I tried out how far I could go with Workman, who is rumored to be the best value for money.
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
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table of contents
- Mountain tools are expensive. Is there any way to get it cheap?
- Which store can offer all the clothing you need for hiking in the cold season for less than 15,000 yen?
- table of contents
- 1. Base layer (recommended level ★★★★☆ Top 780 yen / bottom 980 yen)
- 2. Middle layer (recommended level ★★☆☆☆ 1,900 yen)
- 3. Additional winter clothing (recommended level ★★★☆☆ 2,900 yen)
- 4. Shell layer (recommended level ★★☆☆☆ 5,800 yen)
- 5. Pants (recommended level ★★☆☆☆ 1,900 yen)
- 6. Socks (recommended level: ★★★☆☆ 499 yen)
- summary
- Click here for information on Workman's product, online website and store information
Mountain tools are expensive. Is there any way to get it cheap?
This site usually buys mountain tools many times more than other people's own money, and I think I'm more aware of the price of mountain tools that won't make you feel stupid than anyone else. However, there is not a complete way to keep the cost of purchasing mountain equipment as low as possible.
- release previous models and models that will be replaced during the off-season or sale .
- Purchase from brands or stores that always sell outlet products
- Purchase from stores, e-commerce sites, or auction sites that sell used outdoor goods
- private brand products from inexpensive major outdoor chain stores (although they are not that cheap, they are relatively inexpensive).
- Use a mountain tool rental service, mainly on websites
- (Extremely speaking) Make your own , substitute it for things you have at home or everyday items .
All of the above methods have their advantages and disadvantages, and it is quite difficult to obtain a stable and affordable method at all times. In any case, if the cost too high will not only make you lose the opportunity to discover great mountain equipment, but it will also be a high hurdle to getting exposed to the outdoor world, it would be counterproductive.
Which store can offer all the clothing you need for hiking in the cold season for less than 15,000 yen?
Workman , a domestic workwear specialty store , not just an outdoor brand or Uniqlo . Originally, we are a specialty store for work clothes and related products mainly for on-site work and factory work, but when we create products that are designed to be used for long periods of heavy work, in the outdoors in the blazing sun or in the extreme cold, the environment for use is outdoors. Information has been secretly exchanged in the anonymous message board community that this is fully usable even for mountain climbing, and most of all, it seems that there are quite a few people who use it because of its overwhelmingly low price.
Perhaps Workman himself is aware of this, but recently he has been launching a series of brands that specialize in a variety of leisure and hobby activities, not just work clothes, but also running and motorcycles. In 2016, the outdoor brand "FieldCore" finally launched.
So this time we've picked out a set of other clothing items that would suit you mountain climbing, focusing on Workman's original brand FieldCore products. When I discussed the purpose of the project, I was able to talk directly with the person in charge, so I was able to help with the selection, and as a result, I was able to stock all the outdoor wear, including outerwear, for less than 15,000 yen . I can only laugh now. *The items are basically purchased, but some of them have been provided.
The period used was from November to December, and almost all-body workmen were able to do day hiking in autumn and winter (snowless season), skiing on the slopes, and snowshoeing. How far can you climb with the ultimate cheap equipment? I would like to share my experience below.
table of contents
- 1. Base layer (recommended level ★★★★☆ 980 yen each up and down)
- 2. Middle layer (recommended level ★★☆☆☆ 1,900 yen)
- 3. Additional winter clothing (recommended level ★★★★☆ 2,900 yen)
- 4. Shell layer (recommended level ★★☆☆☆ 5,800 yen)
- 5. Pants (recommended level ★★★☆☆ 1,900 yen)
- 6. Socks (recommended level: ★★★☆☆ 499 yen)
- summary
1. Base layer (recommended level ★★★★☆ Top 780 yen / bottom 980 yen)
This is what you can do!
