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March, 2024

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Virtika
Posts: 623 - Karma: 10,949
Hey NSers! As some of you know we have grown and developed here on Newschoolers, with the help and feedback of all of you. We constantly want to hear from you guys. Tell us how we're doing; the good, the bad, any ideas you might have, etc. We like hearing from customers who have personal experience with us, but we also like hearing from those of you who haven't had much interaction with us.

How are our products? Are you happy with the improvements we've made over the past few years?

How is our customer service? Is there anything we can improve?

What do you think of our new site? And what are your thoughts on our transition from First Drop to Virtika?

What do you think of our new 2014 products including all our clothing and 3L, 25K Triple L outerwear?

We like to keep an open line of communication with all of you, and look forward to continually working to improve everything about us as a company!
Oct 12 2013 9:23PM
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cheener12
Posts: 2881 - Karma: 5,884
personally I think your name should have stayed as first drop and none of this virtika bs.

jackets are looking much better though
Oct 12 2013 9:41PM
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ndye
Posts: 3756 - Karma: 7,088
I think you guys are the illest. new outerwear is on point, website is ill, and keep the "friday" edits coming.

I got an OG suit a bit back, and it was a bit small, but it fit my brother ill, and you guys were offering to help hook it up if i wanted to order something else. Couldn't be more stoked on the customer service!
Oct 12 2013 9:47PM
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jca
Posts: 4162 - Karma: 6,261
I liked it better when your logo resembled a penis.
Oct 12 2013 10:02PM
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Nacho+
Posts: 3748 - Karma: 7,791
ya i loved the old first drop logo more and the name too.
Oct 12 2013 10:10PM
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-Dan
Posts: 7087 - Karma: 50,495
we need more ignorance
Oct 12 2013 10:11PM
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Mr.LemonPie
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 1,625
Dude. You guys totally screwed over the guy that got the FD tattoo.
Oct 12 2013 10:11PM
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cannaguts666
Posts: 504 - Karma: 256
Can I be spansored and has the Sea Foam n' Black suit fo freez?
Oct 12 2013 10:13PM
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DGski
Posts: 3491 - Karma: 2,328
Did you guys change your name to Virtika to get a fresh start and abolish your association with shitty outerwear ? Honest question
Oct 12 2013 10:30PM
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p-fo
Posts: 9372 - Karma: 6,155
I know that dude. He's actually a really solid, nice guy.


And as far as what you guys need to do better? Well, you fucked up your first impression, although I do sense you've improved things a lot. But I can't shake the feeling that all this YOLO advertising and image making is meant to distract me from a mediocre product. Sell me on how it kept you dry on the illest cat trip of the century last winter, not how it kept you dry while pouring milk on tits in a warm club.
I think, more than anything, I've just never been a fan of your design and fit. That's a personal thing, but it just looks thick and heavy and baggy in the wrong places to me.
Oct 12 2013 11:13PM
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Shermanator
Posts: 32 - Karma: -23
when does the 2014 line drop/ '13 line go on sale
Oct 12 2013 11:17PM
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joshua
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 1,280
Honestly, there is practically nothing that the company could do to make me buy First Drop. I don't care for the outerwear, and the strange and inappropriate ad campaigns would've kept me from buying anyway.

Oct 12 2013 11:18PM
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Bittner
Posts: 3675 - Karma: 1,573
This, just looks odd.
Oct 12 2013 11:44PM
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panojibber.
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 683
Just going to leave these here:




So... When does Next Friday drop?
Oct 12 2013 11:51PM
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dvx100
Posts: 1884 - Karma: 4,818
Ask Schlopy..

