The Rise And Fall Of Remz

[@mynameisJuliusbro]

Around 2012 they had the most promising AM team with Josiah Blee, Nils, Mason Richard and Ryan Sibbio. They released a team edit promoting the HR 1.2 skate and it was a exciting and promising time for Remz. Ive always thought this as a massive what could of been if Remz were able to hold it together considering the talent of all 4 skaters and coupled with Haffey as pro, they looked like such a strong team Remz also had Justin Buchanan skate remz for years in the late 90s early 2000s around the same time as Haffey did in his younger years and he was a powerhouse in Australia and made waves over in the US. It's seriously such a shame that Remz has gone the way it has, I do still hope they keep making skates

[@jordan_craig]

The 2000 remz were so comfy. I purchased the newer HRs and was sad to see how much the fit changed where the skates were painful to wear. As much as I wanted to love the newer model, I couldn't wear them and switched to Them.

[@rocesboyanthony5343]

I wanted to love them too because remz are just my favorite skate astheticly speaking. But they are mad uncomfy

[@th3drizzl378]

yup the only way i could use the 2.0 or 2.5 was to heavily mod the boot. i lost interest after that. its a shame because they used to be one of my fav skates.

[@jordan_craig]

@Titi oh yah, Them’s are so horrible… that’s why everyone is skating Them🙄

[@jordan_craig]

@MisterPopo Aren't all skates garbage these days. None of them fit perfectly

[@SherLock55]

​@MisterPopo They really are, a friend of mine has the 909 and he hated the skate, I also tested them out and wasn't a fan, felt really clunky and the soul plate is slow as hell.

[@spookwackadoo]

You are doing the work of a god, cataloging all this for us. All of this would be lost to time without your journalism, so thanks a ton for that. I also use your voice to soothe me during thunderstorms.

[@wheelsceneblading]

I’m glad I can be there for you in your time of need

[@HumaneApproach]

@@wheelsceneblading i can hear u speak these words as i read.

[@Felix-b7i]

​@@wheelscenebladingthey sponsort also Mark stamer from Hamburg Realy great Skater

[@iRollerboot]

Brilliant video. Thank you for putting this together.

[@wheelsceneblading]

Cheers, babe

[@okthisisthelasttimeipromise]

@@wheelsceneblading 🧡🧡

[@michaelobrien6221]

Been skating for almost 25 years and Remz will prob always be my fav skate for tricks, even if they hurt my feet. It’s sad that like Eulogy, it’s not an issue of the product as much as it is the owner. I seem to recall Kato saying as long as he’s alive, he’ll make Remz.

[@xsjadoridersc]

I’d like to see another skate from them. I’d get them and start skating again!

[@strider213]

This was a terrific video. I can't get over how well researched and edited it was, almost like a mini Remz documentary. Thanks for your hard work in making great content. The level of riders that Remz had was insane.

[@brendancampbell8186]

I had the first pair of Remz in the US for n 98. Thank you very much..Kato and Toto. - BJ CAMPBELL

[@wheelsceneblading]

As in Portland’s BJ Campbell?!

[@brendancampbell8186]

@@wheelsceneblading yessir

[@wheelsceneblading]

@@brendancampbell8186 ooooh, I bet you’ve got some good stories from the Hoax and NISS days

[@r0bs1904]

Thanks for the nostalgia hit mate! I had some Remz 08One Team back in the days and just got my hands on some used 0802… can’t wait to go skating again after 10 years and now being in my 30s

[@uanbaggins]

My first expirience with Remz was with a pair of OS3, they were great, hope they come out again

[@BrandonDrummond]

Great video man!

