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Northwave Boots | 2021-22 Snowboard Gear Preview

As part of our new Envision Series, we take a first look at Northwave's new season snowboard product line

Welcome to our new Envision Series where we’ll be bringing you the latest gear previews, with some of the most exciting new snowboard, boot, binding, outerwear and goggle products to drop for winter 2021-22. In this Envision episode, we’re taking a look at next year’s lineup from Northwave.

Italian brand Northwave are at the forefront of snowboard boot manufacturing, their classic designs and bombproof durability have rubber stamped them as leaders within the industry.

“For winter 2021/22, they’ve suped up a few classics to shake things up”

Over the last few years, Northwave has seen a real refresh and reset, both within their product line and pro team. For winter 2021/22, they’ve suped up a few classics to shake things up and released a special 30th anniversary edition of a long standing team and fan favourite.

Check out the sneak peek below, plus our interview with Alex Stewart, Northwave’s Global Team Manager.

What’s your hero story/stories going forward into the 2021/22 season?
Our main heroes this winter are by far Women. It wasn’t easy to build a women’s team because there are so many badass women out there who are kicking ass. I was in Zermatt this year and saw both Paula Benito and Sophia Scholls ride and they just blew my mind. I immediately knew that if I was gonna do a women’s team, it would have to be with them. They were ripping the glacier!

“Let me tell you, when you see those old school boots, it takes you back to another era”

That’s our first story, our second is the Northwave 30th anniversary project. After 3 years of being with the brand, not only as TM but also as a rider and friend of the marketing, production and development team, I felt like I, and all the guys, needed to tell the story of this legendary brand. It deserves its cred. Let me tell you, when you see those old school boots, it takes you back to another era, one which I actually didn’t live but would have loved to.

What products are you personally most stoked on?

I’m definitely frothing over our 30th Anniversary boot, the Decade. This LTD ANNIVERSARY model is fitted with a stylish updated upper and the quick, reliable and snug SLS lacing system. The brand new POP CORN outsole offers the best blend of board feel, grip and shock absorption. The look of it really makes you feel like you’re on the set of “Back to the Future”. You could probably give Doc a ride!

Northwave Decade 30th Anniversary Edition

What new tech and materials can we look forward to seeing for 2021/22?
There is a brand new sole for the Decade Ltd that is gonna be pretty exciting to get on the snow.

Have you made any specific changes or leaps within your women’s range?

What we have seen in the past years of snowboarding is that women have not been getting the same recognition as men, and that’s just plain wrong! We’re coming in late, it’s a fault and we know it, but we’re gonna be coming in strong in the next years to come. Our plan of attack this year was to build a Women’s snowboard team first and foremost. I think that the best way to really advance when talking about tech and materials, is to get the women involved. I think we are on the right track to making a new step forward but before doing that, we need our women to try out the products and give us all the feedback possible.

“We needed something to fit just right on Ethan’s look but also that people would be stoked on”

Where are we seeing innovation within your existing line?
For sure the Ethan Morgan pro model boot, the Decade. The look and color turned out to be exactly what Ethan and all the production guys had in their heads. It’s got a real urban look, with a feel for the streets. We needed something to fit just right on Ethan’s look but also that people would be stoked on. It’s also got that extra Power Strap that makes your leg really stay hooked inside the boot in order to really feel locked in. I love how a bunch of us have already made it their boot. It’s solid. This is what I’m currently riding and I honestly think it’s gonna be that way throughout the whole season.

Have any team riders been involved in the R&D process? Where have you been putting these new/improved models to the test?
We tend to work a lot with our riders. They are essential to the development of the products and with their feedback we are able to understand what we can improve.

Kael Hill has also been a key player in Northwave and Drake, not only because he one of our top full set riders, but also because he has recently become the Brand Manager for Northwave in the US. On our trip to Salt Lake City last year, he definitely managed to spread out the word that we were finally making a come back.

“You’ll definitely find content regarding our new women’s team and keep an eye out for some exciting new names joining the PRO team”

Where can we see updates or changes within the company, not product related?
For sure on Instagram. You’ll definitely find content regarding our new women’s team and keep an eye out for some exciting new names joining the PRO team and many new faces on our AM teams.

We have two other projects which are our 30th anniversary movie and our Women’s project. One is more focused on the history of the brand and it’s got a very comical aspect to it. It focuses on the generational side of snowboarding, how it was but also how it has evolved. It’s going to be distributed via the Northwave channel on youtube and hopefully another platform which I am still in the process of making it happen. The other will be more of a street and park edit that shows not only the talent of these women, but also a bit of their stories.

“We are in hope of more accessible materials, but overall we are looking for a more “green” future”

Do you have any new sustainability stories for next season? Has any of your production moved to become more sustainable?
We brainstormed a lot on this matter and of course the dream would be to be 100% sustainable, but digging deeper and being informed on materials and making of materials it is a very difficult goal. We are looking into a more sustainable type of packaging but, truth is that we would really need industries to step up their game. Even though it is true that technology is advancing, and we are in hope of more accessible materials, but overall we are looking for a more “green” future.

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