Fall - InsideOutdoor Magazine

Klymit Pumps the Gas
Top Sources of Shrink
It’s probably not surprising that someone decided
Employee theft of merchandise to investigate storesthe possibilities of using noble gases
the chambers when needed via small gas canisters
(dubbed “hotshots” by the company) that are sold
along with the garment. Each canister can refill a
as an alternate form of insulation within outdoor garment about seven to 10 times, Information says Klymit, Sources: and the Outdoor versu
Customers stealing merchandise
garments and gear. After all, noble gases (in this company plans to sell replacement Fitness canisters Consumers through
Employee theft of cash
(voids, case post-voids, argon, etc) xenon and krypton) can be as much as its retail partners. Prices have yet to be finalized, but
five times Paper shrink more efficient in terms of heat transfer, Klymit expects a replacement set of canisters 57% to cost
60
(missed markdowns, according incorrect to PO) researchers at Klymit, which introduced consumers about $20.
50%
Fitness
its Fraudelent gas insulation returns technology to the outdoor market at Since a very little amount of gas 50is required to keep
Outdoor
Organized the recent crime OR ringsSummer Market.
a user warm – a garment at full 40capacity would be
33%
What’s more, argon, xenon and krypton are under less than 1 pound of pressure per square inch,
Register under-rings (sweethearting)
actually lighter than the air we breathe, providing says Nick Sorensen, director of business 30
25% 2
development
Employee theft of
sufficient levels of insulation in incredibly slim for Klymit – garments will be highly compressible. 16%
merchandise in distribution
20
And
13%
Lost
profiles.
or stolen shipments
The possibilities, says Klymit, include sleek if the gas is fully removed, a cold-weather garment
dress style pants that can double on the ski slopes can be squished down to a very small
10
size in order to
Fraudulent credit or card windbreakers transactions that can handle temperatures at high minimize packing space. 0
Web sites TV shows Product
Saleable merchandise elevations. used as supplies Meanwhile, a Klymit glove could be heat There’s also a green element to the story. The noble review sites
welded to allow for seamless finger tips along with gases used by Klymit, after all, are naturally present
Fraudulent check transactions
minimal volume, thereby increasing hand dexterity. in the atmosphere and are extracted Source: by Hanson the Dodge company Creative
With the Klymit 0% 10% system, 20% wearers 30% 40% control 50% 60% the 70% directly 80% from the air we breathe, so the processes
regulation of temperature though an integrated required to produce synthetic fill is eliminated.
Source: RSR Research
dial that controls the amount of gas held within Likewise, “you will never see our insulation in a
the chamber system that’s built into the product.
The dial also acts as a valve by which users refill
landfill,” says Sorensen.
As for the downsides, gas cannot be contained
within fabric for extended periods of time, so a winter
jacket sitting in the closet for the entire off season
Comparison of Heat Transfer, Gas vs. Fiber Insulation
will lose its “loft,” so to speak. Along those lines, a
jacket that requires gas canisters, valves and dials
to function, as well as the possible purchase of refill
6
Fiber Insulations
canisters down the road, may be a bit cumbersome
Ar
on the sales floor and inevitably Percent will lead Playing to some Games While Campi
5
Kr Klymit gases skepticism from consumers.
4
3
Xe
*
On the other hand, Klymit envisions the earliest
Card games
adopters being high-end, ski resort visitors who love
Pen and paper puzzles
to have the latest technology and gadgetry.
40%
Of course, Klymit is at the very earliest Dice games stages with 25%
its gas insulation technology, primarily Checkers/chess focused, up to 18%
2
*
this point, on prototyping and getting the Scrabble attention of
16%
vendors’ research and development teams. So enduse
products likely won’t be hitting retail sales floors
1
Monopoly 14%
*
* Backgammon
The thicker the insulation, the less heat is lost
*
8%
any time soon.
0
That said, it’s worth keeping an eye 0% on this 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
2.5 4.5 6.5 8.5 10.5 12.5 14.5 emerging technology, if for no other reason than the
Thickness (mm)
dominate resources required Source: in this KOA case are cheap
Source: Klymit
and plentiful.
Heat Transfer (W)
On-Spec and
In-Stock
Outdoor Component Swatches and Shorts
40 | InsideOutdoor | Fall 2008