A few days ago the Bulgarian company launched a Kickstarter campaign in order to acquire funds. For four years,
they have been developing the worlds’ first ever “pocket snowshoes” – an inflatable snowshoes that you can easily
fit in your backpack.
Small Foot is a young start up company, based in Bulgaria and founded four years ago by Petar Dimitrov, a
freerider, designer and tattooist. He got stuck in deep powder on a backcountry freeride. After struggling his way
out from this life threatening situation he was determined to be prepared when entering the wilderness. He was
surprised to find out that there was nothing suitable on the market – all the options were not freeride friendly bulky
and heavy to carry. The idea of Small Foot shaped up and started its way out to the public. With lots of
enthusiasm and consistency he started developing prototypes, experimenting with materials and testing the new
product – inflatable snowshoes.
The positive reaction from people convinced Petar that Small Foot snowshoes do have true potential. He sent out
a pair to ISPO Brand New Awards and made it to the final in the “Innovative products” category. Attending ISPO
turned to be a difficult task for “a one-man show” what Peter was at this time but he fought his way to the top. He
got on the bus to Germany altogether with the award-winning prototypes and the booth equipment. The interest to
the inflatable snowshoes at the famous trade fair was enormous and encouraged Petar to keep developing the
idea.
Currently Small Foot snowshoes are a product that has proved its concept. The inflatable snowshoes have been
tested on field by the Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Team and they found them significantly more maneuverable
than regular snowshoes and ideal for (avalanche) rescue operations. The Bulgarian Antarctic Institute has also
approved the product.
Small Foot received great interest from survival schools, military and rescue organizations from all over the world.
They were awarded second place by Forbes for best startup business. The past 2014 was really rewarding for
Small Foot too – 1st place for “Innovative idea of the year 2014” at the b2b Media’s annual awards in Bulgaria.
The advantages of Small Foot inflatable snowshoes are numerous:
Small Foot has gone a long way from its start, but yet this innovative idea could become mass winter product if a
certain financial boost becomes reality. The company has done a step forward launching Kickstarter crowdfunding
campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/smallfoot/small-foot-the-pocket-snowshoes-carry-less-explore.
“The Small Foot snowshoes will turn into an irreplaceable winter accessory”, says the creator Petar Dimitrov.
“They will help a lot of people practice their favorite sports and avoid critical situations.”
“I can see a lot of potential survival specific emergency grab-bag applications. I think they’re perfect for anyone entering the wilderness in winter. They’re tough, easy to use, float really well and pack away very small. I think these would be great in any survival situation.”
John Hudson – Chief Instructor UK SERE
Token Brit on Discovery Channel’s “Dude, You’re Screwed/ Survive That!”
“Once in soft snow the Small Foot snowshoes feel remarkably good, and I soon forgot I was not wearing the conventional snowshoes I usually use. There is a slightly bouncy feel about them which I liked, also the front does not get stuck in the snow so that you have to pull your foot back, which is an occasional annoyance with rigid snowshoes.”
Simon Beck
England-based snow artist