BORN ON THE RIVER

Made in the USA / Homegrown in Hurricane, UT

Chums has a long and storied history on the water. In 1983 Chums inventor Mike Taggett was tired of watching his customers lose their sunglasses to the bottom of the Colorado River. This is where the idea for the Original Cotton Chums was born. Living in the back of a VW van is a $60 sewing machine Taggett started producing the first round of Chums.


1980

Mike Taggett the founder of Chums hitchhikes to Utah to become a river guide

Mike Taggett, the founder of Chums, hitchhikes to Utah to become a river guide

1982

Mike sews the first retainer

Chums Eyeglass Retainers

1984

Chums & Swatch, Swatch places the first order with Chums leading to mass production

Chums + Swatch

1985

The Red-Footed Booby Bird takes his spot as the face of Chums

Chums Mascot, the red-footed booby bird

1993

Chums retail store opens on Main Street in Hurricane Utah

Chums retails store

1995

Portland, Oregon, Chums sales and design office opens in Oregon

Hurricane and Portland Chums badge

2002

Chuck Ferries, The Ferries Family purchases Chums

Chuck Ferries

2004

Hang with you Chums, The Booby Bird gets a buddy

Double Booby Bird

2008

Landwell open the first Chums retail store in Tokyo, Japan.

Chums + Landwell

2013

Chums 30th Anniversary, Helping you hang on since 1983.

Celebrating 30 Years

2014

Chums roll out their first accessory case

Chums first accessory case

2016

Sun Valley Idaho, Chums opens new office in Sun Valley Idaho

New office in Sun Valley, ID
River Rafting oar
Chumley, the dog.

1981

Chumley the finest golden Lab and namesake of the company

The original retainer

1983

Chums Original Retainer is born

The blue-footed booby

1985

Booby Bird, the blue-footed booby bird is adopted as the Chums mascot

JERCS - Just an Eyewear Retention and Comfort System

1993

JERCS, Just an Eyewear Retention and Comfort System

Early Chums Safety advertisement

1995

Chums Safety, Chums enters the safety market with breakaway retainer and accessories

Landwell + Chums in Japan

2001

Landwell Inc. & Chums crosses the Pacific to be distributed in Japan

Universal Fit retainer

2003

Universal Fit, Chums continues to revolutionize the fit and function of the eyewear retainer

new SLC office

2007

Salt Lake City Utah, Chums expands operations, merges with Chisco and opens office in Salt Lake City

Chums Asia and the Shanghai Birds Nest

2012

Chums Asia, Chums enters China with the Shanghai Birds Nest

Silicone Retainers

2013

Chums adds silicone retainers to their product line

In-house sublimation

2015

Chums continues to innovate with in house sublimation

Chums factory in Hurricane

2017 - PRESENT

Chums continues to manufacture thousands of units a day in our original factory

1980

Mike Taggett the founder of Chums hitchhikes to Utah to become a river guide

1981

Chumley the finest golden Lab and namesake of the company

1982

Mike sews the first retainer

1983

Chums Original Retainer is born

1984

Chums & Swatch, Swatch places the first order with Chums leading to mass production

1985

Booby Bird, the blue-footed booby bird is adopted as the Chums mascot

1985

The Red-Footed Booby Bird takes his spot as the face of Chums

1993

Chums retail store opens on Main Street in Hurricane Utah

1993

JERCS, Just an Eyewear Retention and Comfort System

1995

Portland, Oregon, Chums sales and design office opens in Oregon

1995

Chums Safety, Chums enters the safety market with breakaway retainer and accessories

2001

Landwell Inc. & Chums crosses the Pacific to be distributed in Japan

2002

Chuck Ferries, The Ferries Family purchases Chums

2003

Universal Fit, Chums continues to revolutionize the fit and function of the eyewear retainer

2004

Hang with you Chums, The Booby Bird gets a buddy

2007

Salt Lake City Utah, Chums expands operations, merges with Chisco and opens office in Salt Lake City

2008

Landwell open the first Chums retail store in Tokyo, Japan.

2012

Chums Asia, Chums enters China with the Shanghai Birds Nest

2013

Chums 30th Anniversary, Helping you hang on since 1983.

2013

Chums adds silicone retainers to their product line

2014

Chums roll out their first accessory case

2015

Chums continues to innovate with in house sublimation

2016

Sun Valley Idaho, Chums opens new office in Sun Valley Idaho

2017

Chums continues to manufacture thousands of units a day in our original factory

Chums Today

We now have 3 offices, over 75 employees, a few of which have been with us for over 20 years.

Over the three decades we’ve been around, we’ve learned a thing or two. Mostly how to have fun while still getting after it and we pride ourselves in having a team filled with the raddest, most talented people in the industry.


Chums manufactures
15,000+ Units a Day
in our Hurricane, Utah facility.

Chums Today

We now have 3 offices, over 75 employees, a few of which have been with us for over 20 years.

Over the three decades we’ve been around, we’ve learned a thing or two. Mostly how to have fun while still getting after it and we pride ourselves in having a team filled with the raddest, most talented people in the industry.


Chums manufactures
15,000+ Units a Day
in our Hurricane, Utah facility.

USA Map with Chums Locations
Early image of CHUMS crew

Family Run Company

In 2002 Chuck Ferries purchased Chums in partnership with his son and son-in-law. For the past 18 years the Ferries family has continued to push innovation through product development, instilled a commitment to American-made manufacturing (out of the company’s Hurricane, UT manufacturing facility), and embedded an unwavering passion for unbeatable customer service, helping Chums became the global brand we know and love today.

In 2002 Chuck Ferries purchased Chums in partnership with his son and son-in-law. For the past 18 years the Ferries family has continued to push innovation through product development, instilled a commitment to American-made manufacturing (out of the company’s Hurricane, UT manufacturing facility), and embedded an unwavering passion for unbeatable customer service, helping Chums became the global brand we know and love today.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Support   or  Call: 877-665-2272