21/22 gear hype thread

14233738:teamdummy said:
In case you youngins’ wondered where those throwback graphics that Pettit was on came from. Probably 1997ish.

View attachment 990856
Click to expand...

Little fun fact...the guy (My boss) who did the original Merlin graphic that you see here still works at K2 and we subbed him into do the updated.

If you can use the original artist. You use the original artist.
 
14234114:skidemon22 said:
Which is softer and by how much?
Click to expand...

The UL is definitely much softer the the regular 116. I don’t know how to exactly measure it but it’s gotta be at least 10-15% softer
 
14234123:Kbob94 said:
The UL is definitely much softer the the regular 116. I don’t know how to exactly measure it but it’s gotta be at least 10-15% softer
Click to expand...

Yup, thing is dummy soft. Fire in pow, anything choppy or remotely hard and it’s pretty much a tuning fork
 
14234144:skidemon22 said:
Copy that, thanks
Click to expand...

you bet!!

14234165:animator said:
Yup, thing is dummy soft. Fire in pow, anything choppy or remotely hard and it’s pretty much a tuning fork
Click to expand...

Oh for sure! BUT That’s where the Whitewalker is the absolute best! It’s still

got the lightweight but damn it it’s stiff and chargey!
 
Awesome Twig!

any chance you know what wood they are putting in the candide 3.0 and 5.0?

I can’t believe they actually changed the shape of the 5.0, but atleast it keeps its large radius. Looks like they just added a tiny bit of taper.
 
14234338:Mr_pretzel said:
Awesome Twig!

any chance you know what wood they are putting in the candide 3.0 and 5.0?

I can’t believe they actually changed the shape of the 5.0, but atleast it keeps its large radius. Looks like they just added a tiny bit of taper.
Click to expand...

Added to the description but they are different. The 2.0 and 3.0 get a paulownia/poplar core, the 5.0 get's an 'air poplar' core which seems to be to do with the milling.
 
Its a pretty sad when Salomon one of the brands that really helped kick off twin tip skiing, no longer has a twin tip in their line up. Perhaps more so a recognition of how the industry has changed and brands are becoming even more focused on what they market too, but I did find it interesting.

14234312:Twig said:
https://www.newschoolers.com/ski-gear/2022

We couldn't post this before because of embargos from brands. Plenty more to come but the full Faction Skis Prodigy/Candide lines are in there, as well as the new QST models from Salomon.
Click to expand...
 
14234373:tomPietrowski said:
Its a pretty sad when Salomon one of the brands that really helped kick off twin tip skiing, no longer has a twin tip in their line up. Perhaps more so a recognition of how the industry has changed and brands are becoming even more focused on what they market too, but I did find it interesting.
Click to expand...

I have been thinking this^ for a while now, and I agree totally,

Ever since they dropped the Rocker2 series down to just the 100, then their twin-tip line to just the NFX, then nothing at all, I have been progressively disappointed.

I was just kicking this idea around in my head the other day: Speaking with some of my peers at Salomon, they say that each Amer brand gets to operate independently... But I wonder if that is not entirely true. Atomic has 4 twins in their line (possibly more in the future... 110mm Bentchetler?!), Armada is still very much a freeride brand with over 50% of the lineup being twins. Salomon also has its hand in backpacking gear, trail running, snowboarding, footwear, and a few other facets for a while now, all of which can generate year-round cash flow. AND they have three winter specific divisions: Snowboard, Nordic, and Ski. So I am thinking that the Alpine team has to focus on product that is super commercial. The alpine division has gone through several rounds of SKU reduction, just focusing on winning categories... Hence the Stance series, going after that Kendo/ Mantra market, no twin-tips and now their widest ski is 112 underfoot.

And I think it is notable that even though the QST line-up has the same number of SKUs, they reeled in the extremes. The cap construction 85 is basically a rental ski now (essentially writing it off), and the 118 has been killed to make room for a more widely accepted waist width. The S/Lab division used to make some cool shit. But now the Shift is the only S/Lab product.
 
14234445:Denseclouds said:
Sweet man, thanks!

Looks like the prodigy 3.0/4.0's remain the same except for graphics?
Click to expand...

