I really loved my Salomon's as well!

But isn't that a Ski Company ?

So that's 'acceptable' because we both play on the same mountain?

Last year the Salomon designers must have been on crack because this years women's boots look like poop and I just could not get over it and pay that much money for such an ugly boot.

This year I am gonna try on all different boots [brands] so I know more about the way they feel, size wise etc.

Not that it's any excuse but NYC is not the best place to go gear shopping and I really like to have my boots before I go on a trip...

If people are going to throw out the corporate card here's some facts for you.

Quiksilver owns: DC, Roxy, Mervin (Lib, bent metal, gnu)
Jarden owns: K2, Ride, Morrow, 5150, Nitro, Volkl, Planet Earth
VF Corp owns: Vans
Amersports owns: Salomon/Atomic
Burton owns: Burton, Analog, Red, Gravis, Forum, Special Blend, 4 Square, Channel Island Surfboards
The Brand Base owns: Technine, Sounds Clothing, Nomis

Thats not even all of the ones out there. Any corporation that actually puts money into R and D and brings a solid product to the table is a good one in my book. This whole "core" thing is just marketing bull shit at its finest.

thank you!

what i think is interesting is that nike was in the snowboard game back in 93/94.... they're more "OG" than 1/2 the companies that are around right now. :D

Don't forget - Jarden also has investment stake in Holden! VF also owns The North Face, Jarden also has minority stake in Rossignol.

i was seriously considering some Nike boots, but my circumstances have changed....

I haven't tried 'em, so I dunno, but I think they're kinda dorky looking ... like they make it look like people have gigantic swollen feet that only a mega sized sneaker could fit on.

... as for corporate/non corporate, I agree that a lot of brands (even corporate ones) use that as a marketing scheme... but I'm a bit suspicious of a big brand like Nike suddenly jumping into things, especially when they've jumped in and then jumped right back out in the past. What will happen with warranties if that happens again?

I can't support the Nike Snow anything or Nike in general..... sweatshop shoes are not something I really like all that much.... And paying an arm and a leg for a nike swoosh on a pair of crap boots is just not something I am into.... But if you like Nike then by all means go for it... And as far as the pros they sponsor do you really think they use any nike product other than a tee shirt or a pair of gym shorts? I doubt it, they toss the swoosh on their deck and do some ads and some name dropping in interviews and get paid.... And then go ride what works, which is not nike.... even though they have the money and have been in the sports game for a long long time I don't feel like they have the nuts to get into the hard ball world of snowboarding.... But i am again not a fan of Nike in general!

core argument is weak and played out. PLEASE think of something new!

sweatshops? ehh, sure, i guess you can still use that argument. but, let's REALLY look at that situation. WHO is forcing those sweatshops to happen? is Nike putting a gun to these peoples' heads and saying, "hey, make these clothes, shoes, boots, accessories, etc or i'm going to kill you!" umm, that would be a resounding no. freedom of choice, yeah?

let's get one thing straight though, i'm NOT in any means, way, shape, or form promoting sweatshops. i'm simply saying that because they're the only company that has openly admitted to it and were really the first company to utilize cheap labor to make a TON of money, don't hate on them for being some excellent and savvy business people.

here's another thing to think about. what IF, the only people who see sweatshops as wrong are us? we (when i say "we", i'm referring to US citizens) are HORRIBLY spoiled, pampered, self-righteous, and bratty people. how do we know what horrible working conditions are? how do we know that what Nike is doing and giving to these people is not a MUCH better means of living than what they would have. obviously, it must be SOMEWHAT better than what they have or else they wouldn't continue going back, wouldn't you agree?

back on topic. Nike is one of the few companies that will put some serious R&D into snowboard boots and make other boot companies step their game up. this will be good for the sport. who would've ever thought that Nike could make good golf shoes? baseball shoes? football shoes? hiking shoes? well, they do.

I was not trying to make a strong argument I was simply just stating how I feel about Nike. I really don't need to argue on an online fourm I enjoy it sometimes but don't always try and do it. As for the 3rd world factories that Nike and a lot of other company's use I was speaking on a more quality related side of things. Every Nike product I have ever owned has fallen apart. The stitching has never ever held up in a pair of Nike's I have owned. When you super mass produce a product the quality level usually drops. And for me any ways something that is as $$ as Nikes stuff is I like it to be good quality. I rock a pair of Chucks on most days, why? Because they look good with almost anything, last forever, and are pretty damn comfortable for a good price. And they are probably made in a sweat shop but for me the cost/use of the product its worth it.... And I guess most stuff we use on a daily level is made in one... So that makes us as you so kindly put it "HORRIBLY spoiled, pampered, self-righteous, and bratty people" . I like to call it a Flat World where technology has connected every one to every one. Allowing people who once could not access the rest of the world and market connect and start swimming with the big fish! And this is thanks to cheap fiber optic cable that the Telecoms tossed all over the world in turn connecting EVERYBODY for pretty cheap. But that talk is for a later time.

I fully agree that when a factory moves in to a rural area to industrialize and make a higher living condition for a population is a good thing, as long as its done right. Its done great things for China as did joining the WTO, money helps and the big boys like Nike have a piss load of it! It's how the world turns I guess....

who's arguing? not me. i wasn't directing that towards you. just putting it out there for people to see the other side of the coin since we never do.

contrary to your experiences, Nike has been a great shoe/company for me. i've tried TONS of basketball shoes through my 15+ years of playing competitive basketball. brands ranging from cheap "quality" brands, Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Converse, And 1, etc., etc. Nike has come through for me time and time again. when the stitches come loose (as they would on shoes that i use very extensively), Nike takes care of me. their warranty and customer service has always served me well as well as many other relatives, friends, and teammates of mine.

on the same note, Converse is one of the worst shoes, IMO. mildly stylish and classics, of course. however, they are HORRIBLY uncomfortable and have absolutely no foot support. Vans have more arch support than Chucks do (saying Chucks have ANY arch support at all is being nice, haha). and i'm sure you're aware that Converse is owned by Nike too.

Yeah I know that they are owned by Nike. Also know that there is not a grip of support anywhere on the Chuck. they are casual, I have a pair of Asics I use at the gym or for whatever. I have never played basketball I was a hockey player and the pair of $600 bad ass blades I had lasted like 1/3 of a season... And the running shoes have always fell apart super quick... I am just not a fan... The ice skates finished Nike for me forever.... And that was like 13 Years ago... And twice a year I have to give them 40 bucks for my Cons.... its cool I am the pot calling the kettle balck but its a classic look I like.... DC is the king of shoes anyways! And Boots....