Unbound Merino Helps You Pack Less and Travel More

Dan Demsky, Co-Founder of Unbound Merino, helps travellers venture abroad without the burden of bulky luggage. Instead, promoting weightless and warm wool clothing. 

Unbound Merino is a premium merino wool clothing designed specifically for the needs of travellers. It doesn’t smell, it keeps you comfortable and offers versatile pieces so you can try and reduce that packing list.

Dan believes that travel should feel like an adventure and luggage gets in the way of that feeling.

Curious to know where the idea came from? So were we, so we asked Dan, who is part of the Travel Massive Toronto chapter, a few questions.

What inspired you to create Unbound Merino?

We created this product for ourselves originally. We wanted to travel with less and free ourselves from the burden of too much luggage. Most merino wool clothing is geared towards athletes and never quite fit or looked right. You can wear it camping, but you wouldn’t wear it to a restaurant. We wanted simple, stylish clothing that could be dressed up or down – it was impossible to find, so we made it.

How did you build your startup?

After almost a year of planning and prototyping, we successfully crowdfunded on Indiegogo, raising almost 1000% of our required startup costs.

What makes Unbound Merino different from other similar brands out there?

Our product is the first line of merino wool clothing that is geared towards the modern traveller. Our products all consider an individual in their pursuit of letting go of ‘stuff’ so they can be more present while on their journey. To us, luggage is a ball and chain that makes exploring new parts of the world less enjoyable. It slows you down, it’s expensive, and it’s constantly on your mind while on your trip. In short, it’s clutter. Unbound is about letting people focus on the most rewarding things about travelling – feeling truly free.

How did you get your startup off the ground and gaining traction?

We first made a product we were truly proud of. That was the most important thing. Without a good product, we wouldn’t feel good about selling it in the first place, and we would have no chance at gaining any future momentum from word of mouth. The first 50+ orders we got on our crowdfunding campaign were mostly friends and family who were supporting us knowing how much heart we put into our campaign. The initial traction created a feeling of momentum that we think put our early backers over the edge to want to support us. Once people started backing, we pushed hard on Facebook and Reddit to gain more momentum, and then it began to take a life of its own. Our crowdfunding campaign picked up backers from 85 countries around the world!

Do you have any tips for new entrepreneurs who want to create a successful startup?

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten in business was that you truly need to be your own core consumer. If you are your own core consumer, the messaging, brand positioning, marketing and passion will all fall into place very naturally and authentically.

As a startup, what benefits have you seen from being a part of Travel Massive meetups? 

I am a new member to Travel Massive and in 1 day, I made 3 new friends with like-minded travellers who I already have a great connection with. And this interview came a short week after! I am very excited and grateful to be able to share Unbound with a community of people as passionate about travel as I am. I really hope to pay it forward! If I can help any Travel Massive people out there with anything (including crowdfunding advice or anything else) I really hope you all reach out. I would love to contribute however I can!!

Travel Start-Up is a monthly series that profiles unique online travel start-ups in the Travel Massive community around the world. You can connect with Dan and Unbound Merino on Travel Massive, Facebook and Twitter.