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March, 2024

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Forsake on Kickstarter - support a shoe company by skiers for skiers

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Tfinder
Posts: 189 - Karma: 112
A few years ago my friend and I noticed our friends and ourselves sliding around and soaking through our skate shoes because none of us wanted to wear ugly hiking boots. This inspired us to start a company that makes shoes that are fully waterproof and have a lugged sole, but also have the skate and urban style we won't give up for dry socks. We put in 2 years of work developing the company and our designs and now we're ready for mass production.

We put our project on the crowd-funding site Kickstarter.com (the same one that Jib Life is on) to generate the money for mass production. We are offering a bunch of rewards including pre-ordering the shoes at the wholesale price of $75. These will retail for $120 - $140 so that's a pretty solid deal for fully waterproof shoes.

We started Forsake for our fellow skiers so check out our video and get yourself some fresh kicks!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/forsake/forsake-waterproof-outdoor-sneakers
Apr 11 2012 7:20PM
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Chunter
Posts: 2050 - Karma: 1,894
Those are way better looking than I anticipated. You have a better shot than JibLife and getting it all funded haha, good luck!
Apr 11 2012 7:27PM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
Honestly looks like a great company, and I would be fully willing to pledge some money given I had any money left in my bank account. I will definitely be willing to shuck out 75 for these once I have the dinero though.
Apr 11 2012 7:28PM
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
All I can say is Market, Market, Market and Spread the fucking word, because 225k for any upstart is a lot of money.

What you need to do is RIGHT NOW study the successful Kickstarters, such as Double Fine and Wasteland 2 and see how they have managed their pledgees to give them money without any real credit cards, and set up a side-way PayPal account for donations PRONTO!

Also, check out the Kickin' it Forward project and get involved - it'll throw 5% of your pledges to other projects automatically, but it will also raise your KS coverage by a ton!


Good luck!
Apr 11 2012 7:31PM
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Panda_with_Guns
Posts: 3040 - Karma: 1,620
yeah, i thought they were gonna look like a frankenstein shoe. they are actually something i would wear
Apr 11 2012 7:34PM
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Ski_Alot
Posts: 5884 - Karma: 3,502
sounds sick, i plan on contributing. some really sick looking shoes. good luck
Apr 11 2012 7:37PM
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roddy116
Posts: 10622 - Karma: 7,396
damn 225,000 thats alot of cash
Apr 11 2012 7:49PM
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TallTeeNation
Posts: 903 - Karma: 340
Damn.......million dollar idea bro i will contribute, sick ass shoes
Apr 11 2012 7:52PM
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
In reality, all they need is 3000 people buying their shoes, 75 a piece. Then you'll understand that it's not a farfetched sum at all.
Apr 11 2012 7:57PM
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Utard
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 296
This sounds so sick I might have to buy some
Apr 11 2012 8:02PM
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jeR.
Posts: 1325 - Karma: 58
damn those are sick. would contribute 75$ if i had it man definitely
Apr 11 2012 8:06PM
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Ruffles
Posts: 1132 - Karma: 29
I would totally put those on my feet.
Apr 11 2012 8:06PM
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rareison
Posts: 10263 - Karma: 218
this
Apr 11 2012 8:13PM
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forrest-cole
Posts: 1145 - Karma: 495
great idea
Apr 11 2012 8:14PM
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Captain_Slow
Posts: 1677 - Karma: 24
What happens if you pledge the $ for , say a pair of shoes, and they end up not reaching their goal? Do you just get the $ back?
Apr 11 2012 8:18PM
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Tfinder
Posts: 189 - Karma: 112
If you pledge money to a project kickstarter takes all your credit card info and authorize the transaction. You only get charged if the project is successful. We'll also be contacting everyone about what model, color, and size after the campaign ends on May 14th.

Thanks for the positive feedback guys!
Apr 11 2012 8:23PM
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DGski
Posts: 3491 - Karma: 2,328
threads
Apr 11 2012 8:23PM
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CBROOKS
Posts: 4979 - Karma: 10,708
Looks like a really sick product
Apr 11 2012 8:30PM
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EastCoast.
Posts: 1888 - Karma: 406
Those are looking really sick. Great job designing will share around!
Apr 11 2012 8:31PM
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bigbromskier
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 330
Looks like an awesome thing you guys got going on and I'm definitely considering throwing down. Question: is the lineup basically three shoes that incrementally go up in durability/performance? I'm guessing the Thurston is more of a street shoe level, the Pilot is the next step up, and the Hiker is top quality?
Can you comment on some type of footwear that we might be able to compare quality with, seeing as I, and a lot of other people, don't really know the limitations of the materials?

Thanks, the designs look really good btw.
Apr 11 2012 8:36PM
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YooperSteeze
Posts: 1248 - Karma: 45
Those are dope! If I had some spare cash I definitely would do this, but I'm poor as hell. I really hope you guys succeed, this is such a good idea, and exactly what I need in a shoe. If you guys succeed I'll for sure be getting me a pair!
Apr 11 2012 8:39PM
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Caspaaa
Posts: 4830 - Karma: 1,465
I want a pair of these so damn bad. once i have the money i'll pledge i just want to be 100 percent sure if the project isn't successful that i'll get my money back?

that being said i honestly don't see you guys hitting 250k by may 14th or whatever but i sure as hell hope you do!
Apr 11 2012 8:46PM
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CJHski
Posts: 2384 - Karma: 126
/
Apr 11 2012 8:46PM
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easiestEC
Posts: 2471 - Karma: 489
these are sick!! i'll be getting a pair if they get enough backers
Apr 11 2012 8:50PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
Click for larger image

these are so sick!! excellent job man. i will definitely be picking up a pair
Apr 11 2012 8:54PM
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marsland
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 421
yeah tranny. ill be picking up a pair for sure. nice to see this actually going through, it was a while since i heard you say anything about it
Apr 11 2012 8:57PM
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Tfinder
Posts: 189 - Karma: 112
Construction wise all three models are very similar. They all have high quality waterproof grade leathers (full grain, and nubuck or suede) and a full waterproof/breathable membrane (competitor to gore-tex). The membrane reaches up to the top of the gusseted tongue on all three models so they are all waterproof to ~5in. They also all have the same rubber outsole, dual-density midsole (for cushioning), and a composite shank (for stability).

