last that long. My sessions summit pants, also goretex, have lasted 5 seasons and are only now done. Plus the goretex stuff has great breathability which is very important when you are changing 3500+ ft of vertical every half hour for a whole day at Whistler.
Sep 25 2007 10:35PM
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nothanks
Posts: 13551 - Karma: 31
Truth.

I wore Scott's Bonfire Expedition at Whistler all week, Goretex, was the shit. 28k.
Sep 25 2007 10:48PM
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Daver_BC
Posts: 1256 - Karma: 307
^WORd
Sep 25 2007 10:51PM
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Pwn.Mode
Posts: 1061 - Karma: 10
bottom line, dont get it then. why would you bitch at their prices if they're still in business people are paying for it. it's good stuff. if you think freeskiers dont have money then you are ignorant. 500$ for skis 400$ for bindings 500$ boots. poles are even 100$. Limited runs, not everone has it. If you cant afford it then simple dont get it, i hear dynastar has some sweet foam core skis for $80 on sale!!!! get em' while they last.
Sep 26 2007 1:34AM
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Pwn.Mode
Posts: 1061 - Karma: 10
should have read that sooner. nailed it.
Sep 26 2007 1:37AM
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strode
Posts: 7549 - Karma: 14
orage is only expensive if you're a trend whore who absolutely has to have the dopest newest shit the second it comes out. over the past summer i bought their top of the line goretex jacket from last year brand new for $140 and a brand new corp cord from two years ago for pretty much nothing (both from online stores no less). that means i got two sick jackets (one for nice days and one for pukefests) for less than you'd pay for one new one. and feel free to call me a claimer.

orage doesn't break your bank, but being trendy sure does.

if you just GOTTA have 07/08 shit, you're gonna have to pay the price. or like lizziebeth says, buy their price point stuff. oh wait, then you wouldn't be as cool would you? and god forbid you would be the only kid in gear from last year *gasp*

and my rant wasn't directed at the thread starter just fyi.
Sep 26 2007 1:41AM
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InitialG
Posts: 1505 - Karma: 14
I picked up some orage gear over the summer, an 06/07 suit and one cancelled sample from 07/08.

The price is a little ridiculous, and I wasn't sure at first but everything is just amazing quality, style, and fit wise. I haven't had a chance to ski either of them they seem like they could take pretty much any abuse, one suit is tweed and the other is a quilted jacket and the fabrics are really strong. I've had ronin, columbia, aeryx, siver and nothing even comes close quality wise (although it is a shitload cheaper :( ).

I don't get where they advertise either, haven't ever seen orage in any stores except for jibij and christy sports, hope they are still doing good but they had a lot of canceled outerwear for this season so who knows, shops aren't doing well so they can't be doing so hot either.
Sep 26 2007 1:53AM
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MiniMeDanny
Posts: 1737 - Karma: 2,312
id agree that right now orage's prices may be pretty ridiiculous - but wait till the gear is out of season and the prices get marked way down, for ex. i bought some sick orage pants from the 06/07 line this summer for 120 while last fall they prolly retailed for the regular 200-300
Sep 26 2007 2:00AM
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nothanks
Posts: 13551 - Karma: 31
If you think you have ANY right or ability to try to shit talk me right now you couldn't be more wrong.

I said, in one of the first lines of this thread, it wasn't shit talk or ragging on Orage, it was simply a question.

Sure freeskiers have the money, but many don't. A lot of people don't. I won't buy it, at least this year. Too much money and I'll want a new jacket next year.

Orage is making quality stuff, maybe not the most waterproof, but that's not everything anyways. I was just wondering what they're thinking and going for as a company.

I got some intelligent responses, but you obviously didn't help make it any more. Quit your shit.

Sep 28 2007 12:04AM
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Karcher
Posts: 3788 - Karma: 1,934
their stuff is amazing
Sep 28 2007 12:12AM
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Pwn.Mode
Posts: 1061 - Karma: 10
who is paying for it well lets see, people who have the money and desire to purchase it. They put on the masters event and manage to pay out for that. Looks like no one is buying their products. Oh yeah not to mention their amazing team, they work for free actually, so they save money there.

They have cheap products too, it's not all $500 a jacket.

I already told you freeskiers have money.

You must not have went to college or understand anything about marketing. I freeski I think their shit is bomb, looks like they got me. lots of people agree that it's nice too just look at the thread. It's marketed perfectly. Go back to school. Nub.
Sep 28 2007 12:24AM
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dilla_says_go
Posts: 5333 - Karma: 168
ive been in this game for years/
its made me an enima//
Sep 29 2007 11:15AM
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DJSTEVEINNIAMIXX
Posts: 1859 - Karma: 1,664
got my jacket for 150 and its the best jacket i have ever had.
Sep 29 2007 12:46PM
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Public_Maverick
Posts: 3255 - Karma: 11
their masters shit is 20/20
Sep 29 2007 12:58PM
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fillup
Posts: 4904 - Karma: 568
i want that green jacket soo bad
Sep 29 2007 1:36PM
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TonyTheTiger
Posts: 863 - Karma: 68
I don't care for the price, the team i'm in have a employe cost on everything. they present stuff from this year last february, we can choose and we gonna receive the stuff in october.
Gab Mori7

Gab... did you know you could stfu already. We want to keep this deal steady and going on for at least another year. Man.. pense un peu...serieux.
Sep 29 2007 2:06PM
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TonyTheTiger
Posts: 863 - Karma: 68
^fuck forget this . i wanted to pm.

What I wanted to say is that orage is very hard to find in stores and this is what makes the worst of it imo.

As far as the team they have three of the most awesome athletes on it, but I do think they are overshadowing their "amateurs" . Orage is all about skiers and we've got to respect them for that, but you are right. And the suits the pros are wearing aren't even on the site...
Sep 29 2007 2:10PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
I love that hoodie, its warm and good looking.

anyway, you have to remember that a large number of Orage's key demographic are teens with loaded parents. How many people on this site go to ski academies, take multiple annual trips to out of state resorts, and don't have to finance any of it for themselves? These are the people who can buy a new 500 dollar jacket every year. And another segment of the freeskiing community has come of age, gotten an undergrad, make money, and want to spend it on something, we are after all a consumer driven society.
Sep 29 2007 2:25PM
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