Why I Chose “Fennec” for Our Offroad Goggles: The True (and Slightly Hilarious) Story

Why I Chose “Fennec” for Our Offroad Goggles: The True (and Slightly Hilarious) Story - Rottweiler Motors

Philippe Hänni |

At Rottweiler Motors, we’ve always prided ourselves on making gear that’s not only built for performance but also brings a style that makes people do a double-take. So when we launched our latest product—offroad goggles—we knew we needed a name that would make people curious. Enter Fennec. That’s right, the adorable, giant-eared desert fox 🦊. And before you ask, there’s a very good reason why we went with it. Let me take you through the story of how some Nocco-fueled inspiration and a little adventure in Morocco led us here.

1. The Fennec: Big Ears, Big Vision—Retro Style 😎

Fennec foxes are known for their massive ears. These things are like nature’s ultimate antennae, helping them hear the faintest sounds across the hot sands of the Sahara. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “What does this have to do with goggles?” Well, our Fennec goggles are designed to give you that same kind of sensory awareness but through vision. With a retro style that fits perfectly with our classic 1984 Riding Jerseys, these goggles are about looking cool while staying in control, just like the fox.

But here’s the kicker: those fox ears help the Fennec thrive in temperatures that hit 50 degrees Celsius 🌡️. That’s the kind of extreme heat you face when you’re tearing up the dunes in Merzouga or Zagora, two places that served as my own inspiration for these goggles. Our Fennec goggles, while not as adorable as the fox (sorry), are built to handle anything—from the Saharan sun ☀️ to the mud pits of your local trails. They might not have ears, but they’ll give you a field of vision as wide as a desert horizon.

2. Inspired by Morocco’s Wild Trails: Merzouga & Zagora 🏜️

Let’s rewind to when the name was born. Picture this: I’m in Morocco, right on the edge of the Merzouga dunes, sipping on a Nocco after a day of hitting the sands 🏍️. The sun’s dipping below the horizon, casting that warm, golden glow over the Sahara, and I spot one of those Fennec foxes, hopping around, living its best life. I couldn’t help but admire how this tiny creature thrived in such a harsh environment, just like we do when we’re out there pushing the limits.

The Fennec fox embodies everything we want our gear to stand for—adaptability, resilience, and style that fits right in with the wildest landscapes. And if you’ve ever been to Zagora, you know the terrain is no joke—heat, sandstorms, rocky paths, and enough dust to fill a small swimming pool 🏖️. Our goggles are built for those kinds of conditions, inspired by the very places where the Fennec fox thrives.

3. Lightweight and Agility—Just Above 100 Grams 💪

When we say our goggles are inspired by the Fennec, we don’t just mean the toughness—we mean the agility, too. Fennec foxes are fast and light on their feet, capable of navigating through sand dunes without even breaking a sweat. That’s why we made sure our goggles weighed just a bit above 100 grams, so they stay feather-light and comfortable while you’re taking on the trails. You’ll barely even notice they’re there—just like how the Fennec slips effortlessly through the sands.

And with that retro design, they fit perfectly with our 1984 Riding Jerseys. So not only do you get gear that performs, but you also get that vintage off-road look that’s perfect for photos and turning heads as you ride by. 📸

4. Surviving the Desert and Beyond 🏆

Now, let’s get into why the Fennec fox is the perfect symbol for our goggles. These little foxes don’t just survive in one of the hottest places on Earth—they thrive. Temperatures in the Sahara can climb over 50 degrees Celsius 🔥, and yet there they are, sprinting across the sand, dodging predators, and generally being the superheroes of the desert.

Our Fennec goggles are built with the same level of toughness. Whether you’re tearing through the dunes of Merzouga, bouncing through the rocky paths of Zagora, or taking on the trails in your own backyard, these goggles have you covered. They’ll keep out dust, debris, and whatever else the elements throw at you—just like those massive fox ears help keep sand and sun from stopping our desert friend.

5. It Just Sounds Cool (And Let’s Be Honest, Naming Gear Is Tough) 🤷

Here’s a little secret: coming up with the perfect product name is a lot harder than you’d think. We went through a lot of ideas—some that I’d rather not admit—and it wasn’t until I was sitting there, staring at a Fennec fox in the middle of the Moroccan desert, that it all clicked. “Fennec” wasn’t just a cute name; it represented everything our goggles stand for: resilience, performance, and a style that’s both tough and timeless.

Besides, when we weighed our other options like “SandGuard” or “TrailEyes” (don’t even get me started on the pitch for “MudVision”), none of them had the same vibe. The name Fennec captures the spirit of the desert and the adventure that comes with it. Plus, it rolls off the tongue a lot better than “Desert-Protecto-Gear” or whatever our marketing team initially had in mind.

In Conclusion: Channel Your Inner Fennec 🦊

So there you have it—the story behind the name Fennec. At Rottweiler Motors, we want our gear to do more than just protect; we want it to embody a sense of adventure. Our offroad goggles are built to help you take on whatever the trail throws your way, whether it’s blasting through the dunes of Morocco or just handling the local mud pits like a pro. And with their retro design, they don’t just look great—they fit perfectly with our 1984 Riding Jerseys, giving you that classic off-road aesthetic.

The next time someone asks you why they’re called Fennec, just smile and say, “It’s all about desert inspiration.” Or tell them the full story, complete with Nocco and sand dunes—it’s a good one either way. 😉

Leave a comment

Please note: comments must be approved before they are published.