YOU ARE KILLING OUR INDUSTRY // VLOG 222 

This is MY RU-vid CHANNEL! This are MY OPINIONS ! about the content THAT I CHOOSE! I am NOT PAYED by any brand to make this video! Even if most of the skate brands on the market are with me on this one !

If people are buying 20 year old skates because the industry hasn't been able to match their quality in 20 years then maybe it's killing itself.

I'm living in Brazil and here a good skate costs about 2 minimum salaries, that means that an average brazilian worker will spend 2 months of work to buy a new skate. Is complete out of our reality the prices that skating companies are offering to Brazil and for most of the latin america citizens. Maybe it explains why such an amazing sport as in line skating have so few practioners. I believe that aggressive skating is connected with the street culture which is related with urban commons, movements of resignifying the city and urban cultural movements such as hip hop; but the high price are taking the sport to a different place. So that, buying used skates is an alternative for that. Furthermore, we are living a scenary of environmental collapse and buying used things is a way away from the road for that scenary. If the used skates can be used but the owner don't want to skate anymore, why don't we buy it instead of puting that skate in the garbage?

Well, let me to put my two cents in: 1) I don't really understand why you are pointing at Salomon skates specifically when reality is that ANY second-hand goods means no money for the industry. Does it matter if someone is buying 2nd hand old Salomons or Valo from 2011 or some old USD Carbons 2? No, it doesn't. Imo big part of the issue is lack of any technical progress represented by most of the brands. New colors, different skin patterns, sometimes only slight tweaks, that's what they offer. Why the hell anyone should choose current Razors Genesys release over only slighty used (but two times cheaper) 2nd hands ones from 3,4,5,6 etc. years back? It's not like the skate is any different. 2) Keep in mind: everytime the new, fresh product releases (Aeons for example) it does fly off the shelves. But other than that, market is saturated with way too many similar products which spreads the resources way too thin. I think Powerslide could use an axing of skate or two (esp. GAWDS skates which doesn't make any sense as premium offering - I mean, at what people are these aimed at?!). Razors should ditch the outdated Cult already. These are just some examples. And, in relation to the size of aggressive market, there are way too many parts companies run by people for whom it's just a side-business. That way resources are split between too many brands and none of them can be truly successful because they are lucky if they'll get invested money back. 3) Buying new is not always helping the aggressive. Do you think buying a pair of RB or K2 skates means that money return to skaters in the end? No, it does not. These companies do not have teams and nowadays rarely support any events in any meaningful way. Of course, funds gaind on selling aggressive skates may be used for sustaining inline side of business as a whole, but it also may be drained and put in to ski business for all we know. 4) I really think that "Pro" status no longer means anything important. Way too many people who just skate great but do not have a personality and/or do not work for benefit of the sport got the "Pro" status in the past. Remember a pro-model for Matthieu LeDoux? Don Bambrick? A "Pro" should be a person who does bring in exceptional value for the skating not only in terms of skill, but also in terms of being a role-model, sport ambassador. But it seems that in a world of blading even a jackass can become a pro if he skates well. From the looks of it, about 40% of new skates are "pro" models. Some boot companies just enter the market with a "Pro" model without offering any basic skates at all! Seba, Trigger, Adapt (before release of Vegan model). And way too many of these skates are the ones on expensive end of the spectrum. Valo V13 pro models, Montre Sway or Abrate VII aka the pro skates that teenager can afford - are rather rare and exception to the rule. 5) Industry is not in the shape it is because of product choices, most important factor is a community one. Ricardo, you well know that speedskating does maintain pretty healthy structure, that freeskating is booming, that freestyle slalom is still popular worldwide, that even rec sector is growing. Why? Because of mature approach to the subject. People are taking courses to become certified instructors. They form formal clubs, leagues, run skate schools, workshops, they teach newcomers. Very few aggressive skaters do this. They think "being out there" is enough and argue about unimportant crap. Then they are shocked - "why our sport is dying?". Because you are doing terrible job at convincing anyone it's worth to pick it up!

I think there’s a couple of reasons why many bladers buy or hunt out the old Salomons. A. Many bladers who are in their 30s now want to remember the good old days when the sport was huge. The best made skates back then included Salomon. These skates are now almost like useable collectors items to those that want them. B. Currently available options. In a sport that has a lot of focus on unique style, people want to be different. Having a useable, well built pair of skates that are no longer available sets you aside from the crowd. I totally understand your points in the video and will be buying the Them model when it’s out and if it fits me well. I’ll also keep hunting for old Salomon models, because I’m one of the older guys that still misses the good old days.