As for the company, mean i was never a fan of your color scheme or design. It's how i am with companies, it's a hit or miss. I can definitely see improvement from an consumer side which obviously everyone is stoked on. Good Luck in the future!
Oct 13 2013 12:00AM
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fredyferl
Posts: 2906 - Karma: 14,405
I've bought once a hoody from your website and it cost me way too much money, and to me Virtika sounds pretty gay, First Drop was a great name
Oct 13 2013 12:17AM
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gotti
Posts: 4269 - Karma: 4,548
I like bloom now soo fuk off
Oct 13 2013 12:29AM
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Virtika
Posts: 623 - Karma: 10,949

Fair question. We changed our name to Virtika (pronounced like "vertical" without the "L") for a number of reasons:


Yes, our gear wasn't the absolute best quality it could be back in 2009 when we started out. And yes, we want to show people (partially through our new name) our commitment to providing the best quality stuff on the planet.


When Lesh started First Drop in 2009, he was totally broke and wasn't able to afford things like short URL's or trademark attorneys. FirstDrop.com was crazy expensive so he went with firstdropouterwear.com which was SUPER long, especially when trying to tell people our email addresses. A year later, we tried to buy FirstDrop.com but it wasn't for sale anymore. We also tried to trademark "First Drop" but it was rejected due to being "too broad", the words were used in too many other names and companies. So, we adopted the shorter FDwear.com, but didn't like having to brand the company as an abbreviated version of the real name.


After we released our improved line of Virtika outerwear, the name sort of stuck and a lot of people told us how much they liked it. So we bought Virtika.com (nice and short, and unique) and were able to trademark the name "Virtika". We redid our website and team, improved all our products to world class standards, and are moving forward with the name Virtika.

Oct 13 2013 12:35AM
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802Valley
Posts: 625 - Karma: 309
original name was way better, new product is good keep it up
Oct 13 2013 12:38AM
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,589
I like the new name and new company.
Alot of people dont understand the name situation from a business standpoint like you mentioned above, and it is also a good fresh start to the company.
New outerwear looks killer, really impressed with the the 3L and 25k stuff, definitely a big step up, and better quality than alot of other competitors.
Customer Service and relations from what I have seen have been knowledgable, informative and respectful, and the color schemes get better every year.
Also, I am a big fan of the marketing strategy's like the last friday and this friday videos, stoked for next friday haha.
When I am in the market for new outerwear I will for sure be checking out what virtika has to offer.
Oct 13 2013 1:00AM
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SunburntSquad
Posts: 293 - Karma: 496
I bought a jacket from you at the end of last season. Its pretty good quality shit and the design is sweet. Keep it up
Oct 13 2013 1:15AM
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Virtika
Posts: 623 - Karma: 10,949
We dropped the 2014 line this spring. You can check everything out and pre-order 2014 gear on our website (http://virtika.com). All 2014 gear ships in early November, and we're running DOPE pre-order specials right now (free shipping, free hoodie, free hiking straps, $30 off suits, free accessory pack). Feel free to drop us a line at info@virtika.com with any questions.
Oct 13 2013 2:17AM
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Skiingsnow
Posts: 1567 - Karma: 797
I don't own any FD stuff, likely never will, purely coz its just not my style, but as a business I think you guys are fucking brilliant.

fuelled on by the same kids that bitch about it because they werent perfect in their first year of production

great story, also the marketing tactics; fucking awesome
Oct 13 2013 4:47AM
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4-Front
Posts: 5306 - Karma: 199
I hate your advertisements. I have had to stop going on Newschoolers while at work and at school because of them. I also do not like your products mainly because I don't like their style but I just honestly really dislike what your brand stands for - based on your last friday videos and ads on Newschoolers.
Oct 13 2013 11:25AM
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Bozite
Posts: 981 - Karma: 561
I like the new V4 jackets and the really nice waterproof rating.
But I dont like the colors of them. Need more just solid colors like red and blue and that kind of stuff.
If you had a solid red V4 jacket i would buy it in a heartbeat
Oct 13 2013 11:42AM
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danderson.
Posts: 6560 - Karma: 5,252
The amount of controversy you guys stir up is hilarious. I love the improvements over the years and I definitely love the edits. Keep it up.
Oct 13 2013 11:57AM
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Chinchi
Posts: 1591 - Karma: 4,210
I fucking love the ignant ads and edits, keep that shit up. Still would never buy the outerwear though the weird blocky patterns and odd color ways really kill my boner, also it looks like parachute steeze which isn't my thing.


