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Any one else notice how 90% of the brands have started to go downhill in the past few years? Like brands are taking the idea of 'minimalistic' to the next level? There's very litte 'stoke' to much of anything anymore like most of the graphics are so bland and depressing. Like k2 for example, they use to have the coolest graphics and now it's like sad leppard prints or whatever it is. Logos have no character to them anymore and most of the marketing is pretty shit to be honest. Like remember the Smith limo? No one does that anymore and there's very little hype like there use to be I feel like. And on top of it we have brands like dope snow that have just ruined the apparel industry and now there's so many 'influencer' brands that's just dropshiped garbage.
Just somthing I was thinking about.
Not entirely wrong but let's be real k2 topsheets have been mid at best for years now. nothing wrong with minimalism, doesn't mean it can't still stand out. And to an extent I don't really give a shit what the bigger brands are doing. Like I have to buy boots, helmets, and bindings from bigger companies, but i can source everything else from companies where I can actually name the people running them, who are people you can actually see in the park. I'm pretty hyped on that. Fuck all the influencer shit though
Christian_BaleNot entirely wrong but let's be real k2 topsheets have been mid at best for years now. nothing wrong with minimalism, doesn't mean it can't still stand out. And to an extent I don't really give a shit what the bigger brands are doing. Like I have to buy boots, helmets, and bindings from bigger companies, but i can source everything else from companies where I can actually name the people running them, who are people you can actually see in the park. I'm pretty hyped on that. Fuck all the influencer shit though
frankly i'm completely fine with buying my 'critical' gear from large companies with sizable R&D budgets, a ski or piece of clothing breaking is annoying, but it's not as severe as a binding malfunctioning, a ski boot cracking, or a helmet not protecting my head sufficiently (mips is the goat)
While I agree on some fronts, I disagree on others. I think the world in general (corporate and personal) is becoming rather disimpassioned, I think skiing is not more so than other aspects, maybe less so even. I am not saying we are in the heyday, certainly not. K2 graphics have almost always, ahem how do I say this, sucked balls. This comes from a guy whos first park ski was K2 public enemy, and now rides mindbender Ti's. There are still companies out there rocking it, think of ON3Ps videos for stoke level, or travelling circus that is still rocking. And I screenshotted a couple graphics that came to mind as still interesting I quite like these 4frnts, that is a cool, bold topsheet, from a company I admittedly have not bought from since before J bought them, but I had 4 pairs of 4frnts back in the day. I feel like I do not even have to say anything for these as a defense... however, the first line ski that makes me want to buy a line ski. I actually saw a pair of armadas on the mountain the other day and said damn, those are so old! But they were brand new, I feel like Armada has gone back to its roots topsheetwise, and I am so here for it, so rad.
Admittedly quite simplistic, but pretty retro too. I am a far cry from a black crows fan, but I gotta hand it to them. They fall under Lines motto of "keep skiing weird." They are definitely keeping their spirit alive.
So this got a bit long, but TLDR everything is becoming soulless in the world, including the people bit by bit, but look at the latest VW logo, or the newest pringles logo, 2D is the trend - simplicity. We are not alone, and we will get out of the trend. I hope.
And then you have companies like JSkis that are trying to bring things back to the golden era. Shit - they opened a bar for skiers in Btown. The CEO answers emails and phone calls and is super stoked to talk to customers.
-skian-While I agree on some fronts, I disagree on others. I think the world in general (corporate and personal) is becoming rather disimpassioned, I think skiing is not more so than other aspects, maybe less so even. I am not saying we are in the heyday, certainly not. K2 graphics have almost always, ahem how do I say this, sucked balls. This comes from a guy whos first park ski was K2 public enemy, and now rides mindbender Ti's. There are still companies out there rocking it, think of ON3Ps videos for stoke level, or travelling circus that is still rocking. And I screenshotted a couple graphics that came to mind as still interesting I quite like these 4frnts, that is a cool, bold topsheet, from a company I admittedly have not bought from since before J bought them, but I had 4 pairs of 4frnts back in the day. I feel like I do not even have to say anything for these as a defense... however, the first line ski that makes me want to buy a line ski. I actually saw a pair of armadas on the mountain the other day and said damn, those are so old! But they were brand new, I feel like Armada has gone back to its roots topsheetwise, and I am so here for it, so rad.
Admittedly quite simplistic, but pretty retro too. I am a far cry from a black crows fan, but I gotta hand it to them. They fall under Lines motto of "keep skiing weird." They are definitely keeping their spirit alive.
So this got a bit long, but TLDR everything is becoming soulless in the world, including the people bit by bit, but look at the latest VW logo, or the newest pringles logo, 2D is the trend - simplicity. We are not alone, and we will get out of the trend. I hope.
