DEELUXE Snowboard Boots 2024/25 Preview
Retail Buyers Guide: Snowboard Boots 2024/25 Retail Buyers Guide
Brand: Deeluxe
Interviewee: Florian Heim, Marketing Manager
Will you be using any previously unseen materials (in outer shell, reinforcement, cushioning, support or grip) or construction methods? Any liner story or program you plan to highlight for 24/25?
In 2022 we’ve been the first brand to introduce a snowboard boot that was made with Rise by Bloom. Rise is a bio-based foam derived from algae harvested from compromised ecosystems. This approach leverages algae’s ability to sequester carbon while helping clean water and restore aquatic habitats. To take this to the next level, we will have several models that are made with Rise by bloom in the 2024-25 line.
What lacing systems are your main focus in 24/25 and why? Where does BOA fit in your overall strategy and focus?
Choosing the right lacing system for a boot is crucial, but the lacing system itself is only one component of boots. After all, we really think that the lacing system always needs to match with the purpose and aesthetics of the boots. Accordingly, we carefully try to equip our different models with the lacing option that fits best. Many DEELUXE customers are looking for our patented Lacesmart® fast lacing system, but of course we also see an ongoing, rising demand for boots with the BOA® Fit System in the market. That’s why we further expand our collaboration with BOA®, have more BOA® models in the line and also try to implement their newest technology in our line.
Please tell us about the dominant visual themes or patterns you plan to use in next year’s boot line (materials as well as colours)? Any interesting artist collabs or partnerships you have lined up? Which other footwear sectors or fashion trends do you follow that influence the line?
Our adventure and all-terrain series consists of the technical most advanced boots in our line and accordingly the functionality of the boots results in a rather techy look. Our main inspirations for these lines are high tech outdoor gear and the more urban iteration of it – gorpcore. The DEELUXE freestyle series on the other hand is mainly inspired from skate shoe trends and the sneaker culture in general. In each segment,, we’re trying to always bring super fresh and must have colorways, but also to build our boots as sustainable as possible.
Which part of your range are you investing in the most? Freestyle, freeride, all mountain, beginner…? Why?
For us as a snowboard boot specialist all riding styles and every terrain is equally important. We are constantly striving for building the best boots in the game for every terrain and every riding level. This means we invest in all parts of our range and try to come up with the best solutions tailored to every terrain and each riding style.
What developments are you seeing with regards to product pricing?
DEELUXE is mainly known to cater to the mid – high end price range. With the introduction of the DNA a couple of seasons ago, we found a great way to offer an exciting and fresh model for a price point below that. Given the rising costs (materials, logistics,…) the whole industry is facing, we’re seeing that snowbaord gear in general will get more expensive season after season. To further react to this trend, we’ve introduced the ID Lite last season to to offer an additional price below to our popular ID family.
What are your top product marketing stories for next season?Our top marketing story will be the ATV pack. The ATV Pack can be seen as an own collection in the collection. It will consist of three different Unisex highlight boots with different lacing ways and different flex rates. But they all share the same idea and color story. Our idea here was to create a pack of boots that perfectly work in any terrain. They all come in an outdoor-inspired team-highlight colorway with special logo prints on it. They all feature the Quantum sole – our next level all terrain sole and will come in special ATV boot box. And last but not least – they all will be made with RISE by Bloom, which replaces a significant portion of the traditional EVA required for footwear foam. Rise is a bio-based foam derived from algae harvested from compromised ecosystems. This approach leverages algae’s ability to sequester carbon while helping clean water and restore aquatic habitats. The ATV pack will consist of the all new TEAM Pro, all new Deemon Pro and upgraded DNA Pro.
The Team Pro builds on the idea of the TeamID LTD – the most wanted and best-selling DEELUXE boot of the last seasons. It has all the features that customers loved about the TEAM ID LTD like the L3 lacing and the double Power Strap and will be upgrade with the Quantum sole.This will be the perfect boot for the park rider that also enjoys Pow lines and side hits.
The next boot from the ATV pack is the DNA Pro. This boot delivers pro performance in a soft flex and is meant for the Jib kid, that also wants to go for the annual obligatory pow turns. The DNA Pro features a lace + ankle BOA combination and will come with a printed world camo pattern.
For the all new DEEMON PRO, we’ve upgraded the Deemon L3 BOA with the Quantum sole and equipped it with a detachable Power Strap. The DEEMON Pro is the stiffest and strongest boot in the pack and is meant for the freerider with a freestyle mindset.