Bombora
Bombora Gear designs and sells USCG-certified inflatable personal flotation devices, foam life vests for kids and dogs, and water-safety apparel, serving recreational boaters, paddlers, and anglers through DTC e-commerce and a marine dealer network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersPembroke, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Bombora does
Bombora Gear designs and sells USCG-certified personal flotation devices (PFDs) and adjacent water-safety equipment under a brand founded in 2018 and housed within Ritchie Navigation, a 175-year-old family-owned compass manufacturer headquartered in Pembroke, Massachusetts. The core product line comprises two inflatable PFDs — the Slim Belt (USCG Type V, $99) and the Super Belt (USCG Type III, $129) — which use CO2 cartridge inflation systems in a compact form factor marketed as roughly six times smaller than traditional inflatable vests. The catalog also includes traditional foam life vests for children and dogs ($58 each), CO2 rearming kits ($25), and a lifestyle apparel extension (crewnecks, hoodies, hats), offered both individually and via multi-unit bundles (Family, Slim, Super, Explorer).
The business operates a dual-channel go-to-market: direct-to-consumer e-commerce through bomboragear.com and a wholesale dealer program supported by starter kits aimed at marine retailers and rental operators. Customers are recreational boaters, paddlers, anglers, and families, with brand awareness amplified in 2022 through earned media placements in Yahoo, Fox News, Men's Journal, and MSN, alongside a brand ambassador program and TikTok presence. The company is small (11–50 employees) and discloses no external funding, with the parent company's 175-year operating history providing balance-sheet and operational stability rather than venture-scale growth capital.
Bombora firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bombora
- Legal name
- Bombora Gear
- Website
- https://bomboragear.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Bombora Gear designs and sells USCG-certified inflatable personal flotation devices, foam life vests for kids and dogs, and water-safety apparel, serving recreational boaters, paddlers, and anglers through DTC e-commerce and a marine dealer network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bombora industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Safety Equipment / Personal Flotation Devices
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine Safety & Navigation Electronics Retail (PFDs, EPIRBs, GPS, VHF) (CRAMAIAH)
Keywords
Where Bombora is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pembroke
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Bombora business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Others
Revenue model
- PFD Belt Sales: Direct sales of inflatable personal flotation device belts (Slim Belt and Super Belt) to consumers. One-time hardware purchase with optional consumable CO2 rearming kits for reuse.
- Life Vest Sales: Sales of traditional foam life vests for kids, adults, and pets. One-time hardware purchases.
- Apparel Sales: Sales of branded apparel including crewnecks, hoodies, t-shirts, and trucker hats featuring Bombora branding.
- Accessories and Consumables: Sales of CO2 rearming kits for PFD reuse and other accessories. Represents repeat purchase opportunity.
- Dealer/Wholesale Channel: Bulk sales to dealers and retailers through starter kits and wholesale orders. Dealers receive 10% discount on starter kit plus free shipping on first restock order of 10+ units.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Slim Belt - Entry-level inflatable PFD |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Super Belt - Premium inflatable PFD with full jacket inflation |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kids Life Vest - Traditional foam PFD for children |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Dog Life Vest - Pet flotation device |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | CO2 Rearming Kit - Consumable replacement cartridge |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SunSeeker Crewneck - Branded apparel |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Favorite Trucker Hat - Branded headwear |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Starter Kit - Dealer bundle |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Bombora product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bombora designs, distributes, and sells compact, US Coast Guard-approved inflatable personal flotation device (PFD) belt-packs (Slim Belt Type V and Super Belt Type III), traditional foam life vests for adults, kids, and dogs, CO2 rearming kits, and branded apparel. The products use a pull-cord activated CO2 cartridge inflation system with secondary oral inflation, designed to provide safety compliance without the bulk of traditional life jackets for paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and fishing.
Product overview
Bombora is a water safety gear company that offers inflatable personal flotation devices (PFDs) and traditional foam life vests for humans and pets. The core product line consists of two types of inflatable belt-pack PFDs: the Slim Belt (Type V, 16g CO2, inflates to a compact flotation bag) and the Super Belt (Type III, 24g CO2, inflates to a full upper-body jacket). Supporting offerings include Kids Life Vests, Adult Life Vests (foam-based, Type III), Dog Life Vests, CO2 rearming kits for reusability, and branded apparel (SunSeeker Crewnecks, hoodies, trucker hats). The company also sells bundled packages combining multiple PFDs with rearming kits and apparel at discounted prices, plus a dealer Starter Kit for retailers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Slim Belt – Type V Inflatable PFD US Coast Guard Type V approved inflatable belt-pack personal flotation device that inflates into a compact flotation bag via pull-cord CO2 activation (16g cartridge, 16.5 lbs buoyancy) or oral tube (29.5 lbs buoyancy). Fits waist/chest sizes 30-56 inches, weighs 1 lb, and is designed for calm water activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and sailing.
