Product Development Story | Water-Absorbent Umbrella Case

Pride in perfect water repellency and the requests I kept ignoring

"Please make an official Amvel umbrella case." Over the years, I have received this request from a surprising number of customers. Yet, I stubbornly kept ignoring it. The reason was clear: while I am an umbrella expert, I am a layman when it comes to sewing bags and pouches. More importantly, as a maker, I held a strong conviction that "if the umbrella's own water repellency is perfect, a case is unnecessary in the first place."

However, a situation arrived that forced me to fundamentally change that way of thinking: the wave of global PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) regulations.

A turning point in environmental regulations and the reality we faced

The powerful "C8 water repellent" that had supported the water repellency of our umbrellas until now has disappeared due to environmental impact concerns. We are currently transitioning to PFOA-free "C6" and even "C0" finishes that use no fluorine at all. Let me be honest: it is extremely difficult for environmentally friendly water repellents to maintain the same durability as the conventional C8. "The era of relying solely on the umbrella is over." I felt this keenly, and instead of just pursuing my ideals, I began to explore "comfort" that is suited to the current era.

Venturing outside my expertise and making choices for a technical design

In developing this, I aimed for the "minimalist functional beauty" characteristic of Amvel. As an umbrella professional, I did not want to create a thick, bulky case that takes up space in a bag. I selected fabric that is as thin as possible while maintaining high water resistance, and I intentionally avoided overly complex waterproof specifications.

For example, we did not apply complete waterproofing (such as seam taping) to the stitching. Rather than pursuing that, we accepted a slight leakage from the needle holes in exchange for prioritizing the "thinness that makes you want to carry it every day" and a "price that is easy to reach." Instead, we were uncompromising on practicality, incorporating features like a double zipper for quick storage of a wet umbrella and a D-ring and carabiner for hanging it on the outside of a bag.

Making rainy days lighter and smarter in daily life

This case is the optimal solution I have arrived at as of now, after struggling between ideals and reality. No more worrying about documents in your bag getting wet, and you can act smartly on trains or in shops. As an umbrella specialist, I wanted to deliver that kind of everyday comfort to you.

"The moment you fold your umbrella, you become free again." I hope this umbrella case makes your rainy days more comfortable.