Lakai is Done

[rocklobster]

Shit was cooked within a year of fully flared when everyone left.

Beware of the Flare was a good tour video, if you never seen that watch that and Harsh Barge. Crail was really doing their thing in 2003.



Free max b

Beware The Flare - Good fucking times, prime MJ and Biebel

[Rick Trapasso]

Sad, but kind of hilarious/ironic given that other lakai thread being necro'd this week lol.

[Crust]

That's a shame. Was never too into their shoes, but they made some great videos.

[augustmoon]

Most of these guys will not have another shoe sponsor.  End of the road.

[shannamal]

kinda funny, considering this thread

Apparently a private equity firm has purchased Lakai, and it seems like Rick and Mike are involved in some capacity? Thoughts?

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mrmarcroca_during-the-70-hour-labor-that-culminated-activity-7246846965370478592-sEqO?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

i guess "involved in some capacity" can also mean "fired"

[Texas_Tone]

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This tour clip was always peak Lakai for me.



As huge as it was, Fully Flared was the beginning of the end of what was once a fairly exclusive and even somewhat mysterious seeming brand.

Seeing those ads did get me feeling nostalgic however. Someone post up the Jeff Lenoce ad of him doing the big 5-0

[close]

Man, I got a VHS copy of this tour video from a contest in like 2002 and I thought it was some secret video. Every time I hear that Outkast song I immediately think of this video.

I had a ton of Lakais between 2002-2010 and there were some real gems just before Fully Flared. Sad to see it gone

Really love this vid, wish it wasn’t such shit quality

[Robert Baratheon]

There is little money in this game.

I guess what was cool, still, about Lakai was that they were still making videos and traveling. So, if you’re a pro, that’s pretty attractive. Seeing the world on someone else’s dime is the real reward. 

I really don’t get the discount market thing. Literally just don’t understand it. Does Lakai have enough of a  look and infrastructure to sell ‘skate shoes’ to non skaters through other distribution venues?

Because, cutting the team, and probably the shops, will eliminate actual skaters as customers.

[Jehoshaphat Augustus]

i remember when this dropped I was too juiced. Potato quality too.
Skate Fairy Ty Evans era wasn't even that bad dood. 

[Cesar Vialpando]

Some brands are like old bands, where all the OG members have left and all that's left is the name and maybe the bassist.

I'm convinced that's what is happening with Crailtap, where the skaters that made us buy into the brands in the first place are no longer there.

Crazy to think that at one point Crailtap companies seemed like they were at the top of the industry pile, and after fully flared came out, the Lakai team was cherry-picked by all the corp shoe brands,  Fourstar died and so on.

Rewatching Beware the Flare,  it still hits, as do the majority of the tour videos they put out in the 00's.

[Atiba Applebum]

Some brands are like old bands, where all the OG members have left and all that's left is the name and maybe the bassist.

I'm convinced that's what is happening with Crailtap, where the skaters that made us buy into the brands in the first place are no longer there.

Crazy to think that at one point Crailtap companies seemed like they were at the top of the industry pile, and after fully flared came out, the Lakai team was cherry-picked by all the corp shoe brands,  Fourstar died and so on.

Rewatching Beware the Flare,  it still hits, as do the majority of the tour videos they put out in the 00's.

Who was cherry picked from Lakai by corporate brands?   Koston leaving for Nike was about Podium being sketchy with money, but most stuck around for awhile.  Pops to Cons is the only real move I can think of.  Mike mo went to dc and AO went to Vans but I don’t recall that happening particularly close to FF coming out

[Sedition]

I've never been a shoe-head, and I've never liked Carroll. So, I've never paid any attention to Lakai. That said, I want to make sure I fully understand what has happened here.

Rick and Mike start a company.
Rick and Mike sell company.
New owners fire Rick and Mike.

Is this correct?
If so, all I can say is take some advice from Black Label.
Never be bought. Never be sold.