Polyester is light, strong, and quick-drying, and is a chemical fiber that is widely used in all sports. This material is mainly used in many synthetic fiber base layers for mountain climbing. Of course, even with the same polyester, each manufacturer uses a lot of technology and ingenuity, so there are naturally differences in performance, but even with this cheap base layer, there is no problem with basic functionality. It quickly absorbed sweat, made the skin dry, and quickly carried moisture to the outer clothing. The slight polyurethane stretches to a certain extent, and even if it fits perfectly to the body, it is not so difficult to move around. The lining is slightly brushed so it feels soft on the skin, and it certainly feels warm the moment you put it on, and it doesn't feel cold even when you're absorbing sweat, making it a perfect base layer for autumn and winter. By the way, Heattech has been a hot topic for some reason as a low-priced underwear, but depending on how it is used, it is generally everyday wear, so it fits a little loose, it tends to accumulate sweat and it takes a little to dry, and it's not that cheap, so personally, this one was much better.
This is △
This is just compared to general mountaineering wear, but it is slightly less comfortable in terms of comfort. The cutting is simple and stretchy, but limited, so it doesn't have the perfect fit that will evenly fit the entire body (though it's quite acceptable as long as you're not nervous). In addition, perhaps because it is based on work clothes that are washed every day, its deodorizing functions are completely weak, and if you wear it for days with sweaty activities, you will need to be prepared for that (now nostalgic) abominable smell. However, if you take that into consideration, if you want to have some extravagant underwear for mountaineering for a luxurious lunch, that's completely fine.
2. Middle layer (recommended level ★★☆☆☆ 1,900 yen)
This is what you can do!
Quote: Workman Official ONLINE STORE
At first glance, this long-sleeved shirt looks like a normal jersey, but the lining is finished with a ceramic print (see photo), making it a structure that prevents the body temperature radiated from the body from escaping. I wasn't sure if it was +3°C, but it is gentle and airy and quick-drying, making it a very convenient middle layer to wear under outerwear while you are on the move. , considering that insulation, ventilation, and stretchy insulation, which has been a hot topic in the outdoor industry these days
This is △
Even though it has a heat retention effect of +3℃, it has a decent heat retention power. The cutting is simple and stretchy so you can move normally, but you cannot expect high-quality comfort or ease of movement. The ceramic print on the lining is also weak against intense friction, and will gradually peel off when rubbed with your fingers. Needless to say, the design and coloring are strict. As a middle layer that can be used as a way of wearing this kind of outfit, it may not be the best cheap wear, so this may not be the best cheap one, but its compactness is quite useful for its price and heat retention.
3. Additional winter clothing (recommended level ★★★☆☆ 2,900 yen)
This is what you can do!
The cold weather wear released this season from Workman's unique outdoor brand, FieldCore, is a cold weather jacket with a variety of features that you wouldn't expect from the price. The padding is made of polyester and has no particular problem with heat retention. Of course, even if it gets wet, the heat retention will not decrease like down. It is windproof and water-repellent to just repel some rain. Above all, the highly stretchy fabric and cutting around the arms have increased mobility make it a winter wear and easy to move around. There are also three pockets. Comes with a reflector. There are also models for women. With such a multifunctionality, this price is a bit scary.
This is △
It can be said that it is sufficiently efficient and easy to use for a convenient outdoor environment, but if I had to mention it, it is first of all, so it is very bulky. It's a shame because it's quite light. Furthermore, it is not known whether the thickness of the front and backing is the cause, but it does not dry quickly, and as soon as you start to sweat, it will build up heat, stuffy and slightly uncomfortable. It's not that it has extremely heat retention. Although it is generally well-made, on the other hand, it is waterproof as an outer shell, and it is breathable and quick-drying compared to soft shells, and it is not as good as heat retention and compactness compared to down jackets, so it is undeniable that there are still some parts of the mountain climbing use that are not clear. Currently, it is probably best to use it as an outerwear that is a little bulky but can be worn when it gets cold on a sunny day.
4. Shell layer (recommended level ★★☆☆☆ 5,800 yen)
This is what you can do!
