New color gray added to the CORDURA ultra-lightweight, 100% light-blocking umbrella.
We wanted to change the common perception that umbrellas are consumable items. With this in mind, we created an all-weather folding umbrella using CORDURA® fabric.
Folding umbrellas, rubbing against other items at the bottom of a bag, are subjected to more stress than one might imagine. Therefore, we adopted CORDURA® fabric, a highly durable nylon trusted in military and outdoor gear. In addition to its overwhelming toughness, clearing 20,000 abrasion tests, our unique bonding technology, which laminates a light-blocking film to the reverse side, has resulted in a strong fabric that is thin and lightweight yet resists losing its shape.
Furthermore, carbon fiber, which combines lightness and elasticity, was selected for the frame. This achieved both a lightness that makes you forget you're carrying it and a structure that can withstand strong winds of 15m/s.
Changing Times, Evolving Colors
Actually, when we first planned this product, we didn't anticipate that Japanese summers would become as brutally hot as they are now, nor that the intensity of the sun would become such a serious issue. The underlying concept was to create an "all-purpose tool that can be used toughly in all environments, rain or shine."
Therefore, the initial color lineup started with four colors—black, navy, coyote, and olive—that blended well from commuting to outdoor activities. Later, considering the overall balance, we removed olive and continued with three colors. However, with environmental changes, we've noticed that customers' expectations for umbrellas have also gradually shifted.
The Birth of a New Color: Gray, Harmonizing with Sunlight
This time, "gray" has been added as a new option. This color was born from the many voices of people who wanted to use it daily as a parasol.
"I want to use it as a parasol in mid-summer, but black or navy feels a bit visually heavy." "Coyote is nice, but it might be a little too outdoorsy for urban commuting styles."
To meet these subtle requests, we developed a subtly toned gray that harmonizes gently with both urban landscapes and the harsh sunlight. While possessing the highest-level functions of 100% light blocking and heat shielding, its appearance is effortlessly light and refined.
Keep this new gray in your bag and enjoy more comfortable and free travel on sunny days and sudden rainy days alike.