[Robert Baratheon]

Expand Quote

Some brands are like old bands, where all the OG members have left and all that's left is the name and maybe the bassist.

I'm convinced that's what is happening with Crailtap, where the skaters that made us buy into the brands in the first place are no longer there.

Crazy to think that at one point Crailtap companies seemed like they were at the top of the industry pile, and after fully flared came out, the Lakai team was cherry-picked by all the corp shoe brands,  Fourstar died and so on.

Rewatching Beware the Flare,  it still hits, as do the majority of the tour videos they put out in the 00's.

[close]

Who was cherry picked from Lakai by corporate brands?   Koston leaving for Nike was about Podium being sketchy with money, but most stuck around for awhile.  Pops to Cons is the only real move I can think of.  Mike mo went to dc and AO went to Vans but I don’t recall that happening particularly close to FF coming out

AO and Pops were directly after Fully Flared. Mike Mo, Koston, Lucas, and Cairo were a little after.

[Atiba Applebum]

Expand Quote

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Some brands are like old bands, where all the OG members have left and all that's left is the name and maybe the bassist.

I'm convinced that's what is happening with Crailtap, where the skaters that made us buy into the brands in the first place are no longer there.

Crazy to think that at one point Crailtap companies seemed like they were at the top of the industry pile, and after fully flared came out, the Lakai team was cherry-picked by all the corp shoe brands,  Fourstar died and so on.

Rewatching Beware the Flare,  it still hits, as do the majority of the tour videos they put out in the 00's.

[close]

Who was cherry picked from Lakai by corporate brands?   Koston leaving for Nike was about Podium being sketchy with money, but most stuck around for awhile.  Pops to Cons is the only real move I can think of.  Mike mo went to dc and AO went to Vans but I don’t recall that happening particularly close to FF coming out

[close]

AO and Pops were directly after Fully Flared. Mike Mo, Koston, Lucas, and Cairo were a little after.

People eventually left, but it’s not like they were picked clean right after the video.   Danny Garcia left just before the video and Pops and Koston right after.   Puig was around at least for a couple of years after.   FF came out in 2007 and his Lakai shoe came out in 2009.   Mike Mo joined DC in 2011 and I think AO went to Vans slightly before that.  Cairo joined etnies?

[Cesar Vialpando]

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Expand Quote

Some brands are like old bands, where all the OG members have left and all that's left is the name and maybe the bassist.

I'm convinced that's what is happening with Crailtap, where the skaters that made us buy into the brands in the first place are no longer there.

Crazy to think that at one point Crailtap companies seemed like they were at the top of the industry pile, and after fully flared came out, the Lakai team was cherry-picked by all the corp shoe brands,  Fourstar died and so on.

Rewatching Beware the Flare,  it still hits, as do the majority of the tour videos they put out in the 00's.

[close]

Who was cherry picked from Lakai by corporate brands?   Koston leaving for Nike was about Podium being sketchy with money, but most stuck around for awhile.  Pops to Cons is the only real move I can think of.  Mike mo went to dc and AO went to Vans but I don’t recall that happening particularly close to FF coming out

[close]

AO and Pops were directly after Fully Flared. Mike Mo, Koston, Lucas, and Cairo were a little after.

[close]

People eventually left, but it’s not like they were picked clean right after the video.   Danny Garcia left just before the video and Pops and Koston right after.   Puig was around at least for a couple of years after.   FF came out in 2007 and his Lakai shoe came out in 2009.   Mike Mo joined DC in 2011 and I think AO went to Vans slightly before that.  Cairo joined etnies?

I can see where you're coming from regarding the timing and "cherry picked" may not have been the correct term,  but most of the skaters mentioned left within 18 months,  at a time where sponsor switching was more of a big deal.

I think the point stands that the skater's mentioned departing, coupled with FF being some of the older riders last "proper" part had an effect on how the brand was viewed going forward into the 2010's.
Some names did stick around longer than others, Guy, Jesus Fernandez, Biebel, Jensen and Brady. 