The plastic salomons used for the soulplates and the frames was so good. It was a softer platic that was so smooth. No other skate really feels like them.

Seen as it’s rare to find a pair of Salomon’s brand new from a shop, we can assume that it’s mostly skaters selling them second hand, therefore the money goes into skaters pockets allowing them to buy other skate products. Also, Joe Atkinson skates them, possibly because he really likes them but also because he’s not sponsored by any other boot company - this could be through choice I don’t know. But he’s travelling the world promoting skating and winning contests and no boot company is backing him, so why shouldn’t he just skate whatever skate he wants, whether the brand is dead or not? At the end of the day I think skating Salomon (or any other brand) is better than not skating at all!

Why support an industry that can't compete with 20 year old products? Buy second hand and support your fellow skater rather than corporate greed.

Hey if those are a Size 10us Ill buy them from you

All my friends who skate salos bought them just because they was the best skates available on a secondhand market when they needed a new pair of skates. It wasn't the choise between salomons and new skates, it was a choise between used pair of salomons and used pair of ther brand skates. At least they still skate, they buy wheels, frames, usd soulplates and sometimes VODs. For some of them that might be the only option to keep skating. If you won't to support the industry, then don't sell your old skates. Leave them for yourself, or better, give them away to somebody who wants to try skating but not sure enought to put his money into it.

Another point, using Joe as an example again, is that whilst people are using old skates, they are also using new soul plates, frames and wheels. Joe does a good job of promoting GC frames and Go Project wheels, both companies that are still trading now.

This video made me buy 3 more pair of salomons :)

Totally a valid opinion. Not to mention potential safety issues associated with riding 20-year old plastic. I’m just getting back into aggressive skating after 21 years and I have to disagree with a lot of the money related comments. I think prices are very low. I picked up a new pair of Roces m12 teams for less than $200. Maybe my memory is bad, but I think that is cheaper than the last pair of USDs I bought in 2002-2003. Price is always going to be a factor, but if it was that much of a limiter, mountain biking would not be growing at the rate it is. If $3000+ for equipment doesn’t stop a sport from growing, I doubt $200-500 skate prices has much of an impact.

i'm no market expert but i believe only hardcore bladers buy this kind of boot; aka people who injected a ton of money into the industry already. to build up an industry such as inline you need to get more people to start; the one's already in are maintaining the market, they aren't developing it. i can see where you're coming from but this video is rather click baity IMO. No worries though i still watch your videos :) just giving some constructive criticism

I usually agree with you and I'm a BIG fan of your channel. But, as a person that has a pair Salomons in my collection, I respectfully disagree. If the big skate company's (because there are no small companies making skates besides maybe Adapt) sales are being threatened by a finite (because they are no longer made) and constantly declining (due to use) supply of Salomons, I think there is a much deeper rooted issue here. This is like blaming a decline in new car sales on the vintage car market. I personally think too many people are enamored with the big companies and don't care for the smaller companies that supply parts (wheels, soul plates, etc). Also the lack of small companies feeds the ongoing problems. I'm an industrial designer, and was part of the team that designed and developed the Grey Matter UHMW souls. I'm also working with another small company to hopefully launch a similar product, although the project has been on a long hiatus due to time constraints on my end. I'd love to collaborate with other companies to design, develop, and bring to market some cool shit! Keep up the awesomeness, and good to see you voicing your opinion regardless of how many people will crap on it. ✊🏻

I just found some mint condition Salomon ST80s which were my first skate. I bought them, for the nostalgia, for the history I dunno I just wanted them. BUT also this year I bought the new USD Sway Farmer boots. I've had to buy new souls for them already. I've had to buy a few sets of wheels. I bought the kaltik V2 frames and I didn't like them, now I've just bought the new medium Oysi to try. And there's other things too. What I'm getting at is I imagine alot of people that have Salomons are enthusiasts like yourself who put alot of time and money into skating. Apart from a couple of stubborn people who will only skate Salomons, but they will die out eventually. Take it easy ✌️

Informative and educational. I appreciate your video. I'm going to give my thoughts on the whole "new/used" products and why there is a need for both. As much as I have supported our industry for possibly the past 20+ years, I've got to say that without the pre-owned market then there wouldn't be a scene to support in the first place. Not many can afford a new set of skates to start off or even those getting back into the sport. I'm just recently getting back into it after a long hiatus and I wasn't going to buy a brand new pair of skates off the bat as I didn't know if I'd be skating all too much as I have old injuries and I was testing the water with my abilities. At £200+ I couldn't justify spending that money when I was unsure of how much I'd be skating. The beauty of being able to buy preowned skates is that I was able to regain my passion for the sport and fall in love with it all over again. So after a while I tried different skates, asked around about new skates and what others recommend and whether the technology these days would be to my taste. This has led me to want to support the industry by purchasing new skates and products so in my eyes, its a symbiotic relationship between old and new products. As with the Salomon, we are nostalgic and want to grab a piece of that history as it was an icon when it was first released and has stayed that way since. Just like a car nut will want to collect a classic car, we want to collect older memorabilia and relive those days of long summer nights skating street with the crew after binging on Senate and VG tapes. I've said what many have said before me, I know. But just by skating, we are supporting the sport. Those that can't afford new skates still have the chance to skate and are contributing to the numbers, those that can afford new products are contributing to the growth of the industry financially. Peace out brother, keep making awesome videos. #justheretoskate

I rolled from 99-03 and out of all the skates I had, Salomon STI pro were my favorite. They were the only boots that didn’t weigh half a ton.

My only argument is that "The Industry" you speak of could make good quality skates that take the best from Salomon and other previous skates and make a good skate again. haha. Most skates have too much "Jazz" going on and not enough solid, clean and actually majestic skate. Aeon... not sure why they look that way, they shouldn't be replacing classic thrones... Classic thrones and salomons are in my opinion the best of the best and still to this day. So, its not the peoples problems who want them, its the industries problem that you are sticking up for. This is about rollerblading, its about fun, its about the skates that you love.

This video made me get out the ST80s I bought last year on a whim and give them a closer look. I'm going to skate these soon a review them on my Instagram review page. But on initial observation the first thing that strikes me is just how many technical Innovations it has: ones that some skates even today haven't managed to get right - and this skate is 15 years old! While I see what you're saying I think, when it comes to Salomons specifically, the reason why people still stockpile them and skate them is because they really are that good.

Maybe if companies like powerslide made two quality boots instead of 20 crap boots that need all the metal bits replaced before skating, people wouldn't be looking for salos.

I just bought some of the all black Razors SL's from Roller Warehouse about a month ago. Getting back into it in my late 20's. BRINK - SOUL SKATERS!! "Because its fun"

Thanks for looking out for us.

I'm a little shocked how no other company has really been able to top that golden Salomon era..... But at the same time I'm not surprised. Really had to be there to see and feel the difference in skates once the ST8s/9s came out compared to the rest of the 90s aggressive skates.

It's important that you talk about these subjects. It's not second hand market that's killing the industry, it's all the hurt in most comments. Dave Lang posted about why inline was removed from Nitro World Games and it is interesting to read. There has been so much blues in our industry, hope someday the pain will be gone

so don't go buy clothing from H&M aa sorry forgot inline clothing is expensive and hard to get

Good points man, I have been on blade trade for a while now and am guilty of buying tons of used stuff, bit I still buy from shops when I can. Some of the worst offenders though are the ones that come on Blade Trade looking for stuff that JUST came out trying to get it cheaper, or worse yet, when people are trying to buy used wheels! Most of us left in the game are older now, and can afford new stuff, so we should be supporting the industry when we can!

It's the synergy cuff, 3 pin rivit! If you put an intuition in them, they are still one of the best skates for your feet!!

I'm confused... If Salomon left approximately 15 years ago (which they did and I am still rocking my Thundermax FSKs), where are these skates coming from to buy? They are obviously not being manufactured by Salomon so are they old stock or 'fakes' being produced by an alternative manufacturer? If they are old stock I have 2 points to make, 1: eventually stock will disappear so it's only a matter of time. 2: again if they are old stock that means someone invested and bought that stock to sell, so why shouldn't they continue to sell them if there is a market? That is THEIR livelihood and is not some 'black hole'. If it's a copycat manufacturer then the industry has a much larger issue on it's hands. Personally I feel it is up to the manufacturers to not only develop and advance skates but to also market them, to make people want to wear them. Most people don't buy the best for them, they buy what is cool and fashionable. If a 20 year old skate is still regarded as cooler than a modern day offering then I say shame on the manufacturers of today for doing a piss poor job. As for this being your opinion, I respect that, but then it is up to you to respect that others will not agree and will continue as they were. One thing is for sure though, it is not the skaters on the street that are to blame. The public loves to spend money, it's up to the manufacturers to make me want to give THEM my money rather than someone else. P.S. I have literally just bought a 2018 pair of Powerslide KAZE Supercruisers

If there can be a use case made to purchase a 20 year old product, the issue isn't people buying used products - it's the companies stagnating on advancements making it a sensible choice to buy new.