Correct, they just got new designs for this year, they won’t change for a little while
 
Been a lot less threads on here bitching about Salomon edges ripping out since they stopped making park skis.

I don’t think sales have suffered that much.
 
14234419:skidemon22 said:
Ever since they dropped the Rocker2 series down to just the 100, then their twin-tip line to just the NFX, then nothing at all, I have been progressively disappointed.
Click to expand...

Does this mean woodsy is no longer on Salomon?
 
14234464:freeskibum82 said:
Does this mean woodsy is no longer on Salomon?
Click to expand...

I am pretty sure a thread had covered him on some Line skis... I should say that for 2021 they had the NFX for EU and even CAD markets, just not US.
 
14234419:skidemon22 said:
I have been thinking this^ for a while now, and I agree totally,

Ever since they dropped the Rocker2 series down to just the 100, then their twin-tip line to just the NFX, then nothing at all, I have been progressively disappointed.

I was just kicking this idea around in my head the other day: Speaking with some of my peers at Salomon, they say that each Amer brand gets to operate independently... But I wonder if that is not entirely true. Atomic has 4 twins in their line (possibly more in the future... 110mm Bentchetler?!), Armada is still very much a freeride brand with over 50% of the lineup being twins. Salomon also has its hand in backpacking gear, trail running, snowboarding, footwear, and a few other facets for a while now, all of which can generate year-round cash flow. AND they have three winter specific divisions: Snowboard, Nordic, and Ski. So I am thinking that the Alpine team has to focus on product that is super commercial. The alpine division has gone through several rounds of SKU reduction, just focusing on winning categories... Hence the Stance series, going after that Kendo/ Mantra market, no twin-tips and now their widest ski is 112 underfoot.

And I think it is notable that even though the QST line-up has the same number of SKUs, they reeled in the extremes. The cap construction 85 is basically a rental ski now (essentially writing it off), and the 118 has been killed to make room for a more widely accepted waist width. The S/Lab division used to make some cool shit. But now the Shift is the only S/Lab product.
Click to expand...

it must suck to be a solomon athlete, good luck skiing big mountain features like spines on a 112 ski with a 16m radius
 
Amer has been owned by a Chinese company since 2019 and their ceo is now Chinese. Could be a totally different structure and bottom line for them now. This is probably just because the Newschoolers and Prime skiing don’t have the info yet - but I didn’t see the trace or tracer series. That would be upsetting to me and a sign of the times if they discontinued it.

I wanted to say something about Salomon not putting R&D into new skis but then it occurred to me that they wouldn’t have to even put that much into a new twin tip. A lot of tried and true tech is still, roughly, the same. They’re just really invested in the directional dad charger. Also, their hiking shoes sell like absolutely crazy. I would say their market is the outdoorsy person moreso than the park rat and they’ve leaned into it.

14234419:skidemon22 said:
I have been thinking this^ for a while now, and I agree totally,

Ever since they dropped the Rocker2 series down to just the 100, then their twin-tip line to just the NFX, then nothing at all, I have been progressively disappointed.

I was just kicking this idea around in my head the other day: Speaking with some of my peers at Salomon, they say that each Amer brand gets to operate independently... But I wonder if that is not entirely true. Atomic has 4 twins in their line (possibly more in the future... 110mm Bentchetler?!), Armada is still very much a freeride brand with over 50% of the lineup being twins. Salomon also has its hand in backpacking gear, trail running, snowboarding, footwear, and a few other facets for a while now, all of which can generate year-round cash flow. AND they have three winter specific divisions: Snowboard, Nordic, and Ski. So I am thinking that the Alpine team has to focus on product that is super commercial. The alpine division has gone through several rounds of SKU reduction, just focusing on winning categories... Hence the Stance series, going after that Kendo/ Mantra market, no twin-tips and now their widest ski is 112 underfoot.

And I think it is notable that even though the QST line-up has the same number of SKUs, they reeled in the extremes. The cap construction 85 is basically a rental ski now (essentially writing it off), and the 118 has been killed to make room for a more widely accepted waist width. The S/Lab division used to make some cool shit. But now the Shift is the only S/Lab product.
Click to expand...
 
