Fletch Newland, a rep for Oomph! triathlon clothing, sent me their catalog and price list.
Initially, I thought, "Great, another triathlon clothing line......." It is tought for a compnay to really differentiate themselves in the very crowded and very small triathlon apparel market niche. With major players like DeSoto that already have proven products and outstanding customer service it is tough for a new player to even enter the market. If they even have aprayer of gaining a toe hold, there has to be something valid and tangible about it.
There is a lot valid and tangible about Oomph! triathlon clothing:
In short, the stuff has some unique and significant design features I haven't found in other clothing lines. Also, as I go through this stuff, it is all labelled "Made inthe U.S.A."
The designer has significant experience and formal training in apparel design: It shows. Color stories are nice- stuff I think people will actually wear and buy.
The fabric seems like stretch microfiber: A veery fine, dense weave, like very high thread count sheets but, of course, technical in nature and very stretchy.
Sizes are realstic. I actually got on a Men's Ali'i Tri Top in a "Small", and that is unusual. I don't think peope like bike clothing lines that run too small. this stuff seems to be eithe spot-on or, better yet, a trifle generous but still nicely tailored. You don't have to be a top pro to look good in it.
These guys are cottage industry all the way: The company is small, the stuff is hand made for the most part, all of it here in the U.S.
We bought some on the strength of the amples and the design ideas. Delivery is sometime in very early Spring time. For you guys who own or run a tri shop, give Feltch Newland a call: (206) 963-5092. He is the rep. I think you will be pleased to carry the stuff and I think your customers will like it.
www.oomphsports.com
Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com
Initially, I thought, "Great, another triathlon clothing line......." It is tought for a compnay to really differentiate themselves in the very crowded and very small triathlon apparel market niche. With major players like DeSoto that already have proven products and outstanding customer service it is tough for a new player to even enter the market. If they even have aprayer of gaining a toe hold, there has to be something valid and tangible about it.
There is a lot valid and tangible about Oomph! triathlon clothing:
- A multi-layer, quick dry stretch pad in a tri short. Is any other manufacturer doing a stretch pad in a tri short? As far as I am concerned there are two kinds of shorts: The kind with a stretch pad and the old kind. Until you have tried a stretch pad in bike shorts you can't understand the advantage (provided the shorts fit you correctly).
- Oomph! makes a unique, ultra distance short that has a super cool race number belt built into the short. you don't have to wear anything around your waist, or remember to put anything on during the event. It is hard to explain how it works, but it is simple, foolproof and elegant. This short also has pockets for Gu flasks, which I realize is somthing new (DeSoto also has an excellent long distance short with this feature) but I have never seen a racing tri short with a number belt built in it! And it actually seems to work! (I haven't raced in it obviously- I just got the stuff today.)
- They make a piece designed by ultra-distance guru Gordo Byrne, the "Gordo Brief". Basically, it is a modestly cut swim brief with a covered pocket in the back for good hydrodynamics that can be worn under a pair of padded tri shorts in a long race providing additional padding and friction reduction. Then, when you get to T2 on a hot day in a long race, you just peel the tri/bike shorts off from the bike ride and go Euro on the run in the Gordo Brief. It is cool. As a former "Speedo Racer" I love this design.
- They make a full zip tri top with pockets and a tailored fit. Why full zip? Ever try to pull a tri to over your head when you are soaking wet?
- The women's stuff is nice too, and I gave a few pieces to Sarah to try out. She'll use it for the first time in the real world in Curacao. I'll shoot some photos.
In short, the stuff has some unique and significant design features I haven't found in other clothing lines. Also, as I go through this stuff, it is all labelled "Made inthe U.S.A."
The designer has significant experience and formal training in apparel design: It shows. Color stories are nice- stuff I think people will actually wear and buy.
The fabric seems like stretch microfiber: A veery fine, dense weave, like very high thread count sheets but, of course, technical in nature and very stretchy.
Sizes are realstic. I actually got on a Men's Ali'i Tri Top in a "Small", and that is unusual. I don't think peope like bike clothing lines that run too small. this stuff seems to be eithe spot-on or, better yet, a trifle generous but still nicely tailored. You don't have to be a top pro to look good in it.
These guys are cottage industry all the way: The company is small, the stuff is hand made for the most part, all of it here in the U.S.
We bought some on the strength of the amples and the design ideas. Delivery is sometime in very early Spring time. For you guys who own or run a tri shop, give Feltch Newland a call: (206) 963-5092. He is the rep. I think you will be pleased to carry the stuff and I think your customers will like it.
www.oomphsports.com
Tom Demerly
The Tri Shop.com
