Rocky Mountain Featherbed (by Jack Goldman)
Rocky Mountain Featherbed
Rocky Mountain Featherbed, as the name suggests, originates from a region spanning the colossal Rocky Mountains, the immense mountain range that stretches a staggering 4,800 kilometers from the northernmost tip of British Columbia, Canada, to the warmer region of Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. To put this expanse in perspective, the Rocky Mountain range dwarfs the entire length of Japan, which measures only about 3,000 kilometers.
The company’s visionary founder, Mr. Cub Schaffer, embarked on his creative journey after graduating from the NASA-sponsored NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) in Wyoming. NOLS, renowned for training astronauts and outdoor specialists alike, hones skills for managing mountainous environments, placing individuals in demanding winter landscapes with the constant threat of avalanches and distress. This rigorous survival training, involving the burdensome task of carrying heavy loads, and frequently changing plans, sharpens judgment, leadership, and endurance.
Following his education at this esteemed institution, Cub Schaffer ventured into manufacturing. Rocky Mountain Featherbed, a fusion of his outdoor expertise in materials like nylon and down, combined with his passion for horseback riding evident in elements like the western yoke and leather, was conceived from his truly unique perspective.
The brand's journey began in the latter half of the 1960s, with Cub Schaffer’s manufacturing of down vests, a staple of his brand that endures to this day. In 1974, he blazed a trail by adopting GORE-TEX®, a cutting-edge material of the time, and expanded his product range to include mountain parkas.
This marked the era when Rocky Mountain Featherbed earned international recognition. In Japan, it graced the shelves of mountaineering sports shops, while in France, it was available at GLOBE, the predecessor to ANATOMICA. However, the brand faded into obscurity during the late 1980s.
The revival of Rocky Mountain Featherbed occurred in 2005, thanks to 35SUMMERS, a manufacturer where Kinji Teramoto, the company representative, had worked. Teramoto's passion for the Rocky Mountain Featherbed brand, which began in his twenties and led to his amassing over 100 pieces, fueled extensive research into fabrics, accessories, and details. His efforts led to the successful resurrection of the brand's true essence. Simultaneously, Teramoto secured the trademark, establishing Rocky Mountain Featherbed as a reemerging brand.
By 2020, the brand had expanded its presence, not only in Japan but in its birthplace, the United States, and over 10 other countries worldwide. It has evolved into a globally renowned downwear brand, branching out beyond conventional outerwear to include ultra-lightweight inner down and an array of other related offerings.
We hope you enjoy the captivating history and eventful journey of Rocky Mountain Featherbed.