Launch HN: SheerlyGenius (YC W18) – Indestructible Tights from Bulletproof Fiber

[kathomuth]

I’m Katherine Homuth and I founded Sheerly Genius - indestructible sheer tights made from bulletproof fibers. We just launched our product on Kickstarter (http://www.2e.go2.fund/tights).

Every year $8 billion dollars worth of sheer tights/pantyhose end up in the landfill after only one or two wears. Ripping sheers is as easy as accidentally catching them on a fingernail, or simply pulling too hard while putting them on. Our goal is to replace these disposable products with Sheerly Genius, which has been tested to last up to 50 wears.

We have been working on this for about 12 months so far and it has been quite an adventure. When I started out I didn’t think we’d be developing our own fiber and machines, but that’s what it ultimately took.

The first fibers I looked at were aramids, like kevlar, which of course were attractive for their strength. To be considered sheer (as opposed to opaque), a pair of tights needs fibers that are 30 denier or less. Denier measures the thickness or fineness of a fiber. I quickly learned that the lowest denier kevlar came in was 1000 denier! So it was a non-starter.

It turned out that none of the fibers on the market today were both fine and strong enough to make an indestructible sheer product. Ultimately we had to develop our own fiber: a finer, colored version of the non-dyeable polyethylene fibers used in higher end bulletproof vests and climbing equipment. To use these fibers we had to retrofit circular knitting machines with new feeding systems and blades, because the fibers are so strong they break typical knitting machines!

My background is in software and manufacturing - building and selling two companies prior to Sheerly Genius. But this is my first journey into textiles. In my last startup I worked directly with many hardware companies, but became increasingly skeptical of the trend in IoT towards “connected” anything. One thing I love about this project is that we’ve been able to innovate in wearables without being connected.

Fun Fact: Half of our backers on Kickstarter so far have been men!

I’m looking forward to talking manufacturing, textiles, and crowdfunding. Can’t wait to hear your ideas and experiences in these areas. Also happy to answer any questions about our journey in developing the product so far!

[dfitzpat]

FYI: My neighbor developed something similar in the 70s. It was purchased by a large pantyhose company for many millions with additional revenue promised from royalties from future sales. As soon as they owned it they killed the product to maintain their revenue stream from short-lived hose. The inventor lost millions from sales that never happened. Don't let this happen to you. If you are successful, they will come knocking.

[erikig]

I'm always looking for evidence of planned obsolescense [1] but I didn't realize how effectively it has been implemented by "Big Pantyhose" and that move to buy out and phase out a superior product - deviously brilliant!

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence

[kathomuth]

Thanks for the tip. I could totally see them doing something like that. Anything to hold on to the legacy business, even if it means killing innovation.

[samstave]

If this material does what you say: you should attack the cyclist market. If you have thin, anti abrasion garments, a cyclist is yur perfect market.

They have luxury funds (like the golf market) and they want thin, but protective, garments. (weekend-road-bikers are usually execs/professionals that spend ~$3-12K on just their bikes...

Put thin, D30 [0], pads at key points/joints (hips/elbows/knees) between layers of this fabric in small patches...

Now you have a performant, but protective, sheer/light competitive cycling outfit...

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D3o

[salimmadjd]

This is VERY cool. It took me into rabbit-hole of learning more about this material vs. Kevlar -

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra-high-molecular-weight_po...

Dyneema vs. Kevlar data: http://bladebuster.ca/our-products/cut-resistant-clothing/dy...

Dyneema vs. Kevlar and new fibers for military: www.army-technology.com/features/feature98985/

Zylon that was used instead of Kevlar degraded due to body moisture: https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=473209...

Spectra a polyethylene fiber from Honeywell:: https://www.honeywell-spectra.com/applications/textiles/

UHMWPE used in ropes: www.novabraid.com/rope-material/spectra-fiber-rope/

[kathomuth]

Yes! That's the very same rabbit hole I fell into when I started out. It's really fascinating stuff.

[dsr_]

Friends use Dyneema and Spectra to make bowstrings (primarily for crossbows). They don't mind getting wet, don't stretch, and are extremely strong.

