Blogs
Skateshop Day
Celebrate Skateshop Day in Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean: An ode to skateboard culture and homie shops. In the world of skateboarding, there is a special day dedicated to celebrating the very essence of this urban culture: Skateshop Day. This day, which brings together skateboard enthusiasts, is a unique opportunity to pay tribute to the local shops that serve as hubs for the skate community. In Chicoutimi and Alma, in the beautiful Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region, this day takes on special significance, highlighting the importance of skate shops in the social fabric of the city. Skateshop Day was created by DLX Distribution, which brings together several well-known skate brands, including Real, Krooked , Spitfire , Thunder , and Anti-Hero . The event was first launched in 2013 to celebrate and support independent skate shops around the world. The goal was to raise awareness among skaters and skateboard enthusiasts about the importance of local shops in skateboard culture and to promote support for these independent businesses, which are often at the heart of skateboarding communities. Located in the heart of Saguenay, Chicoutimi is a city where the passion for skateboarding is strong. With its steep hills and unique spots, the city offers the perfect playground. But beyond the streets and skate parks, it's the Homies boutiques, the Saguenay snowboard and skateboard school, and the VERSA screw brand that bring Chicoutimi's skateboarding scene to life. Homies shops, these small independent businesses run by enthusiasts, are the true pillars of skateboard culture in Chicoutimi. They don't just sell boards and accessories; they are places for the community to meet, exchange, and share. Ultimately, Skateshop Day is more than just a day to buy boards and accessories. It's a celebration of skateboard culture in all its diversity, showcasing independent shops and the community that supports them. So, whether you're a pro or simply curious about the culture, Skateshop Day is the perfect opportunity to dive into the world of skateboarding and celebrate everything it stands for together. Alexathomies :)
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DAKINE ACCESSORIES
This week, we'd like to take a look around and show you the Dakine accessories we have in store. Why? Simply because their range of winter accessories is perfect for anyone who loves playing outdoors. We have everything you need to simplify your life during your snowboarding days, whether on the mountain or splitboarding. First, what is Dakine? Dakine is a company founded in 1979 in Hawaii. The company is now located at the foot of Mount Hood in Oregon. Dakine manufactures backpacks, travel bags, accessories, winter clothing, and much more. The brand aims to offer quality products for snowboarding, skateboarding, travel, mountain biking, and snowmobiling enthusiasts. At Homies Boutiques, Dakine is synonymous with winter accessories perfect for snowboarding enthusiasts! BOOT BAGS The first products we're showing you today are Dakine's famous boot bags. Homies has three of their models in store. Boot Locker 69L The Boot Locker is the easiest way to keep all your gear in one place, ready to go at any time. This 69-liter bag offers plenty of space on top for storing jackets, pants, extra layers, mittens or gloves, spare socks, a helmet, and goggles. The bottom section is lined with a tarp and is ideal for keeping your boots warm and dry during the journey to the mountain, and also separates them from the rest of the gear on the way back when your boots are full of snow! Boot Pack 50L The Boot Pack is a backpack-style bag with several spacious pockets, ideal for organizing and protecting your gear during transport. For example, the helmet and goggle pocket is padded to protect them from bumps and scratches. The front cargo pocket is perfect for storing gloves and mittens, extra layers, and other items. Finally, the boot compartment allows you to store snowboard boots separately from the rest of the gear, with easy access thanks to the rear zippered access panel. All for easy transport. Boot Locker DLX 70L The Boot Locker DLX is a happy mix