Now, let's move on to the second part of the ALPS OUTDOOR SUMMIT
The first part is here
Nodate Mag, also known as Seki Bikodo, is a pioneer in bringing the idea of using lacquerware more casually in everyday life to the outdoor world
It seems that a new bamboo cutlery series has also been released
By making use of the knots, each piece can be considered unique, so you may be able to find a favorite piece that fits comfortably in your hand
There was also a special item made with real silver maki-e, and a gold version too
Ordinary lacquerware may only be used on special occasions, and may not be used very often in everyday life, but I think the great thing about Nodate is that you can hang it on your backpack like this and take it with you to the mountains or town whenever you want
And on the right is a table called chabu, which is more suitable for camping
The joints are made of deerskin string only, with no metal used at all. The legs are simply inserted and secured with wooden parts. The legs are thin, about 3mm thick, but they are strong thanks to the flexibility of wood
It's compact for its size, as it can be stored by simply sandwiching it between the tabletops. There are three sizes available, so there may be one that's perfect for you
Next up is AiFA, which develops various brands including Gossamer Gear
The Gossamer Gear tent, The Two, is gossamer, and at first the four corners were floating when it was displayed, so I wondered if it had some special mechanism!? But when I asked the representative, I realized that it was simply for the convenience of the exhibit on site (wry smile)
The two-person tent weighs just 667g, and the total weight is less than 800g (this does not include the dedicated trekking poles, which can be used as a substitute and are sold separately)
I also learned this on site, but Gossamer Gear also has clothing, but it seems that this is currently only available in Japan
This is BRYNJE from Norway. Mesh underwear has become popular with many companies lately, but according to the company's president, this is the pioneer
It seems that there are various models available in materials ranging from polypropylene to merino blends. I often wear 0.5 layer jackets, both in my everyday life on hot days and when I go to the mountains, so I'm interested in them
Mountain Rover has recently started appearing in outdoor shops. I have only seen their small items up until now, but it seems they also have a variety of backpacks for city and mountain use
an American company , has seven patents for their sock design, which is designed to provide greater comfort for your feet. The socks are made from a unique blend of alpaca and merino wool, which keeps your feet cool and dry while you're on the move.
Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear, also known as CTUG, had accessories made from X-pack fabric on display
allmansright and AiFA have a wide selection of UL gear. Their main products seem to be small items made with DCF
The booth had a well-stocked merchandise section and special offers, making it a very interesting place
Next up is SECTION-11, which sells LELEKA HAMMOCK, which originated in Ukraine (!).
Just hearing the word Ukraine, I listened to a little bit of their story, and I heard some amazing things, like how they've become accustomed to missiles flying around on a daily basis. I hope they can get back to normal life soon. Going back to hammock products, while they're based on 20-denier ripstop nylon, they have slightly different properties, and there are various models available, both with just the body and with straps
I touched the exhibit and although it was thin, it was very strong and didn't feel like it would break at all
Here is an example of installation, and a tarp that is perfect for hammocks is also available separately
This stuff sack set is made from leftover fabric from hammock production. It's made from the same nylon 20D ripstop monolite mesh material used in hammocks, making it extremely durable and water-resistant, making it a great choice. Because it's leftover fabric, the color assortment is random, a nod to modern environmental practices.
This is YAMATOMO.FUN, a company that is actively releasing UL gear
I'm someone who generally looks for cool mountain gear
I always think that this brand has a wide selection of cute gear, probably because the representative is a woman. They had a booth at the last Alps Summit, and I often see them being active at other outdoor events, which is great
The one that caught my eye the most was this one! UL FUN Packing, which is currently only on display and will be released in the future! This is the small size, one of several sizes available. Isn't it cute?!
It has a cuteness similar to that of dice with rounded corners, I want this!
Another small point is that the packaging is flat, so it's hard to get a good idea of what it looks like, but the fact that it's displayed with the contents inside makes it easier to get an idea of how to use it
Wow! What an impact! It's Fall Works. I'm interested in this product because I enjoy camping as well as hiking.
Although I couldn't actually speak to them at the site due to timing issues, they are a brand that makes camping equipment that combines wood and metal. Their basic themes are light, compact, and easy to use
was released in advance at the Alps Summit ! I thought, "I see, that's what I thought of." A sunoco is a table where you can place small items. It's convenient and compact! It's a really great idea.
They also sold stickers of the "Fu" sign
I was personally curious about the "Fo" so I asked about it later, but the truth is, there's no particular meaning behind it. I just thought it would be cute to use the first letter of "Fall works" as an icon, so I started using it on Instagram. That's what I was told.
