Meet Brice Sokolowski | President of Vaucluse – Sweat less. Explore more.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brice Sokolowski and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brice, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I enjoy walking and hiking; however, I don’t like sweating, especially when wearing a backpack. Also, backpacks with some airflow are usually incredibly expensive and specific for larger packs. I wanted to make a solution for the everyday backpacker, regardless of their activity. If you are an everyday commuter, traveler, or outdoorsman, I want to help you sweat less.

What should our readers know about your business?
Vaucluse was founded for a reason: To help people sweat less and enjoy the outdoors more. It exists because of the Cool-Dry Frame, an invention of its founder, Brice Sokolowski.

Brice grew up in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur in southeast France. His first true love was the Vaucluse: A crown jewel of French nature famous for its beauty, lavender fields, honey, and wine. The region is rife with rugged mountain terrain and breathtaking views and enjoys more than 300 days of sun each year. Enjoying the Vaucluse is practically a year-round activity!

However, all that sun means it can get hot, especially during the summer. Fear of dehydration and heat exhaustion can keep many outdoor enthusiasts from fully appreciating the Vaucluse in all its glory.

Brice was one of them. He was tired of turning back early, defeated by the heat – and he knew it was his backpack’s fault. He’d stuff his pockets and a fanny pack to avoid wearing it. When he ran out of room, he’d have to ask friends and family to carry whatever didn’t fit! And he was sick of coming home sweaty and uncomfortable no matter how far he went.

One day, after an extra-sweaty hike, he decided to do something about it. That was when the Cool-Dry Frame was born.

A hexagon-shaped rubber-plastic frame: strong, yet flexible like a tree; and sturdy yet lightweight like a honeycomb. It would keep the user’s pack off their back, letting air in and keeping them cool and dry.

With an innovative new product to offer, Brice founded the company, Vaucluse, naming the company after his ‘true love.’ He’s been assembling Cool-Dry Frames by hand ever since, working to meet growing demand from fellow backpackers looking to beat the heat and sweat less.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d take my best friend to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. We’d likely wake up at 5 AM each morning, enjoying a cup of coffee and see if there is an English Premier League match on television. While watching tv and sipping our coffee, we’d review our day’s activities. We’d likely hit the trails around 7 AM, hike for around 1 to 3 hours, and then head back home. From there, we’d either eat lunch directly from the trails or go home and clean up. It all depends on how hot it was. Then, we’d pick one of the great sites in Phoenix to visit. Then we’d likely head home around 4 or 5 PM before it gets super busy with traffic, wind down at home, and sleep. Then we’d repeat!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank everyone who carried my stuff when I didn’t want to wear a backpack. You have all been patient with me, and now you don’t have to carry my stuff anymore.

Website: https://vauclusegear.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vauclusegear/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vaucluse-gear/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VaucluseGear/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiaRwITm13KaYbEpujHU_lA

Image Credits
Vaucluse