between the two models mentioned above. It includes a dedicated helmet and goggle pocket, a separate compartment for other clothing, and a tarpaulin-lined pocket for boots. The 70-liter capacity allows you to carry everything you need efficiently, regardless of changing conditions. OFF-PISTE BACKPACKS If you're the type of person who prefers to splitboard rather than go to the mountains, or even to snowshoe uphill and snowboard back down, you'll need a backcountry bag. Here are some Dakine models available in stores. Heli Pro 24L Not too big, not too small, the Heli Pro 24L is one of the best backcountry packs. It includes pockets specifically designed for snow tools, like a shovel and snow probe for those who go on long trips. It also includes a large fleece-lined pocket specifically for goggles and a hydration sleeve. In short, this pack is just the right size to have everything you need on your outings. Cool feature: The Heli Pro bag has a zippered main access on the back panel, perfect for accessing your bag if you're snowshoeing and your snowboard is strapped to the front of your bag, and great for being able to open your bag without dropping the back in the snow before putting it back on your back! Mission Pro 25L The Mission Pro pack offers roughly the same storage as the Heli Pro: a dedicated shovel and probe pocket, a main compartment for your layers and split skins, and a special padded pocket for your goggles. The 25-liter capacity is perfect for day trips in the backcountry. The Mission Pro is also available in a 32L version, with the Team Mission Pro 32L model from our team rider Louif Paradis! Interesting feature: the Mission Pro 25L offers vertical snowboard transport, making it perfect for walking through the trees when snowshoeing with the pack on your back, but also allows horizontal transport, for those who drag their boards on snowmobile outings. This way, you can drag your snowboard and still sit on your sled! SNOWBOARD BAGS Snowboard bags are the perfect bags for carrying your board when you want it safe and secure. Freestyle Snowboard Bag The Dakine Freestyle Board Bag is the perfect bag for carrying your board if you want to protect it from bumps and scratches on your way to the mountain. The bag is also lined with a tarp to control snow and water on the way back. This is the bag made for resort users. Low Roller Bag The Low Roller is the bag you want for a weekend trip to another mountain or even a week-long trip elsewhere in the world. This bag is 360 degrees padded and can easily hold a board with bindings, outerwear, all your snowboarding essentials (mittens, socks, etc.) and even includes a removable boot bag to store your boots and keep them separate from the rest. Finally, the sturdy urethane wheels make it easy to glide through airports and parking lots. High Roller Bag The High Roller is our most functional, versatile, and feature-rich snowboard bag. It's the one you want by your side for extended trips and unpredictable conditions. Two removable interior pockets keep your boots and outerwear organized and secure until you're ready to remove the bags and take them with you. It's made thicker than the Low Roller and includes a few more pockets, allowing you to really haul everything for longer trips! DAKINE MITTENS Dakine offers an impressive variety of snowboard mittens. We won't cover every model available at Homies, but we'll quickly present three models that represent the mittens available here. Nova / Tahoe Mitt The Nova mitt (and the Tahoe for the women's equivalent) is the least expensive Dakine mitt at Homies. It's a more than interesting quality/price ratio, since for 65 dollars, the Nova offers a water-repellent shell, quality insulation, a waterproof DK Dry TM membrane and a water-repellent leather palm for greater durability. It's the perfect mitt for every day of the year. Baron Gore-Tex Mitt The Baron Mitt is one of our favorites at Homies. It has everything you could want in a mitten: a full GORE-TEX membrane, Gore Grip technology to maintain dexterity and withstand all conditions, then Primaloft R insulation and a merino wool inner lining to keep your hands warm and dry. It's one of the most complete mittens for us.
