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Failed Brands

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Slowbro
Posts: 3860 - Karma: 21,295
I've been watching old edits recently and noticed some brands that I remember quickly coming on to the scene, sponsoring a bunch of riders and then dying out just as fast. Some examples of this are:

Eira, whose gear looked like something you might find in the bargain bin at Sportchek but sponsored some pretty big names for a few years.

Causwell, who made one of my favourite collections of outerwear ever and then just, didn't release it. Apparently this happened because Eric Pollard, who designed the collection, left the team. After this Causwell quietly faded into some fly-fishing/lifestyle brand.

K2 Outerwear, probably a similar story to Causwell? Had some really nice looking gear designed by EP that seemingly never released.

Coreupt, who had huge names like Kevin Rolland, TJ Schiller, and Gus Kenworthy on the team. Even then, I never saw a single pair at a resort.

Does anyone know the story behind these brands' failures? And what are some other examples of brands like this?
Aug 17 2020 4:38PM
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TheClap.
Posts: 21664 - Karma: 4,140
FUUUCKyou guys don't remember Aeryx?

I still have one of their prototype tall jackets on ice.


Hell yeah, that light blue and purple jackets were crazy as hell.
Aug 25 2020 2:35PM
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JoshWong
Posts: 2823 - Karma: 20,539
SUPPORT SMALL BRANDS! If you don’t want to just keep adding to this list.
Aug 25 2020 3:53PM
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Charlie_Kelly
Posts: 11954 - Karma: 12,298
Still have a pair of Lethal Decent snowpants. Used to have the Klint/Rockstar collab skis.
Aug 25 2020 5:17PM
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Knapzach
Posts: 471 - Karma: 5,144
vibecheckhgskis


Rest In Peace 💔
Aug 25 2020 6:22PM
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codizzle
Posts: 895 - Karma: 2,250
Aug 25 2020 7:56PM
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hi_vis360
Posts: 5029 - Karma: 51,024
holy shit that is a legendary team
codizzle
Aug 25 2020 7:59PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9292 - Karma: 60,962
pinkcamo1000holy shit that is a legendary team


Haha yeah and codizzle is being modest
not mentioning that that was his company
Aug 25 2020 9:33PM
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codizzle
Posts: 895 - Karma: 2,250
SofaKingSickHaha yeah and codizzle is being modest
not mentioning that that was his company


Benchetler has had a crazy long career! Damn.
Aug 25 2020 10:28PM
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kalle.
Posts: 761 - Karma: 4,785
sabek outerwear
Aug 27 2020 9:09AM
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bradwalters
Posts: 381 - Karma: 3,034
Wow I totally forgot about this brand. Thanks for posting.
codizzle
Aug 27 2020 1:38PM
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Slowbro
Posts: 3860 - Karma: 21,295
Remember First Degree Boots? They were an attempt by Icelantic to break into the boot market, which is cool, but they tried to do it by bringing back the same mold as the Line transfer boot, which was not terribly popular. I never saw a single pair in person, and I believe they were only made for 2 or 3 years. Oddly enough, the boot is a modified version of a 3 piece snowboarding hardboot made by a European brand called Deeluxe.
Sep 18 2020 11:51PM
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ASAPCarter
Posts: 918 - Karma: 10,356
Bring back ladies, ladies!!
Sep 19 2020 3:44AM
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 62,949
SlowbroRemember First Degree Boots? They were an attempt by Icelantic to break into the boot market, which is cool, but they tried to do it by bringing back the same mold as the Line transfer boot, which was not terribly popular. I never saw a single pair in person, and I believe they were only made for 2 or 3 years. Oddly enough, the boot is a modified version of a 3 piece snowboarding hardboot made by a European brand called Deeluxe.


Didn’t amplid use the same boot too?
Sep 19 2020 8:43AM
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Gnar_Shralp406
Posts: 332 - Karma: 2,097
GooskinPhar North, Toy Soldier Productions


Nostalgia overload


https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/973488/-Come-Find-Us----FULL-FILM---10-Year-Anniversary-Release
Sep 19 2020 12:11PM
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Gnar_Shralp406
Posts: 332 - Karma: 2,097
Seneca and Caravan skis are skiing with the fishes now too. I'm not too bummed about Seneca, but I wish Caravan had made it.
Sep 19 2020 12:34PM
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Anti-Hero
Posts: 1269 - Karma: 338
Ninthward is still around so I guess they’re not failed but I used to like their old models better
Sep 20 2020 6:31PM
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Denseclouds
Posts: 506 - Karma: 2,974
Sabek Outerwear
Sep 20 2020 8:30PM
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Hellblazer_23
Posts: 526 - Karma: 1,919
tomahawk international
Sep 20 2020 8:35PM
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bradwalters
Posts: 381 - Karma: 3,034
Trying to think of the name of a brand that was around in about 2006-2007 ish? Similar to Sublux but had more of an urban type team. Anyone?
Sep 21 2020 1:39AM
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Slowbro
Posts: 3860 - Karma: 21,295
CatdickBojanglesDidn’t amplid use the same boot too?