It is an ordinary two-layer waterproof and breathable fabric, but with a specs of 10,000mm water pressure and 5,000g/m2/24h, it can be said that it fully meets the minimum line for a winter shell. When I actually wore it at a ski resort that was raining all day, it worked without any problems in terms of water repellency and waterproofing (see photo). The lining is made of brushed material, and compared to just rain gear, it is much more important to keep warm, so this is easy to use when viewed as autumn and winter rainwear. The outer material is a bit rough, so it can be used as snow wear, and the stretchy material is also used to reduce the tension.
This is △
It is also suitable for use as skis, but that doesn't compare to the hard shell, which is the most cutting edge and detailed technology and ingenuity among outdoor wear. That's how the two differ in terms of extreme use, such as weather resistance, durability, and sweat treatment. Furthermore, when considering it as an outerwear for mountain climbing in winter (with light snow), we should not expect much of it to be a "minimum waterproof and breathable clothing" and it is more convenient than that. The simplicity of cutting is the result of the dubs and tension, the strength of the zipper and seams, the depth around the chin, and the waist adjustment of the pants is limited to elastic, and there are no pants pockets. There are also some other concerns about the ease of use when compared to authentic mountaineering wear. The breathability is also minimal, so if you hike up while wearing this unventilated jacket, you'll definitely get hotter halfway through and want to take it off. Taking these into consideration, how do you decide on the incredible price of 5,800 yen?
5. Pants (recommended level ★★☆☆☆ 1,900 yen)
This is what you can do!
It has 100% synthetic fiber (polyester), windproof and fleece lining, and is more than sufficient in terms of functionality, with a warm, stretchy feel, and the loose silhouette makes it stress-free when walking. Workman itself hasn't said anything, but in the mountain industry this is called "soft shell pants"... Is that okay for 1,900 yen?
This is △
Although I try to avoid putting my personal preferences as much as possible, the design is really tough, from the silhouette to the elastic waist, the pocket lines, and the colouring. It may be a completely off point, as it might be fine if you wear work clothes, but when you look at it in the field of outdoor activities, this is a bit of a thought. Other than that, the size range is one size fits a little, and the fit is a bit problematic. It's a shame because it's price, functionality and usability.
6. Socks (recommended level: ★★★☆☆ 499 yen)
This is what you can do!
The performance of socks is important in seasons when your toes tend to get cold. It is recommended to use wool as much as possible from the perspective of heat retention and sweat removal, but Workman also has one. Wool blend socks. A total of 2 pairs are priced at one coin. However, although the proportion is unknown, it is believed that acrylic and polyester are the main drying out after washing and drying (it was quite quick-drying). As for comfort, the elastic that tightens the instep, shin, and calves work to fit neatly for the price. Similarly, this price is more than enough for heat retention.
This is △
It is easy to imagine that in order to keep prices down to this extent, there must be a certain amount of production, but perhaps because of that, it is only one size. It felt a little bigger than the perfect fit for my legs (26.5cm). However, there was no difference.
summary
Above, although this is merely a trial of each piece of clothing several times, I have summarized my impressions of actually using it. There's probably an impression that they've made so many comments, but it's true that the surprise of them is "We'll often do this much at this price!"
What impressed me as a whole about Workman products they specialize in the critical functions and ease of movement of each item . That was exactly what I was looking for, so I felt that there were quite a few items that you wouldn't have to worry about at all if it was for an introductory purpose If I'm currently a student in the mountain club, I'll be the first to buy this to new club members.
However, on the other hand, by boldly omitting other parts, you can reduce costs on a different level, so once you start to get serious and particular, you start to worry about the parts that are not for mountains in various parts, and you start to feel unsatisfied. And, it's also inevitable that there are fewer female models than high-end outdoor and apparel brands.
In conclusion, if you want to take into account various disadvantages and get a cheap mountain equipment, or if you're thinking of getting a good fit, as it's still a little early to get serious gear, it's a good option.
In fact, Workman's outdoor wear sales seem to be quite good, and it seems that the stock for this season has already been sold out. We won't be able to catch up with traditional outdoor manufacturers, and we will be able to keep an eye on new products in the future!
Click here for information on Workman's product, online website and store information
Workman official website (store information)
Workman Digital Product Catalog