[@wheelsceneblading]

Cheers, babe

[@amrymarshall1]

I would love to see more from Remz. Chris Haffey was Definitely one of my favorite riders when I followed the sport more. Just starting to get back into the sport and I picked up a cheaper pair of USD sway 60s and I just miss the Remz. Never skated a better skate. I would hate to see Remz disappear. Still happy to see the sport is very much alive. Cheers to great tricks and no injuries for all

[@bladelab]

Fantastic article . I love remz but I could not skate them any more, it's a very old shell with so many flaws to address: sizing is horrible, skin is too thick in the toebox and it's the heaviest skate out there. I've been following it closely, I think sunshine owns the brand 100% and they might get some input from Kato time to time or not at all, it's still his baby in some way . In my opinion the whole thing should be reworked, which will most likely never going to happen. I think they will keep releasing new colors in every 1 or 2 years, it had a really strong brand and many people feel nostalgic about remz so new releases going to most likely sell out sooner or later. It's a sad soul-less brand owned by a corporation at this point.

[@Jobin909]

Love this. I love Remz. I can’t believe I missed this vid !! I am so sad about this company 😢

[@Johney_Nomadic888]

Thanks for the informative video. I agree with the others' comments about how well thought out the video was and the obvious amount of research done about the Remz label. Well done! As for your closing question, in short, my answer is an astounding and unequivocal YES. Remz makes amazing skates, but it would seem it's a love-hate relationship for most who still enjoy the sport. I for one love the Remz HR 2.5W and am surprised not that many people feel the same way, and while Chris Haffey may have tried the Razors brand, his loyalty to the Remz label tells you something - considering he's the best aggressive inline skater in history! NEWSWORTHY: The Remz label is NOT down-and-out. The inside scoop is that Kato is busy designing a new skate that will be released in approximately 1 year. My source is direct from Sunshine Distribution and doesn't get more solid than that. I for one will be patiently awaiting the release of the new skate. Until then, I have backup parts to the nth degree for my 2.5s! Get ready diehard Remz fans... the release of the skate is going to rock the scene and I have no doubt that the resurgence of the brand will include a new slew of rollers for the Remz Team.

[@LoganMichael222]

This was very informative, thank you very much. I've been on a weird mission laitley just putting myself (and remz) out there on social media a lot the last couple of months. Crazy timing for this video. I'm not sure my goal with it but, it kinda feels like I've been low key calling the brand out for sleeping on the industry and also just putting myself out there as a skater. I love Remz to death, own like 16 pairs of them. Basically hording for years in fear of the company dying. And that sucks. I wish more than anything I could just buy the company, go back the the Nils models and push Remz hard like it should be. I wish.

[@koc.737]

what i video, thanks really. When i was in my early 20's i cant afford remz's prices. i was skating one of old second hand valo's and always want to buy one of this remz. life and struggles always kept me away from skating and now i am in early 30's and start to thinking "maybe i can give my pair of valo to some one and buy new remz." hope my joints can handle it

[@kevingraham3619]

I really liked the Josiah Blee pro boot. Great vid learned quite a bit.

[@dopetag]

Wow! What an incredible video! P.S. - I think Evert is from Estonia.

[@wheelsceneblading]

Dammmmmmit! I’m pretty sure you’re right!

[@J3f3R20n]

Maaaaan, a Platform podcast with Haffey, that would be perfect.

[@Dominicvs]

I always loved remz back in the day. Decided to get back into skating recently. Very bummed to find out over a decade later that wasn’t going to be a good option now

[@justinkyle5091]

Fantastic video. Thanks for this.

[@RollingPetetato]

This is incredible sad for me, riding Remz sice the second Haffeys come out, him and Connor O'Brien was the reason why I stick with Remz for two decades now and I tried almost all brands and only found Remz to be comfortable for me to skate RIP I guess

[@edwardhines3237]

Sunshine has always owned the majority or both ground control and reign from the start of both companies

[@wheelsceneblading]

Probably, but that’s not the way either company was marketed

[@lukasrostas9644]

Nice vid, brother! Btw one of the most iconic Remz rider for me, after all of those pro riders, was kiddo Trevor Tylosky! :) And Rob Kellett with his mate Phil Moss were doing promo for a long time. Rob just stopped riding Remz but Phil still skating them, still doing promo and uploading videos and instastories very often! :) But anyway, it's shamed to see one of the most iconic skates company dying :( I'd love to see interview with owner Kato, if he has balls to talk and answer questions ;)

[@wheelsceneblading]

Totally forgot about Trevor. Was he on the team for long? I remember him switching to Valo fairly quickly.

