A glimpse inside the ASTRAL factory and a preview of the Greenjacket LE#2
This has been a fun and busy week for the ASTRAL crew. The factory has been finishing up the first of the new Greenjacket LE1’s as well making some dog beds from our scrap raw materials. Meanwhile, the office team has been working on the design of LE#2. Here’s a sneak peek at what we have been up to this week:
The embroidery machine is one of the most interesting tools here at the factory, it gets a lot of use especially when we make Limited Edition Greenjackets.
Here’s Theresa constructing the front panel on the LE1 with a smile.
Below Tirza works on some LE1 shoulder straps. She is one of our veteran sewing staff and a highly skilled seamstress.
Jesus is filling some dog bed inserts with recycled lifejacket foam. These dog beds are an alternative to the landfill and give your hound a comfy pad after a long day on the water.
Check out the finished dog beds. We also use scrap fabric for the shell material so no two are exactly the same (kinda like snowflakes… and dogs).
…and last but not least, here is a preview of the Greenjacket LE2 which is due out sometime in January.
December 4th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Thanks for the look inside. As always, great stuff is going on. Looking forward to the new jacket. Can’t wait to pull one over my head!
December 5th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
beautiful colors and design. 2 thumbs up.
December 6th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
How much are the dogbeds and how can I get my hands on one?
December 7th, 2009 at 8:50 am
The price depends on the size…we are offering free shipping through the holidays: http://www.shopatron.com/products/category/549.1.1.1.65782.0.0.0.0
December 7th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Dimensions on the dogbeds would be nice — small/medium/large is a bit vague. And while it’s a cool on a canine and planetary level, they seem a bit pricey.
Jacket is a thing of beauty!
December 11th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Got my le1 green jacket it is awsome
December 24th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Is the new Le2 based on the Big Dipper & North Star??? That’s the Alaska State Flag, so looks like I’ll have to get one (I’ve had the original 300 for maybe 7 years now… been repaired by you guys once at the shoulder strap seam… excellent PFD & saved my ass & other people’s asses a countless amount of times!) Guessing you guys don’t want an Alaskan rep? :^) Nice work!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
THe greenjacket is a thing of beauty. I just had my first run with it on the Calamah river and it felt fantastic. Great work guys and gals.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Hey Tim,
Yeah, there’s a Big Dipper and North Star on the front of the LE2, glad you dig it. I hear that AK has some great whitewater, that’s cool that you paddle up there and that the 300 has come in handy for you. We appreciate your support up in AK!
Bryan Owen
January 6th, 2010 at 10:52 am
any considerations for a smaller size, as a female river guide i need a rescue vest, but with my curves i can’t seem to tighten it down as much as it needs to go. thanks, i love the le2 and would love to get my hands on one.
January 6th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Ghelardk,
Thanks for the insight. For the Greenjacket the S/M is as small as they go. Glad you like the LE#2. Thanks so much for your support.
Happy New Year!
ASTRAL
January 12th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
How many LE jacket models will there be?
Thanks,
Nick
January 12th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Nick,
We have the LE #2 design finished and #3 almost done. Not sure how many batches we will have after that.
We make from 150-300 PFDs per batch depending on the design and time of year.
thanks!
Bryan
Astral Sales & Service
January 19th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Any update on the LE2 release? I can’t wait! Thanks for saving our butts out their with your amazing products. I purchased an LE1 for my brother over christmas and eager to get an LE2 for myself as soon as they hit. Any beta would be fantastic! I’ve heard possibly as late as May?
David Ritchie
DC Paddler
January 20th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Hi David,
Thanks for the kind words. We are sewing the LE2’s right now and the goal is to have them shipping by Mid February. Check back on this blog for photos of them coming soon, as well as the link to preorder the LE2.
…and thanks for picking the LE1 up for your bro. You guys will be riding in style!
ASTRAL
January 27th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Is it possible to pre-order the LE2? Thanks.
January 27th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
sorry, just saw the preorder comment by the admin. sweet!
January 30th, 2010 at 1:19 am
Hey Bryan what does the LE3 look like? My co-worker and I need new jackets and like the look of the “NEW” Greenjacket. In particular the newer sleeker cut of the front panel of the PFD stands out as Curry’s keen eye and smooth style to detail of a paddling jacket is by far, bar none the best on the face of the Earth! I have always supported his products in one way, shape or form of another and will continue to do so. If you have any seconds or blems let me know even if it warrants the warranty void we don’t care!
Tell Yonton that B-rad from Canada say’s Hi, and give Curry and the Astral Crew my best and High Fives for 2010!
February 1st, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Hey B-Rad,
Thanks so much for your kind words and high fives. The LE3 design is not 100% finalized but we are definately working on it. We hope have something to share on the blog in the next few weeks.
Appreciate your support up there in Canada!
cheers-
Bryan Owen
Astral Sales & Service
February 4th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
When and where can I get my hands on one of these awesome LE2’s? It’s early Feb and I’m drooling over it….
February 5th, 2010 at 9:13 am
Kendi-
You can order one right here:
http://www.shopatron.com/products/productdetail/part_number=Greenjacket+LE2/549.0.1.1?
LE2’s come off the production line today!
February 8th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Not to be that guy but, I am pretty sure Polaris (the North Star) is on the end of the handle of the little dipper not the Big. Either way sweet jacket, when do they hit the shops?
March 27th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
I was just at Paddlesport in NJ, I was trying to purchase a Green jacket but your booth didn’t have any, that really stunk,the rep let me try on an LE2 and I wanted to buy it but of course, he wouldn”t sell it to me. Are there any LE2 lg xl available.
Is the LE3 out yet and do you have any pictures?
March 30th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Pat, I just sent you an email and would like to try to find a way to get you into an LE3. Unfortunately we only made a limited number of LE2s (200 to be exact) and they have been sold out for weeks, that one at the show was our reps personal jacket and was not for sale. Please reply if we can help you out in finding the LE3.
many thanks,
Bryan @ Astral