Although it’s an irrefutable honor, being named to Wired’s Gear of the Year List is nothing new for Vollebak. Since its inception, the apparel company has burst onto the scene with innovative designs that blur the line between the future and the present. The brand’s ability to procure unique materials and assimilate them into its progressive designs makes the company’s style irreplaceable in the eyes of many. Though just over 4 years old, the venture started by twin brothers Nick and Steve Tidball has proven that it’s here to stay.
Born from an Adventurous Spirit
Before founding the company in 2016, the Tidballs had dedicated their lives to the rigorous training undertaken by extreme athletes. Whether the brothers were racing through the deserts of Namibia, climbing the Swiss Alps, or running an ultra-marathon through the hazard-laden Amazon jungle, the pair were always pushing themselves to the limits. Testing the boundaries of what the human body can handle nearly cost one of the twins his life when he almost drowned in Tarfia, Spain after being swept up by an undertow during his relentless training regimen. Even with that scare, the Vollebak founders’ spirit for adventure never wavered.
From pants to hoodies to jackets, each item in the Vollebak 100 Year Collection is built to last longer than a lifetime.
Each and every experience served as an inspiration for Vollebak’s design philosophy of making products that can withstand the most hazardous conditions imaginable. Having put themselves to that same test, the premise of designing apparel that meets that same standard was a walk in the park. Perhaps no range of Vollebak products embodies the company’s mission to make the future of adventure gear than its 100 Year Collection. From pants to hoodies to jackets, each item in the Vollebak 100 Year Collection is built to last longer than a lifetime. The testing each piece is subjected to is unlike anything it will likely face. However, the quality assurance that comes from a jacket subjected to over 100,000 revolutions during a Martindale Test, pants that are literally fireproof, and hoodies that are made from the same material used to construct body armor makes every item in the 100 Year Collection a testament to Vollebak’s commitment to making apparel that can rise to the occasion regardless of the challenge it’s put up against.
Constantly Improving, Never Settling for Anything but the Best
The proof is in the pudding. Time and time again, Vollebak’s latest releases sell out before customers can even get their hands on them. Fortunately, Vollebak does a great job of staying in touch with its fans by keeping them in the loop about upcoming releases. Vollebak even goes out of its way to accommodate pre-orders and maintain waitlists so fans can reserve a long-awaited product before it’s finally launched. When it comes time to restock any of its items, Vollebak does more than simply re-release any of its sought after items. The company goes back to square one in most cases, returning to a research and development phase that uses feedback from its loyal customers to improve the next generation of each item.
Time and time again, Vollebak’s latest releases sell out before customers can even get their hands on them.
For instance, when the 100 Year Hoodie was first released in 2017, it sold out in under 2 weeks. The second time around, the hoodie was released with enhanced features including a full-length zipper and 4 front pockets that weren’t included in the original incarnation. While the features were different, the results were the same. The second generation flew of the shelves just as quickly as the first did. Now, the third generation of the hoodie is set for release early in 2020 with a version that is made to be completely weatherproof on top of its fire and abrasion-resistant foundation. Regardless of its success, Vollebak is constantly committed to making improvements. The same mentality that the Tidball twins brought to training to constantly propel their performance has paid dividends in their approach to crafting their apparel.
Innovations that Make for One-of-a-Kind Releases
Summing up Vollebak’s aesthetic appeal is easier said than done. There’s no doubt that everything about its designs is futuristic, but that facet of the apparel is more about substance than mere style. From aramid fibers with a 5:1 strength-to-weight-ratio to the material taken from its anti-ballistic vehicle armor to construct its Indestructible Puffer Jacket, Volleback’s eye for materials at the cutting edge makes each piece it releases take buyers one step further into the future.
When most companies are focused on incorporating recycled material into their releases, Vollebak goes a step further with a t-shirt that is entirely biodegradable.
Vollebak’s eye for unique materials isn’t solely about achieving durability either. The Vollebak Plant and Algae T Shirt shows the diversity of the company’s vision to use innovative materials. When most companies are focused on incorporating recycled material into their releases, Vollebak goes a step further with a t-shirt that is entirely biodegradable. 70% of the fabric is comprised of pulped eucalyptus and beech lyocell while the remaining 30% is made from plant-sourced linen. Furthermore, the graphics are printed using 100% algae ink. The end result is a t-shirt that is made from fabric produced from sustainable plantations certified by the FSC and PEFC that biodegrades in 12 weeks once it’s disposed of.
The Vollebak Deep Sleep Cocoon Jacket is another perfect summation of Vollebak’s innovative and future-minded approach. Not only does this jacket harness advanced materials, but the pragmatism of its design also showcases how well Vollebak makes its imaginative inspirations a reality. Inspired by space travel, the neck and hood of this jacket fold up, completely covering your face while blocking out light. Chances are that you won’t be taking this jacket into orbit, but those features make it ideal for camping or traveling in inhospitable conditions. The jacket makes it possible to get some much-needed rest even when your circumstances aren’t exactly conducive to getting some shut eye.. Part jacket, part self-contained mico-habitat, this jacket sets its sights on the stars while still being perfectly suited for terrestrial use. The isolation tank-like jacket encompasses plenty of practical features including magnets that allow its hood to be fastened while leaving enough space to fit noise-canceling headphones. Finding a happy medium between ambition and practicality is something each piece of Vollebak apparel does.
Limitless Potential Ahead
For many apparel makers, the challenges facing their industry are daunting. For Volleback, they’re simply exciting challenges that must be overcome en route to releasing boundary-pushing items that are every bit as comfortable as they are fashionable.. The future releases section of the Vollebak website may be the most frequently visited as the company has cultivated an outlook focused on the future, with upcoming releases met with eager anticipation.
Whether you’ve picked up the Vollebak’s most recent release, its Carbon Fiber T Shirt, or reveling in the glory of its award-winning Black Squid Jacket, every item shows it was made to chart the course ahead. With increasing access to advanced materials and a customer base seeking out innovative, versatile, and ethically crafted apparel, Vollebak is poised for exponential growth in the years ahead.