They did, but I don't know if those ever came out in North America
Sep 23 2020 12:53AM
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Slowbro
Posts: 3860 - Karma: 21,295
Anti-HeroNinthward is still around so I guess they’re not failed but I used to like their old models better


They've "restructured" a couple times. It's more like the old ninthward died and was reanimated.
Sep 23 2020 12:56AM
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galardogod
Posts: 1698 - Karma: 5,209
I haven’t read through this so I don’t know if they where mentioned but APO skis has gone extinct after a decent run. They had at one point sponsored Sammy Carlson and ¿Kia muller ? . They made decent skis to but the market was saturated.
Sep 23 2020 11:26AM
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Nickc88
Posts: 630 - Karma: 2,074
CatdickBojanglesThe Siver Cartel. 9th ward. Kitten Factory. APO. So many good ones gone. Pour one out homies.


9th ward still around, well.... sorta.
Sep 23 2020 11:47AM
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WisconsinDogfart
Posts: 675 - Karma: 5,525
Heres one i bet you didn't know existed: K2 Bicycles
Sep 23 2020 8:32PM
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3mania
Posts: 2613 - Karma: 10,361
Bloom.Anyone remember Fate Outerwear? Mostly a mogul brand from what I can recall - their logo was a pair of dice. And they had big color blocks on the knees.

Freeskiing is super core and niche - I think a lot of the companies get ahead of themselves and think the market is bigger than it actually is and end up over producing goods that the demand isn't there for.

**This post was edited on Aug 25th 2020 at 2:32:14pm


I dug through all my photos, but couldn't find a shot of the Fate pants. There was a time when everyone in the freestyle (mogul) world wore either Fate or Predator. Fate was a started by Cooper Schell, who was Johnny Mosely's private coach and former world cup mogul OG. Good times in the post stretch pant era.
Sep 23 2020 9:30PM
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bradwalters
Posts: 381 - Karma: 3,034
airmightydudeHeres one i bet you didn't know existed: K2 Bicycles


Yeah i've got one in my garage...
Sep 23 2020 10:19PM
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galardogod
Posts: 1698 - Karma: 5,209
airmightydudeHeres one i bet you didn't know existed: K2 Bicycles


K2 rollerblades are the real OGs
Sep 24 2020 12:57PM
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Sir_SkrillALot
Posts: 1736 - Karma: 668
FUUUCKyou guys don't remember Aeryx?

I still have one of their prototype tall jackets on ice.


Was trying to remember this brand name. Google images has a few pictures of their stuff but really wish I could see more, all their stuff was really unique
Sep 24 2020 2:52PM
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3mania
Posts: 2613 - Karma: 10,361
Sir_SkrillALotWas trying to remember this brand name. Google images has a few pictures of their stuff but really wish I could see more, all their stuff was really unique

Aeryx was a off shoot of Predatorwear, designed to be more freeride/snowboard friendly. They def had some cool designs and colors.
Sep 24 2020 4:49PM
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codizzle
Posts: 895 - Karma: 2,250
3maniaI dug through all my photos, but couldn't find a shot of the Fate pants. There was a time when everyone in the freestyle (mogul) world wore either Fate or Predator. Fate was a started by Cooper Schell, who was Johnny Mosely's private coach and former world cup mogul OG. Good times in the post stretch pant era.

Yes!
Sep 27 2020 6:54AM
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Thegenericskier
Posts: 2578 - Karma: 29,040
GrandThingsNot gunna lie, I want a pair of Nike Goggles real bad...although I believe they're just re-branded Dragons.


i think i have a pair of nike goggles floating around my house
Oct 27 2020 10:57AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7147 - Karma: 17,492
bradwaltersYeah i've got one in my garage...

Me too.
galardogodK2 rollerblades are the real OGs

You know we still make inline skates right?

Oct 27 2020 11:45AM
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Emma_Watson
Posts: 4491 - Karma: 6,796
Oct 27 2020 11:54AM
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Cal.vin
Posts: 9 - Karma: 119
I think HG skis is the most painful one that comes to mind. Great sticks and huge names like Alex hackel behind the team only for them to go bankrupt and have to liquidate all their shit
Oct 27 2020 12:34PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
Siver Cartel.

in retrospect they were made like absolute trash, but they looked sick!


Oct 27 2020 12:44PM
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7821 - Karma: 21,848
Cal.vinI think HG skis is the most painful one that comes to mind. Great sticks and huge names like Alex hackel behind the team only for them to go bankrupt and have to liquidate all their shit

In their 'Another Level' interview they said their last year was one of their best for sales, they just were getting tired of making skis and wanted to move on to other things.
Oct 27 2020 12:56PM
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Dan-Man
Posts: 7488 - Karma: 3,620
sublux

siver cartel
Oct 28 2020 12:42AM
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Calb3rt
Posts: 6005 - Karma: 2,203
DingoSeanSiver Cartel.

in retrospect they were made like absolute trash, but they looked sick!

