Key Equipment Splitboarding 2024/25 Preview
Retail Buyers Guide: Splitboarding 2024/25 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: key equipment
Interviewee: Hampus Cederholm, product developer, Christophe “TAL” Etallaz, product developer.
How would you describe the current state of the snowboard market? What big developments, changes, challenges, and/or opportunities are you seeing and how is your brand navigating them?
The splitboard market has had some challenges lately. Despite this, we’ve seen strong growth in sales in the last three seasons from when we started the brand. Without a unique product that improves the overall splitboard experience, it would most likely have looked a lot different for us.
Is e-commerce sales still strong since most brands have been put a lot of effort in physical retail?
E-commerce is still strong, since it gives customers the option to get their hands on our products no matter where they live. That being said, we’re happy to see physical retail becoming a bigger part of our sales.
Front 1
Does your brand have any new developments concerning sustainability and/or how you are positioning any environmental messaging?
Snowboard boots inevitably lose their flex with time. The traditional solution was usually to invest in a new pair. However, our splitboard boots feature a modular design that adress this issue. Instead of purchasing an entirely new set, you can simply replace the tongue to restore them to their original stiffness. Furthermore, all other components are replaceable, ensuring that the boots are easily repairable. When aiming for minimal environmental impact in design, prioritizing longevity is paramount. Ultimately, the most eco-friendly products are often those that continue to serve you year after year.
What are your top product marketing stories for next season?
We are shifting our focus to emphasize that our boots are versatile and not limited to splitboard mountaineering only. Splitboarding has so much more to offer than just gnarly lines. After all, most of us venture into the mountains for the sheer joy of spending quality time with friends, hopefully ride some powder, and making the most of the terrain based on the day’s conditions. Furthermore, we aim to showcase our boots’ exceptional carving capabilities. When we designed our splitboard hardboots, our objective was to create the ultimate splitboard/freeride boots that feel like softboots while riding. To our astonishment, they have proven to be exceptional on groomers as well. They combine the plushness and damping properties of softboots with the added advantages of precise control and direct power transfer that you’d expect from an alpine carving boot.
Side 1
SPLITBOARD BOOTS SPECIFIC
Will you be using any previously unseen materials (in outer shell, reinforcement, cushioning, support or grip) or construction methods?
The sideways and heel side flex has been updated to allow for a more comfortable ride feel. This has been achieved by switching the material of the cuff to polypropylene, which is also substantially lighter than the previously used material.
Key products
The best turns are the ones you earn. With tech toe inserts, a nearly friction free walk mode, and lateral support, skinning is as easy as it gets with the Disruptive hardboots. But don’t let all the fancy tech fool you; the Disruptive was designed to be a snowboard boot with focus on downhill performance first and foremost.
Side 2
Brand Previews
