Hardgoods 24/25

[coleslawed]

Everyone else is either super small or owned by private equity, the Nidecker family, or Authentic Brands. Off that list, Nitro's the only other brand I'm particularly down with from shaping.

@kimchi where would lib tech/mervin be there? since I have considered it an authentic snowboard brand. I am one of those followers of independent and authentic snowboard brands... it is what I like to support...

A private equity firm picked up Mervin over 10 years ago. Even prior to that, they were owned by Quiksilver.

apparently Nidecker is now part owner of Mervin, and even bankrolled a new factory for them (still in WA state, just closer to Seattle) that is building the youth/budget boards.

[eleveneightnate]

apparently Nidecker is now part owner of Mervin, and even bankrolled a new factory for them (still in WA state, just closer to Seattle) that is building the youth/budget boards.

Honestly, how did Nidecker ever make enough money to start snatching up all these other brands? Are they that popular in Europe?

[kimchi]

A private equity firm picked up Mervin over 10 years ago. Even prior to that, they were owned by Quiksilver.

Lib's construction also leaves a lot to be desired, they just feel like cheap old rental boards. Also, C2 basically eliminates half their boards from my consideration. And I hate their "Made in the USA Near Canada" shtick, like that's somehow supposed to make me like them more.

A buddy who was a shop buyer said something to the effect of: “Never Summer hires manufacturing professionals. Mervin hires snowboarders and it shows.” My buddy was not a Never Summer brand or ride fan, but had a lot of respect for their manufacturing operation. And like half his quiver is Libs but he was very vocal about making sure you check the board thoroughly to make sure you don’t get a lemon.

[eleveneightnate]

making sure you check the board thoroughly to make sure you don’t get a lemon.

I experienced this first hand. Bought a Cold Brew for super cheap (brand new) and when I got it home I realized the sidewalls were completely deteriorating. Almost like the material had bubbles in it that eventually collapsed and left holes and cracks in it.

[bagis]

Honestly, how did Nidecker ever make enough money to start snatching up all these other brands? Are they that popular in Europe?

I'm from Finland and i have spend a lot of time in Les Deux Alpes in France. I have never seen Nidecker board in person

[jota]

on the other hand it is curious but perhaps no one in EL has a never summer... Maybe it's because of the hybrid camber?

I don't drink Monster in a Nuggets 59FIFTY with the sticker still on it while driving a WRX to Breck and listening to Pretty Lights, therefore I cannot buy a Never Summer.

They also ran a pretty nasty smear campaign against Arbor during Snowboarder's Battle of the Brands that turned me off to them. Plus the stupid ass rocker profiles they use and absolutely atrocious graphics.

A private equity firm picked up Mervin over 10 years ago. Even prior to that, they were owned by Quiksilver.

Lib's construction also leaves a lot to be desired, they just feel like cheap old rental boards. Also, C2 basically eliminates half their boards from my consideration. And I hate their "Made in the USA Near Canada" shtick, like that's somehow supposed to make me like them more.

That direct harpon vs orca reference seemed a little silly... but it fits with what you say about they... before vs arbor and now vs orca

On the other hand, the expression handmade in usa near canada caught my attention … maybe it's like awakening interest in what you aren’t… It's like anti marketing…

EL already made me switch to skate tech and now EL are going to make my attention go to capita

[jota]

Lib's construction also leaves a lot to be desired, they just feel like cheap old rental boards.

This is exactly the feeling that nidecker boards give me when I see them

[C.Fuzzy]

on the other hand it is curious but perhaps no one in EL has a never summer... Maybe it's because of the hybrid camber?

I had been influenced by some NS hate (fair or unfair) for a while and then knew a couple guys (good riders) that liked them so I thought 'time to find out' and so I gave NS a chance and grabbed a ripsaw at one point. It was super damp and kind of felt dead, not fun, not to my liking and after a ride or two I got rid of it. But NS has that damp board reputation too, so I don't think it was an anomaly. I just have no desire to look at them anymore. Whether as a ride, or visually.

Lib's construction also leaves a lot to be desired, they just feel like cheap old rental boards. Also, C2 basically eliminates half their boards from my consideration. And I hate their "Made in the USA Near Canada" shtick, like that's somehow supposed to make me like them more.

I like Mervin stuff. I like C2. I sometimes like not having full wrapped edges. What I don't love about Mervin boards is they seem heavier and have less torsional flex, sometimes their mag can be overly magged out, also, a lot of the graphics are for me, no bueno.

But I'm still down for the right board from them. I could see copping on a gremlin if they changed the artwork. Or an orca if the top and bottom were both generic black and no one knew I had an orca.

[casjcade]

The ones with no banana or mag are nice, like the Lost/Mayhem boards. Just feels smooth. I think not having fully wrapped edges could eliminate some chatter. Only liked the standard core from them for some reason.

[G.D.]

on the other hand it is curious but perhaps no one in EL has a never summer... Maybe it's because of the hybrid camber?

I don't drink Monster in a Nuggets 59FIFTY with the sticker still on it while driving a WRX to Breck and listening to Pretty Lights, therefore I cannot buy a Never Summer.

... and absolutely atrocious graphics.

at all of the above, esp the bolded loll. That Eagle symbol is the most off-putting for me, personally. Finally, someone over there realized to keep that usage to a minimum, cos seeing relatively more digestible branding as of late. And tbf to them, their boards actually rode decently when I demoed one time, for the sake of science lol.

But everything Nate just mentioned is why I have no interest in ever grabbing one for the foreseeable future.