[Zak]

I've seen spectra rope used to tow launch hang gliders. It resulted in a performance advantage over whatever it replaced because it could be much thinner and lighter.

[bambax]

This is really cool! (I too make non-connected things and it's great).

Two things:

> Sheerly Genius sheers are patent pending and our manufacturing process is a trade secret.

Patents are the opposite of secret, ie public. You can't patent something and have it secret at the same time. So your manufacturing process is either secret, and not patented, or patented, and public. (Of course you may have patented something other than the manufacturing process, like a specific knot, etc.)

The second thing is, what about security? Things that never tear or break can be dangerous, for example if you get caught by a moving vehicle, or other problem. It may sound far-fetched and completely improbable... until it happens. What are your thoughts about that?

[kathomuth]

Yes - you are right. That line in the video probably wouldn't have made it by our patent lawyer. We are patent pending. Some elements of how our fiber is produced (not in our patent), and some of the R&D things we are trying are trade secret, but for the purposes of simplicity we are patent pending. The fibers are strong but can be cut with a sharp knife or pointy object - anything EMTs or emergency services would have on hand, or something like a seat belt cutter wouldn't have an issue getting through them.

[michaelt]

  Things that never tear or break can be dangerous

They say they've tested to last 50 wears. I'd be surprised if these were more dangerous than a pair of denim jeans in that regard - to say nothing of a pair of leather or aramid lined motorcyclist's trousers.

[delinka]

They do say that the product is patent pending, and the process is a trade secret. These are not mutually exclusive.

[kragen]

You can keep the trade secret until the patent application is published.

[anna5280]

I know sheer is in your company name, but please do some 40 deniers too.

Here in England sheers are for old ladies, teenagers, air hostesses and conservative offices. 40 denier black are the universal tights - take a look if you’re ever in London.

Ok they’re stronger than 20d, but they still hole far far too easily. I would love 40 deniers with the strength you’re promising.

[kathomuth]

Thanks Anna!I totally agree. We're definitely going to be going there. We wanted to start with sheers because that is where the problem is most apparent, and where existing products last barely one wear. But I agree, 40d pantyhose still rip - and need to be innovated as well!

[aresant]

That Kickstarter video's first 20 seconds are amazing - funny, informative, and arresting.

Did you guys write and direct that in house?

EDIT - After watching the entire video - including you hanging from them like a swing - I hope you are considering direct response TV as a marketing channel for these. You nailed the informative / circus show balance and I bet you could edit this into a 30 / 60 / 90.

[kathomuth]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the video. I wrote the script with the help of a friend/investor, and we pulled together our friends to make it happen. Elias of SoulFood productions did the camera magic - http://soulfoodproductions.com/.

We've always thought television shopping would be a great channel for this product! And will definitely be cutting more versions of the video :)

[jenthoven]

I also really liked the video. I recently filmed a promo video for our small startup and the acting piece is hard - you killed it.

[ulrikrasmussen]

The video is great! It successfully avoids the usual Kickstarter kliches (Silicon Valley guitars, etc) while clearly explaining the product in a down-to-earth fashion. I love the tongue-in-cheek humor as well :)

[hannaha_b]

So in love with this! As soon as my bf sent me the kickstarter video, I became a funder.

I love all the women-focused specialty clothing we're getting in the past few years, especially ones that use modern technology to improve our daily lives/comfort (and not just make another bra that claims to be the last bra you'll ever need but that actually still only fits one type of breast...).

And speaking of innovative women's clothing, I'm assuming you are familiar with Heist Studios and their tights?

[kathomuth]

I am so glad you liked the video and that it caught your attention! That is so awesome to hear =)

I have heard of Heist, and actually bought a bunch and tested them out - sadly they too have the same problems as all of the other sheers out on the market today. You can see a video of my tests (including Heist) here > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXt3vNL8ILA

[mikekij]

hi @kathomuth. Just want to compliment the way you’re answering to peoples’ questions / comments / suggestions. Too many founders come off as defensive, instead of absorbing what they can from outsiders. Your comments come off as very receptive, yet informed. Good work!

[yagyu]

This is really cool :)

Thought, look into nanocellulose fibers for textiles, and your product could be biodegradable while still exceptionally strong[1]. Tech is probably not mature, but worth keeping an eye on for future.

