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A Closer Look at the 'Weigh Lighter' Series From Scandinavian Bag Brand Db, Featuring Next-Generation Composite Materials
Ever heard of the Scandinavian bag brand, Db? The brand offers items perfect for snow sports, travel, and even daily use. It's a truly one-of-a-kind brand, with every item blending unique design and high quality.
Today, we're chatting with Ikutaka Yamauchi from RCT Japan, who will give us the inside scoop on items from Db's latest series, "Weigh Lighter."
The Origin of Db: A Freestyle Skier and a Product Designer Cross Paths
First, let's get the basics on the Db brand. We'll dive into its history."It all kicked off in 2011 when Swedish freestyle skier Jon Olsson and Norwegian product designer Truls met while surfing.
Jon, a pro skier who travels the globe, confided in Truls that he was struggling to find a bag he really liked. While they were waiting for the next wave, they had a 'let's just make our own' moment, and in 2012, Db was born.
The brand’s debut product was the 'Snow Roller,' a bag for storing skis. It was a game-changing item that could be rolled up compactly when not in use.
In its very first year, the brand exhibited at the 'ISPO' trade show in Germany and snagged an 'ISPO Award.' This achievement quickly boosted its fame, especially in Europe.
While the brand started with a focus on snow sports gear, its product line soon expanded. Categories like luggage were added to meet the growing demand for travel gear.
One of Db's standout features is its 'Hook-Up System.' This is a clever mechanism that lets you connect different Db bags together. For example, you can attach the 'Snow Roller' I mentioned to your luggage, allowing you to carry everything to various places without straining your shoulders.
This way, the Hook-Up System lets you mix and match various bags to perfectly suit your needs."
"It's been over a decade since we launched the 'Snow Roller,' and at Db, we're constantly evolving it with minor upgrades.
Also, as we expanded globally, we realized the initials 'D' and 'b' were common among company names worldwide. To set ourselves apart, we adopted 'D_b_' with underscores as our trademark.
The brand may have started with bags for snow activities, but we later expanded into bags for surfboards and skateboards, too. We collaborate with athletes, using their feedback to constantly refine our products and maintain the highest quality.
In our travel bag category, a designer who previously worked at 'Leica Camera' joined the team to spearhead the development of our travel luggage from the ground up. This resulted in products with a design aesthetic unlike any other.
What's more, incorporating the Hook-Up System across these different categories means that any Db bag can connect to another—a defining feature of the brand."
The New "Weigh Lighter" Category
Now, let's get to the main event. We're eager to hear about Db's newest and most exciting category, "Weigh Lighter." This line is all about its unique material. Let's dive into the details of its standout fabric, "ALUULA Graflyte.""The bags in our Weigh Lighter category use a fabric called ALUULA Graflyte, developed by the textile brand 'ALUULA Composites' in British Columbia, Canada.
The biggest advantages of this material are its light weight, complete waterproofing, and incredible tear resistance. It's also highly durable and remains flexible even in freezing temperatures. On top of that, it offers UV protection, and its high degree of recyclability is another major plus.
The material itself is a composite fabric, crafted by blending a polyethylene base with a polymer matrix, all fused into a single sheet."
"The Weigh Lighter collection, made with the unique ALUULA Graflyte material, bridges the gap between fashion and high-performance mountain gear. Its defining feature is the blend of a sleek, sophisticated design with practical mountain-ready features.
You've probably heard of 'gorpcore'—the trend of incorporating outdoor wear into everyday fashion. Weigh Lighter fits this trend perfectly. The collection features four models, all in a signature white colorway with a unified, translucent fabric design."
"Helmet Bag"
Let's dive into the four bags that make up the Weigh Lighter collection."First up is the 'Helmet Bag'. It features two large front pockets, a spacious main compartment, and a dedicated laptop sleeve.
You can also detach the shoulder strap and stow it inside to carry it as a tote. Plus, using the hook-up system we mentioned earlier, you can easily attach it to other bags.
It works great as a large everyday bag, but when paired with a backpack, it transforms into a high-capacity setup for mountaineering."
"Sling"
"The 'Sling' is Weigh Lighter's top-selling item, designed for short trips. It's compact but features a compressible main compartment divided into three sections, making it easy to keep your gear organized.It's perfect for daily use, but it's also incredibly handy as a mountaineering bag since it can hold things like ski climbing skins or small pieces of climbing gear."
"Backpack"
"The alpine-style 'Backpack' is built for the mountains, with a multifunctional design that lets you attach ropes and ice axes.The main body weighs just 470g, and you can shed even more weight by removing components. For instance, the detachable back pad doubles as a seat cushion for rocky rest stops. With a 25L capacity, it's the perfect size for day hikes or a summit push."
"Split Duffel"
"The 'Split Duffel' offers a massive 70L capacity at a mere 1,300g. While it was originally built for hauling gear in the mountains, its stylish design makes it equally at home in the city.Its key feature is the main compartment, which is split down the middle into two separate sections. This high capacity makes it an excellent choice for a travel duffel bag."
The Weigh Lighter collection was first launched with a limited release last fall/winter, and the full general release kicked off this year. We hear new colors are already planned for the upcoming spring/summer season.
Snow sports, travel, and now, Weigh Lighter. At first glance, each collection has its own distinct design. But the hook-up system creates a sense of connection, allowing them to link together and expand the unique world of Db, blurring the lines between categories.
This fall and winter, be sure to check out Db's gear—perfect for seamless use from the city to the mountains, ready to fit right into your lifestyle.
PROFILE
Fumitaka Yamauchi
RCT Japan Inc.
Lifestyle Division, Brand Manager
Born in Tokyo. After graduating from university, he worked as a bike messenger before joining an outdoor brand. He moved to Hokkaido for seven years to hone his skiing skills before returning to his hometown of Tokyo. He now serves as the Brand Manager for Db at RCT Japan Inc.
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