- Super Belt – Type III Inflatable PFD US Coast Guard Type III approved inflatable belt-pack personal flotation device that inflates into a full upper-body life jacket via pull-cord CO2 activation (24g cartridge, 26.5 lbs buoyancy) or oral tube (35 lbs buoyancy). Fits chest sizes 30-52 inches, weighs 1.4 lbs, features a 200D polyester outer shell with liner and dual encircling straps, and is designed for rough water and open sea conditions.
- Kids Life Vest US Coast Guard Type III approved traditional foam life vest for children. Child size approved for 30-50 lbs (chest 20-25 in); Youth size approved for 50-90 lbs (chest 26-30 in). Features adjustable belts, heavy-duty zipper, minimum 11 lbs buoyancy, soft EPE layered foam, contoured neckline foam, and roomy arm holes.
- Adult Life Vest US Coast Guard Type III approved traditional foam life vest for adults providing maximum coverage and comfort with stylish design, available in Tidal and Sunrise color options.
- Dog Life Vest Life vest for dogs with marine-grade webbing and velcro, featuring EPE layered segmented foam, padded adjustable neck collar, D-ring for leash, reinforced grab handle, under-belly protection, side pockets, and quick-release Delrin buckles. Available in X Small (up to 12 lbs), Small (12-24 lbs), Medium (24-60 lbs), and Large (60-90 lbs); larger sizes include two handles.
- CO2 Rearming Kit – Slim Belt Replacement 16g CO2 cartridge and rearming components for Slim Belt PFDs, allowing reuse of the belt pack after inflation.
- CO2 Rearming Kit – Super Belt Replacement 24g CO2 cartridge and rearming components for Super Belt PFDs, allowing reuse of the belt pack after inflation.
- SunSeeker Crewneck T-Shirt Unisex crewneck t-shirt made from 47.5% polyester, 47.5% rayon, and 5% spandex blend, featuring a heathered look with stretch comfort. Available in Small through 2X Large.
- Women's SunSeeker V-Neck Shirt Women's v-neck t-shirt made from breathable polyester, spandex, and rayon blend (47.5% each polyester and rayon, 5% spandex). Athleisure-inspired design with ultra-soft fabric and flattering drape.
- Bombora Washed Hoodie French terry cloth hoodie made from 100% cotton. Weathered terry material provides soft, durable comfort for casual wear.
- Favorite Trucker Hat Unstructured crown trucker hat with fully curved visor and open back snap closure. Made from cotton twill and soft textured mesh for breathability and durability.
- Dealer Starter Kit Dealer wholesale package including 10 Slim Belts (2 each in Rasta, Dusk, SUPing, Tidal, and Retro colors), 1 Super Belt in Quicksilver, 1 SunSeeker Crewneck, and 1 Favorite Trucker Hat. Priced at $630 (originally $700) with 10% dealer discount and free shipping on first restock orders.
Quantifiable outcome
- Takes 6x less space than typical life vest
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Bombora
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Bombora technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Bombora partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Ritchie NavigationcoreRitchie Navigation is the parent company and creator of Bombora. As a family-owned business for 175 years, Ritchie is the largest compass manufacturer in the US. They operate from the same Pembroke, MA facility that serves as Bombora's headquarters and distribution hub. The Bombora product line represents their expansion into consumer water safety gear.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Bombora competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Bombora social profiles
Digital presenceBombora compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Bombora financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bombora leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Bombora funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bombora M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bombora
What does Bombora do?
Bombora designs, distributes, and sells compact, US Coast Guard-approved inflatable personal flotation device (PFD) belt-packs (Slim Belt Type V and Super Belt Type III), traditional foam life vests for adults, kids, and dogs, CO2 rearming kits, and branded apparel. The products use a pull-cord activated CO2 cartridge inflation system with secondary oral inflation, designed to provide safety compliance without the bulk of traditional life jackets for paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and fishing.
Is Bombora a public or private company?
Bombora is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Bombora founded?
Bombora was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Bombora based?
Bombora is headquartered in Pembroke, United States, in the North America region.
How does Bombora make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. PFD Belt Sales are the primary driver. The others are life Vest Sales, apparel Sales, accessories and Consumables and dealer/Wholesale Channel.
Does Bombora have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bombora.
What industry is Bombora in?
Bombora's product category is Water Safety Equipment / Personal Flotation Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAIAH, Marine Safety & Navigation Electronics Retail (PFDs, EPIRBs, GPS, VHF).