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Chris Clearman, founder of Matador, stands outdoors wearing a green t-shirt, backwards cap, and technical Matador backpack, with a soft natural landscape and overcast sky in the background.
Chris Clearman, founder of Matador, built the brand for the DRIVEN bold enough to explore the world firsthand—and smart enough to pack light.

Founder Story | Chris Clearman | Matador Travel Equipment

Clearman didn’t set out to build a travel gear empire—he set out to solve a problem. After a failed startup, he pivoted to what became the brand's genesis: a packable blanket. Matador is rooted in a design ethos of function over flash, and a belief that the best gear disappears into the background.

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