Company
hands varies dramatically. While some can’t seem to get
US company,
one winter sport glove in Italy, Level has
a global-warming glacial snowmelt after a few runs. From
market position; US sales for 2004 increased 43%
gloves, the new offerings emphasize variety.
snowboard gloves, the largest growth segment is freestyle skiing.
cally curved thumbs, waterproof zippers, silicon goggle wiper
blades and cleaning cloths. The women’s Bush Whacker uses a
Diamatek nylon shell, Gore Tex insert, embossed lining and
strategically placed nose wipe for a glove that’s as stylish as it is
practical.
it’s been easy to assemble a killer pro team that’s stoked on the product,”
says Level snowboard team manager Jason Kimball. “Now, with our own dis-
tribution company we can manage our retail expansion with similar success.”
Snowboards, already touts a virtual who’s-who of top-line pro riders. The
company’s top-selling Fly model for snowboarders features Biomex, a remov-
able wrist guard that has been medically proven to reduce the risk of wrist
injuries while riding. Another innovation from the glove company is Kirax tech-
nology, a unique system for cold winter sports that actually stimulates the
body’s reflex system for improved circulation.
Black Ice Glove and Mitt, its warmest and most technical
handwear. Focusing on dexterity, it has a Cloudburst stretch EV3
shell, Pittard Goatskin palm, Gore XCR insert and Primaloft insu-
lation.
like Naturaloft, a goose down/synthetic blend, and Lavawool, a
wool/synthetic blend, and continues to use Gore for waterproof-
ing. For insulation, Gordini is also using three-layer Aqua Bloc
wind and waterproof fabric in the outer shells.
Charlie Adams, “Level is focused on the younger, performance-minded snow
rider. Level gloves are obviously different… in attitude, style and features. For
us, being different is not only good, it’s absolutely essential.”
conditions, and the new Rideside snowboard line for shredders.
The CFT3 Therma-Sport pipe glove has a heat-regulating system
that stays comfy in all conditions. And, because consumers
demand a different style of glove for walking around town,
Hotfingers also introduces the After Ski line of casual gloves,
using fleece and leather.
Specialty Retailers
GT offers a low-profile, performance-fit snowboard glove with
waterproof/breathable inserts that seal out sopping weather.
Pandering to the vain, and appeasing retailer pleas, Ride dug into its
archives to revive Cappel for next winter. Originally launched in 1994 as an
outerwear and streetwear line, the Cappel label takes all the fashion risks
as one of Ride’s new apparel series.
including the Eclipse, Meteor and Comet. This is a smaller line of
all-purpose gloves, rather than a larger line of single-condition
gloves. “These are one-style-serves-all-purposes-and-does-it-
well gloves,” says Mammut’s Alycia Cavadi.
years we heard, ‘When are you bringing Cappel back?’ Well, it’s finally
time,” said Ride’s Tara Miller. “We were more than ready to take snow-
board fashion a step beyond what’s been done and come out with the most
stylish and forward-thinking pieces imaginable. We also wanted to have a
series of outerwear that’s different than the norm; something that can be
worn to the bar and not look like you’re wearing a snowboard jacket.”
egories and price points, focusing on the particular needs and
tastes of women and juniors.
Easy Sales
WB 400”
our collective lexicon. But for consumers not
immersed in the technical side of the industry,
they sound as cryptic as the ingredients in a
Twinkie. Manzella’s new glove line is designed to
help consumers choose a glove based on per-
sonal comfort, rather than technical components.
end specialty retailers, Cappel offers
Warm, Warmer and Warmest. Warm is for aerobic
athletes. Warmer is for outdoor activities in vari-
able conditions. Warmest is for use in extreme
conditions or for cold-handed people.
their own.