[Atiba Applebum]

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Some brands are like old bands, where all the OG members have left and all that's left is the name and maybe the bassist.

I'm convinced that's what is happening with Crailtap, where the skaters that made us buy into the brands in the first place are no longer there.

Crazy to think that at one point Crailtap companies seemed like they were at the top of the industry pile, and after fully flared came out, the Lakai team was cherry-picked by all the corp shoe brands,  Fourstar died and so on.

Rewatching Beware the Flare,  it still hits, as do the majority of the tour videos they put out in the 00's.

[close]

Who was cherry picked from Lakai by corporate brands?   Koston leaving for Nike was about Podium being sketchy with money, but most stuck around for awhile.  Pops to Cons is the only real move I can think of.  Mike mo went to dc and AO went to Vans but I don’t recall that happening particularly close to FF coming out

[close]

AO and Pops were directly after Fully Flared. Mike Mo, Koston, Lucas, and Cairo were a little after.

[close]

People eventually left, but it’s not like they were picked clean right after the video.   Danny Garcia left just before the video and Pops and Koston right after.   Puig was around at least for a couple of years after.   FF came out in 2007 and his Lakai shoe came out in 2009.   Mike Mo joined DC in 2011 and I think AO went to Vans slightly before that.  Cairo joined etnies?

[close]

I can see where you're coming from regarding the timing and "cherry picked" may not have been the correct term,  but most of the skaters mentioned left within 18 months,  at a time where sponsor switching was more of a big deal.

I think the point stands that the skater's mentioned departing, coupled with FF being some of the older riders last "proper" part had an effect on how the brand was viewed going forward into the 2010's.
Some names did stick around longer than others, Guy, Jesus Fernandez, Biebel, Jensen and Brady.

I think it’s partially down to blowing their budget making FF that they couldn’t really compete.   

[Watson]

It's actually kinda crazy what percentage of people in Fully Flared aren't even pro skaters anymore.
Mike Mo, Pappalardo, Brandon Biebel, Scott Johnston, Cairo Foster, Mike Mo, Jeff Lenoce, Rob Welsh, JJ Rousseau (?), Alex Olson (?), Marc Johnson (?). Carroll although a legend and still having boards, I think we all know he's never getting footage again unfortunately.

Also out of every person in the video, the only two still wearing Lakais (up until this debacle) were Rick & Mike.

[Septa Bus]

It's actually kinda crazy what percentage of people in Fully Flared aren't even pro skaters anymore.
Mike Mo, Pappalardo, Brandon Biebel, Scott Johnston, Cairo Foster, Mike Mo, Jeff Lenoce, Rob Welsh, JJ Rousseau (?), Alex Olson (?), Marc Johnson (?). Carroll although a legend and still having boards, I think we all know he's never getting footage again unfortunately.

Also out of every person in the video, the only two still wearing Lakais (up until this debacle) were Rick & Mike.

don't forget mike mo

[truthislie]

Maybe DC can rerelease Ricks shoe now?

[Mean salto]

^Fully flared was 17 years ago and most of the team were already in their 30s at the time so it's really only Mike Mo and Olson who kinda blew it. (And even still they made it into their 30s as pro skateboarders which is pretty good)

[Grand Saber]

^Fully flared was 17 years ago and most of the team were already in their 30s at the time so it's really only Mike Mo and Olson who kinda blew it. (And even still they made it into their 30s as pro skateboarders which is pretty good)

Mike Mo stopped skating when he blew his knee out at 26. So only AO was the only one who made it to his 30's

[doomstation55]

It's actually kinda crazy what percentage of people in Fully Flared aren't even pro skaters anymore.
Mike Mo, Pappalardo, Brandon Biebel, Scott Johnston, Cairo Foster, Mike Mo, Jeff Lenoce, Rob Welsh, JJ Rousseau (?), Alex Olson (?), Marc Johnson (?). Carroll although a legend and still having boards, I think we all know he's never getting footage again unfortunately.