14234512:jps2.0 said:
it must suck to be a solomon athlete, good luck skiing big mountain features like spines on a 112 ski with a 16m radius
Click to expand...

I bet they will have some QST 118s with Blank top sheets made up
 
14234338:Mr_pretzel said:
Awesome Twig!

any chance you know what wood they are putting in the candide 3.0 and 5.0?

I can’t believe they actually changed the shape of the 5.0, but atleast it keeps its large radius. Looks like they just added a tiny bit of taper.
Click to expand...

14234353:Twig said:
The 5.0 get's an 'air poplar' core which seems to be to do with the milling.
Click to expand...

14234445:Denseclouds said:
Sweet man, thanks!

Looks like the prodigy 3.0/4.0's remain the same except for graphics?
Click to expand...

Prodigy 3.0/4.0 unchanged.

It turns out Faction have made the call since sending us the info to keep the 5.0 the same as previous years. Candide apparently likes it too much to change it for now. The graphic in the guide is correct, but otherwise the ski is the same as '20-21.
 
14234516:BradFiAusNzCoCa said:
Amer has been owned by a Chinese company since 2019 and their ceo is now Chinese. Could be a totally different structure and bottom line for them now. This is probably just because the Newschoolers and Prime skiing don’t have the info yet - but I didn’t see the trace or tracer series. That would be upsetting to me and a sign of the times if they discontinued it.

I wanted to say something about Salomon not putting R&D into new skis but then it occurred to me that they wouldn’t have to even put that much into a new twin tip. A lot of tried and true tech is still, roughly, the same. They’re just really invested in the directional dad charger. Also, their hiking shoes sell like absolutely crazy. I would say their market is the outdoorsy person moreso than the park rat and they’ve leaned into it.
Click to expand...

I know about the Chinese conglomerate take over, and from what I have heard, they have largely let Amer brands function as before. However, that isn't to say that the Amer executives haven't stepped in and said that they want Atomic and Armada to focus on race, freeride, and freestyle and Salomon to focus on commercially popular products, like the Shift, Dad skis and hiking boots... Also, their Alpine ski boots have a ton of market share.

To make a new SKU is a lot of work. So while they may have the molds to one of my favorite all-time skis, the Rocker2 100, the actual administrative, logistical and marketing costs may not be worth it to sell
 
14234373:tomPietrowski said:
Its a pretty sad when Salomon one of the brands that really helped kick off twin tip skiing, no longer has a twin tip in their line up. Perhaps more so a recognition of how the industry has changed and brands are becoming even more focused on what they market too, but I did find it interesting.
Click to expand...

I mean I have respect for the brand, but nowadays you go to their website and it barely looks like a ski brand. You have to click a few times in their drop down menu to even find skis.

We’re a bit bummed with them right now. Don’t have a single Salomon product in the shop. We hope that changes soon.
 
14234574:hdubs said:
Just saw the new LINE Blend top sheets and literally came. Thought you guys should know that
Click to expand...

Bonus points if you can figure out what song the graphic is referencing.
 
14234571:.nasty said:
I mean I have respect for the brand, but nowadays you go to their website and it barely looks like a ski brand. You have to click a few times in their drop down menu to even find skis.

We’re a bit bummed with them right now. Don’t have a single Salomon product in the shop. We hope that changes soon.
Click to expand...

Aren’t they still the number one boot manufacturer? I believe they were proud of that back about two maybe three years ago.
 
Is it just me or are the new K2 graphics literal jizz? I get a feeling in my wiener that I've never felt before when I look at the new reckoners and mindbenders

**This post was edited on Jan 28th 2021 at 8:42:41pm
 
14234589:cultrara said:
Not a bad guess. Hint: One of the singers in the song is Johnny Cash.
Click to expand...

14234620:CatdickBojangles said:
Is it the Highwaymen?
Click to expand...

Gotta be The Highwaymen by The Highwaymen. I see a dam and a starship can’t really tell what the other image is possibly the ocean. If that is the inspiration behind the lyrics I’m fucking pumped! Love to hear the story behind it too.
 
Someone needs to make a willie nelson top sheet.