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SHOE BREATHABILITY: AN IMPORTANT ASPECT DURING SUMMER
This week, we're talking about the different technologies that help combat a very common problem, especially in the hot summer months: hot feet. Of course, there's no magic cure for good old-fashioned sweaty feet, but there are some technologies from shoe companies that can help you be a little more comfortable (and cooler) in your shoes during the summer. THE MATERIAL The material used to make your shoe is one of the first points to analyze to be comfortable and breathable in summer: is it a leather, suede or textile shoe? You may have already guessed it, but textiles are the best choice if you don't want your feet to get too hot. Textiles are naturally more breathable than suede or leather. However, if you skate, you know that textiles aren't the first choice when it comes to durability, but to keep your feet cool, there's nothing stopping you from buying a second pair of shoes to wear when you're not skating and it's hot! THE MESH We've got something really interesting here! Mesh is a synthetic fiber structure that increases a shoe's breathability because, in other words, it's an open mesh that improves the shoe's ventilation. The favorite places to incorporate mesh into shoes are often on either side of the foot. This allows the foot to be well ventilated and the whole thing to breathe better! A good example of mesh incorporated into the shoe: The New Balance 306, where we can see the mesh sections in gray on each side as well as the full tongue on top! THE HOLES There's no real fancy name for this, but it's really just holes. You can see them mostly on the top and side of the shoe. These are tiny holes that allow air to circulate better through the material. Vans actually introduced this idea to their UltraCush TM tongue by adding breathability holes all along the tongue to provide superior airflow. For example, here we have the Vans Zahba, the latest model from Vans, which definitely incorporates the good old holes in the suede! If you're lucky, you might be able to find a model like the Nike SB Ishod Wair, which has included everything you need in its design: holes on the top at the toe to ventilate the interior despite the use of leather and, in addition, large mesh sections on each side of the foot and under the tongue! THE ULTIMATE SHOE FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS Okay, all these ways to increase a shoe's breathability are pretty cool. However, there's one type of shoe that's much more effective in terms of breathability. The kind of thing you could wear all summer long, in the city or at the beach, with or without socks (it's up to you to decide if you're game or not) and which will solve all your foot breathability problems: the good old babouche! You're lucky, we have different models of this too, so don't hesitate to look on our website or come and visit us in store and choose the shoe that suits you best!
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THE HERSCHEL ISOLATED COLLECTION
This week, we're bringing you a rather different article than usual. Why mention this? Simply because a major brand at Homies has a complete collection dedicated to this type of product, and with summer and the nice weather coming, we could all use it. So today we're talking about Herschel Coolers. INSULATED PROGRAM Herschel's Insulated Program is a collection specifically designed for insulated bags perfect for summer. This collection includes lunchbox/cooler-style coolers, insulated backpacks, and even insulated tote bags! Available in a variety of sizes, the items in Herschel's Insulated Collection are also all made with recycled materials. These are the ideal insulated bags for all your summer projects: keep drinks and snacks cold all day in coolers, backpacks, and insulated tote bags. AT HOMIES As for Homies, we decided to stock coolers and tote bags. Why not backpacks? Because we thought you probably wouldn't want to buy a second backpack. Coolers and totes, on the other hand, are a sure thing! Our complete inventory is here by the way! THE COOLERS Herschel coolers come in a variety of sizes. Here's a quick overview of each size and their features! HERITAGE COOLER INSERT This is the smallest size. About the size of a small lunch box, the Cooler Insert can hold up to 6 cans. Plus, like the entire collection, it's made from 100% recycled materials. Finally, a bottle opener clip is attached to the mini cooler, allowing easy access to drinks on the go. POP QUIZ COOLER 12 PACK As for the size, it says it all in the name: it can hold up to 12 cans. It's also made from the same 100% recycled materials and comes with a built-in bottle opener. POP QUIZ COOLER 30 PACK There, I think you understand where we're going: you can fit 30 cans in this model, and you once again have the recycled materials and the bottle opener! TOTE BAGS Hershcel insulated totes offer the same benefits as coolers: made from recycled materials, insulated to keep drinks cold all day, and available in a variety of sizes. However, instead of a bottle opener, the tote bag comes with an insulated bottle sleeve that's perfect for keeping drinks cold longer. There, I see you coming with the famous question: why would I need an insulated tote bag? The answer might surprise you. Yes, all the products in the collection are insulated, but they're also all 100% waterproof. In addition to insulation, the coolers and totes have a waterproof lining and reinforced, waterproof seams. This makes them the perfect tool for carrying gear that might get wet at some point. For example: your beach towel, your wetsuit, your dirty hiking boots—in short, anything you want to separate from the rest of your belongings! There you have it! Now that you know everything there is to know about these useful and practical products, don't hesitate to find the model that interests you and suits you best! Shop Herschel insulated coolers and totes!