I think Faction does the minimalist top-sheets the best out of anyone in the biz. Pretty rarely do I go "what the fuck were they thinking with this" which I can't say for most other bigger brands.
harlautsipad2025 bents? Chris Benchetler always nails graphics.
the bent graphics continue to be absolutely hideous. the majority of people that like them only say that because some shop said they were the best ski, so they bought a pair.
Brother if I used k2’s top sheets as a metric for how well the ski industry is doing I’d have lost faith in skiing a long time ago. Come to think of it I can’t remember a single k2 graphic that I really enjoyed aside from the Iron Maiden’s and the Hellbents.
Also I want to give a big fuck you to Salomon for never releasing that 1080 top sheet remake to the public.
270on420outBrother if I used k2’s top sheets as a metric for how well the ski industry is doing I’d have lost faith in skiing a long time ago. Come to think of it I can’t remember a single k2 graphic that I really enjoyed aside from the Iron Maiden’s and the Hellbents.
Also I want to give a big fuck you to Salomon for never releasing that 1080 top sheet remake to the public.
Beg to differ with you on the k2 graphics. Idk what it was but I loved alot of the old k2 top sheets. All of them suck now. Like who the fuck wants leppard prints on skis?
270on420outBrother if I used k2’s top sheets as a metric for how well the ski industry is doing I’d have lost faith in skiing a long time ago. Come to think of it I can’t remember a single k2 graphic that I really enjoyed aside from the Iron Maiden’s and the Hellbents.
Also I want to give a big fuck you to Salomon for never releasing that 1080 top sheet remake to the public.
Beg to differ with you on the k2 graphics. Idk what it was but I loved alot of the old k2 top sheets. All of them suck now. Like who the fuck wants leppard prints on skis?
I blame data. No longer can some charismatic son of bitch convince a room full of nerds what is cool just because they think it is, gotta have the data to back it up. (I'm probably no where close with this as an actual reason)
hb_lazthe bent graphics continue to be absolutely hideous. the majority of people that like them only say that because some shop said they were the best ski, so they bought a pair.
I love them honestly. They're super poppy but stiff enough for crusty snow. They float thru pow and they're not bad in the park.
I dont have to any complaints about them to be honest.
It's called design trends, and it's happening to literally everything, not just skis. Look at all the simplified rebrands of larger consumer companies. Not everything can or should look like 2010 Hellbents. In fact, some people (calebsiphone lol) think that J Skis-type graphics are corny and "millenial" nowadays.
I agree that ski industry design needs more attitude. It is no longer young at heart, and we should never have to say that. But at the same time, edgy pop art is dated, and the world itself is not as young at heart as it was during the 90's and 2000s.
IMO, Vishnu graphics and design is the true modern evolution of the freestyle spirit. And who knows, maybe something else will pop up soon in the ski industry that also qualifies.
I think the real travesty is outerwear, nothing modern is as interesting or detailed as the Orage Bdog or Oakley Air Raid/Corked, let alone the G Suit.
**This post was edited on Jan 17th 2025 at 12:08:53am
FruitBootProIt's called design trends, and it's happening to literally everything, not just skis. Look at all the simplified rebrands of larger consumer companies. Not everything can or should look like 2010 Hellbents. In fact, some people (calebsiphone lol) think that J Skis-type graphics are corny and "millenial" nowadays.
I agree that ski industry design needs more attitude. It is no longer young at heart, and we should never have to say that. But at the same time, edgy pop art is dated, and the world itself is not as young at heart as it was during the 90's and 2000s.
IMO, Vishnu graphics and design is the true modern evolution of the freestyle spirit. And who knows, maybe something else will pop up soon in the ski industry that also qualifies.
I think the real travesty is outerwear, nothing modern is as interesting or detailed as the Orage Bdog or Oakley Air Raid/Corked, let alone the G Suit.
**This post was edited on Jan 17th 2025 at 12:08:53am
I agree. Especially with the outerwear, one of the bigger disappointments to me.
FruitBootProIt's called design trends, and it's happening to literally everything, not just skis. Look at all the simplified rebrands of larger consumer companies. Not everything can or should look like 2010 Hellbents. In fact, some people (calebsiphone lol) think that J Skis-type graphics are corny and "millenial" nowadays.
I agree that ski industry design needs more attitude. It is no longer young at heart, and we should never have to say that. But at the same time, edgy pop art is dated, and the world itself is not as young at heart as it was during the 90's and 2000s.
IMO, Vishnu graphics and design is the true modern evolution of the freestyle spirit. And who knows, maybe something else will pop up soon in the ski industry that also qualifies.