Also out of every person in the video, the only two still wearing Lakais (up until this debacle) were Rick & Mike.

Meanwhile Danny Brady, Lucas Puig, and Jesus Fernandez still have boards. JB Gillet still had one up til recently. Damn foreigners!

[Atiba Applebum]

Expand Quote

It's actually kinda crazy what percentage of people in Fully Flared aren't even pro skaters anymore.
Mike Mo, Pappalardo, Brandon Biebel, Scott Johnston, Cairo Foster, Mike Mo, Jeff Lenoce, Rob Welsh, JJ Rousseau (?), Alex Olson (?), Marc Johnson (?). Carroll although a legend and still having boards, I think we all know he's never getting footage again unfortunately.

Also out of every person in the video, the only two still wearing Lakais (up until this debacle) were Rick & Mike.

[close]

Meanwhile Danny Brady, Lucas Puig, and Jesus Fernandez still have boards. JB Gillet still had one up til recently. Damn foreigners!

Jensen might have a board.   Who knows if Isle exists or not.   

[mrosk8]

Expand Quote

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It's actually kinda crazy what percentage of people in Fully Flared aren't even pro skaters anymore.
Mike Mo, Pappalardo, Brandon Biebel, Scott Johnston, Cairo Foster, Mike Mo, Jeff Lenoce, Rob Welsh, JJ Rousseau (?), Alex Olson (?), Marc Johnson (?). Carroll although a legend and still having boards, I think we all know he's never getting footage again unfortunately.

Also out of every person in the video, the only two still wearing Lakais (up until this debacle) were Rick & Mike.

[close]

Meanwhile Danny Brady, Lucas Puig, and Jesus Fernandez still have boards. JB Gillet still had one up til recently. Damn foreigners!

[close]

Jensen might have a board.   Who knows if Isle exists or not.

No More Isle

[alraunen]

Funny point that Stevie Perez reach out my friend after the interview. Honestly everything sound too good to be true...

[sus]

Give it a few years and it'll be sold again to an even shittier company for significantly less money, and then Jenkem can make a video about attempting to buy Lakai on the phone

[DannyDee]

Expand Quote

Some brands are like old bands, where all the OG members have left and all that's left is the name and maybe the bassist.

I'm convinced that's what is happening with Crailtap, where the skaters that made us buy into the brands in the first place are no longer there.

Crazy to think that at one point Crailtap companies seemed like they were at the top of the industry pile, and after fully flared came out, the Lakai team was cherry-picked by all the corp shoe brands,  Fourstar died and so on.

Rewatching Beware the Flare,  it still hits, as do the majority of the tour videos they put out in the 00's.

[close]

Who was cherry picked from Lakai by corporate brands?   Koston leaving for Nike was about Podium being sketchy with money, but most stuck around for awhile.  Pops to Cons is the only real move I can think of.  Mike mo went to dc and AO went to Vans but I don’t recall that happening particularly close to FF coming out

Lucas went to Adidas after a bit. I believe AO to Vans happened pretty quickly after Fully Flared.

[KBizzle]

I know it wasn't a Lake video, but "Super Champion Funzone" will always be one of the greatest videos ever.

[Septa Bus]

so are they gonna get bought up by zalando fashion like lrab or what

[fakiefs180]

I wore nothing but Lakai's for like 12 years. Mainly the Manchester and later the Atlantic shoe. Those shoes worked for me and I stuck with them since I knew exactly how they felt and how long they lasted. And I watched Yeah Right very very often as a kid and crailtap had a special place in my heart. Then it became harder and harder to get some Lakai's for a good price. Suddenly the Atlantic was 100 bucks. And around that time, for the same price I got two pairs of the NB# 600. And what that was a difference in comfort and durability.

[guydog]

Funny point that Stevie Perez reach out my friend after the interview. Honestly everything sound too good to be true...

What did Stevie say?