[@lukasrostas9644]

@@wheelsceneblading not sure for how long he was on the team but I remember him in a few videos so couple years, I guess. He was “spin to win” guy with crazy hammers :)

[@wheelsceneblading]

@@lukasrostas9644 he’s still going. He’s released several Park Lord videos edited by Geoff Phillip in recent years

[@anthonymcgrath]

Ah man this is so sad to hear - i used to skate in my 20s and recently picked it up again in my 40s so the thing i always wanted was a pair of Remz. I picked up some 2.5 haffey's which was a badass looking skate. Shame they've kinda fell to the wayside but hopefully you'll all see a 3.0 soon :)

[@aldolega]

GC and Reign... I've never seen any proof that these brands (yes, brands, not companies) were ever entirely or majority skater-owned. All are, again as far as I've ever known, Sunshine brands, with Elliott/Petty being their public faces and probably owning some percentage of the brand, or at least having some type of profit-share agreement. But were Elliott and Petty putting up the capital for GC and Reign production runs? Handling the budgets, paying the bills and payroll and taxes, filing and defending patents and trademarks, finding and dealing with manufacturers and freight? You know... the stuff you have to do when you actually own a business? No. All Andy/Sunshine. And that's fine, I guess. From a shop's perspective Sunshine does a great job, and makes it simple and profitable to carry their stuff. You order from Sunshine and you know what you're getting, when you're getting it, how much you'll make on it and who you can talk to if there are issues. And that stability and consistency is important for shops to succeed. I remember speaking with Kato about the deal with Sunshine the night before the second Detroit IMYTA (so 2002?), in his hotel's parking lot. He was having a bit of a philosophical dilemma, as he couldn't update the skate without someone else's backing, but he was unsure about partnering with Andy, as the deal as proposed at that time had Kato making most of the marketing/team/design decisions, but Andy was still the majority partner with ultimate final say on everything. Was the deal they eventually agreed upon more equal? I don't know, but I doubt it. It would be a less-than-solid business choice to do so, and Andy is a very smart businessman. And to be fair, Kato was brilliant at his end of things- Remz in the first several years was absolutely top-notch in most public-facing facets- their graphic and product design, ads, and especially website were always great. Andy was smart to be more hands-off with Remz than his other brands. Several years later, when the one-piece Remz soul came out, someone from Sunshine told me that it had been an almost entirely Sunshine-developed update (meaning mostly likely Geoff, Andy and Mac) as Kato had been kinda checked-out of the brand for a while at that point. If I remember right this is around when the OS models came out, which also seemed like more of a Sunshine move to me than something Kato would do. Anyways, yea. Remz as it is now and has been for the last decade or so is so frustrating.

[@wheelsceneblading]

Both Elliot and Petty have referred to the respective brands as “theirs” in the past. I also remember an interview with James Short talking about his GC tattoo because he believed in Jon Elliot, again promoting the idea it was Jon’s company. I did figure they were always just the face of the brands but that’s not the image either skater projected. As for Remz, it seems like Kato never really owned the brand because the financing always came from another source - first the European sports company and then Sunshine. But, again, people have always referred to it as being a skater owned brand. As an industry, we have a habit of presenting a false narrative and intentionally misleading consumers. It’s been fascinating to witness over the decades. The only one that was transparent was Valo, with Julio being honest from the start that Roces approached him…but many still accused him of lying about it, even though there’s a Daily Bread interview where he’s pretty clear about the whole thing.

