After 25 years, Mike Carroll and Rick Howards are saying goodbye to Lakai Footwear. The brand was at one point one of the most successful skateboarding shoe brands leaving an everlasting impact on the skateboarding community. Anything that Crailtap(umbrella company to Lakai) did in the late 1990’s and 2000’s turned to gold. The brand was known for always having one of the best professional teams in the industry. Their full length video ‘Fully Flared’ had to be one of the most legendary skateboarding videos of all time with memorable parts, skits and some of the best production work all thanks to Spike Jonze and Ty Evans.

Unfortunately as more corporate brands entered the skateboarding space including companies like Nike and Adidas, it made it harder for legacy skateboarding shoe brands to compete. Mike Carroll shared his feelings on Instagram by stating “All I’ll say is that on October 29th, Rick and I were let go from Lakai by the new owner because we refused to cut the team,” he wrote. “I feel like we failed the team and everyone who loved and worked for Lakai. For that, I’m sorry to everyone I love. I appreciate all of you and thank all who supported Lakai and everyone we crossed paths with over the last 25 years.”

To run a successful business for 25 years is no easy road and we want to thank Mike and Rick for bringing joy to the skateboarding community. Celebrate Lakai Footwear’s time in the industry by watching ‘Fully Flared’ below: