Portland-area apparel maker Omorpho is known for its fitness clothing incorporated with small weights to improve workouts. But today, it launched its first nonweighted apparel line.
Omorpho was founded in November 2021 by two former Nike executives, Stefan Olander and Ben Williams. Its signature sphere-shaped weights add between 1% and 5% of body mass, depending on the garments worn. The idea is that it helps build strength and improve training, according to the company.
Omorpho’s communications lead Noah Gold said the brand found its customers were asking for more athleisure-focused apparel they could wear over their weighted performance products. The new nonweighted line will include a hoodie, a T-shirt and hat.
The company’s focus will continue to be on weighted products, Gold said, as companies like Lululemon already have considerable market share in the lifestyle athleisure market. What will make Omorpho’s nonweighted products stand out, he said, are special touches such as an 'OR' for Oregon on the hoodies and hem drawstrings to adjust the fit in real time.
"We are what we would call a micro-weighted company, first and foremost,” Gold said. “We're not looking to take over an athleisure position within the marketplace. We want you to be active within our gear, because it actually provides you with a boost versus just wearing something that's purely comfort, and doesn't have any of the actual athletic or performance results."
The company, while still in its infancy, has deep funding behind it. Last summer it secured $6 million in its second round of seed funding, bringing its valuation to $26 million. Gold also said with the release of its G-Vest+, a weighted outer vest, this past fall, Omorpho has seen “double-digit growth” for the last six months.