Need a skate on the market that allows you to royale in the boot the way saloman does. It feels deep and real if that makes sense

PERFECTLY EXPLAINED MR LINO. I SHARE THIS KIND OF VIDEOS IN OUR GROUPS IN MEXICO

I completely agree that you on all points man. I still have my Vinny Minton Pros from '03 and they are amazing. I love these skates after skating K2 fatty before that. Fast-forward to now and my Minton's haven't skipped a beat. Brand loyalty is an interesting beast, because you will have people unwilling to change and evolve with the times. Thanks for acknowledging the past while informing about the current state of things.

I've been off skates for 17 years, half my life. But I'm now buying a pair of skates to get back into it. I used to skate Salomon st80 back in the day. Loved them! However now I'm buying powerslide swell. Because I want a casual skate for sunny days. I can't afford to wreck myself with aggressive style skating anymore. However if I was to go back to aggressive I'd either look for old Salomon or new remz. Can't be the 2 for me. Completely get where you're coming from though.

I disagree strongly with the message of this video. Ricardo, you're not going to lose my subscription. The market for vintage skates and gear exists for two reasons: dissatisfaction with the current market, and nostalgia. Many people skate old salomons because they are the ideal skates for that person and the market does not provide an effective substitution. Why do so many people skate the valo v13s? They are simple skates with not too much soul space and a timeless feel and comfort. If salomons were still manufactured, I think you would see many people skating them. If you have a pair in size 9, send them to me ;). Current manufacturers are not giving us the products we want and need. Yes, there are brands like adapt and oysi who produce unique, durable, and practical gear. Even the "powerslide" aeons were a step in the right direction. Salomon skates were revered in their day for their comfort, and I think that exists as archetype in many peoples' minds. When I try on new skates, i frequently think, "yeah, these are nice, but not as nice as I remember salomons were." That may be my glorified memorized ideal of the skate, but goddamn the st-90 2s WERE the comfortable thing I've ever put on my feet. They had a great shape around the toe and ankle bones, were extremely supportive, and had a great feel on a stride. They moved through tricks easily and the fit of the shell made them feel very light and minimal. My aeons grind great, but on a stride they feel slow, heavy, and chunky. My perspective is skewed because I sell vintage clothing for a living, so of course I appreciate the old gear more than the new. But I think both markets can exist under one industry. The person skating vintage salomons still needs to buy wheels and frames. The whole argument comes down to one common saying: "They just don't make 'em like they used to."

I try my best to keep alive the inline community! Thanks for that video Ricardo! 🤔👌

I'm a 90s a. Skater from Mexico and remember to work more than a year to have my first agressive pair, at that time the things was so new you never find a second hand skates for buying. But I m agree with you. it's no easy to have a pair but when you sufer a little bit to have it you really squeeze them till the end. I think Europeans, usa people and others can buy more easy a pair, but if you want skate and your options is buying second hand its ok, you always have to buy wheels, helmet, protecting gear, etc. You can do something for the industry and its use your skates and take all the potential from them. Invite beginners and people who wants to learn, use clothing, post your tricks and when you can, buy a cool new pair, when its possible, it's feel like nothing else if you love skate. My recommendations start with the skates you can rich and save for new ones to feel the difference and the improvement and at same time like local bussines we help the brands to keep stand.

I've been in Lousanne in 98 too! And i bought salomon skates that year :)

I just dragged my ST9s out of the garage and realized 1. they are too small now and 2. I still have Senate wheels and 50/50 grind plates on them. But I think I'll order a set of M12s or Something from Them Skates.

ST8 was my first good aggressive skate and I loved them stayed with Salomon till the vinny minton pro model but would never buy old Salomons in this day, got Razor DH2 atm and im liking the look of the mesmer's for a cheeky not needed present to myself. Can completely see where you are coming from we all need skate manufacturers around to continue the sport we love, support the ones that are here today.

