Product Development Story | pentagon72

Following the previous model "pentagon79" (now discontinued), released in 2016, we embarked on developing a next-generation model aiming for further weight reduction.

To enhance the portability of folding umbrellas, weight reduction in units of a few grams is essential. We focused on an approach that involved making the central pole (shaft) that supports the umbrella's center even thinner.

In 2018, when development began, making the shaft of a folding umbrella thinner was not a common design choice due to technical concerns that sufficient strength could not be maintained.

While this thin shaft design is now common for ultralight folding umbrellas in 2026, the biggest challenge at the time was how to compensate for the reduction in strength caused by a thinner shaft.

To solve this problem, we re-evaluated our material combinations. We adopted lightweight and flexible carbon fiber for the main parts of the frame and a 15-denier lightweight ripstop fabric for the canopy.

This established a structure where even a thin shaft could provide sufficient strength for daily use. It also passed a wind resistance test by a third-party organization at 0 degrees frontal and 15m/s wind speed, objectively proving its practical durability.

The "pentagon72," weighing approximately 72g, was our first product featured on the crowdfunding service "Makuake." This project received support totaling 4,060,800 yen from 1,100 backers, becoming a significant turning point product for Amvel.

Even in 2026, years after its announcement in 2018, the "pentagon72" remains a standard model, chosen by many customers and continuing to sell well. We will continue to manufacture products based on solid verification, providing items that comfortably support daily commutes.