Oakley '09: Extremely Disappointing.

After looking at the pieces available online, I am very disappointed with Oakley.  Why?

1) Waterproofing.  They don't have a single item above 20K.  Their top of the line jacket, the Mystic (how original, that was the same name two years ago, too), has no insulation, no liner, no special features and is 20K, for $450.  For even $50 less, I can get a 2 or even 3 layer Gore-tex from any other company with better technical quality.

2) Value.  As I said above, but now this applies to all types of jackets.  Name a jacket, and I will tell you numerous jacket from other brands that have the same waterproofing and insulation but for far less.  Example: the Tactic jacket, Oakley's insulated park jacket, is the same as last year's Crash.  But now, it is 5K, and still costs $200.  $200 for 5k?  Most companies are offering 10k or 15k for that price and insulation.

3.  Quality.  Many of you 16 and younger have no recollection of when Oakley make the toughest and highest quality stuff.  Yes, their first puffy pants didn't have the most wonderful waterproofing, but they were rugged and you could put a few full seasons into them.  Folks didn't have to post pictures about how torn up the bottoms were.



Many may respond to this and say "why are you upset? or "so don't buy it if you don't like it".  I partially agree.  However, the problem is that I do like it.  I just wish I didn't have to compromise value and quality to get style.  This is what makes me buy Burton, Analog or other snowboarding companies.