Open main menu
Home
Random
Recent changes
Special pages
Community portal
Preferences
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Incubator escapee wiki
Search
User menu
Talk
Dark mode
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Editing
Sole Technology
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
{{Short description|American footwear and apparel company}} {{Third-party|date=March 2021}} {{Infobox company | name = Sole Technology, Inc. | image = Sole_Technology_Inc_Logo.png | hq_location_city = [[Lake Forest, California]] | hq_location_country = United States | industry = {{ubl|[[Footwear]]|[[Apparel]]}} | founded = 1996 | owner = Pierre-André Senizergues | brands = {{ubl|[[Etnies]]|éS Skateboarding|Emerica|ThirtyTwo|Altamont Apparel|STI Lab}} | products = {{plainlist| * [[Skate shoe|Skate shoes]] * [[Snowboard#Boots|Snowboard boots]] * Action sports apparel }} | website = {{url|soletechnology.com}} }} '''Sole Technology, Inc.''', known informally as '''Sole Tech''', is an American [[footwear]] and apparel company, specializing in [[skate shoe]] design, production and distribution. The company is owned and operated by Pierre-André Senizergues, a former professional [[Freestyle skateboarding|freestyle skateboarder]]. The company's headquarters are in [[Lake Forest, California|Lake Forest]], [[California]], United States. == History == Sole Technology was founded in 1996 to be the parent company of the etnies, éS, Emerica and ThirtyTwo brands.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Sole Technology Timeline |url=https://www.soletechnology.com/Pages/company-about-timeline.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302031948/https://www.soletechnology.com/Pages/company-about-timeline.aspx |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |publisher=Sole Technology, Inc.}}</ref> The Sole Technology Institute (STI) was established in 2003. STI Lab is a first-of-its-kind [[research and development]] facility that conducts [[Biomechanical engineering|biomechanical]] skate shoe research.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Brands" /><ref name="Street">{{Cite book |last=Davis |first=James |url=https://archive.org/details/skateboardingisn00davi |title=Skateboarding is not a Crime: 50 years of Street Culture |publisher=Firefly Books |year=2004 |isbn=978-1-55407-001-5 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/skateboardingisn00davi/page/67 67] |url-access=registration}}</ref> In May 2024, etnies, éS, Emerica and ThirtyTwo were acquired by [[Nidecker|Nidecker Group]], a Swiss action sports equipment conglomerate.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Douglass |first=Rachel |date=May 30, 2024 |title=Nidecker Group acquires Etnies, éS, Emerica and ThirtyTwo |url=https://fashionunited.uk/news/business/nidecker-group-acquires-etnies-es-emerica-and-thirtytwo/2024053075824 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=[[FashionUnited]]}}</ref> Following the acquisition, a new company was created to operate the four brands under Nidecker, with Pierre-André assuming the role of CEO for each of them. The Sole Technology name will gradually be phased out.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 2024 |title=Sole Technology Founder Pierre-André Senizergues On Sale To Nidecker Group |url=https://www.boardsportsource.com/the-soul-of-sole-technology-pierre-andre-senizergues-reflects-on-building-an-iconic-skateboarding-company-and-his-vision-and-hopes-for-the-next-stage-following-the-sale-of-his-brands-es-emerica-et/ |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=Boardsport Source}}</ref> == Brands == === Etnies === {{Main|Etnies}} The company's first and largest brand is [[etnies]]. Established in 1986, etnies produces footwear and apparel for skateboarding, [[Bicycle motocross|BMX]], [[motocross]], [[surfing]] and [[snowboarding]]—the brand also sponsors teams in all of these "[[action sports]]."<ref name="Brands">{{cite web |title=Our Brands |url=http://www.soletechnology.com/Pages/Brands.aspx |website=Sole Technology |access-date=15 October 2021 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022123354/http://www.soletechnology.com/Pages/Brands.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> From 2005 to 2011, the company also operated etnies plus, a sub-brand which specialized in limited-run footwear.