Origins
Specs
Research
Ikat Story

KADU Men’s Blue Horse Board Short, T-Cut
style#: tru131
Our T-Cut, high performance board short is the result of five years of dedicated research, development, and more than a hundred hours of water time. These shorts, constructed from a highly durable poly-suede, are extremely soft, comfortable, and practically weightless. You will be hard-pressed to find a lighter trunk on the market. The poly-suede fabric gets even better as it weathers. The long and loose fit of the T-Cut doesn’t hang, bind, or constrict. We use a nylon thread that is extremely strong and lies flat. These fast drying shorts with a timeless and classic Ikat print are designed to last several seasons. The added Kadu bonus, throw on a t-shirt or button down and you can go straight from the ocean or pool to cocktail hour and still look sharp.
Fabric: Polyester/Suede; Weight:110~115g/㎡

After careful testing, we found this to be the fastest drying, lightest weight, most comfortable and durable material available on the market. It is also water repellent, deflecting 95 percent of water, keeping the trunks as light as possible.

Cut: T-Cut; 21 in outseam (size 32) Hybrid custom cut by Terry Simms

We use only two side panels for the entire piece, which means less stitching and no side seams running up the leg. The trunks are designed to hit just above the knee, and is a wide fit rather than tapered, allowing for maximum freedom and some sun protection.

Next season, we plan to add shorter-length trunks to the line. But, if you want a shorter length now, you can easily tailor the leg seam to a custom length to achieve your ideal fit.

Interior placket: Lycra/spandex

The placket is the intersection where it all comes together; if done wrong or cheaply, it all comes apart. Our original placket design eliminates the old school Velcro design, which is the cheapest of fasteners and the least dependable. We use a strong lycra/spandex blend and have included three small high-quality snaps for strength and protection.

Exterior pocket: 5 x 7 in, zipper enclosed.

We tried at least four different pocket designs with variations in size, flaps, snaps and folds. What we realized is that surfers have big pocket needs these days: cell phone, wallet, keys and shades. So we went big but kept the design minimal. A sewn-down tab conceals the zipper and helps maintain the design aesthetic of the print.

Drawstring: Recycled trunk fabric

This is our first ''we made it'' claim. We struggled to find an eco-material to use for a drawstring that looked good and would last over time. After several failed attempts, we thought: “Why not try to make our own drawstring from our own scrap trunk fabric?” The idea worked out well and looks great. Not only is the drawstring economical and enviro-friendly, it is the strongest drawstring we’ve ever used.

Nickel free hardware: Zipper Pull and draw string tabs

We chose a safe and non-toxic metal to use for our “Sumba totem” zipper pull design inspired by fellow surfer, jewelry designer and friend, Lorenz Baumer.
The research and development phase for the KADU trunk line has been an ongoing fun-filled process. With the goal of creating a technically superior surf trunk, I have been traveling the world and surfing in our samples for the past five years, testing different materials, cuts, threads, zippers, draw strings and digital printing. All of our design decisions have been made through a process of problem solving, fine tuning and refining. Our 2013 inaugural collection is the result of love, dedication and hardwork.

I’ve been wearing the first run of the polyester suede fabric for four years. The more I wear the trunks, the more I love them. They dry fast, feel great in the water, and I am the only one within 10,000 miles who has a pair…for now, anyway.

We hope that you enjoy your first pair of KADU trunks. Welcome to the team!

Mahola and Aloha!

Terry ‘Simba’ Simms, Founder and Owner
Origins of Blue Horse Ikat

Kodi, Western Sumba

Agile, swift and compact, the unique-looking Sumba pony is a cultural icon that is woven into Ikats throughout the villages of Sumba. Genetic descendents of the Mongolian horse, these ponies represent wealth and prosperity for their owners. The popular horse motif takes on another layer of meaning when coupled with a rich indigo dye. The female indigo dyers, considered powerful spiritual figures in the villages, are said to impart an air of magic and mystery into the potent blue dyes they create.

Blue Horse is KADU's signature piece.

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