[@aldolega]

@@wheelsceneblading Next thing I know you'll be telling me Shima has left USD! 😄 AFAIK Kato/Remedyz was independent from the point he came to the US up to the Sunshine deal. He had worked out a deal with the manufacturer to buy direct from them without OUT's involvement, but just didn't have the capital to pay to make mold changes or order large runs of skates. The '99 skate (black with red piping) went to the cheaper synthetic skin and skipped the original heelcup and frame from the manufacturer to instead use UHMW soul/adapter plates made in the US and Fifty50 frames (assembled at "The IND" in San Diego- another potential source for the "handmade" rumors). Then the next skate (light grey plastic with black skin) used the original OUT frame and simpler UHMW baseplates/wings to lower costs and allow him to sell through some shops.

[@wheelsceneblading]

@@aldolega then technically he was never independent because no skates were released after his deal with OUT until Sunshine got involved, from what I understand.

[@aldolega]

@@wheelsceneblading He got the two models I mentioned from the manufacturer.

[@masoncolby813]

Back in 1999 my friend had Remedy's and he loved them. I never tried them out. I got back into skating in 2021, saw the HR 2.5 and got really excited but they felt awful and that didn't improve the more I skated them. So I tinkered with old Razor Dunkles and Dre Powell's trying to find anything that felt good. I hear people talking about how Remz has suffered improvements with the HR skate. Unfortunately I never got to try those old models. I bought FACTION and I think FACTION and THEM are setting the standard. It would be great to have another skate on the market especially REMZ but personally I don't really care. Thanks for this explanation about what went on.

[@lollerskater]

For grinding at least, I think everyone should try remz or a similarly flexy skate at some point! There are still some tricks I busted out with those that I can't repeat on my current setup!

[@wheelsceneblading]

I know what you mean. I skated the first Haffey pro skate and had that experience. I also had a similar feeling with the Roces Fifth Element. The cuff was so flexy that topsides and cess slides just felt so much easier, but I just couldn't look past the lack of support.

[@KeyFur_NYC]

I still skate my remz and would love to see them stick around but all good things come to an end eventually

[@Adammshanderson]

Phil Moss was also promoting the latest boot with Rob and is also still sponsored by Remz. Haffey was seen on razors prior to the release of the latest Remz and has since gone back to Remz (2 pairs as seen on his insta story recently). Both the HR 2.5 black and the white skates are fantastic. I’ve had zero issues with the HR 2.5s, period. This being said, Remz does need a marketing overhaul, but overall still produce great skates. It would be great to see a re release of something like the nils 1.5 the Haffey LE 2s, or any of the 08 boots, all great skates. Remz just needs the right people behind the brand now to bring it back. Am still a Remz fan through and through.

[@wheelsceneblading]

He has gone back to Remz, as mentioned in the video, but he’s also asked Rob Kellett about Blank skates and said he’s considering them.

[@Adammshanderson]

Fair call, just saw that, I retract that part of the comment. Much like Drummonds video on the latest Remz though, can’t help but notice that there was no mention of Phil Moss, who still rides for Remz, and was also in the latest boot edit.

[@wheelsceneblading]

@@Adammshanderson quite a few Remz riders weren't mentioned. No-one was intentionally left out, but naming everyone just isn't practical. I tried to stick to the most well-known ones on the international scene.

[@Adammshanderson]

I hear you, but when you say Haffey is the only person skating for Remz at the moment, that’s not an accurate statement.

[@wheelsceneblading]

@@Adammshanderson I’m pretty sure Phil is shop flow. I was referring to the pro team.

[@nitemirror1]

“what the hell are you going to steal from Michael’s?” 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@just_vince802]

Great content . 👍

[@thecount5559]

Thank you for this! Good stuff!

[@thecount5559]

I think Remz needs to be saved, but with brands like adapt serving the same niche it’s hard to argue that point.