I dunno, some of my siver cartel is still going strong.. if I remember correctly about the reason behind their downfall it was mike nicks company and the parent company also owned orage, then decided it wasn’t worth having two companies competing in the same market and decided to go with orage.


The beautiful irony about your post though, and I’m not trying to stir up any shit, is that’s exactly how I’d describe Boone.
Oct 28 2020 8:57PM
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VISHNU
Posts: 600 - Karma: 22,213
Just got approved for a company credit card, failure is fun and easy!
Emma_Watson
Oct 28 2020 10:27PM
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TOAST.
Posts: 7481 - Karma: 36,032
I always wanted causwel outerwear but couldn't afford new shit
Oct 28 2020 11:26PM
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SuckleBrick
Posts: 452 - Karma: 1,097
HG skis and inspired media
Oct 29 2020 12:10AM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
freeballerVoleurz was the best. The videos were so fun to watch. Super rad skiing, but didn't take themselves too seriously. Awesome soundtracks. RIP Voleurz.

Still have some of their shirts, wish I still had the toque.
Oct 29 2020 12:29AM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
skiP.E.I.Siver Cartel, Lethal Descent, Avalaan

I remember looking at an avalaan suit but ended up getting a saga setup. Think it was their second year right after wiley miller first represented them wearing the royal blue in a rage film, mattafix was the song I believe. I think there was an issue shipping Avalaan out of europe at the time? they would have for sure done well if they could have gotten it to N.A. as it was around the time whallisch's superunknown in the burton matching suit as well as steve stepp.
Oct 29 2020 12:40AM
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7821 - Karma: 21,848
RusticlesI remember looking at an avalaan suit but ended up getting a saga setup. Think it was their second year right after wiley miller first represented them wearing the royal blue in a rage film, mattafix was the song I believe. I think there was an issue shipping Avalaan out of europe at the time? they would have for sure done well if they could have gotten it to N.A. as it was around the time whallisch's superunknown in the burton matching suit as well as steve stepp.

Wiley's Saga suit from PhotoPlay is still fresh. I still have that DVD!
Oct 29 2020 9:33AM
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albinoboy
Posts: 372 - Karma: 2,103
SuckleBrickHG skis and inspired media


Inspired put their website back up and have hella designs


Yall remember mountain menace
Oct 29 2020 4:35PM
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SuckleBrick
Posts: 452 - Karma: 1,097
THE-Albino*Inspired put their website back up and have hella designs


Yall remember mountain menace


lest go you already know i am trying to style with an XXL T
Oct 30 2020 1:41AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
Calb3rtI dunno, some of my siver cartel is still going strong.. if I remember correctly about the reason behind their downfall it was mike nicks company and the parent company also owned orage, then decided it wasn’t worth having two companies competing in the same market and decided to go with orage.


The beautiful irony about your post though, and I’m not trying to stir up any shit, is that’s exactly how I’d describe Boone.


Haha some of those skis were trash. I still have two pairs that are killing it though. By the end they were all being built well.

not a failed company so much as the owner had a kid and bought 6 acres of land and a fat house with an infinity pool and shit. He changed his priorities - decided to go back into business consulting so he didn’t have the time to run it nor the care to find someone to take it over. iirc, Sold off the press and the equipment to some dude in southern CA and who knows what happened from there.

in the case of siver, somewhere I have a dinner jacket which is nice - but the seams are all a bit flimsy compared to other stuff I’ve had since. the pants I had were not durable enough to last me even 3 days on the hill unfortunately. Trashed them after one trip.
Oct 30 2020 5:42AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
SlowbroRemember First Degree Boots? They were an attempt by Icelantic to break into the boot market, which is cool, but they tried to do it by bringing back the same mold as the Line transfer boot, which was not terribly popular. I never saw a single pair in person, and I believe they were only made for 2 or 3 years. Oddly enough, the boot is a modified version of a 3 piece snowboarding hardboot made by a European brand called Deeluxe.


I skied in those at a boot test for ski magazine.

they felt SO weird.
Oct 30 2020 5:43AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
Not sure if they’re still around, but damn they fell off a cliff in the late-oughts..

SESSIONS
Oct 30 2020 5:49AM
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Slowbro
Posts: 3860 - Karma: 21,295
DingoSeanNot sure if they’re still around, but damn they fell off a cliff in the late-oughts..

SESSIONS

They still exist, but they disappeared from skiing at least 5 years ago. Shame, the Benchetler stuff and those black/grey pants Clayton Vila wore were pretty sick
Oct 30 2020 2:49PM
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