Shop Stop: Outerwear Part 2

April 16, 2009

Shop Stop: Outerwear Part 2

There’s been a delay in getting this up but it’s time for part three of our Shop Stop series of articles looking at stores around the country, what they’re selling and what the staff are into. This time we’re talking to Leonard at Snowbiz in Brisbane and Goldie at Balmoral in Sydney. These are getting more detailed each time I do them and the guys didn’t let me down here with full details on all the product. Check below the cut to see what they’re feeling.

Leonard tells me that alongside the Burton range, the stand out pieces have been the Sessions Istodis jacket in black/multi- stargyle (pictured below).

Sessions Istodis Jacket in Black/Multi Stargyle.

Also the DC Banshee pant for men has been selling well. I know that this is a popular pant from speaking to quite a few stores across the country.
banshee_pnt_mens1

DC Banshee pant.

For the ladies, the Special Blend Joy jacket in black/rainbow (Pictured below) has sold super quick. Chris at Special Blend tells me that has been really popular across the country.

Special Blend Saga Jacket in Black/Brown

The staff dig the new Volcom gear that just came in – particularly the Gathering print jacket in Multi-color. The girls at the shop are into the Nikita Touch down jacket in Scarlett red. The Hype for boards is still all about the new Lib Tech (Leonard tells me that they’re yet to arrive but they already have a list of keeners who have paid up!) The staff also like the 2010 Nitro SUB POP (instore now) that has Gullwing camber and the Burton FIX.

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Nitro Sub Pop 155

Burton Fix 155

The stand out boots have been the Nitro Anthem, Burton Ozone (mostly for the rad Afterbang color) also the Rome Liberteen which fits really well.

anthem-tls-blk-und

Nitro Anthem

Burton Ozone

libertine

Goldie at Balmoral tells me that Volcom’s 09 outerwear program has had an extremely good response from the crew getting gear early or heading overseas. Thier range this year offers great waterproof/breathability ratings, good value for money and a patented zip-tech system (connecting jacket and pant combos for complete snow seal). Standouts: Homesick ($469.95) and Bjorn V-Co pants ($399.95).

Volcom Bjorn V-Co Pants ($399.95) vo09-homesick-pnt_den

Volcom Homesick Pants ($469.95)

32’s 09 range of boots seems to have picked up where their last range of boots left off, with its Lashed boot being Goldie’s best selling all-round boot leading pre-season sales. Goldie said, “Mid-to-wide forefoot fit, STI foam mid soles, Intuition type heat moldable liners and for the first time ever; footbeds! Yeah… footbeds, there’s a thought! You can get your feet into these pretty much ready to ride straight “outta the box” boot for $429.95.“

Balmoral’s staff pic for the hottest thing going for outerwear this year is the Sessions Softshell Hoodie based of the fact that this piece brings some great options to the table! 10K/5K ratings, fold out thumb and hand warmers and durable stretch fabric delivers warmth and comfort. Its lightweight, waterproof nature makes it an easy wear for our mild Aussie winters. $199.95

Goldie said about the board sales, “It’s no secret that the demand for Mervin manufactured products has gone through the roof, with the delivery of Lib and Gnu’s MTX – turning ice into pow and BTX – adding control between your feet for easier transitions. That coupled with the ever anticipated Travis Rice feature DVD “That’s it, That’s All”… its no wonder why we’re taking pre-delivery orders for what could be the hottest product in snowboarding… Not to mention the Southern Hemi gets this product a year in advance of everyone else on the globe, arriving any day now!”

The picks were – T. RICE – features in both MTX (Magne-traction) & BTX (Banana-traction). It’s available in two shapes, one Pow specific and one Park specific. Doing their part for the environment, these decks feature a “NEW” Bio-Plastic top sheet made from the manipulation of castor beans (high strength-to-weight ratio, and if that’s not enough, they’re renewable)! Add double sintered p-tex sidewalls for lasting durability and you can’t go wrong.

T.Rice C2 Power with BTX

SKATE BANANA – Coming off the huge success of last year, it’s no wonder why the 2010 SKATE BANANA will be the most sought after board in 09! Featuring a twin shape, its “Banana rocker” between your feet… offers riders a loose, catch-free riding experience making your overall snowboarding experience easier. Appealing to riders of all abilities, these decks are great from rockin all-mountain terrain, park/pipe or a secret backyard box sessions. BTX, MTX and an H-POP CORE, give snap, power and overall performance no matter what conditions you’re running.

LibTech Skate Banana

Balmoral’s staff pick for boots is Burton’s S.White. Based off of early sell through and overall shelf appeal. White’s boot for 09 is now stiffer than past years offering better rider response, with B3 heel gel and J-bar heel stays. This boot is an easy sell once you get it on someone’s foot and it looks as good as it feels.

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BRTN’s S.WHITE

Thanks to Leonard and Goldie for hitting me back with these detailed answers – it’s great to get an insight into what’s going on at the stores. Look out next week for the N.S.W installment of the skate hardware Shop Stop.

Store Contact Details:

SnowBiz

101 Albert St.
Brisbane. QLD. 4000
P. 07.3229.8911
W. www.snowbiz.com.au