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UMA LANDSLEDS
A few weeks ago, we received our first order of decks from a company we wanted to tell you about today: UMA Landsleds. What is UMA Landsleds? UMA Landsleds is a skateboard brand created by none other than Evan Smith. It was by bringing his spontaneous and creative energy to Mesa Distribution that the brand was born and grew. Based in Los Angeles, California, UMA has quickly made a name for itself in the industry by offering quality and, above all, aesthetically appealing products. The company offers skateboards designed to meet the needs of beginners and professionals alike, and already offers a more than interesting range of boards. Design at UMA Landsleds Design is probably the aspect that most sets UMA apart from other skate brands. UMA offers unique and creative graphics on each of its boards. To achieve this, the brand often collaborates with talented artists to create eye-catching designs. To achieve this, UMA has chosen artists to lead their artistic direction, such as Thomas Campbell and Andy Jenkins, but also uses the art of Nathaniel Russell, who has now become the epicenter of UMA Landsleds' art. What else? In addition to their unique design, UMA also stands out for their commitment to sustainability and the environment. The company uses sustainable materials in the manufacture of their boards, such as responsibly sourced maple. They are also committed to reducing their environmental impact by using water-based inks and minimizing waste in their production process. The UMA Landsleds team That's all well and good, but the company also has a whole team to spread their products and their vision of skateboarding. At its helm is the legendary Evan Smith, of course, but many other names are among the list: Cody Smith, Maite Steenhoudt, and Roman Pabich. These skaters have really hit the mark with the first official UMA video: Punch a Hole in the Sky . If you haven't had the chance to see it yet, don't hesitate and go for it! Speaking of the UMA team, the company, in addition to having their own pro team, also encourages riders from all over the world. One of them is actually based here in Chicoutimi and you've probably seen him hundreds of times in our videos since the opening of our shop in 2010: Simon Gagnon. Well, yes, our Wallap is lucky enough to ride UMA Landsleds boards and you'll easily be able to spot him the next time you see him at the Bassin or in the streets of Saguenay! In short, don't hold back and come shop for your UMA board , online or in store!
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XCEL WETSUITS
With the beautiful weather just around the corner, we thought it was time to talk a little more about summer sports. You may have noticed it in-store or on our website, but a new company is joining Boutique Homies this season. It's called Xcel Wetsuits, and we decided to introduce them to you! THE COMPANY Xcel Wetsuits is a company specializing in the design and manufacture of watersports wetsuits. Founded in 1982 by Ed D'Ascoli, who was working from his bedroom in Sunset Beach, Hawaii, the company quickly gained popularity across America. Initially focused on surfing, the brand has expanded its horizons to offer quality products to anyone who plays in the cold ocean water; today, Xcel Wetsuits offers wetsuits for anyone who surfs, paddleboards, kayaks, and even scuba dives. In short, Xcel is a brand that cares deeply about the industry it inhabits. It remains close to the fundamentals of surfing and wetsuit design, but it is still proud of the very important role that research and development play within the company. Their goal: to create and offer high-quality products with constant innovation. They have also been voted "Wetsuits of the Year" by the Surf Industry Manufacturer's Association (SIMA) four times, in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2020. SOME TECHNOLOGIES Neoprene Limestone: Xcel uses mined limestone to replace petroleum-based products and other processed chemicals, reducing the company's dependence on oil. Recycled Polyester: A wide selection of Xcel fabrics are knitted with polyester yarns made from recycled plastic bottles. This helps reduce waste and material consumption at the same time. Thermo Dry Celliant: The brand uses reflective particles to retain body heat. Xcel Infiniti: This is a seamless construction to improve the flexibility and comfort of the wetsuits offered by the company. ECO-RESPONSIBILITY Xcel Wetsuits is also known for its commitment to the environment. The company uses eco-friendly or recycled materials whenever possible, such as recycled neoprene. The company also works to continually reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices. IN SUMMARY In short, Xcel Wetsuits is a globally recognized company in the wetsuit industry. The company stands out for its high-quality products, constant innovation, and commitment to the environment. Look no further; Xcel probably has the perfect wetsuit for you!