[@Martin_Krutina]

Thank you for such a good video :)

[@chilli-iceolive-abode2447]

As a big fan of Remz this was a really interesting watch. I still have my 04 Haffey Ones from when I was a kid on the shelf and I copped the latest HR2.5W as well. I hope they don't just keep fading away, it's good to have different options on the market. If they could modify the toebox a little bit (I know it's never gonna happen) they'd be great for more people and a better option for downsizing because of their width. Long live Remz! 😭

[@DeltaCressida]

I'd kill for the remz 09 one Like the skates Dominik Wagner rode in his Traitment section

[@rodrigomoraes2305]

Amazing, I had two Haffey White LE skates in my life, those are the best at the time

[@TheWizardOfGore89]

I've wanted some remedies since they came out. Still skate razors parts are available and its familiar lol.

[@jasoncalva]

I'm watching this for the second time after going down the "what the hell is Remz up to" hole. If you could reach out to Kato for an interview, that would be awesome.

[@wheelsceneblading]

I’ve asked, several times.

[@sevelaja]

10/10 content

[@CityBlades]

You forgot the black & tan pre-UFS ones. I had those, they were great. Also I respect your decision to not mention that the quality is absolute shit these days but… it is, lol

[@wheelsceneblading]

I didn’t name all the skates, that would have taken far too long.

[@Mimsyborogove923]

These skates were so damn cool when they first came out. They looked ridiculous on my skinny ass white boy legs but I had to have them. Still have the same pair I bought in 2003.

[@AceMaverick]

I love Remz. Can't wait to watch this when I get off work.

[@henhenhenhen06]

if they come out with a new pair in my size id buy them in a heartbeat. but im almost certain they're done for :(( love the videos btw

[@rocesboyanthony5343]

Not to mention Rob Kellette just went to rollerblade who was pretty much the last guy skating remz like he did

[@pinfarmer]

They are hard at work building the technology to fit a 4th additional liner into the skate.

[@LeSkateWA]

Great info. I hope they keep making skates because all the other good brands have disappeared. TRS & Valo were some of the best skates. Now we have basic plastic boots from Them Skates and Roces.. Nothing interesting. I went for Razors but theyre still basic as

[@ItsAllMoThug33]

I still love remz I've skated them for 10 years just switched to usd carbon free.

[@wheelsceneblading]

I sometimes wonder if they could make a comeback with a couple of retro colourway releases and a rebrand, but there just doesn’t seem to be any motivation on the part of Sunshine to do that.

[@chrishartleyjr.5523]

Bring the OS back!!!

[@Djimons]

Evert Lubja is from Lathustonia :)

[@digitalboyx4012]

Sunshine Distribution probably doesn't have a real reason to release new models. Might not sell enough to justify the cost in producing a new model every year.

[@SifuPuma]

Sad to hear. Fuck Sunshine ig edit: i would probably still buy a pair if they werent sold out in my size.

[@YukuleleWarriah]

Do you Forget Carlos Pianoski ?

[@wheelsceneblading]

I did not. Can’t name everyone. Plus, he was more famous for being on USD

[@zekwilt]

@@wheelsceneblading I disagree. I'd definitely say Carlos is more famous as a remedyz rider vs his usd days. Not important tho

[@uanbaggins]

2024 Remz is totally gone, RIP Remz

[@wheelsceneblading]

@@uanbaggins it would appear that way. No team. No new products.

[@uanbaggins]

@@wheelsceneblading it's a shame, their skates were so good

[@hughwottt]

Is Remz dead for real now? The domain for their site has expired 😥

[@wheelsceneblading]

I have no idea but they have only released one skate in the last four or five years

[@hughwottt]

@@wheelsceneblading Yeah, it's a shame. I think Kato might have left a long time ago and Sunshine is running it now and just letting it die.

