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2014/2015 outerwear sneak peak

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Virtika
Posts: 623 - Karma: 10,949
Here is a sneak peak of our 14/15 outerwear. We'll be offering a "Signature Jacket" and "Signature Pant" (25K, 3L, insulated and with all the usual goodies) as well as a super light, compact, 25K, 3L, technical "Vir-Tek Shell Jacket" and "Vir-Tek Shell Pant" (without liner, insulation, back vents, zip-off sleeves, etc). Pricing on the the Signature outerwear will remain the same as our current Triple L, and the Vir-Tek shell pants and jacket will be priced slightly under the Signature Series.

We'll be offering a size XXL pant next year, which will be similar in fit to our ever-popular XL V3 pants from a few years ago. You can ignore the colors on the pics, they are just samples. We haven't picked out colorways yet. We will be offering some solid, 2, and 3 tone colorways and will have some earth tones, darks, lights, and bright colors.

As always, we look forward to your feedback!

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Feb 9 2014 10:39PM
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Virtika
Posts: 623 - Karma: 10,949
Thanks for the feedback guys! We're getting rid of the pocket accents on the jackets, and we'll only utilize the accents on the pants in a few color-ways.
Feb 15 2014 9:54PM
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sporkin
Posts: 3 - Karma: 15
Those on the pants look really great!
Feb 16 2014 4:25AM
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nugeynuge
Posts: 388 - Karma: 254
It's so cool that you guys take into consideration the opinions of people buying your stuff!! This easily puts you guys far head of most outerwear companies because you tailor your equipment to the interests of your customers! This bodes for outerwear that will be super awesome and we'll-liked by many people! Not many companies take the time to hear input from their customers, and because of this you have sold me on Virtika Outerwear!! Will definitely be buying next year!!
Feb 16 2014 2:23PM
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,850
Its nice when companies take feedback from customers, but I think taking it too far reflects a level of uncertainty.

Other companies, like Saga and Jiberish, do change based on what customers are saying, but not nearly as much as Virtika. When these companies put out a product, the design is how it is because they know its a good design and they feel it reflects the brand well. They are confident in their product.

When a company changes a design because it is not liked by customers, it means that there is more emphasis being placed on profit and less emphasis on sticking to the designer's original plan/image.

Its kind of like saying "I don't know what design to make, what design will you guys buy?" instead of saying "I am designing what I want to make and I know customers will buy it."
Feb 16 2014 2:42PM
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MontanaMuggin
Posts: 444 - Karma: 1,642
So your saying they should produce the gear they first drew up? Why would you not want to appeal to the masses and sell more product, as well as keeping customers happy and satisfied. Companies like saga and jiberish don't really take people's opinions into consideration. Companies like bloom and virtika do. Which is a big reason why those to companies are my go to brands.
Feb 16 2014 2:50PM
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,850
No I like that they are taking the comments into consideration. I would be more likely to buy the updated product.

What I'm saying is that they shouldn't have to ask for feedback on the designs. The designs should already be perfected and the designer should like the design enough that people critiquing it wouldn't make him/her change.


Feb 16 2014 3:08PM
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MontanaMuggin
Posts: 444 - Karma: 1,642
That makes sense! I understand
Feb 16 2014 5:02PM
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Nacho+
Posts: 3748 - Karma: 7,791
That does make a ton of sense, but what I'm seeing is that virtika's products are getting better and better while the majority of ns seems to agree that Saga's and Jiberish's stuff is getting worse and worse. Saga's stuff really stopped getting good a few years ago and the same goes for jiberish. First Drop on the other hand has gotten better and better over the years.
Feb 16 2014 6:12PM
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,850
I think that Virtika's first stuff is the best they've made aside from the durability issues.

I disagree that Saga and Jiberish are getting worse and worse. I love the direction they are headed in. Saga brought back designs reminiscent of their earlier styles and Jiberish is becoming less baggy/fruity and more sophisticated while keeping the freeskiing influence.

IMHO, the two pieces bellow represent the directions Jiberish and Saga are headed in and I love it. They may loose some customers because they aren't changing based on requests, but thats ok with me. I would rather see a business stick to its vision then "sell out".
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Feb 16 2014 6:37PM
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Park.
Posts: 2480 - Karma: 4,582
100% agree. The way companies are moving also show how freeskiing is maturing. things are getting more toned down and the outerwear look is becoming more non-freeskier friendly in many ways, but is still new and fresh compared to everything else. I absolutely adore this because it is showing the progression of the sport on many fronts for the new crowd of people all over the world to see what freeskiing is about.
Feb 16 2014 6:57PM
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TimRiley
Posts: 1873 - Karma: 1,327
I feel like you're making quite a few assumptions about different companies. Virtika does not have to ask for feedback. They stated feedback is welcome because they have always been open to customer involvement. It's awesome that's how they choose to run the company.

