Canopy SS Design Notes

Taking even stronger reference from the Otter than previous Canopy instalments, primarily in its profile design, the Canopy SS is an undersized performer crafted out of stainless steel for added durability and torque. Optimising for characteristics native to the Otter, the Canopy SS has agility and quickness that are surprising for its specs – it’s all about outsized performance packed tight into a compact form.

The release of the Canopy SS feels like a full-circle moment – the end of the beginning. We’re at the end of the year, and we’re also nearing the end of 2024’s release slate. The final instalment in Canopy’s design lineup is the Canopy SS, a model that might’ve been the most unlikely from the beginning – but also one that’s eventually evolved into a house favourite.

The four Canopy designs lean into various existing designs for inspiration, depending on their concept and material. The AL felt like a good, balanced blend of the Polaris and Otter form factors, the PC borrowed from the Arctica, and the Ti drew heavily from the Polaris. The fourth Canopy is the spiritual cousin of the Otter – Harrison’s second signature design by Caribou Lodge and Jeffrey Pang of Luftverk – but reimagined and forged in stainless steel.

The accidental but fortunate implication of its characteristics, however, was that the Canopy SS had to likely be small. An overly large and dense design was a non-starter, given the Canopy ethos of everyday-ness; but a small form factor was an early concept cornerstone that bloomed beautifully into what the Canopy SS eventually became.

It feels amiss to tell much of this story without Harrison’s own voice, so… here’s his side of the tale.

Take it away, Harrison.

I try not to choose favorites, but the SS is easily my standout choice from the Canopy introductory lineup.

Let’s take a step back.

At the start of the year, when Reuben and I were brainstorming which yo-yos we’d like to release as part of the collection, it only made sense to lean into the overarching Technical Outdoors theme and use it to guide our yo-yo design philosophy.

Technical outdoor-wear brands often release variants of the same product, each geared toward different use cases and activities. While two products in the same lineup might appear identical on paper, their in-use performance can differ greatly, as they’re optimized for different objectives. For instance, maneuverability and breathability are often prioritized for rock climbers, whereas trail runners or trekkers might have entirely different priorities—even if there’s some overlap.

Backpacking around East Asia this fall, the SS became my go-to pick for daily adventures. It was something that could easily fit in my crossbody bag. The outsized performance of the Canopy SS, led me to choose for my demo at AXEL—here it is in action.

The Canopy SS features design cues native and now recognisable to Canopy – such as the Otter’s half-spike, albeit compressed, and a lot more subtle; it also features the gentle, topological profile lines from the Polaris. However, the profile wall is a lot more curved than is regular for a Canopy – it opens up a wide, friendly chasm for string hits, and also pays homage to its forebear in the original Otter design.

It’s obviously related to the lot, but it bears closer resemblance from one side of the family.

The weight distribution is decidedly even, which means that even at 67.5g, it moves extremely confidently, but it’s sprightly and quick. It’s far from a tiny brick that its mass might suggest. It’s nearly a full gram heavier than the Canopy Ti – but it moves much, much faster.

At 50mm it might be hard to imagine something so stable and powerful, but for its physical profile – its performance is genuinely outsized.

We’re incredibly excited to bring you the Canopy SS – a product of over thirty drafts and multiple prototypes, a real pocket rocket, and perhaps the best way to wrap up an incredible year of new things.