August 2024 by Caroline Eyman-Cooper

The Evolution of the Blanket Revolution

If you've been around Rumpl before, chances are you've heard our origin story. If you're new, here's our story in a nutshell:

- - - - Rumpl founders nixed the comfort of a hotel room for the "coziness" of their van on a surf and ski tour of California.
  - They fell asleep.
  - They woke up.
  - Their van didn't start.
  - It was very cold.
  - They had no cell reception.
  - They waited and drank whiskey.
  - They dreamt up the world's most versatile blanket in the back of their van.
  - Someone came to their rescue.

Now you're caught up, and it's time for the inside scoop on the newest version of the world's most technical blanket, the all-new Original Puffy Blanket. We sat down with two members of the Product Design and Development team, Jeff and Alina, to learn more about the updates to the best-selling blanket.

Q: When did the team begin working on the updated Original Puffy Blanket, and how did you approach this ambitious project?

A: Jeff: "The team started this project in February 2023. It was a whirlwind. We started with the question, 'What's broken?' It was the first time in my career that I worked on a product update where nothing overtly stood out as needing to be fixed. The project had no guardrails as long as the core of the Original Puffy Blanked stayed intact. That opened up a world of possibilities for how to approach these updates. Instead of focusing on one large detail, we had the opportunity to fixate on a million little things."

Q: The most obvious updates that Rumpl fans will notice first are the new colors and prints. Can you share what the new prints and colors are for the season?

A: Jeff: "In Fall/Winter 2024, we are introducing two brand new prints, Teton Dusk and Geo Cool, two brand new solid colors, Seafoam and Cactus Flower, and one pattern that is new to the Original Puffy Blanket family that you may have seen before on other blankets, Baja Fade.

In addition to these new prints and colors, more subtle color updates include the color-matching webbing and buckle on the roll-top stuff sack, the color-matching paracord and piping along the blanket's edge, and the color-matching Cape Clip®. These details may be subtle, but the result of tying all of the pieces together is a more cohesive feel. The beauty of Rumpl lies in the details."

Q: Do new colors appear to you in your dreams, or where do you look for color inspiration?

A: Jeff: "As an outdoor brand, it only makes sense that we would tie our work back to colors found in nature. Nature has the broadest palette. Color trends change from season to season, but nature stays constant and timeless."

Q: Let's leave folks with the question everyone wants answered. What's your favorite new color or print, and why? You can only choose one.

A: Jeff: "I am going first, so that I can steal Alina's answer. Baja Fade. Baja Fade has been in the line in other product families. It comes and goes, and every time it comes back, I think it's just really cool. It feels soft and loud at the same time."

Alina: "Thanks, Jeff. I agree with Baja Fade. The print is expressive, and it can blend in with other things if you don't want to be too loud or too subtle. Everyone should have a Baja Fade."

You heard it here, folks. Everyone should have a Baja Fade Original Puffy Blanket.

For more on what's new with the Original Puffy Blanket in Fall/Winter 2024, be sure to check out our other two blogs featuring the new Cape Clip® and the new roll-top stuff sack below.