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HOMIES PREMIUM COLLECTION
Today, we're talking about a collection we've had for a few years now. We decided to take the time to introduce it to you in more depth, because we love this collection and find it very useful! We're talking about the Homies Premium collection here! It's what? Homies Premium is a collection of basics always available in-store and online. No frills, no extravagance, just the pieces you need in your wardrobe. What does it include? The line includes a t-shirt available in black and white, a longsleeve in the same colors, and a crew neck in black and heather gray. These are quality pieces, all-purpose and blank, so no designs or large prints on the back or chest. Why Homies Premium? We chose this name because, as we already mentioned, we're talking about quality clothing. All the t-shirts and long sleeves are made of organic material. This means high-quality cotton, grown without herbicides or pesticides. The material is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified cotton, a global standard for ecology and social responsibility in the organic textile industry. So, by purchasing Homies Premium, you're ensuring you're getting a quality sweater that respects the environment and global textile quality standards. For whom? The Homies Premium collection is truly made for everyone. Looking for a clean sweater for Friday night out? Why not a white long sleeve for a classy, laid-back look? You work in a restaurant and need a black t-shirt, but all the ones you have don't last or are all faded: come get a Homies Premium one! You wear shirts for work: you probably need a comfortable white t-shirt to wear underneath! In short, that's what the Homies Premium collection is for. So, the next time you're looking for a sure thing and don't want to search too long, remember that the Homies Premium has been around for a few years now and is still available on our shelves!
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VANS CLASSIC AND VANS SKATE COLLECTIONS
It's well known that Vans and Homies have always been important allies. A few years after the opening of our Chicoutimi store, Vans began filling our shelves and slowly demonstrating the importance the brand holds for skaters in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. However, did you know that Homies offers two very distinct Vans collections? In both our Chicoutimi and Alma stores, we stock classic Vans and, of course, Vans Skate. Now, you're probably wondering what the difference is between the two? Read on and everything will become clear! The main difference between the Vans Classic collection and the Skate models is their design and function. Vans Classic The Classic Collection, which includes models such as the Authentic, Old Skool, and Slip-On, is designed for everyday wear and is appreciated for its comfort and durability. These models are known for their classic, legendary, and timeless style. Vans Skate The Skate collection models are specially designed to meet the needs of both amateur and professional skateboarders. These models are equipped with advanced technologies and features to offer superior performance on the board. The shoes are generally reinforced for better durability, with abrasion-resistant materials and reinforced stitching to resist wear and tear from grip tape on the shoe. In addition, they also have a padded insole to provide additional support and comfort. The Vans Skate collection therefore offers more durable and comfortable models so skaters can get more for their money! Pro Model Additionally, Vans Skate shoes are sometimes designed in collaboration with professional skateboarders to meet their specific needs and preferences. Skate collection models often come in unique colors and designs that reflect the style and personality of the skaters who wear them. For example, we can see the latest Pro Skate model released this month and available now in our Alma and Chicoutimi stores: the Vans Zahba. Inspired by Vans team rider Zion Wright, the Zahba is a brand-new silhouette that offers one of the best ratios of impact protection and board feel! This model, like many others, was designed and developed in collaboration with the professional skateboarder. These shoes from the Skate collection are the ideal tools for all skaters in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. With Vans shoes, you'll be ready to take your skating to the next level!
