The softgoods market at SIA.08 saw an explosion of color as the 80’s retro wave begins to likely reach its crest. Bits and pieces of flannel and grunge-reminiscent looks that popped into single pieces in lines suggest that vendors are already beginning to look past the 80’s and into the 90’s for inspiration.


 


Nearly every vendor on the floor had at least some part of an eco story to its line, with the focus now moving beyond simply a materials story and into a discussion of the complete process from producing the materials to transporting final product to the marketplace.


 


Boa Technology will move outside of just footwear in the year ahead as it launches an outerwear program with 686 and a helmet with ProTec. The company also began ski boot programs with Black Diamond in telemark and freeride and a snowboard binding with Atomic. The company also added Rome to its list of snowboard boot manufacturers.


 


Overall, Boa looks to expand to products in 22 categories next year from 13 this year, with snowboarding product decreasing from 80% of its mix to 60%. Boa technology was included in 3.5 million pairs of boots last year, with 60% of all snowboard boots in Japan utilizing the technology, 25% in the U.S., and 10% in Europe.


 


Vans launched a collaboration in footwear and apparel with the band Iron Maiden. A five-shoe series has various release dates, with the third model slated for Fall ’08. The Iron Maiden Etienne Jacket is being offered for 2008/09 and will have limited distribution.


 


ThirtyTwo introduced a core shops only line for the first time this year with limited edition, team rider inspired colorways in the Ultralight, Prime and Team 2 models. The company did a general refresh of its line as a whole for the coming year, while also giving its apparel line a healthy does of attention. Apparel was increased to three collections with two over lapping into womens. The company launched an eco-initiative in baselayers, utilizing bamboo and merino wool.


 


Quiksilver reports that the news of the company possibly selling off all of its hardgoods businesses will likely only apply to the businesses acquired in the Rossignol deal, and not Roxy skis, which are still doing very well, or the Mervin Manufacturing businesses, which includes the Lib Tech and Gnu brands. Quiksilver made a strong eco push with its apparel, featuring the EcoCircle program in outerwear with recycled or natural materials used throughout the product line and the GreenPrint campaign in Roxy, which is a new branding initiative that will be affixed to all Roxy products made with sustainable materials and processes. Lib Tech, part of the hardgoods business Quik is likely to keep, focused on its BananaTech boards, a no camber design.


 


686 will continue its Times collaboration program, with this year’s editions featuring partnerships with Levi’s and Famous Stars & Stripes. The Levi’s collaboration addresses the denim trend on the floor with gusto including Levi’s 508, 514 and engineered fits, while adding in 20,000mm waterproof performance.


The company’s theme for this year, aside from the collaboration pieces, is re-invent, re-new, re-think, with several signature pieces created from materials like legos and even dollar bills. Overall, the design cues for the line came from plaids, stripes and prints.


 


Nomis launched its first outerwear collection, working with both Dragon Optics and Drop gloves to produce the Simon Chamberlain jacket, pant, glove and goggle complete set. Yellow plaids, purple and black/yellow/blue line print ran throughout the line, making merchandising the collection easy on the retailer.


 


Neff has quickly grown from its start as a hand-knitted beanie company into one of the hottest apparel brands in action sports. The company is completely tapped into the 80’s retro, vibrant color trend that has been the focus of the industry.


Founded five years ago by Sean Neff, the company has seen triple-digit sales growth with the U.S. market said to be growing faster than international, though Japan was called out as especially hot. The company’s outerwear offering featured jackets, warm-ups and softshells, with the new Paint Softshell expected to be the line’s biggest hit.


 


Grenade saw owner and team rider Danny Kass take a larger role in the design process than ever before, the end result of which is the DKG, which features a unique take on plaid in both purple and black. Overall, the company sees a majority of its sales come from its glove line with outerwear now a close second and apparel third with sales growing every year.


In gloves, the company continues to offer new colorways in its popular CC935 glove, while also creating collaboration pieces with the likes of Metal Mulisha, Lil Jon’s BME Click and Rogue Status.


 


Analog used a sublimated print to create the faux flannel Chapel Jacket that brings back the Grunge look. The company also tapped into the flannel trend on the floor with 10,000mm waterproof, three layer denim.


 


Spacecraft attended its first SIA show this year, a byproduct of its unique positioning and guerilla marketing techniques. The company has a cult following in the Pacific Northwest and hopes to spread that nationwide in its 5th year of business. The company has averaged 100% annual sales growth over its life. 90% of its product is handmade beanies, with belts and other accessories also included.