 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi guys!
really quick question for my dissertation on 'Why it is important for ski clothing
brands to gain brand engagement from key stakeholders to create brand loyalty?'
at uni!
What would you define as a ski wear brand and why ?
Also what makes you buy a particular brand?
you won't be identified in my work I just need to know what people think
thank you in advance for your help!
Kathryn x
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sun 1-04-12 15:27; edited 3 times in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Erm, a brand who make mainly ski stuff???
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| clarky999 wrote: |
| Erm, a brand who make mainly ski stuff??? |
hey thank you for your reply
but to you what makes it ski stuff? because you can get a Nike Ski jacket but would you class Nike as a ski brand?
Thanks
kx
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cran
cran
Guest
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A ski clothing brand is a brand that makes ski clothing and I'd define it as a ski clothing brand because it makes ski clothing...
it's not difficult...
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I would say that its a brand who specialisms is ski wear, a brand who aims their brand identity at being percieved as a ski brand
hope this helps
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Who cares. You walk into a shop look at some clothing and choose what a/ does the job, or says it does and b/ fits. Doe it matter if it is made by bloggs and co. or smith and co.
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| johnE wrote: |
| Who cares. You walk into a shop look at some clothing and choose what a/ does the job, or says it does and b/ fits. Doe it matter if it is made by bloggs and co. or or smith and co. |
This made me smile although doesn't help towards my dissertation 
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no, i would buy a brand thats associated with skiing,
So Nike in my head is associated with either running shoes or Football
Head in my head is associated with Tennis rackets
Salomon in my head is associated with skis and skiing
I wouldnt buy Salomon football boots and i wouldnt buy Nike ski's
Now do i get a degree 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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In fact look at this year, Sports direct started banging out Nevica jackets for skiing, well we all know that Sports direct gear is all made cheap, but Nevica has been associated with skiing for years in you average UK skiers brain,
So we all bought one, especially when they knocked em out at £15 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Skibaby wrote: |
| clarky999 wrote: |
| Erm, a brand who make mainly ski stuff??? |
hey thank you for your reply
but to you what makes it ski stuff? because you can get a Nike Ski jacket but would you class Nike as a ski brand?
Thanks
kx |
*Mainly
I think there are very few brands who just make ski stuff.
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Sun 1-04-12 16:57; edited 1 time in total
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Skibaby, perhaps ask skiers to list all the companies they would consider buying products from off the top of their heads? (e.g. The North Face is not specifically a ski clothing brand but many people would list it as a company they would consider buying ski gear from, Nike is not specifically a ski clothing brand and most people probably wouldn't think about Nike even though they do produce ski wear).
EDIT: sorry! missed your question in the post! One of those days. Good luck.
Last edited by And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports. on Sun 1-04-12 16:30; edited 1 time in total
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The brands availability & price in TK-Max ?
But mostly it's about quality of design.
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You know it makes sense.
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To me the brand is irrelevant.
If its a jacket or sallos the main criteria is a minimum specification of wind/waterproofness.
Other considerations are number of pockets - braces or not for sallos - cost - colour.
If it is made by Nike - Salamon - D2B - Parallel - Tog24 - who cares ?
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I don't care about brand - I care about performance and longevity, price and looks. Much of the time this is best met by the well known brands, but I usually go with the climbing/mountaineering kit, as you usually get the same or better spec for less money than ski dedicated stuff - which often just means the addition of a powder skirt and £100 or whatever.
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Poster: A snowHead
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A brand is a name.
Young and rich buy brands.
