July 18, 2008
Stuff I Really Like: The SUMO Omni
My fave new product is the Sumo Omni. This is one of the coolest pieces of "furniture" I've ever owned.
It would be unfair to call the Omni--a supersized pillow-- a modern-day, multi-functional bean bag chair. Covered in space-age, ballistic nylon, available in 10 cool colors (mine is black), and filled with polystyrene foam "Sumo beans," it's waaaay cooler than that. When I think of bean bags, I think of '70s hippies, tackiness, and lack of comfort and function. But the Omni is modern, far more comfortable, and very fashionable. It fits almost anywhere and is chameleonic in the various forms and shapes you can mold it into.
Made of high-tech materials, it's like a giant moveable mattress/chair/recliner/gamer chair. At 18 lbs., it's light and easy to carry. It has over 10 different uses, including as a crash mat, lounge chair, recliner, love seat, floor pillow, and mini-mattress.
Watch this Sumo Omni demonstration video:
Other Sumo Omni videos here.
I received my Sumo Omni a few weeks ago. And I can't get enough of using it. I sat and reclined in it while I reviewed movie DVDs on my TV. I played video games in it. I molded it into a bed-like reclining position and relaxed while I read a book. Each experience was enjoyable and relaxing. At my height of about 5'2", the 4.5' x 5.5' Sumo Sack could even be used as a mattress of sorts. For kids, it definitely could be This thing is fantastic.
And aside from being easily totable and stored, it's also easily cleaned. The nylon covering is stain-resistant and can be wiped down with soapy water and a cloth. The cover cannot be removed, but it has velcro closures for a secondary closing of the cover.
Sumo is the very cool company owned by Andrew Milligan. He designed the Sumo Omni, as well as several other cool pieces of moldable furniture and modern memory foam mattresses.
You can mold and reposition the Sumo Omni in so many ways and the free-form space-age nylon holds the position well, until you shift positions.
I wish they had this when I was in college, as it's an ideal gift for your college-aged kid who needs a multi-functional, easy cleaned piece of furniture that can easily fit in small spaces.
A few minor caveats:
* At first, as I sat in my new Sumo Omni, I occasionally caught a very mild whiff of the filler. But designer Milligan says the smell goes away after a little use. And he is right. The tiny hint of a smell is gone.
* If you're older, have a bad back, or need help getting up from the ground, this might not be the item for you. As I said, this is really a great gift for college-aged kids, but also for younger kids and 20-something and 30-something adults who--like me--enjoy fun, multi-functional, comfy furniture. If you can sit in a gamer chair and get up, you can safely do the same with the Sumo Omni.
* The Omni--in so many of its positions--is so comfy, you might fall asleep, as I did a few times.
The Sumo Omni is $149, which includes free shipping. But it is well worth the price. It'll last a long time and is so functional and comfortable.
I was sent a free Sumo Omni, in exchange for a review. I was not required to give it a positive review. But, frankly, they didn't need any requirements. I'd definitely buy one.
I LOVE IT!!!!
Posted by Debbie at July 18, 2008 08:38 PM
Comments
Do you come with it? :)
Posted by: Ron Taylor ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.debbieschlussel.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 18, 2008 11:50 PM
Come on Ron.
Posted by: samurai at July 19, 2008 12:58 AM
What a great idea for Christmas. Putting it on my list now. :)Thanks!
Posted by: Hermster at July 19, 2008 01:51 AM
Debbie, quit being such a tease. Now you should at least post some pictures of you on that thing.
Posted by: Anonymous1 at July 19, 2008 01:42 PM
Uh, the video ends with: "I dare you to discover you favorite position!"
Posted by: barrypopik at July 19, 2008 02:45 PM
I find myself liking the commercials. They're really funny and they show how easy its to put the product to use. You don't find very often a presentation where you can show the various uses a product can be put to in a short clip. Most have only one use. But the number of uses with the Sumo Omni (The word "Omni" here does live up to its hype) is limited only by one's imagination.
Posted by: NormanF at July 20, 2008 01:49 AM
I can see it also used as a guest mattress. Most people use airbeds but its pain to keep them inflated and they're awkward to use outside a guest bedroom. The Sumo Omni can be used anywhere. If it was a tad more portable, it could even be used for camping, vacation travel and by on the road warriors.
Posted by: NormanF at July 20, 2008 01:53 AM
Incidentally, I'd swear the actress in the Sumo commercials bears a striking resemblance to the now defunct WB's series "Gilmore Girls" star Lauren Graham!
Posted by: NormanF at July 20, 2008 02:49 AM
I'm with Ron, I wish the conservative goddess (I wonder if debble likes me calling her that?) came with one of those big Sumo Omnis!
Posted by: Squirrel3D at July 20, 2008 04:54 PM
Oh debbie you hot little mix, how much to post pix of you on your sumo? Come on debs, give a brother some love!!!
Posted by: tita2juju at July 21, 2008 12:15 AM
I wonder if the bead filling will compress over time like with the old beanbag chairs?
Posted by: lexi at July 21, 2008 09:41 AM
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