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BETTER UNDERSTANDING SNOWBOARD SHAPES
If you've ever shopped for a snowboard without the help of one of our consultants, you know how easy it is to get lost once you start looking at all the different types of shapes out there. Today, we want to shed some light on the different snowboard shapes, and we want you to be able to understand what rocker, camber, taper, directional boards, and everything else are used for. TRUE TWIN A twin board is a board that's 100% identical on each side. If you find the center of the board and measure each end, they'll have the same length, width, and curvature. This is often the type of board given to beginners because it's easier to start snowboarding with two equal ends. This is also the ideal type of board for park rats. A true twin board is perfect for people who do a lot of jibs or street riding. You can ride on your natural side or even switch, the board is the same! So, if you always play on the metal when you snowboard, a true twin is probably what you want! DIRECTIONAL Here, it says it in the name, the board is made to be ridden in a single direction. A directional board always has a longer front than a longer tail, and the shape is often different on the nose and tail. Sometimes the front of the board, in addition to being longer, is also wider than the tail. The idea behind this is to make the front of your board float on the snow and thus allow you to float more easily on big powder days. Why choose a directional board? Because it's the type of snowboard that's made to be ridden all over the mountain: it lets you float in soft snow, but also allows you to carve beautifully on the standard slope. DIRECTIONAL TWIN This is where it starts to get complicated. A directional twin board is really a mix between the other two types. The goal of this board is to allow you to have the feeling of a twin board, but still have a slightly longer nose. The difference in length between the nose and the tail is much less significant than with a directional board: it's often less than an inch of difference. The board, when riding inside the contact points, therefore gives a twin feeling, but outside the contact points, the nose is a little longer! It also happens that the tail is made stiffer than the front, allowing the board to have pop and help with landing. Since the difference between the nose and the tail is minimal, it is possible to ride switch with this type of snowboard. The directional twin board is made this way in order to offer a balance between steering and switch riding, and this is what has made this type of board so popular with all-mountain freestyle riders! CAMBER A camber board is a board that has 4 contact points near the tips. The center, between the bindings, arches upward. This principle allows you to put more pressure on the board's natural contact points, and thus have a better grip when turning on snow. The camber also gives your board more pop, since the board is, in a way, already in tension against the pop. This is the ideal type for going fast and doing big carving! ROCKER Rocker is the opposite. The center of the board touches the ground, and the two ends rise upward. Rocker boards are often thought of as bananas. This type of board provides a smoother, less aggressive ride. Rocker also floats more easily in the snow, since the tips of the board are oriented upwards. Again, this is the ideal choice for those who are just starting out in snowboarding and for those who mostly jib! ROCKER/CAMBER MIX Many snowboard models also opt for a mix between rocker and camber. For example, you often see a classic camber between the bindings, then the nose and tail oriented upwards like a rocker. This mixture provides grip and bite in turns, just like classic camber, but with its tips rising upwards, the board will float better in powder. It's the same for directional boards that have a camber from the tail to the front binding, then a rocker for the nose which is longer. The same idea is behind this mixture: grip and aggressiveness in turns, but increased flotation in powder! SOME INTERESTING TECHNOLOGIES Uprise fenders Arbor offers this technology, which involves raising the edges of the board at the contact points by a few degrees. These fenders allow two things: Raise the edge at the contact points and give the board a smoother feel, while removing the bite from the edges when you go straight down (flat-based) For wider boards, Uprise fenders make edge-to-edge transitions easier. Grip tech Still at Arbor, grip tech is contact points that are added along the board. For a rocker board that tends to be smoother, grip tech therefore allows for added road holding and therefore offers better adhesion to the track despite the board's rocker. 3D Contour Bases Jones Snowboards offers 3D contour. This technology involves curving the tips of their snowboards, thereby raising the contact points on each side. Imagine a spoon; this is the kind of shape that 3D contour gives to the noses and tails of boards. All of this makes for a smoother and more dynamic ride. In addition, 3D contour allows you to float better in powder because the snow is naturally evacuated thanks to the curvature of the tips. So you can ride faster and float better!
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