[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms5018

[samstave]

really like the demo of you hanging in the climbing harness for a demo of strength, but I request the following demo of strength:

A belt sander.

Put a side of beef/ham/whatever (sorry vegans) in a pair of these hose and rub it up against a belt sander.

This will emulate "road rash" that could ensue assuming you do a sports line (like sleeves/leggings/elbow/knee-pads/etc)

you have established your strength arg, but now please establish your anti-abrasion claim. Then you become a unicorn.

Also; please measure the hydrophobic properties of your material.

[aaronblohowiak]

Neat product! I'm in awe of anyone who can make physical products. I think the kickstarter video hit a great tone. I'm a big fan of durable products replacing disposable.

[kathomuth]

Thank you! Appreciate your support and glad you liked the video!

[exolymph]

I posted this on /r/femalefashionadvice, should be interesting to see the commentary there also.

https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/7xo5jr...

[gwern]

'[removed]'

[jtmarmon]

I do not wear pantyhose, so forgive me for naiivety, but I would love to know

1) Is the price not a bit high for something that you can only wear 50 times? I suppose i'm not sure what the price per wear is of traditional pantyhose

2) Why does something so strong (e.g. you can try to pull them apart) only last 50 wears? Seems like it's stronger than any tshirt I've worn but I continue to wear them for years

[trhway]

while the tights are obviously not bulletproof, yet very possibly to be knife/abrasion-proof. That opens for example a market for work/sport wear, like lighter version of those kevlar gloves in Home Depot.

[kathomuth]

Definitely! We've had a lot of requests from the sport/workout wear side of things in particular. For anyone interested in more of a sport related product, I actually have a list you can subscribe to for updates as we continue to explore new product variants: http://eepurl.com/dkHD6X

[ceejayoz]

Just as long as they're not EMT/ER scissor proof.

[empanadada]

Great idea!! I'd love to try one out, one question though, how's the breathe-ability of the garment? I find I have trouble with ones that don't let my skin sweat or breathe out just a tad.

[kathomuth]

It's very breathable! The knit in an of itself is breathable, but our fibers are also naturally cool to the touch, and are ultra light (they float on water), making them more comfortable for day to day wear than regular pantyhose.

[komali2]

>Our goal is to replace these disposable products with Sheerly Genius, which has been tested to last up to 50 wears.

Out of curiosity, how did you determine this?

edit: omg lol, I love the robber scene in your kickstarter video

[kathomuth]

How did we determine the 50 wears metric? We've been producing prototypes since September, and have been testing them with real women for day to day wash and wear (in addition to our other more extreme tests like velcro, rings, and hanging from the ceiling...lol)

[natalie_C]

Hi there- Natalie with Sheerly Genius. Robber scene is so funny! Love that part too!

[kragen]

Have you thought about making woven products with the UHMWPE you're presumably using? I want to replace my daily-carry satchel, which is leather, and the 200 grams of leather is a big chunk out of my 1500-gram satchel budget. I'd actually thought about building a machine to unbraid UHMW fishing line and thread it onto a bobbin for weaving. And 20–30 denier was about what I was hoping for; I feel like 20–30 denier UHMW twill would make for a satchel that was satiny, lightweight, impossible to stain, easy to clean, abrasion-resistant, and damn near bulletproof.

[netman21]

One interesting application is permeable space suit designs. The idea is that instead of encapsulating an astronaut in a flexible pressurized container you put them in a tight fitting suit that can apply the 3.5 lbs of force per square inch necessary to counter the pressure of the air they breath. Cooling is provided by normal perspiration through the fabric. (Don't forget that vacuum is a great insulator!)

[kathomuth]

I wouldn't be surprised if this fiber was already used in space suits! But definitely a great application if they aren't already.

[mejarc]

I love this project, but I detest control-top garments—if you branch into stockings or hold-ups, I promise to invest in some!

[kathomuth]

Thank you for your support! Yes, stay tuned - we definitely hope to expand the product range down the line.

[egypturnash]

My instant thought is “I want an opaque version with custom prints”.

[Faaak]

So, a legging ? I agree that it would be nice. Specially for the sports market