Phunkshun Wear I had randomly heard the name Phunkshun Wear for the past year or so and really wasn’t sure who they were or what it was they produced. It was on A-Basin’s opening day amongst the vendors setup at the base area that I saw their tent – Phunkshun Wear. Aaha! face protection. Phunkshun Wear produces facemasks: Pullovers, Balaclavas and Bandana Style Facemasks in Silverthorne, Colorado. I decided to set an appointment and check them out. At a non-descript location on Brian Avenue in Silverthorne is Phunkeshun Wear’s growing sales and manufacturing office. Lanny Goldwasser met me upon arrival and took me on a great tour. I’ll start by saying that I expected little and wow, I got a lot. This growing business was bustling with activity. All of the designs are created and silkscreened in house. Colors are carefully matched and everything is cut, prepped and sewed on premises. What started as an interview turned into a learning lesson. I did not know that special saws cut large quantities of fabric or that there are all sorts of sewing machines that perform specific tasks. I also learned that the idea to start Phunkshun Wear started March 2011. Lanny and his friend Jacob bought a sewing machine browsed the web for fabrics and started making their first masks at home – guys sewing,
cool. The designs were good and friends and family, as well as a few sympathetic local retailers bought them up. Soon after their first sales, heavy research began into all aspects of the manufacturing and textiles industries. These masks are not old style soggy fleece. This stuff is high tech. Phunkshun’s mission is serious, they manufacture products that protect people from the elements and enhance their outdoor experiences. Their materials are high tech breathable, water-resistant and comfortable. One of the coolest parts of the tour was learning how they had sent products to US Troops in Afghanistan. In return, they received a flag flown US Airforce U-28A (a manned fixed wing, plane used for oncall/surge Tactical Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) in support of Special Operations Forces) as recognition for assisting in preserving the lives of men and women in a special combat mission. Facemask needs cross over into a variety of other sports and work situations where people need to protect their faces from the elements, whether it is snow or sun. They are now creating products for those markets too. I see a great future for Phunkshun Wear and highly recommend this Colorado Company’s products. www.Phunkshunwear.com