> Selling professional-grade gear to people with no intention of using it professionally isn’t exactly a new trick in marketing, as the makers of SUVs, digital cameras and headphones can tell you.
A ton of companies started out selling legitimately tough things and then turned into just another logo on semi-acceptable products. The Hummer H1 was a legitimately strong vehicle, and could easily climb a 60% slope and travel over actually tough terrain - with 16" of ground clearance on a 72" tall vehicle. The H2 was a disgustingly fuel inefficient large truck, and the H3 was just a standard pickup with an ugly grille.
Some of my friends who explore/climb/etc all the time used to buy North Face gear; now, it's mostly another brand for college students. The last thing I personally bought from North Face was a jacket a few years ago - I wore the jacket a handful of times and into the closet it went.
Anyone else know more brands that did this? Start out selling gear for pros and then use that image to sell to people who just like the logo? I'd also love to hear about brands that aren't just clothing.
A ton of companies started out selling legitimately tough things and then turned into just another logo on semi-acceptable products. The Hummer H1 was a legitimately strong vehicle, and could easily climb a 60% slope and travel over actually tough terrain - with 16" of ground clearance on a 72" tall vehicle. The H2 was a disgustingly fuel inefficient large truck, and the H3 was just a standard pickup with an ugly grille.
Some of my friends who explore/climb/etc all the time used to buy North Face gear; now, it's mostly another brand for college students. The last thing I personally bought from North Face was a jacket a few years ago - I wore the jacket a handful of times and into the closet it went.
Anyone else know more brands that did this? Start out selling gear for pros and then use that image to sell to people who just like the logo? I'd also love to hear about brands that aren't just clothing.