I think the real travesty is outerwear, nothing modern is as interesting or detailed as the Orage Bdog or Oakley Air Raid/Corked, let alone the G Suit.
**This post was edited on Jan 17th 2025 at 12:08:53am
Hard agree. Vishnu is 100 percent the most with it rn. Brand does what it wants. Not trying to appease anyone. All the reps for the big brands are talking about how much effort goes into making a “non polarizing” topsheet that everyone will buy… wrong move. Get a cool guy you trust and let him cook. The End.
Stop trying to please everyone, bcs “everyone” doesn’t know what they want until they see someone else with it.
-skian-While I agree on some fronts, I disagree on others. I think the world in general (corporate and personal) is becoming rather disimpassioned, I think skiing is not more so than other aspects, maybe less so even. I am not saying we are in the heyday, certainly not. K2 graphics have almost always, ahem how do I say this, sucked balls. This comes from a guy whos first park ski was K2 public enemy, and now rides mindbender Ti's. There are still companies out there rocking it, think of ON3Ps videos for stoke level, or travelling circus that is still rocking. And I screenshotted a couple graphics that came to mind as still interesting I quite like these 4frnts, that is a cool, bold topsheet, from a company I admittedly have not bought from since before J bought them, but I had 4 pairs of 4frnts back in the day. I feel like I do not even have to say anything for these as a defense... however, the first line ski that makes me want to buy a line ski. I actually saw a pair of armadas on the mountain the other day and said damn, those are so old! But they were brand new, I feel like Armada has gone back to its roots topsheetwise, and I am so here for it, so rad.
Admittedly quite simplistic, but pretty retro too. I am a far cry from a black crows fan, but I gotta hand it to them. They fall under Lines motto of "keep skiing weird." They are definitely keeping their spirit alive.
So this got a bit long, but TLDR everything is becoming soulless in the world, including the people bit by bit, but look at the latest VW logo, or the newest pringles logo, 2D is the trend - simplicity. We are not alone, and we will get out of the trend. I hope.
I think that graphics are cyclical and we are entering a graphic cycle similar to 2014. Like seriously, look at these things. These are almost like 2007 k2 public enemies territory.
However, there are still some great graphics being made. I think the 4FRNTs above are a good example.
I think the industry is entering a downturn economically. It’s a normal economic cycle. Things will start leaning out after the COVID boom and then it will start up again once things level out.
BradFiAusNzCoCaI think that graphics are cyclical and we are entering a graphic cycle similar to 2014. Like seriously, look at these things. These are almost like 2007 k2 public enemies territory.
However, there are still some great graphics being made. I think the 4FRNTs above are a good example.
I think the industry is entering a downturn economically. It’s a normal economic cycle. Things will start leaning out after the COVID boom and then it will start up again once things level out.
I haven't seen those! Might have to invest at some point. I loved the public enemy line. Love the volkls.
TOAST.I blame data. No longer can some charismatic son of bitch convince a room full of nerds what is cool just because they think it is, gotta have the data to back it up. (I'm probably no where close with this as an actual reason)
Marketing departments have been collecting data and crunching numbers since long before the freeski era. the difference is that every kid back then wanted something “gnarly” and edgy whereas society isn’t as edgy nowadays as it was in the 2000s
Reality: Most people who want something edgy, different, etc. are fucking broke or cheap. Translation: Brands know what sells better than the 20 people who use Newschoolers.
I would love to see something from brands that revitalize older graphics. I don't think people would like to see the same exact graphic brought back as just a cash grab but updating old graphics on skis that have the same focus and energy that older skis had. Like with Will Wessons Pro model making a call back to the Line Anthem.
Seth vicious were the best top sheets of all time. Armada's first Ar5s superseded black crows by 20 years. Salomons have always looked euro death bore. Many more opinions but they are the most pertinent.
GTSeth vicious were the best top sheets of all time. Armada's first Ar5s superseded black crows by 20 years. Salomons have always looked euro death bore. Many more opinions but they are the most pertinent.
Totally agree. When seth and Shane where with k2 I think that was the beginning of peak ski era.
Along with the bdog and tall t era ofc
**This post was edited on Jan 17th 2025 at 6:13:03pm
This is rampant is skating lately. They are crashing in on nostalgia now that Millenials have money and are established and it’s working. So many reissues of decks and shoes.
yerr.dadI don't think people would like to see the same exact graphic brought back as just a cash grab
Yeah I really don’t want to just see the same exact graphic that’s come out before just have new graphics that take some inspiration from old graphics.
BradFiAusNzCoCaThis is rampant is skating lately. They are crashing in on nostalgia now that Millenials have money and are established and it’s working. So many reissues of decks and shoes.