Old and poor don't.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Don't really care about brand, I'm looking for kit that fits and works, so the stuff packed for next week in the Alps ranges from decidedly non ski brand Aldi soft shell trousers (on their 3rd season and still going strong, perfect for spring skiing) through specialist sports stocks (but not ski specific brand wise) Teko socks to jackets by ski brands Hyra and Rossignol (both nice and cheap in TKMaxx)
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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That it fits is essential so North American brands suit me best, but I don't care what brand they are. It has to be big enought, good enough and in a sale. These skiing brands are all b****y expensive!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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It's an interesting question. I bought an O'Neill Tee shirt in a sale. It was really nice, and a good fit so I thought I'd like some more. Until that time I just thought O'Neill was a ski wear manufacturer - on visiting their website I discovered that they are are as much into Surf wear and general clothing than they are into ski wear.
Similarly I thought that Dakine made skiing rucksacks, but on checking their things out online showed me that they do fashion bags and satchels etc. resulting in the purchase of a Dakine shoulder bag for my daughter at school. I assumed that their school bags would be made to a similar standard as their skiing ones which seem to have a good reputation.
Oakley I first heard of with ski goggles, but they seem to do as much general use sunglasses as ski googles.
I think exposure to a brand depends on the sport you in and if you only participate in a single sport you perhaps never realise that some manufacturers have ranges which extend beyond that sport. I think it will therefore be necessary for the OP to check whether some folks perception of a brand is just centered around that one sport that they participate in. Does that make sense?
I tend to buy things based on quality, personal fit, and suitability to do the job.
A good example of this is the emergency jacket fitting trip I made in February - I was prepared to pay anything for the 'right' jacket. I went to TK Maxx first - the best jacket I found there was £46 (a Tog 24 - I know they do ski gear and horse riding gear), it was just a little snug, so I thought I would visit a 'ski store' there I tried on every jacket they had - the best fit just happened to be Schoeffel - at which point I winced cost wise, but it was the jacket that met my above criteria (and was a better fit than the Tog 24) and the only one in the shop to do so so I bought it. However, I would have had no hesitation in wearing the Tog 24 if I couldn't have found anything better. I am now wearing the Tog 24 as an excellent everyday winter coat.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Sun 1-04-12 22:59; edited 1 time in total
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Megamum, Your take on Oniell and Oakley is very interesting, Oniell was firmly founded in surfing as was quicksilver both moved their marketing into skiing when boarding took off, Oakley was founded in 1975 in the Motocross sports market and did not kick off with eyewear but handlebar grips, they did not get involved in the Ski market until 1985, through brand diversification they have all made great use of brand awareness across multiple markets.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Skibaby, my unhelpful earlier post was intended to try and help you avoid this:
| johnE wrote: |
| Who cares. You walk into a shop look at some clothing and choose what a/ does the job, or says it does and b/ fits. Doe it matter if it is made by bloggs and co. or smith and co. |
| codyaitch wrote: |
To me the brand is irrelevant.
If it is made by Nike - Salamon - D2B - Parallel - Tog24 - who cares ? |
| davkt wrote: |
| Don't really care about brand, |
| musher wrote: |
| I don't care what brand they are. |
These are all valid and honest responses, but not very helpful for you. I was trying to say that if you got a new poster on here saying "I have no idea what company to get decent ski gear from so, irrespective of budget, which brands do you suggest looking at (not where to shop e.g. TK Maxx)?" you might find a pattern in the responses that could be more helpful.
Whilst I would have said I don't care about brand, as above, in the absence of a personal recommendation, I would rather go with a brand that I had heard of that had a reputation for making warm/waterproof/durable clothing than take a risk.
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Mon 2-04-12 5:45; edited 1 time in total
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To try to address the questions more specifically:
In answer to the first, not sure really, I don't think brands. I suppose it's more the marketing than the company/label in this case. Loads of companies make warm gloves & coats etc, but not all of them are marketed as ski wear.
To the second, I don't buy a brand, I buy a product. I recently bought a new pair of gloges (thanks for the advice Clarky999). I didn't just look at gloves from ski wear "brands", I also looked at motorcycle gloves with the help of Mrs M, work wear etc. etc. I wanted a glove that was right for me, not a popular big skiwear brand, although that is what I ended up buying.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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What would you define as a ski wear brand and why?
