Product Development Story | ALTERNA SLIM60
The ultimate slim design for business travelers who don't want to carry extra luggage
The conflicting issues of choosing an umbrella that competes for space in your business bag
As an umbrella specialist for over 30 years, choosing rain gear for business trips has always been a source of worry for me. Large umbrellas that offer full protection all the way up to the shoulders are reassuring, but they are bulky when stored and take up space in your bag. On the other hand, prioritizing compactness means the shoulders of your suit get wet. I wanted to solve this previously difficult issue of "size and portability" and create an umbrella that can be used smartly even after the rain has stopped. This was the starting point for the development of the ALTERNA SLIM60 .
The idea was to rethink the placement of the dowels and shift the overlaps.
A typical umbrella with 60cm ribs is about 50mm thick when stored. How could I shave this off? I focused on the overlap of the "dowels" that form the joints of the ribs. In a normal structure, the dowels interfere with each other, causing the umbrella to bulge outward. So I designed a special structure that positions some of the ribs parallel to each other and deliberately offsets the overlap. After repeated adjustments down to the millimeter, I established a slim structure that has been registered as a utility model. This has allowed us to achieve a diameter of approximately 106cm yet a thickness of just 35mm, making it as slim as a system organizer.
Uncompromising specs hidden within a lightweight 162g
It's not just thin. The fabric is made using 15 denier thread, as thin as stockings, and woven at a high density of 407 threads per square inch. This allows for a lightweight design weighing approximately 162g, while also providing water resistance that exceeds general standards. Furthermore, the frame, made from a combination of aluminum and fiberglass, has passed wind resistance tests at 15m/s. The environmentally friendly, PFOA-free "Easy-Dry" water-repellent finish is also a commitment of mine to ensure that this tool can be used and cherished for a long time.
For adults who want to look smart even on rainy days
After the rain stops, you can easily store your large, wet umbrella in the gap in your bag. Experience the comfort of that moment for yourself. We believe this umbrella is not just rain gear, but a "gadget" that beautifully transforms the way you carry yourself. As a developer, there is no greater joy than if our technology can bring even a little more comfort to the daily lives of people who travel frequently on business or for other reasons.