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}} Etnies sponsored athletes include [[Ryan Sheckler]], Willow, Nick Garcia, Jose Rojo, Chris Joslin and David Reyes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Team – Skate |url=http://etnies.com/team/skate/ |access-date=18 September 2013 |website=etnies |publisher=Sole Technology, Inc |archive-date=12 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912235705/http://etnies.com/team/skate/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> === éS Skateboarding === Founded in 1995, éS produces skateboarding footwear and apparel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2013 |title=eS Shoes |url=http://skately.com/library/brands/es-shoes |access-date=18 September 2013 |website=Skately |publisher=Skately LLC |archive-date=28 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928013419/http://skately.com/library/brands/es-shoes |url-status=dead }}</ref> The brand subsequently sponsored a team that included professional skateboarders [[John Rattray (skateboarder)|John Rattray]], [[PJ Ladd]], [[Eric Koston]], [[Paul Rodriguez (skateboarder)|Paul Rodriguez]], Ronnie Creager, Chad Muska, Justin Eldridge, Rodrigo Teixeira (TX), [[Bob Burnquist]], [[Arto Saari]], [[Nyjah Huston]], [[Tom Penny]], and [[Rick McCrank]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Complex Mag |date=12 June 2009 |title=A History of Eric Koston's Signature Shoes |url=http://www.complex.com/sneakers/2009/06/a-history-of-eric-kostons-signature-shoes |access-date=18 September 2013 |website=Complex Sneakers |publisher=Complex Media |archive-date=4 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104151731/http://www.complex.com/sneakers/2009/06/a-history-of-eric-kostons-signature-shoes |url-status=live }}</ref> After announcing a hiatus in mid-2012, the brand returned in 2014 with special edition runs of their shoes distributed to select skateboard shops.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}} === Emerica === Emerica was launched in 1996, and, in addition to selling apparel,<ref name="Brands" /> has produced a number of skateboarding-themed videos.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.trashfilter.com/emerica-stay-gold-dvd-review|title=Emerica's 'Stay Gold' DVD review|website=Trashfilter.com|access-date=2010-09-07|archive-date=2010-09-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100909182822/http://www.trashfilter.com/emerica-stay-gold-dvd-review|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |year=2005–2013 |title=Emerica skate videos |url=http://www.skatevideosite.com/companies/22/emerica |access-date=18 September 2013 |website=Skatevideosite.com |archive-date=21 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921181845/http://www.skatevideosite.com/companies/22/emerica |url-status=live }}</ref> Their 2013 video, ''MADE: Chapter One'', was offered to consumers at a price of their choosing, with a minimum price of US$1.00 established.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TWS |date=16 September 2013 |title=Get 'MADE' Pay What You Want |url=http://skateboarding.transworld.net/1000184365/news/get-made-pay-what-you-want/ |access-date=18 September 2013 |website=TransWorld Skateboarding |publisher=GrindMedia |archive-date=15 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015165846/https://skateboarding.transworld.net/news/get-made-pay-what-you-want/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2013, the brand released its "Workwear" line, a collaboration with skateboarder [[Andrew Reynolds (skateboarder)|Andrew Reynolds]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 July 2013 |title=Emerica Reynolds Workwear |url=http://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/trash/emerica-reynolds-workwear/ |access-date=18 September 2013 |website=Thrasher Magazine |publisher=High Speed Production, Inc |archive-date=20 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920041438/http://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/trash/emerica-reynolds-workwear/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Emerica sponsors a skateboard team which includes Collin Provost, [[Ed Templeton]], Justin "Figgy" Figueroa, Kevin "Spanky" Long, Leo Romero,<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 2013 |title=Team |url=http://emerica.com/team/ |access-date=18 September 2013 |website=Emerica |publisher=Sole Technology, Inc. |archive-date=6 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006190153/http://emerica.com/team/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jeremy