14234634:CatdickBojangles said:
Gotta be The Highwaymen by The Highwaymen. I see a dam and a starship can’t really tell what the other image is possibly the ocean. If that is the inspiration behind the lyrics I’m fucking pumped! Love to hear the story behind it too.
Click to expand...
 
14234620:CatdickBojangles said:
Is it the Highwaymen?
Click to expand...
14234634:CatdickBojangles said:
Gotta be The Highwaymen by The Highwaymen. I see a dam and a starship can’t really tell what the other image is possibly the ocean. If that is the inspiration behind the lyrics I’m fucking pumped! Love to hear the story behind it too.
Click to expand...

winner winner chicken dinner
 
14234640:cultrara said:
winner winner chicken dinner
Click to expand...

That’s fucking awesome. Huge fan of The Highwaymen and old country. What’s the story behind the inspiration being that song though? Also since I won so you want my address to send me a pair hahaha?
 
14234580:.[sanhedrin said:
.]Aren’t they still the number one boot manufacturer? I believe they were proud of that back about two maybe three years ago.
Click to expand...

That’s all well and good but overall the brand just doesn’t seem focused on skiing as much. If you ask them they’d probably say that’s blasphemous but heck, their main product images on their site and elsewhere is all trail running or lifestyle. I’m sure their ski division still had plenty going for it but sure as heck not anything for our community, which I know isn’t a big source of income for them but just shoves us to support brands who do.
 
14234549:skidemon22 said:
I know about the Chinese conglomerate take over, and from what I have heard, they have largely let Amer brands function as before. However, that isn't to say that the Amer executives haven't stepped in and said that they want Atomic and Armada to focus on race, freeride, and freestyle and Salomon to focus on commercially popular products, like the Shift, Dad skis and hiking boots... Also, their Alpine ski boots have a ton of market share.

To make a new SKU is a lot of work. So while they may have the molds to one of my favorite all-time skis, the Rocker2 100, the actual administrative, logistical and marketing costs may not be worth it to sell
Click to expand...

Re: Amer directing individual brands on what products to produce or what segments to focus on- it's simply not true. Honestly, the people at the real Amer level have no idea what specific products the brands should focus on, which is why they leave it to the brands. Now, I won't defend Salomon's decision to make the skis they make but I will defend them on being a puppet of Amer. The only thing Amer tells the brands to do is be profitable and focused. Salomon has simply interpreted that in their own way, for better or for worse.
 
14234741:onenerdykid said:
Re: Amer directing individual brands on what products to produce or what segments to focus on- it's simply not true. Honestly, the people at the real Amer level have no idea what specific products the brands should focus on, which is why they leave it to the brands. Now, I won't defend Salomon's decision to make the skis they make but I will defend them on being a puppet of Amer. The only thing Amer tells the brands to do is be profitable and focused. Salomon has simply interpreted that in their own way, for better or for worse.
Click to expand...

I wasn't saying they had, but that I/we couldn't rule it out, not being an Amer Employee. No one is calling anyone a 'puppet'.
 
I gotta believe Salomon's exit from the twin tip market, which has disappointed me to the point where I won't even consider a Solly ski anymore purely out of spite, was somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy. I'm sure they saw the same dip in the category everyone else saw 5 or so years ago when an inevitable ebb in the market after so many years of boom lined up with a couple of really bad snow years. So they pulled some money/people out of the program, continued to see a dip, pulled more resources out...and on and on until there was no way left for anyone to make a legitimate business case for the twin tip category based on recent results. They believed the business was dying, acted accordingly, and the business died.

It's a false narrative that happens a lot in large corporations.
 
14234801:9try said:
Anyone have a rocker shot or more info on the M-Free 99?
Click to expand...

991188.png

991189.png

991190.png

Similar to the MFree 108. Assuming around 20m radius in the 185cm but guessing still. Hoping decent weight in the longest length. The MPro99 186cm is around 2050grams so bet it’s around there but love it to be more.


**This post was edited on Jan 29th 2021 at 11:25:11am
 
14234833:skidemon22 said:
I wasn't saying they had, but that I/we couldn't rule it out, not being an Amer Employee. No one is calling anyone a 'puppet'.
Click to expand...

onenerdykid works for atomic, I'd say he knows what he's talking about
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top