Slingshot 2022 Impact Vest Preview
Retail Buyers Guide: Impact Vests 2022 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Slingshot
Interviewee: N/A
Markets
How has the first quarter of 2022 been compared to 2021?
Excellent. We are certainly seeing an all time high in demand and turning products around as quickly as possible to satisfy the current enthusiasm in the marketplace.
Which market segments are giving you the most growth?
Growth is vertical in almost every area of wake, with wake boots leading the charge, followed closely behind by crossover boards.
Are you designing crash jackets for a wake market segment, eg boat / wake park / surf / skate. Or is the same design being sold over the whole market?
We put our best design first, and push it across every market. If it floats and protects, it works on all bodies of water and in all wakeboard riding scenarios.
Which market is giving you the most direction in terms of the design and look of your crash jackets?
We have an army of cable riders providing input for our impact vests, and even introduced a new Space Mob signature vest for the season, so our influence is heavy on the cable side. But just like a cable, boat wakeboarders like myself are riding across water and holding a handle in their hands, so the function of the vest is really the same. FLOAT – PROTECT – LOOK AWESOME. I’d say our impact vests are right on the money by these standards.
Style / Look
What style is your brand aiming for, what is the process of determining what your crash jackets look like?
Simplicity is key when it comes to jacket design and styling. Function is first, and after that the rest is up to the individual. Run it raw and work on your arm tan, or dress it up with a vintage windbreaker, your favorite dirt-stained riding tee under or over, etc.
Fit / Feel / Protection
What trends are you seeing in terms of fit, feel and protection in your crash jackets. What do you think your customers want and what has worked well for you in terms or fit, feel, protection. For example do end users want a thicker more protected crash jacket at a wake park (as they fall onto solid features at 20mph) or do people want as flexible as possible?
Flexibility and comfort are top priority with as much float and protection as possible.
Tech / USP
What technology or materials are you using in your crash jackets to give you a unique selling point?
Quality materials, quality design and styling, athlete endorsed – and DAMN do they pair well with a sling setup under your feet!
Team Riders
How do your team riders influence your soft good offering? Do they have signature soft goods, do they help with design, do you suggest ideas to you, etc?
Yes, yes, and yes. They are in the thick of it – on the docks at cable parks around the world looking out for, and often SETTING the next big trend. We put our product design expertise to work based on their input and the results have been nothing but positive since the start!
Best Sellers
The Team Impact Vest
The Team Vest has a front zip with a single buckle that is functional, comfortable, easy in and out, and holds strong in tense situations. It’s fashionable and a fully functional piece of equipment designed by riders, for riders. No more covering your vest with a t-shirt. Wear it loud and proud.
The Space Mob Impact Vest
The Space Mob Vest has a front zip with a single buckle that is functional, comfortable, easy in and out, and holds strong in tense situations. It’s fashionable and a fully functional piece of equipment designed by riders, for riders. No more covering your vest with a t-shirt. Wear it loud and proud!
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