Draft:Matador (Clearman Labs LLC)

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Matador
Native name
Matador (Clearman Labs LLC)
Company typePrivate
IndustryRetail
FoundedJanuary 2014; 11 years ago (2014-01)
FoundersChris Clearman, Jaime Caso
Headquarters
Boulder
,
United States
ProductsTravel backpacks, bags, luggage, travel-size accessories
Websitewww.matadorequipment.com

Matador (Clearman Labs LLC) is a private company based in Boulder, Colorado.[1] Matador designs and manufactures travel gear and accessories. The company was founded in 2014 by Chris Clearman and Jaime Caso. Matador develops travel-focused products including backpacks, duffels, slings, travel-size toiletry bags, and accessories, with in-house product design.[2]

History

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In January 2014, Matador was founded by Chris Clearman and Jaime Caso. The company relocated its headquarters from California to Boulder, Colorado in 2015.[3] At the time of launch, Chris Clearman was employed at GoPro, and Jaime Caso was employed at Bould Design.[4] Both founders relocated to work on the company full-time in September 2015. Matador began designing and prototyping its products at its headquarters in Boulder.[5] The initial product, the Matador Pocket Blanket, was launched in July 2014.[6] The product line expanded to include travel backpacks, duffels, slings, travel-size toiletry bags, and accessories. Business Insider reviewed Matador, noting its mention of the Matador SEG45 Travel Pack within the online travel bag community, with reference to the 824,000-member r/onebag forum on Reddit.[7]

In 2015, Matador attended the Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City, Utah.[8]

In 2018, Matador began selling its products through REI as a wholesale supplier, both online and in physical retail stores.[9]

Sustainability

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Matador has implemented the use of recycled and bluesign®-approved fabrics, transition to PFAS-free fabric coatings across its product line.[10]

According to the company, Matador's sustainability initiatives include the use of recycled and bluesign®-approved fabrics, the use of wind energy at its headquarters, and an in-house repair program for extending product lifespan.[11]

See Also

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References

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  1. ^ "Matador (Colorado) 2025 Company Profile: Valuation, Funding & Investors | PitchBook". pitchbook.com. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  2. ^ WildBounds. "Matador | The Story". WildBounds. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  3. ^ Larese, Steve (2022-06-23). "Colorado Gear Startup Matador Expands HQ and Plans to Nearly Triple Staff". Outside Online. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  4. ^ "Matador opens new Boulder HQ tricked out with skate ramp, climbing wall". Colorado Daily. 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  5. ^ WildBounds. "Matador | The Story". WildBounds. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  6. ^ "Matador Revamps the Product That Launched the Brand". Outdoor Sportswire. 2021-03-08. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  7. ^ Rennie, Alex. "Reddit's one-bag travel community loves Matador luggage — I tried the SEG45, which can be carried as a backpack or a duffel". Business Insider. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  8. ^ "Matador Pocket Blanket". Kit Fox Outfitters. 2015-08-19. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  9. ^ "Matador | REI Co-op". REI. Archived from the original on 2025-05-05. Retrieved 2025-08-13.
  10. ^ "Sustainable Travel Gear for Modern Explorers". Sustainable Business Magazine. 2025-02-20. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
  11. ^ "Sustainability". Matador. Retrieved 2025-08-13.