As far as saga goes, my opinion is their stuff is continuing to get worse. Many people had problems with the quality of this year's gear. For next season the majority of their stuff is terrible looking both design wise and in their colorways. Look at how much negative feedback they got from the SIA coverage from nsers.
Feb 16 2014 7:52PM
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,850
You're right, Virtika isn't asking for feedback, they're open to it. My point was about what being too open to feedback indicates.

What assumptions do you think I'm making? I liked what I saw from Saga at SIA so I guess thats a matter of opinion.
Feb 16 2014 8:11PM
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Nacho+
Posts: 3748 - Karma: 7,791
I totally agree, the direction that Saga and Jiberish are going in are changing. Saga is changing with the sports style which is great. No one really wears super baggy shit anymore (I still do so that might be why I like the old stuff more) I feel like Saga knows where the style will be in the next years and makes great outerwear to accompany that style. I'm sure they know that some people would love to have some different colors or different styles, but they go with what they feel the majority is looking for.

I think it is great that Virtika is reaching out to its consumers and asking their opinions. I don't think that it is selling out, rather keeping in touch with what your customers want. I was really disappointed with what Saga put out in the SIA (even though I'm sure some people are stoked) and I think that if they reached out a bit more to their consumers, they could've hit what people were looking for in the style and fit perfectly.

Letting Virtika know what we want with their products is great because if they add/remove those accents on the pockets or whatever it may be, may be the key to having a dope jacket or one that doesn't sell to well.
Feb 16 2014 8:14PM
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Nacho+
Posts: 3748 - Karma: 7,791
(Sorry for the double) but..

haha I guess that's what it's all about. I wasn't to stoked on it so that's probably why I'm going the other way.
Feb 16 2014 8:16PM
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,850
I never said that asking for opinions is bad. My whole point is about how that reflects on the maturity of the brand.
Feb 16 2014 8:27PM
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TimRiley
Posts: 1873 - Karma: 1,327
it means that there is more emphasis being placed on profit and less emphasis on sticking to the designer's original plan/image.

Regarding Virtika, that they are asking for feedback based on a lack of confidence in their design and what that implies. Also that it is a profit based decision. How much of a role the feedback plays in their decision I don't think any of us can say. From their post about what they decided to do, it seems they did what they felt would be the best design, not what potential customers told them to do.
Feb 16 2014 8:48PM
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Nacho+
Posts: 3748 - Karma: 7,791
Im going with cultura on this one. Saga is progressing as the sport and style progresses. When you ski at the hill, how often do you see people wearing 09 huge baggy shit? Not to many. I still wear that stuff, so that's why I wasn't digging saga's new look. It's important to progress your company's style and image or else they won't sell. Saga still has connections ot their original image. The black and white jacket this year, and the scuba jacket are total throw back deigns.
Feb 16 2014 9:05PM
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TimRiley
Posts: 1873 - Karma: 1,327
Not looking to get in a debate. I'll just say that Virtika is progressing their brand and image, and I like what I've seen so far for next season.
Feb 16 2014 9:20PM
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,850
No doubt about it, they have progressed a ton over a few years.

Feb 16 2014 9:27PM
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Nacho+
Posts: 3748 - Karma: 7,791
Word. I think we've reached an agreement.
Feb 16 2014 9:37PM
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Virtika
Posts: 623 - Karma: 10,949
It's our goal to continue improving everything about the gear and the brand year after year. We don't let customers run our company, but we definitely take feedback to heart. We are a company that was born on Newschoolers and we've molded Virtika through the past few years using your input. It's very rare to have a company that is so deeply rooted and involved in the industry and with it's customers, and we're glad you guys take advantage of that!
Feb 18 2014 9:33PM
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Nacho+
Posts: 3748 - Karma: 7,791
Hell ya! Love being able to let you guys know what we want!
Feb 18 2014 9:35PM
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cmacstiff
Posts: 41 - Karma: 41
Someone else already said it, but zipper accents might be something to try-

just ordered a bunch of shwag from you guys, stoked for a new V3 jacket.
Feb 21 2014 12:30AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
I actually like the external pockets, I was talking about maybe incorporating an additional hidden "stash" pocket into each pair of pants and jacket. I think it would be a hit given your demographic. It's not really my style but I actually really like the grey and teal in the OP and I think the pockets look cool. Just my .02
Feb 21 2014 10:57AM
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Z-Juice
Posts: 3151 - Karma: 1,504
I think this is already an improvement, I would like the black jacket more if the the pocket on the sleeve was black / didn't stand out so much.
Feb 21 2014 11:16AM
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amo
Posts: 6709 - Karma: 1,248
I believe Jiberish has changed the construction of their sweatshirts every year since their inception and I can tell you it's from spending countless hours browsing NS and FB searching through comments to see what the consumer wants. I've gotta agree with cultrara though, I think it totally reflects on the brand and gives off the feeling that Virtika isn't confident in their designs. Not ragging on them as they're obviously leaps and bounds from where they started with FD
Feb 21 2014 3:10PM
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