Someone who makes stuff that's exactly the same as mountaineering or snowboarding gear, but costs 20% more.
Also what makes you buy a particular brand?
The end of season sale, and fit and build quality, which is more often than not associated with more traditional mountaineering companies, rather than (as has been pointed out) companies like Nike who "also" make ski wear.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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It's an interesting point about Nike and branding. Their 6.0 gear actually turns out to be rather good, well made and reasonably priced against similarly spec'd items, but every mention of them has been somewhat pooh-poohish as johnny-come-lately bandwaggon hoppers. They're being hamstrung by their own brand image, while the likes of Nevica with their new range are trading on their old image of being a major skiwear manufacturer with a cheap range and being snapped up regardless of how they may fair in the quality stakes...
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Nike have been in wintersports for ages - before 6.0 they had their ACG brand which made good quality stuff and was available (admittedly through discount channels) at a significant discount to equivalent "full" wintersports brand products. So I can only conclude that brand does matter to a certain extent.
I think there are differences by individual depending on what sports/outdoor activities an individual does. To me e.g. a shell is a shell so specific brand is largely irrelevant and a distant third to design and performance attributes. For skiing I might look more to specific details like (currently) clean colour blocks and avoidance of unnecessary Go faster stripes, Martin Kemp shoulder pads etc (Spyder I'm looking at you  )
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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
What would you define as a ski wear brand and why ?
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A brand which stocks a decent range of ski ro snowboard stock in the winter months, or makes products specifically for skiing/snowboarding.
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Also what makes you buy a particular brand?
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Look and fit mainly, as long as they fit with my required quality and price. I probably wouldn't buy some no-name jacket unless I found some good reviews about the quality on line.
Megamum's post strikes me as from someone who doesn't go physically shopping very much and only looks on line for ski specific things!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Whitegold wrote: |
A brand is a name.
Young and rich buy brands.
Old and poor don't. |
Not often I agree with WG, but he is right on this.
Oakley for me and Moncler for the wife.
Only for skiing, hate ski jackets away from ski resorts.
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Poster: A snowHead
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kat.ryb, Not necessarily so - I will shop online for those things that I can get away with - Googles, poles etc. but things that I need to try on - jacket, trousers, boots, thermals etc. I go to a shop for.
Another observation based on the perspective that you don't tend to look outside a brand's association with your own interest area is with 'Head'.
I had done a little racket sports as a teen and had encountered Head as a manufacturer of sports bags, 'dry sports' tops, rackets etc - esp. those sports bags with a D cross section profile with 'Head' and zipper pocket with the logo on the end. It was only after getting into Skiing that I realised their association with that sport too and now I wonder what is their biggest market. To begin with I found it difficult to believe they were a serious ski brand - though now, of course, I know differently.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Skibaby wrote: |
What would you define as a ski wear brand and why ?
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A brand that actively promotes itself in the sport. It doesn't have to exclusively manufacture ski wear, but it does need to have a significant 'presence' in the ski wear market. This says nothing about quality of the actual kit.
| Skibaby wrote: |
Also what makes you buy a particular brand?
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Quality, style and fit. The style and quality are often linked to the brand. For example, Marmot is a quality brand with a simple clean cut style.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You are all fantastic thank you so much guys!
your opinions will all be used
Thank you
kx
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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A very high proportion of skiers are snobs - fact. They collect names to gain status amongst their peers. Val d'Isere, Meribel, Jackson Hole, Salomon, Laing, Arcteryx, Norrona, Mont Gele, Vallee Blanche, Corbett's Couloir...
I too am a bit of a snob. I wouldn't been seen dead in a Nevica jacket (okay maybe if they made a decent design and a decent quality jacket) but I am happy to wear Peak Performance, Salomon, Norrona etc. Head struggles for instance as it's not primarily known for ski wear (Although we skiers know that they make superb skis). Nike struggles as it's brand doesn't shout "I am a skier" - it's too diluted (back to snobery).