We designed them to be tiered as you suggested with the Thurston for the urban crowd, Pilot as a do it all hybrid shoe, and the Hiker as the most performance oriented. We did this primarily through the styling though - performance wise they are all pretty much the same. The main difference is that the Hiker has the highest cuff height and the Thurston is the lowest. This means that the Hiker offers the most ankle stability.

Glad you like the styles!
Apr 11 2012 8:57PM
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Farquaharson
Posts: 1203 - Karma: 246
I truly think these are going to go big if you guys can make your deadline and I definitely want to pick up a pair for myself. I've sent an email to my local ski/outdoor shop in Squamish, BC telling them to take a look at it and possibly support you guys big time because I know there would be a huge market out here for those shoes. Hopefully they like the idea! I know I sure do and will be picking up a pair for myself! Good luck!
Apr 11 2012 9:00PM
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snowfreak14
Posts: 370 - Karma: 209
these shoes are fucking sick. Already got myself a pair and I'm pumped to have a shoe that will actually fit my lifestyle. cant wait to see these hit the production line.
Apr 11 2012 9:05PM
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Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
this, you guys have a lot of potential. wish i could get in on it!
Apr 11 2012 9:05PM
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jimmer
Posts: 3586 - Karma: 80
damn, i thought this was going to be another hopeless startup attempt by a couple of unoriginal 16 year old steezeballs. but you guys have a solid product, i could see this doing quite well if you stick with it. gotta appreciate the entrepreneurs out there! good luck fellas.
Apr 11 2012 9:08PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
Dope shoes. Wish I had money. /:
Apr 11 2012 9:09PM
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Tfinder
Posts: 189 - Karma: 112
Check out this link for more info on Kickstarter and how they handle the money transfers: http://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/kickstarter%20basics#AlloFund.

We can hit 225K if we get the word out fast enough! We've been featured on Freeskier, Transworld Business, the Lowell Sun, and we're working everyday to get more sources. Spread the word!
Apr 11 2012 9:11PM
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rareison
Posts: 10263 - Karma: 218
You guys should go on Dragons Den
Apr 11 2012 9:14PM
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bigbromskier
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 330
Very very cool stuff--I don't pay much attention to shoes, but it seems that you've found a niche in the market that needed to be filled! I guess we'll see how these work out once we get them, but there's nothing worse than walking through snow/wet/cold in boots and ending up in class/party/someplace indoors for a while and having wet, hot smelly feet; hopefully this is a great alternative to that. Definitely pledging and I really hope it works out.
Apr 11 2012 9:16PM
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Caspaaa
Posts: 4830 - Karma: 1,465
just read up on it, sounds like a deal

will be sending 75 your way as soon as i have the money!


get the word out guys!
Apr 11 2012 9:27PM
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.ZT.
Posts: 5679 - Karma: 2,792
Sick! Great idea!
Apr 11 2012 9:38PM
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Algebra
Posts: 5215 - Karma: 1,677
Those look dope as fuck
Apr 11 2012 9:54PM
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jameskiy
Posts: 396 - Karma: 3
bump, these have amazing potential.
Apr 11 2012 9:57PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Look sick, going to probably buy them. 100000000000* better then Jib life
Apr 11 2012 10:10PM
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PopsicleStand
Posts: 6890 - Karma: 147
Very impressed, wishing OP the best.
Apr 11 2012 10:13PM
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ParabolicSidecut
Posts: 100 - Karma: 158
Yup, I just walked back to my apartment from a wine tasting and it was raining.

I totally could have used a pair of these!
Apr 11 2012 10:37PM
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*Bird
Posts: 1895 - Karma: 316
meh dont like the style
Apr 11 2012 10:40PM
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ForeverYung
Posts: 8385 - Karma: 2,060
I came here not expecting much, but hat damn those are sick, you guys really look like you know what you are doing, I will definitely give 75 for those
Apr 11 2012 10:42PM
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BmoChop
Posts: 2071 - Karma: 96
Damn, definitely interested. When would they be shipping out? I might be able to justify this. Also, do they breathe well?
Apr 11 2012 10:52PM
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Abu_Hajaar
Posts: 2747 - Karma: 3,890
Those are sick shoes.
Apr 11 2012 10:58PM
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DayMan
Posts: 4702 - Karma: 8,727
Those are so dope. I don't have the moneyz to buy a pair, but when I do, I for sure will. This really has potential. I'll spread the word on Facebook! If you guys keep promoting this as much as you can, I think this could be really successful.
Apr 11 2012 11:16PM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,012
hey guys, best of luck with everything. spread the word, see if you can get a company like EVO or backcountry to back you
Apr 11 2012 11:35PM
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Farquaharson
Posts: 1203 - Karma: 246
Funds have gone up nearly 1,500 bucks in the past couple hours... I like the looks of this! Get the word out!
Apr 11 2012 11:39PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8863 - Karma: 31,577
looks pretty sweet actually, might have to get a pair
Apr 11 2012 11:40PM
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BmoChop
Posts: 2071 - Karma: 96
I have no idea how if that ever happens, but I could completely see EVO getting into this, they seem really big into giving back to the community.
Apr 11 2012 11:41PM
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