I had a Salomon Deemax for 13 years until now. Recently I found out that my feet somewhat expanded with age and skating became too painful. Because they were the best FSK, virtually indestructible and very comfortable. I even tried to put my Salomon liners into new skates - didn't work, still felt tight. But after all Salomon didn't quit in 99, they were up until 2007 or 2008.

So cool to see this video post lockdown and post the resurgence of blading! Don't call it a comeback because we never left!!!

nostalgia is like arthritis for industry.. slows things down, stiffens them up and enviably stops all movement forward.

I had the Aaron Feinbergs. They where the most comfortable aggro skates I ever owned. They where stolen on the train, I miss them still 🙁 What present time skate can compare?

I'm an urban funk guad skater that loves your channel. I feel the passion you have for skating, plus you have been in the game for a while, you know what your talking about. I believe quad and inline skating can come back very strong. Companies have to look for what is going on and what is needed(plus market it properly). I, nyc and many of the urban cities need a real commuter skate. All the electronic controlled boards, scooters, big wheels, etc... are becoming very popular, these companies are DOING BUSINESS. it's time for some choices for a real commuter inline and quad skates. I did not realize that powerslide DOOP INLINE SKATES are the inline commuter skate. Ricardo, you need to push these, do a video, going to and from work, with them. Will powerslide or another company you work with put out similar commuter quad skates ?

Amen brother, when I think about how our industry is so small that EVERY skate purchase counts, I agree with you 100%.

Good old days... I bought the Salomon st90 the day they came out about 17 years ago and they felt amazing compared to the 5th element.

❤️ that rollerblading is still tight. I’m getting back into blading after 10 years, anyone in the Brooklyn area blading?

what were those rollerblade aggressive skates called with the large silver spacers that came out around the same time?

Blading has far more important issues than some people buying salos.

skated these 20 years ago, now, buying these, it’s just a pseudo-nostalgic hipster movement. Thanks Ricardo for speaking out.

great video. what you said makes sense. I'm getting back into the sport. I'm bought a old k2 125cc, wanted a softbody skate. but I'm also going a brand new skate. probably and aeon or roces 5th element. I want to contribute to an industry that I used to be part. so it can continue to be there. well be get new part for my old skates too. any recommendations for wide foot skates. thanks

This is a dumb argument. How many pairs of Salomons do you really think are floating around? Not to mention the people buying them used have almost DEFINITELY bought multiple other different pairs of skates. I know the Mushroom Blading guys have some Salomons, do you think they're "killing the industry"?

I just can disagree on you this time, if people are buying 2nd handed salomons i'ts just because they are good. People buy 2nd handed skates much more than brand new ones, just because balders are usually poor. If you made this videos is just because many people are now buying Salomons, and it's just because 2nd handed market is growing and salomon is one of the best skates ever. Salomon isn't a problem as far as being better than many skates from nowadays, if this wasn't this way you would be doing videos like: Don't buy Nihm, Shima, Deshi, Oxygen.... skates. Or: don't buy senate, mindgame, cozmo....wheels (or the same with already dead frame brands). Cause trust me, everyone is buying that oldschool stuff, cause it's cool, we like to colect oldschool stuff; and i don't think 2nd handed market kills our industry cause hundreds of people that i know buy skates this way since i started in 2003.

Dude I love your videos, I know some people buy pre-owned skates, but when they start skating for a long time they like to use new stuff and save some money… but using Solomon Skates it’s like playing an Stravidarius violin, it sounds good, but nowadays you can have a beautiful song with a different one, people pay for those skates because they want to be unique.

My first pair of aggressive skates were salomans. I begged my parents to get my new skates, they were ok but at that time everyone had a pair of fatty k2s, going to back to early 2000s

Back in the day my Salomons were pretty sick, they were the skates that got me into blading. My very first pair were the Vinny minton pros.

Aqui na minha regiao, no sul de SP-Br o problema da indústria do inline já vai além dos investimentos congelados no passado. São poucas as lojas que investem em rollerblading,O preço de modelos intermediários/pro-models é absurdo, acaba limitando demais o desenvolvimento do esporte, Sem contar que nem mesmo pro models de profissionais brasileiros, como o TXT do Zamba, o Ice Monster do Daciel, são fáceis de achar novos. Os roles ficam cada dia mais escassos, a emoção de testar um roller novo ou customizar o que tem já é rara.

