The Panda Coat is the next product in the Griz Coat line. Remember: Hugs are just the beginning... Read more
The Panda Coat is the next product in the Griz Coat line. Remember: Hugs are just the beginning...
About this project
Missed our Kickstarter campaign?
No worries. Panda Coats can now be found at GrizCoat.com
Griz Coat is back. This time with a Panda Coat.
A Brief History of the World
- Something happened and the world was created. We won't go into more detail.
- Animals and humans started living. But humans couldn't wear actual animals, because that's pretty mean.
- Apr. 2012: Buffoonery Factory LLC came along to create a humane solution to this problem: the Griz Coat was born on Kickstarter (so was the Polar Bear Coat)
- Jan. 2013: Griz Coat is selected to Kickstarter's Best of 2012 list with this great animated gif: http://www.kickstarter.com/year/2012#griz_coat
- May 2013: the Wolf Coat was born
- Oct. 2013: we're back on Kickstarter launching a Panda Coat
- Future destiny of the world: a lot more hugs
History lesson is over, and now you're confused. So what's actually happening here?
[putting on serious face]
First of all, we love Kickstarter. It's an amazing tool with amazing employees, and most importantly, an amazing community of backers. (That's the last time we'll use the term "amazing" in this project). A lot of our backers and other people said they liked the grizzly bear coat, but they would love a panda coat. So we've come back to the Kickstarter community again, this time with our latest and greatest creation. Now, all we want to know is: WHO WANTS A PANDA COAT? (sorry about the yelling)
So what's new about this coat?
- Satin-y soft faux-fur - It was described to us as "straight butter!"
- A completely re-designed head - We used a soft fill head. It's more collapsible and takes up a lot less room when packed into a bag. We also built a removable pillow into the hood. It adds both structural support and comfort. Plus, it can be removed and washed separately from the rest of the coat.
- Two sizes - That's right, you now get to choose from two different sizes! A "Bigger" size that fits similarly to our original Griz Coat (best for people 5'6" to 6'3"), and now we're introducing a second, "Smaller" size (best for people 5'0" to 5'8"). If you're borderline height-wise and slender, go with the Smaller size. If you're borderline height-wise and broader, go with the Bigger size.
- A totally-custom panda nose - We've got a panda-nose guy, and the custom mold he built for us is unbelievably accurate.
- It's cheaper - So we're learning that as your operation gets bigger, people sell you stuff for less money. So that allows us to sell our stuff for less money. Ahhh...economics!
What's the same?
- Made in the USA - In a tiny hamlet called California, to be exact.
- The head-hood is detachable - Three buttons hidden behind the neck allow the wearer to attach/detach the hood at their option. And yes, you can let the hood dangle behind your back just like a hoodie.
- Plastic claws with an interior handle - The handle allows for superior claw control.
- Two-batch delivery of rewards - We have a cheaper, limited first batch. We'll deliver that batch, solicit lots of feedback, make improvements to the design, and then deliver the second batch of rewards.
What's a Grizulator?
Available in our mid-range reward tier, a Grizulator is the world's finest faux-fur drinking buddy. Since lofty marketing claims are not all that helpful, we'll be more specific. It's essentially the bottom part of the Panda Coat's sleeve, but we modified the sleeve to feature a clip that holds a can koozie. It's lined in luxurious red-and-black lumberjack flannel (sorry, no hat to match). We'll allow a picture to speak the next thousand words:
Who do we love?
You, for reading this far down.
Griz Coat gently reminds you: It's not a costume. It's a lifestyle.
all photography by the genius Joyce Pedersen
music in video: "Driver" by Jahzzar (http://betterwithmusic.com)
Risks and challenges
A year and a half ago when we launched our Griz Coat project on Kickstarter, we were very enthusiastic but naive apparel people. We're still enthusiastic, but now we like to think of ourselves as masters of faux-fur, animal-hide-inspired apparel. We've got a talented team of people helping us now, and they're really good at all of the things they do.
That being the case, this is a new product, and all new products are subject to defects. We're on prototype version #4 of the panda coat, and we think we've nailed the design and production plan, so that should help us deliver a great product. We also have a solid track record when it comes to delivering defect-free product, since we individually test every unit we produce. That's definitely a rare feat in the apparel world. But sometimes mistakes occasionally slip through the cracks, and we pride ourselves on correcting those errors quickly and conveniently for the customer.
As far as potential delays go, we are operating on a tight timetable for delivery of our Early Bird rewards. We've identified a source for all of the required materials, and our manufacturing partner is ready to build on a moment's notice, as soon as the materials are secured. We think we can do it (if we didn't, we definitely would not have instituted a short timeline), but the potential for late delivery is certainly there.
Learn about accountability on KickstarterFAQ
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Yes. Panda Coats are definitely not intended for children under the age of 13.
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Given the length of time involved with international shipping, we can only meet our deadline by shipping Early Bird rewards to US customers only. Our apologies!
Rewards
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Pledge $5 or more
16 backers
UNMATERIALISTIC OPTION: Your name will appear on the digital "Original Grizangster" wall on our website. It's akin to winning the Nobel Peace Prize, since you'll be forever immortalized for ushering in the new age of awesome panda-inspired outerwear. Yes, there will be a new age...
Estimated delivery: -
Pledge $40 or more
45 backers
GRIZULATOR OPTION: In addition to the above, you will get one Grizulator - Panda Edition. It's got ultra soft black faux-fur, white claws, and an attached koozie that fits your average soft-drink can. It's the world's finest faux-fur drinking buddy, but if you don't purchase things based on grandiose statements, please check out the description of the Grizulator below.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $150 or more
50 backers All gone!
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: One Panda Coat, fresh from the first batch. Your choice of size (i.e. bigger or smaller). We'll do everything in our power to deliver by Halloween. Plus, your name on the digital OG wall (see above).
Estimated delivery:Only ships to: United States -
Pledge $200 or more
49 backers
LATE BIRD VERY SPECIAL: One Panda Coat, from the second batch and featuring new improvements. Like with our first project, we'll be soliciting lots of feedback from the first batch of Panda Coats, and incorporating all the good stuff into the second batch. Plus, your name on the digital OG wall (see above).
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $800 or more
0 backers
FAMILY SPECIAL: Five (5) Panda Coats from the second batch, in any mix of sizes you choose. Plus, your name on the digital OG wall (see above). Non-families may participate in this reward as well. We don't judge.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $1,500 or more
0 backers
NEIGHBORHOOD SPECIAL: Ten (10) Panda Coats from the second batch, in any mix of sizes you choose. Plus, your name on the digital OG wall (see above).
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world -
Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers Limited (1 left of 1)
VANITY SPECIAL: One Panda Coat from the second batch. Plus, our Panda Coat line will be re-named in your honor, using the following format: "[John Doe's] Panda Coat". Your name will NOT go on the digital OG wall (we would never allow for that much vanity). We may also write a poem or a song about you.
Estimated delivery:Ships anywhere in the world
Funding period
- (21 days)