Tl:dr more guns hoes and chocolate milk
Oct 13 2013 12:14PM
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Old+Bitter
Posts: 37 - Karma: 89
i just dont understand, does anybody actually think your jackets look good? the entire design needs to be scrapped and burned
Oct 13 2013 1:13PM
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milk_man
Posts: 5214 - Karma: 6,496
I would never buy anything from you mainly because of your last friday video and your ads, but also because i don't like the way your suits look. Definitely not my style
Oct 13 2013 1:29PM
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Virtika
Posts: 623 - Karma: 10,949
Thanks for the in depth feedback! Glad you're stoked on the new name, and can understand why that decision was made.

Also, glad you like the improvements we've made to our new Triple L outerwear. We've always prided ourselves on customer service, and we'll definitely stay on point with that.

We can't promise we'll always put out controversial, hilarious marketing 100% of the time, but we'll try to mix things up from time to time ;)
Oct 13 2013 1:36PM
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Take_It_Tall
Posts: 64 - Karma: 11
I really liked the jacket and pants i got from you guys, untill they ripped, i fell doing a 3 one day and the jacket had a huge rip from the mid back to my chest. but, your guys customer service was great and did repair it for free and did a great job doing it. but i would like something more sturdy and not rip as easily
Oct 13 2013 1:42PM
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Triple_Strum
Posts: 6382 - Karma: 946
is this a joke? I can't tell - since everything else with the company seems to be.
Oct 13 2013 2:05PM
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TimRiley
Posts: 1873 - Karma: 1,327
Completely understand the name change, business is business. Customer service is very good. The fact that allow people go come to the warehouse, check things outand try things on is awesome. From someone who owns one of the triple L protypes, I can see huge improvements in your quality over the years, I also dig the new fit. I would definetly recommend the new Tripple L gear to anyone looking for new outerwear.
Oct 13 2013 2:11PM
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cannaguts666
Posts: 504 - Karma: 256
Haha Lesh pouring milk on that chicks tits.

How in the fuck could you kids not buy this shit up?

Video promos with tits, chicks, beer, guns, skiing, t-hall, wrecking cars. The fuck is wrong with you. If I wasn't broke as fuck and not skiing this season I'd be buying this shit left and right.
Oct 13 2013 2:51PM
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thesatanist
Posts: 413 - Karma: 1,760
More chocolate milk
Oct 13 2013 2:57PM
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PapDaddy
Posts: 532 - Karma: 661
i posted this in an earlier thread once but....still gonna

so a couple years ago, i emailed you guys with a complaint that the shirts i bought were not the same size as it said on the sizing chart....so you send me a new package fo free with 4 t shirts a couple hats and a hoodie.
the 2 original shirts i bought were on sale for 15 bucks each. fucking score? yes.

then when i saw your V3 FD jackets go on sale for like $80 or something ridiculous like that i scooped one up. warmest jacket i've owned, and i love rockin it as a vest..still my main coat for the upcoming season.

sooo yeah, you guys are doin shit right. even the haters love the friday vids
idk how i feel about virtika, we'll see in a couple years

Oct 13 2013 3:18PM
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e~b
Posts: 861 - Karma: 2,733
i like how you can make your jacket into a vest, but you guys just seem to lack the professionalism that saga or bloom has. Some people like that, some people dont
Oct 13 2013 3:49PM
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Ehh...
Posts: 1897 - Karma: 1,423
The fact that you guys are going out and find out what your demographic is wanting is a huge step forward in the right direction.

I feel the outerwear is looking more put together and a lot less chessy than the previous years. I think the evolution of style for skiers and what they are wearing has changed sense the original release of the company and a neccessary change for that has finally taken place.

In addition to this, I don't know how much input you are taking into your company and utilizing it and putting it into action; but I would just put a caution of making sure you guys know what you want to do with the company, take input from your customers and demographic and put your spin on it on your brand. Too much rebranding right of the bat can hurt a company so keep it clean and make sure whatever you are doing to go with this new Vertika line stays clean and not be blurred with the past First Drop. It can be confusing and doesn't send a clear branding image.