I totally agree with you... Bennett skating since 1994 and since I started I've seen Rollerblade supporting industries that have nothing to do with our sport... Even sk8 companies that are against Rollerblade!! Love U'r channel man

“Don’t forget why we started skating... because it’s FUN 🤩 hell yeah Ricardo!

such a heavy video, yet i agree with you! i bought a pair of Eugen Enin just because I wanted to support him, and USD, in my opinion the best aggressive skate company. apart from buying good stuff, we really need to think about small details that can help the industry and companies. thanks for the video!

besides all the Salomon rant, this motivates me to buy more blading videos !! I was thinking about buying a pair of Salomon skates but never actually did it. They might be as my second pair of skates in any case. Cheers, Ricardo!

Loved my finneburg pros they were so light and easy on the feet. Just got a pair of m12s after 10 yrs off. Love your channel 👊🏻

Hi Ricardo, love your videos. While I generally do not agree with you on this subject. I can understand where you’re coming from and appreciate you offering a forum to talk about things like this. I think a lot of people have already hit the nail on the head as far as the actual effect of buying used skates in general and why one would even consider buying used over new. I have never purchased a pair of used Salomons but I did buy my ST-9s brand new back in 1998 and they are still great skates today. They need new liners and a new heel pad but otherwise they are awesome. I have however bought many other more current used skates as well as brand new Valo Light BS.2s. Why? It was new technology and the skates looked super fresh. The last pair of new skates I bought before then was the old JJ1 Valo in Khaki. I loved the way they looked. Other than that, I have not bought brand new skates simply because I didn’t see a reason to. I wouldn’t say that most aggressive skaters are poor, but a whole lot of us are older now and have families. So for me, it’s difficult to warrant splurging on myself every time I want a newer pair of blades instead of spending that money on my family. Instead, I support by buying wheels, bearings, frames, clothes, VODs and attend every event I can when they are local. I have spent far more money on inline accessories and apparel than I ever have on skates combined, be it used or new. So maybe the key here is for companies to get back into selling more accessories that more people can easily support, more frequently than buying new pairs of blades every season. I remember when skate shops were flooded with blade apparel and accessories like backpacks and wallets. You don’t see that often enough anymore.

hi i love the video. 15 years ago I had Salomon Vinny Minton 2 and really had a blast. Now they are largely overtaken by new technologies. If they had continued in aggressive rollerblading I would have picked it up. Pity. now (this is just my opinion) the Razors are really the best. good ride to all

I recently picked up a pair of Salomons, (st90 2). I couldn't afford these as a kid, when I originally started inline. I knew how high-end they used to be and had wondered if they were still around. It IS a quality skate. Also, people who are selling old skates that don't exist anymore, are keeping inline alive, too. I was nearly discouraged by the prices of new inline skates. I almost didn't buy any until I found some on a buy/sell page. It could easily be the same story for a local skate shop that would sell used skates. They would be keep it alive and gain the financial benefit of selling them, too. Now, I am more into skating and watching even more skating content on YT. Yours for sure. First, we gotta get people to start skating. That, and people like exclusive things. When I'm at the skate park, I have blades "no one's ever seen before". It's cool

I remember the good old Anarchy Chaos 3’s & the K2’s, those were the days

I remember the first time seeing the skate. Matt Andrews was skating them before they were out. At the time I was am, but I called up Aaron and he gave me the blue sample skates. There was a Florida pro that also road for them but got arrested for stabbing a skateboarder, and got kicked off. I loved them because I could do bigger gaps with no pain. The industry got weird. Gap clothing and companies that had nothing to do with skating sponsored pros. Hell I road for Fossil watches, They started FSL (Fossil skate line). The XGames hated that rollerbladers were getting paid and skateboarders kinda had a drop. Now most of Xgames at that time where ran by skateboarders, and the rollerbladers wouldn't stop drinking and smoking pot in the crowd. They screwed them selves. After that crap I ended up on razors and touring a lot. I hated it, I didn't get paid much and had to do demos and pass out stickers and shirts. They hated me because I wouldn't move to Cali. I realized that almost everyone wasn't getting paid, and a teammate and myself had to sale our own skates at demos just to eat. When razors found out they suspended us, whatever that means. It wasn't for the skaters, it was for someone to get rich. They ripped off Kato, and it was crap. I left the tour and took a flight out. When I came back, I was lost. I hated the industry, and it was just no fun. Shima was riding for them and I had to talk to him about what happened. All the money went to him, and the rest of us starved. Not cool, but whatever. I would work for Woodward and got on rollerblade. Franky and Alex got me on and then they screwed everyone over. They made enough money for them but not for the riders and wouldn't pay. It just wasn't any fun anymore, after breaking myself to land tricks. I just wanted to be able to walk when I'm older. Now seeing Jon do it the right way, and seeing 5050 back. It makes me want to pick up the hobby again. Spend your money on the people who deserve it. He went risking everything for the guys who want someone by there side. Jon has always been that guy. He even named the company them, because that's who it's for. If you skate you're one of them.

