
In pursuit of the ideal slimness, I began to question the "common sense" of umbrellas.
Is your umbrella getting in the way in your bag?
In my 30+ years as an umbrella maker, I've seen countless umbrellas. One thing that has always bothered me is the "difficulty of folding umbrellas" when they fit in your bag. An umbrella, meant to be carried in case of a sudden rain shower, ends up compressing other items in your bag and making it bulge out. It's common knowledge that "5-section" umbrellas, which are marketed as being particularly compact, end up as thick as a rugby ball when folded, even though they may be short in length. "Can't we make an umbrella that's smarter and blends into everyday life?" This desire was the starting point for the development of the ALTERNA SLIM50.
Challenging the limit of "5-stage = thick"
To achieve this slimness, we first set out to make the fabric as thin as possible. We chose a ripstop fabric woven with ultra-fine 15 denier thread, the same kind used in stockings. By using this, we succeeded in dramatically reducing the thickness when rolled up. However, the real challenge lay in the "frame structure." With conventional umbrellas, overlapping parts interfere with each other, causing the umbrella to inevitably spread outward. We shifted the positioning of the parts by millimeters, and came up with a unique frame structure that fits together like a puzzle. This trial and error is the true essence of my obsession, which has earned me the nickname "maniac."
At just 136g, it's as light as a smartphone and yet strong.
Not only is it slim, but it also needs to be lightweight enough to carry every day. By combining aluminum with flexible glass fiber, we've achieved an astonishing lightness of just 136g, roughly the same weight as a typical smartphone. But it's not just light. Thanks to its unique shaft structure, it's also tough enough to withstand winds of up to 15m/s. It fits easily into the gaps in your bag and is a reliable companion in times of need. All the specs needed for the ultimate accessory are packed into this one watch.
Gentle technology that takes into consideration even what happens after it gets wet
The comfort of using the umbrella continues even after it's closed. We applied an "Easy-Dry" treatment, which infuses nano-level particles into the fabric. With a single shake, water droplets roll off, minimizing the stress of wetting your bag. We also adopted a 25mm wide band to reduce the hassle of folding. Furthermore, in consideration of both user and environmental friendliness, we use safe OEKO-TEX®-certified fabrics and select water-repellent agents that do not contain PFOA, which is harmful to the human body. We believe that meticulous attention to detail leads to trust from our users.
Make your daily life smarter and more free
The ALTERNA SLIM50 is more than just rain gear. It's a tool that will eliminate your worries on rainy days, organize your bag, and make your life easier. For those who have given up on folding umbrellas because they're bulky, we want you to experience this revolutionary slimness. As a developer, we'd be thrilled if this umbrella, packed with 30 years of experience, can help make your daily life smarter.