The honest reason we chose to change the water-repellent labeling on our new silver parasols

Today, the project for our new parasol, the "KALCT HEATBLOCK Aluminum Silver," has finally launched on Makuake!

▼Click here for the Makuake project page

https://www.makuake.com/project/kalct_heatblock_aluminumsilver/

Thanks to you, we have already received a great response from those who have been using our "KALCT (Rain Umbrella)" for some time. Among the feedback, one question has come up more than any other.

"How does the performance of this new model differ from the original KALCT (Rain Umbrella)?"

In fact, for this new product, we have deliberately changed the "water-repellency" testing standard used for its description. As developers, our intention behind this goes beyond just the impact of the numbers; we want to communicate the characteristics of this umbrella accurately and sincerely.

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1. "Water-repellency" vs. "Water resistance"

First, let's compare the performance metrics, as this is the biggest difference.

Looking only at the numbers, it might seem that the new KALCT HEATBLOCK Aluminum Silver is overwhelmingly "more rain-resistant." However, the actual user experience is different.

※Water-repellency 100 points = equivalent to JIS Grade 5, Water-repellency Grade 4 = equivalent to 85 points on the AATCC 22 method

Why is the water resistance such an extraordinary "14,940mm"?

To maximize the "heat shielding effect" that blocks intense summer sunlight, the new KALCT HEATBLOCK Aluminum Silver features a PU coating containing fine aluminum particles.

This special coating layer acts as a film that blocks water, resulting in an extremely high "water resistance" rating. You could say it is a parasol equipped with the "ultimate shield" that will never let rain leak through.

In terms of how easily water droplets roll off—the "water-shedding" capability—it has different characteristics than the original KALCT (Rain Umbrella).

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2. The developer's intent behind changing the "measuring stick"

For the original KALCT (Rain Umbrella), we used the "AATCC 22 method," which provides detailed numerical scores for water-repellency. This is because we were strictly pursuing the highest level of water-shedding performance for a rain umbrella.

In contrast, for this new KALCT HEATBLOCK Aluminum Silver, we chose to use the "JIS standard (Grade)," which is commonly used in Japan.

Sincerity to avoid excessive expectations

Since this product does not primarily rely on a super water-repellent surface treatment, we felt that competing with detailed point scores posed a risk of leading customers to expect the same "super water-shedding" performance found in our original KALCT (Rain Umbrella).

We decided that using the widely recognized "Grade" system to show it has a reliable level of performance (Grade 4) was the most appropriate and honest way to communicate this.

Aligning with industry standards

Recently, more companies are using "Water-repellency Grade X" in their promotions. When comparing our parasols with those of other companies, using the same "measuring stick" (JIS standards) makes it easier for you to judge, which is why we adopted the standard notation rather than our own unique criteria this time.

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3. Which one is perfect for you?

By understanding what lies behind the specs, you can find the perfect one for your needs.

• "I want to give it a quick shake and put it straight in my bag after using it on a rainy day (focus on water-shedding)."

  → The 100-point water-repellent KALCT (Rain Umbrella) is best.
  
  

• "I want to block out the intense summer heat, but I also don't want to worry about leaks if I get caught in a sudden downpour on the way home (focus on waterproofness)."

  → The 14,940mm water-resistant KALCT HEATBLOCK Aluminum Silver will be your ultimate shield.
  
  

As both the sunlight and the rain grow more intense in the coming seasons, we hope that understanding the "intent" behind these specs will help you choose the perfect umbrella for your lifestyle.

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Project now live on Makuake!

For more details on the new "KALCT HEATBLOCK Aluminum Silver" and information on our special rewards, please visit the project page below.

【Makuake Project Page】

https://www.makuake.com/project/kalct_heatblock_aluminumsilver/