Great video! I agree, support our industry 💯

I totally agree!! And I think the same thing also happens on the freestyle/freeride skate market

I dont think most people get the point of the video...maybe it's me...but how i understood it is that pro-skaters/wellknown-skaters should wear newer skates to promote new/modern companies. (Nobody has a problem if you rock your trusty old nostalgic skates ;) .)

Seeing this now, I would agree. My favorite skate of all time is the Non-ufs Classic Thrones with 50/50 frames. Over the time of ufs in the past 18 or so years, I've tried to skate many skates. I started skating in 1997, while and once the thrones came out, I used them, but once thr UFS Classic Thrones (Feinberg) came out was on of the first ufs introduction I had. I went back to using Non-ufs 50/50's on them, after that skate, I'd try something else, like 03 Remz, then I went back to Non-ufs Thrones, which then was still easier to find. Did they threw several skates and always went back, probably something new ever year-ish, to wanting to get back on to Thrones again, being then I wemt through skates probably every 6 months or so. Move to 2013-ish which was the last time (before this May) I Bought new skates which were Razors Aragon 5's, these i again didn't like, which then brought me to het another pair of Non-ufs Thrones. So, move forward to more recently, I'm 37, in my 30's saw relatively little skating, especially since fall of 2018. But I wanted to skate more often, so I put together my old Thrones, I found new frames and Tumors, and got them riding again. So I say all this, because even throught I got the skate together that I love to skate, and I still love them. I bought a new pair of Them 909's and new myFit liners, GC Frames, also 50/50 Balance frames, because I wanted to find something newer I liked and to support the industries/ companies of now and make them grow. Now,

I feel you Ricardo and I understand where you coming from and going with this, keep up the good word and work. ps✌

I don't know any shops still selling Saloman skates. Anyone buying them are doing so through private sale. The money made by the seller is then used to buy other skates.

The reality is that a lot of people are purchasing current products as well as the old deadstock Salomons, so to rant about them "killing the industry" I call BS. I own multiple skates from PS/Adapt/Seba/Valo as well as one pair of Salomons as a cruising pair for those nostalga days. My point being, one of the reasons people still rock 'em is they love how they skated. People like the way the cuffs flexed (you see some people putting these cuffs on AEONS) or the way that they slide on the backslides that other current companies weren't able to mimic, so they keep skating them until they break. Combine that with the fact they used some of the highest quality plastics (their boots are STILL in great condition and skateable 10 - 20 years later) wheras some current manufacturers plastics crack/break/warp etc from modern moulds and setups! Also, why did PS purchase the old Salo FSK mould for the new Quantum? Why did they buy the original Xsjado moulds? They were great designs that performed at the highest level. I love skating in general so I'll continue to buy products and be involved in skating, but pointing the finger at the second hand market and vintage skates is a bit of a cop out. Get more kids involved at a grassroots level such as quads/derby/fitness/hockey/freeskate/aggressive/speed, get them hooked and encourage them to buy new products from a young age, AKA their parents money. More skaters = more money = more opportunities for all disciplines of skates.

I just bought a pair of Salomon’s from ebay and when I get them I will be buying new frames/wheels/soul plates. I already have a perfectly fine pair of modern skates. I would not be injecting that $150-$200 into the industry unless I came across this pair of Salomon’s.

It was the first aggressive skate I used before i buy k2 fatty pro What is your opinion about k2 fatty pro??🤔 Should I change to different brand??

I have no experience with aggressive skases so I don't really have an opinion on the topic, I myself, am more interested in speed skating, so I don't know much about the topic of solomon skates. But the money goes to places that bought stock in solomon or to previous owners most likely.