Many people wish to brand themselves and so seek brands that are strong in the relevant social situation. It's just kappa for your class and generalisations include:
Footie hooligans wear Stone Island/CP Company/Aquascutum etc
Surfers wear Quicksilver/ ONeil etc
Public school kids wear Jack Wills A&F holister etc
Ruggerbuggers wear Canterbury
Country bumpkins and horsey people wear Joules
Innercity kids wear adidas and Nike
Accountants who allow their wives to dress them wear Jonny Boden
With ski wear brands this infers clothing and there are lots of makes out there that puport to differing groups (this list is by no means exhaustive):
Norrona/Arcteryx/Haglofs - expensive but technical image - for serious skiers
Bogner - serious money but for older generation of piste skiers
O'Neil/Quicksilver - fashion brands for younger generation
Postcard/Prada - designer labels for the chic
Surfanic/dare2b - entry level brands
Salomn/Northface/Peak Performance - strong middle market brands
Just my take on this.........
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Brands are actually pretty weird when you think about it - one of the most striking things I ever remember about visting Durham cathedral many many years ago was a chaplain engaging me in converssation about what I was wearing (a North Cape fleece IIRC - shows how long ago it was). I realise it was just part of his schtick in challenging people but he was quite persistent - "What does that logo mean? Do you belong to them? Are they paying you to advertise? Do you believe in them? etc etc. I think I responded that it was just a warm jacket.
Funny though that many people who go the brand route almost end up wearing a uniform - you can spot the public school kids in holidays by the same hair claying and the top to toe Jack Wills.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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My gran always bought her butter from a grocers called Masons, it came from an un-named barrel, but she trusted Masons and the butter was always lovely, also she told me not to go to a certain butcher who had sold her piddley pork 25 years previously.
My attitude to ski brands is similar, I buy stuff from manufactures I trust, I might well be in deep trouble if it fails. Let me down and I will never return. I tend to buy more mountaineering brands. I don't care about logos and prefer small or no logo, if for no other reason I don't want to be a target for thieves.
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I think Morrissey makes some good points.
I guess a ski wear brand is one for whom skiing is an important market and makes an effort to produce product attuned to that market.
Why do I choose a brand?
I came to skiing from a climbing and mountaineering background. Funds were tight and I needed my gear to work for both and mountaineering is more demanding so that took priority. In the early 90s this drove me to North Face who at the time made the best shells (the original Lhotse Mountain Jacket, etc). I also found that if you compare similarly priced product, mountaineering gear gave you better value (superior materials and construction). Frankly I also liked the rugged/technical look rather than the more fashion focused ski wear too.
Although I am now a skier first and a climber/mountaineer second (or third or fourth, sadly) some of those biases have stuck. If I look at my (now rather large) collection of gear it includes Arc'teryx, Mountain Equipment, Mountain Hardwear, Marmott, etc... I can't imagine ever wearing Spyder or Bogner.
So why do I pick a brand - I could say it is the technical performance/design (and it is) but its also probably association with the more adventurous mountain sports too.
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I buy snowboarding kit to ski in now; Burton [AK] and Sweet. You get decent kit at a lower price.
Before that it was mountaineering kit for much the same reason; Mountain Equipment etc.
I tend to be driven by technical performance, looks and price.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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fatbob,
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a chaplain engaging me in converssation about what I was wearing
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What would you define as a ski wear brand and why ?
A company that has a significant presence in the ski industry or at least I recognise as such. Failing that has a presence in something very similar eg. mountaineering, skating, surfing etc.
Also what makes you buy a particular brand?
Fabric, Features, function, fit and price first. Believe it or not I just dismiss kit no matter how good if it has the US (in the UK ladies) orientation of zip. Price less so I guess as I have more money now then when I started with good old C&A Rodeo gear After that I would go on brand all things being equal. If I found something I liked and had never heard of I would probably research it and if it came up as a good make I would be happy to buy it.
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FAQ