Leabres,<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 September 2013 |title=Emerica Made – Chapter One |url=http://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/videos/emerica-made-chapter-one/ |access-date=20 September 2013 |website=Thrasher Magazine |publisher=High Speed Productions, Inc |archive-date=21 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060848/http://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/videos/emerica-made-chapter-one/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jon Dickson, Eric Winkowski, Rob Maatman, Dakota Servold, Kevin Baekkel, Victor Aceves and Chris Wimer. === ThirtyTwo === ThirtyTwo, a snowboarding boots, apparel, and outerwear brand, was launched in 1995 by snowboarders and has been privately held since that time.<ref name="Brands" /> As of September 2013, the brand sponsors a team of snowboarders.<ref>[https://365crocs.com/ The development of the ThirtyTwo brand and the ski shoe product]</ref> ThirtyTwo's Global Pro team includes [[J. P. Walker]], [[Jeremy Jones (freerider)|Jeremy Jones]], Scott Stevens, Chris Grenier, Chris Bradshaw, Halldór Helgason, Jordan Small, Johnny O'Connor, Joe Sexton, Corey Smith, Dylan Alito, Toni Kerkela, Desiree Melancon, [[Zeb Powell]], Pat Fava and Phil Hansen. Its Global Am team includes Brandon Hobush, Spencer Schubert, Chris Brewster, Toni Kerkela, Benny Urban, Dylan Alito and Johnny O'Connor.<ref name="Two">{{Cite web |date=September 2013 |title=Team |url=http://thirtytwo.com/team/ |access-date=18 September 2013 |website=ThirtyTwo |publisher=Sole Technology, Inc |archive-date=30 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830195100/http://thirtytwo.com/team/ |url-status=live }}</ref> === Altamont Apparel === Altamont Apparel was launched in October 2006<ref name="Brands" /> as a concept of Justin Regan and Reynolds, who enlisted UK artist Mark "Fos" Foster as the head designer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benson |date=20 August 2013 |title=Back To School Style Guide: Altamont |url=http://grind.tactics.com/posts/back-to-school-style-guide-altamont |access-date=5 October 2013 |website=Tactics The Grind (A Blog) |publisher=Tactics |archive-date=7 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007035709/http://grind.tactics.com/posts/back-to-school-style-guide-altamont |url-status=live }}</ref> Over time, the brand has expanded beyond skateboarding to involve musicians<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2013 |title=Contributors – Music |url=http://altamontapparel.com/contributors/music/ |access-date=5 October 2013 |website=Altamont Apparel |publisher=Sole Technology, Inc |archive-date=7 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007014955/http://altamontapparel.com/contributors/music/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and artists.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2013 |title=Contributors – Art |url=http://altamontapparel.com/contributors/art/ |access-date=5 October 2013 |website=Altamont Apparel |publisher=Sole Technology, Inc |archive-date=7 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007014847/http://altamontapparel.com/contributors/art/ |url-status=live }}</ref> == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == * [http://www.soletechnology.com/ Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105091722/http://www.soletechnology.com/ |date=2007-11-05 }} [[Category:Manufacturing companies based in California]] [[Category:Companies based in Lake Forest, California]] [[Category:Skateboarding companies]] [[Category:Skateboard shoe companies]]
Edit summary
(Briefly describe your changes)
By publishing changes, you agree to the
Terms of Use
, and you irrevocably agree to release your contribution under the
CC BY-SA 4.0 License
and the
GFDL
. You agree that a hyperlink or URL is sufficient attribution under the Creative Commons license.
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)
Pages transcluded onto the current version of this page
(
help
)
:
Template:Citation needed
(
edit
)
Template:Cite book
(
edit
)
Template:Cite news
(
edit
)
Template:Cite web
(
edit
)
Template:Infobox
(
edit
)
Template:Infobox company
(
edit
)
Template:Main
(
edit
)
Template:Main other
(
edit
)
Template:Reflist
(
edit
)
Template:Short description
(
edit
)
Template:Template other
(
edit
)
Template:Third-party
(
edit
)
Template:Webarchive
(
edit
)