I just ordered skates after not blading since 2009. I'm surprised to see where the industry is today. It's actually kind of sad. I always looked up to BCAM and Rob Thompson so salomons were always the skates I liked, especially with the night soul plates

I bought the salomon st8 15 years ago. I stopped skating 12 years ago. last year (now I am 34) I got myself new USD demetrios george 3 and they're great. skating like an old fart but still support the kids and industry. like your opinion

If everyone that bought Salomons last year instead bought new skates and those purchases were spread evenly among current boot producing companies, those companies would still struggle to make any profit in the aggressive market. It is ridiculous to infer that if this were to occur there would magically be enough money for pros to make a salary to live on and not struggle to get by. It is a numbers game. With the low participation numbers we are actually spoiled by the number of choices we have. The demand is simply not there. Some companies will have to die for others to survive. That will only change with an increase in participation.

I baught my Feinbergs 18 years ago. There still mint. People buy what they like and know. Industry won't die because a hand full of people buy old stock.

Gotta buy axles for old Salomon skates because my bro is a giant and they are the only comfortable boot he's ever found. No local stores to try on. Do You know any skate that comes in a US 14 built for a high arch foot? Should he just keep swinging 200~350cdn for skates that won't likely fit? Or look for axles for around 20 bucks then pick up some new primo wheels and bearings? Looks like the risk to reward is better with parts than boots you know?

They good for royals grinds cuz the ankle button part moves up n down no other skates have that

Still rolling on my Salomon's 20+ years later.

Never thought of that, valid points

Man you complaining like it's really a big thing. I believe aftermarket Salomon skates is really a tiny market share and you're just overestimating it impact on the industry. Those who are buying these skates buying them for a reason, mostly, like someone already said it's nostalgia, but I believe there are other reasons and I suppose that's why Powerslide bought the boots for production in the end.

Good video, keep up the good work.

Salomon skates are perfect bro, nothing compares

Really respectful vid on a potential unpopular topic. I had a couple pairs of the salmons when they first came out... I’m now on v13s. I think you bring up a good point about supporting the industry. It immediately makes me think about the size and state of the industry. For example, how many people really own these things... let’s say 1000... the industry is in a tough spot if a 1000 pairs of salmons is killing it. That being said, I’ve been blading for over half my life - I get that it’s small and generally has been for a while. My border question for you: how does blading start to grow again? It can’t just be a certain edit, training new kids etc... can it? What are we missing? Thanks for the vid and sharing your thoughts.

So basically we should update often to new products ? Consume more just for the sake of it. If people are happy with reusing old skates instead of throwing them into the trash, then that's awesome, and the brands should work harder to make it worth it to upgrade !

Too bad no other brand, +20 years later, have yet been able to reproduce anything close to the comfort and quality of the Salomons boots..

I think my first pair of skates were oxygen that I picked up at sportchek, there wasn’t any stores that carried aggressive skates near me so this was my only option. They were terrible but all I could get, I eventually found AM online and picked up razors genesis 4’s and what sucked was I bought the biggest skates they carried and my toes were crammed. It’s hard to spend over $300 on skates online and hope they fit my feet. I’m a size 12 shoe, I’m leaning towards the razors sl’s or the usd aeons. The usd might be too small but the sl’s come in a 13, I’d like to get back into skating. Love your reviews on skates 👊🏼

Lots of people disagreeing, but you're right.

Interesting how different things can be in the world. Where i live i cant even sell my Salomon st8 even if the boot is in good condition hehe. They are on the edge of to small for me but i think i might give them some love ( New wheels and bearings ) since i still like them over my new Usd skates.(Some pressure points that making me mad, hope it goes away after more use). Man, the quality Salomon have on their old products :D I still have some shoes thats like 15 years old and still in good condition, still using them every day during winter haha.

good points made! i had salomon ST-90s' and was disappointed they dropped out it was a shame and a let down for myself!

only reason i could see using these would be to get your feet eye coordination on point for soul trick as i remember the salomon skates had really small soul plates and not ones that are a foot wide on each side of the frame. Only reason i can think of atm lol. Not only that but if they are being bought second hand from other skaters, then technically they are putting money into the industry because the skaters are the industry in its current state imo.

From the comments you left below I see that you just wanted to say "Keep supporting our industry". But to be honest, the video itself just feels like a unnecessary rant against Salomon. So I have to give you a thumbs down this time, although I really love your channel. This video just does not make your point clear and you left out a lot of other important aspects.

Much respect.

I refurbished a pair of Shima 3s 2 months ago I had since 04