Rome Snowboard Design Syndicate

I don’t usually show stuff for the next year to anybody, but we just got the 2011 boot samples in and I’m stoked about the PureFlex lacing system boots which the SDS has been working on for the past two years.  As Product Manager for boots, it’s really my job, what I’m supposed to do.  But it’s been just a fun and totally immersive experience, kinda like laboring on a piece of art, eating cold pizza, not taking showers, trapped in my own apartment, losing 10 lbs (honestly been there before) then finally seeing it come together in the final stages.  It’s very rewarding.   We started off with a clean slate, to try to do something that’s different from anyone else.  We talked to shops, we listened to riders.

Acid lace does forefoot, orange does innercuff

Doing up the ankle zone

The forefoot, innercuff, ankle zones locked up

This is, in my view, truly the first 4-zone lacing system. It has locking guides at key points to allow you to adjust tightness at the forefoot, innercuff, ankle and upper zones.   It’s also a natural feeling system that doesn’t embed long plastic guides in the body to hinder the “pure” flexibility of the body.  Lastly, it’s fast because one of the two laces (see first pic) does up the innercuff and two other zones in one fell swoop.   Shop kids will get a chance to try these out in a couple of months at the on-snow demos.   I’ll also be posting a video soon so you can check out Pureflex Lacing in action.

Wrapping the uppercuff without crossing hands

Locking off the laces at the top

I’m back at the board factory this week, and while i’d like to show you all the sick graphics for next year, well, I just cant. Instead, you get this little montage of bits and pieces. I’m really hyped on how all this stuff looks thou, and I’m pretty sure that it will be worth the wait for you guys to see all this stuff next year. Until then, get out there and cop some new gear at your LOCAL snowboard shop, and for those areas that have snow flying already – get stoked! You’ll be shreading again before you know it.

The last of our late release boards for the new season are packed up and ready to go. Boxes of the brand new Garage Rockers and Postermania Wide’s are set to leave the factory today. These should hit your local shop around the end of October. If you’re interested in either of these boards, be sure to ask if your local Rome dealer has them coming in. Don’t sleep on these – only a limited number of each board will be available this year.