With that being said, I am stoked to see what Vertika outerwear takes you guys and you guys are definitely moving forward in the right direction with things.
Oct 13 2013 4:08PM
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-Dan
Posts: 7087 - Karma: 50,495
have any huge white pants left over in the warehouse? maybe a jacket too
Oct 13 2013 4:20PM
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NH_OPERATOR
Posts: 1070 - Karma: 2,883
FirstDrop/FDwear is a much, much better name than Virtika, First off, its a real word/phrase, which helps dramatically. Second, what does everyone always want every day of skiing? The First Drop down the mountain, so its good association. Virtika is some made up word that sounds way too much like Vertigo, which is a horrible and extremely unpleasant thing. Virtika to vertigo seems like a more logical jump to me than Virtika to Vertical.
Oct 13 2013 4:34PM
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Amarino
Posts: 218 - Karma: 2,417
All of my Fd/ Virtika outwear ( jacket, pants, and hoodie) have either ripped or the zippers crap out, it's a bummer when I spend $200 on outerwear when I can't use them after three weeks. just my 2 cents..
Oct 13 2013 5:12PM
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cultrara
Posts: 5147 - Karma: 46,851
The websites have always been pretty ugly. Even though your gear may look nice, the new site is pretty bad aesthetically. Overall its really cluttered and not streamlined.

From top to bottom:

-the scrolling header is kitschy and distracting. This isn't 2005
-the black to blue gradient is rather ugly
-the graphic promoting the pre-orders has poor hierarchy, which makes it distracting
-on the nav bar, its a pain to have to select each category specifically instead of being able to click "outerwear" for example and see all outerwear.
-the slide show is fine, except that it includes the pre-order graphic
-I would never use the social media stuff at the bottom of the site, but thats just me
Oct 13 2013 6:28PM
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masterhatin
Posts: 630 - Karma: 53
Bought a pair of your bibs 2-3 years ago, love them still rockin them too!
Oct 13 2013 7:24PM
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Virtika
Posts: 623 - Karma: 10,949
Thanks for the feedback, glad you're enjoying the new Triple L suit! Yeah, we think the quality and fit of this years gear is really the final piece of the puzzle in creating the dopest outerwear on the planet!
Oct 13 2013 7:32PM
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Virtika
Posts: 623 - Karma: 10,949
DOPE! Glad to hear that we took care of you properly. And a SICK 20k jacket for $80 is hard to beat, our V3 jackets were super popular. Let us know if there is anything else we can do. We'll keep trying to put out a few funny videos for ya'll.
Oct 13 2013 7:36PM
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Skiingsnow
Posts: 1567 - Karma: 797
looking at this thread again today for a moment i thought my middle aged conservative parents suddenly got NS accounts

Turns out there's just a lot of little bitches with strict business ethics on this site! Hahaha
Oct 13 2013 7:37PM
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Virtika
Posts: 623 - Karma: 10,949
Considering that we use the biggest, best, strongest zippers on the planet on all our current gear, I have a hard time believing that ALL your zippers broke. And if they DID all break within 3 weeks, why didn't you send them back under warranty? We will fix or replace anything within a year (we usually make exceptions even if it's over a year) and cover shipping back to you.
Oct 13 2013 7:39PM
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40oz.
Posts: 1758 - Karma: 555
That sounds completely viable to me, never owned and FD/Virtika. Possibly may someday nothing that i just absoulety don't like about your company at all. But I DO hate the new website, I thought it was terrible just rough looks, doesn't involve skiing in any way, hard to navigate, etc.
Oct 13 2013 8:09PM
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40oz.
Posts: 1758 - Karma: 555
Oh so your on of "those" kids
Oct 13 2013 8:11PM
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joe_dirt
Posts: 372 - Karma: 2,405
ya you guys act like thugs. this is skiing get real here.
Oct 13 2013 9:08PM
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