[@wheelsceneblading]

@@hughwottt Kato hasn’t been responding to anyone for years

[@snoopyshultz]

sunshine always owned reign and ground control

[@unholybiblemachine]

in 2000 remz and razor team pretty much ruled the roast it was always one or the other winning comps. personal i was never a remz fan but would be a shame if they went

[@GyomLatrompette]

EPIC

[@lustforlow-end6022]

If I was even 10% as good as some of these guys I’d be happy!

[@rampageriseden]

the fakie 7 kg is the best trick ive ever seen

[@LORDS.And.Hammers]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@FVDaudio]

Sadly. I like, very. The remz style/design.

[@mayomayo5648]

Rob Kellet moved on as well. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYDJaneHbqiInZI

[@wheelsceneblading]

that's mentioned in the video.

[@ryuzakilua]

i hope Powerslide brand get remedyz, so they can still production this brand under Powerslide Flag hahaha

[@wheelsceneblading]

I don’t see that happening

[@ryuzakilua]

@@wheelsceneblading unfortunately yes, this not gona be happen for now 😂

[@pouringblue7]

Most of thr newer remz are just sloppy or have way too much leather inside the toe area of the shell. The older models fit more true to size, butt sizing was still off. The 6-7 shell feels like a 4.5-5 shell now. It's just quickly going downhill. Maybe just do the OS models only or remove a lot more fabric from inside the toe box. The slop is real. As much as I hate to see another brand bite the dust, it may be time for remz to say goodbye.

[@D-5000m]

Hi, thanks for the video, any chance to review the new generation of bucket? "them skates" has them, usd too, this failure bucket new generation is super breakable, you just fail you trick and good bye the bucket...

[@wheelsceneblading]

I've already mentioned this in the USD Sway video I made.

[@henrikasgirdzijauskas8333]

Evert Lubja is definitely not from Lithuania

[@almostremembered]

Wheres he from? Sounds like a Slovenian/Croatian/Serbian Baltic area name?

[@wheelsceneblading]

I know he’s from Estonia. One of those moments when you talk into the camera and your mouth says something different to what’s in your mind. I had to re record the skate model part because I accidentally called one of the skates 2.1 instead of 2.5

[@joelyfpv7075]

God I miss skating lol

[@jeffman691]

''USD Skates would later take inspiration'' lol

[@wheelsceneblading]

I was trying to be polite.

[@pabloandreszaparanrojas7975]

A very innovative skate at the beginning, evolved into a very complicated skate. Never liked too much.

[@wheelsceneblading]

It was a bit bulky for me, but I liked the aesthetic of the Nils Jansons pro skate and the early Chris Haffey pro skates. Also, the original colourway and design was really visually attractive.

[@zenjirusina]

Farewell remz not a huge loss for me personaly sad for the perplex who eenjoyed them though

[@ItachiUchiha-lr3yr]

Remz skates got uglier instead of better looking, they kept the ugly parts like the ugly inside toe from 1999 & got rid of the good looking shell from the Haffey 2.0 if they kept the haffey 2.0 shell and fixed the inside toe then they would still be going strong. Also they only made a few thousand pairs then sold out, but didn't remake them .....just sold out? WTF?

[@lustforlow-end6022]

I had the out poppys. My god they were horrible!

[@andrewwinkelmeyer6503]

I’d like a Remz comeback but I think the current skates they have been releasing has ruined the name for a-lot of people. The HRs are bad skates.

[@rampageriseden]

I have many sets of remz nothing grinds like them, got a pair of os3s recently and they are str8 cheater skates

[@MK-xw1rp]

Kato never wanted to lisean to skaters

[@AceMaverick]

So.. two years later. They dead dead now eh? :'(

[@wheelsceneblading]

@@AceMaverick yup

[@AceMaverick]

@wheelsceneblading sucks so bad bro. So bad. I can't skate anything else lol. Good thing I've been hoarding em.

[@strider213]

This was a terrific video. I can't get over how well researched and edited it was, almost like a mini Remz documentary. Thanks for your hard work in making great content. The level of riders that Remz had was insane.

[@embe2085]

Agreed! 😎👍