Indeed, the reason is very simple. But there are moments when such things can move people's hearts. As proof, the sign seems to be very popular, and he said that he often sees people passing by with their mouths naturally moving in surprise.
Once again, we have 3355, whose theme is "Storage cases that travel with nature." Pouches and cases are their main items.
It's simple and lovely, and I felt there was something timeless about it. The main materials used are pure cotton canvas (Fuji Kinbai) made in Japan and recycled materials in natural colors.
It's simple, stylish and easy to use, which is another three-fold advantage. There are still so many great brands that I don't know about, which is a good thing
The afternoon talk session started around this time, so I went to listen again
Another theme of the Alps Summit was the story of two people who work in similar yet different fields, using the same approach to craftsmanship using wood
Mr. Furuhat, CEO of Santai and Matsumoto Keisei-Nuri, was initially wondering what the connection to the outdoors was, as his company primarily paints and manufactures guitars. But then I realized that guitars are basically made of wood, and if we broaden our scope to outdoor festivals and the like, we realize that they are also indirectly involved in outdoor environments. Mr. Furuhat is the fourth generation of the company, and I felt that the lacquer (now primarily paint) and wood that the first generation cultivated overlapped with the theme of craftsmanship, which is why he was here
It seems that their mission is to "challenge the possibilities of wood and color."
I saw the sample and was impressed by the intricate techniques used to apply paint to each layer of the wood grain
Next up is NODATE, who appears first in the second part
The representative is Mr. Seki, and I'm personally interested in the fact that he previously worked at JAXA
Let's start by talking about the traditional image of lacquer
I was reminded of the potential of lacquer once again. It is resistant to both acids and alkalis and has antibacterial and disinfecting properties, which makes it strangely well-suited to the modern era. It also has an astonishing durability, and I felt that the time has come to take lacquer seriously once again
After each individual talk, there was a session where they shared their thoughts on the other's talk. It was refreshing to see the mutual respect these two greats have for each other's work. I learned a lot
The session had just finished, so Seki and I decided to take a break and look around the booths. As we were walking, we met Steve, the representative of Outdoor Gear Maniacs, and we discovered that people in the industry have a lot of connections with each other
Following that trend, we would like to introduce Outdoor Gear Maniacs, a company that needs no introduction to gear enthusiasts familiar with Six Moon and other companies
This is the tag of the currently popular carbon pole! Seki-san says that the embroidery on this tag is amazing. As expected, his perspective is different, it's certainly beautiful
Currently, Maniax is producing a new brand called "Outdoor Selection." They are uniquely focused on finding, creating, and improving interesting products for outdoor activities. They also have a collaboration product with Nodate. By the way, outdoor umbrellas are apparently the most popular item for Maniax right now. They're selling so well that there aren't any left at the store, so I haven't seen one in person, but perhaps this is a sign that times have changed since the days when rainwear was the only dominant force
I tend to prefer umbrellas depending on the area
After parting ways with Seki, I headed out alone again. Trekvogel, an outdoor shop in Hotaka that only mentioned its name in the first part, told me that it was an interesting place and that I should definitely go and see it, so I came here
PEBLWEAR offers a range of products that may seem strange at first glance, or perhaps not at first glance
At first glance, it looks like a normal lantern
For example, if you send an image of a sunset taken that day to the lantern using the dedicated app,
It reproduces the colors and fluctuations, and the images used are transformable. It's so high-tech, it's hard to understand in a good way (lol). The sides of the body are made with a 3D printer and specially processed to look like stone. I think this is one example that truly embodies Alps Summit's craftsmanship
This is a great product that lets you control audio even while it's in your pocket, so you don't have to take out your smartphone every time you want to operate it; you can just touch it. Once you get used to it, you can operate it without looking, it's wireless and ready to use, and you can adjust it with the dedicated app. It's just a great product, I'm impressed
The bird is a Klattermusen
When you think of Kletal, you think of backpacks, and they're all about high quality! There's no compromise in the construction, but it's true that many of their models are a little heavier than so-called UL packs. However, they aim to fit well when you carry them and distribute the load so that you don't get tired even when walking for long periods of time, and as a result, there are quite a few people who think that Kletal packs are the best. Which is better depends on the direction you're aiming for and the user
I think the sacoche bags also have a unique shine that is unique to Crettall; they are unique but not too eccentric
North Drinkware, which is sold under the name Sputnik
There are mountains inside the glass. They are made from glass molded from 3D data of real mountains
And the coaster that comes with it is engraved with the contour lines of the mountain range, so it's a very expensive item, so it seems to be more popular as a gift
And then time's up! There's no one left to listen to me (lol)
As I said in the previous article, I would like to see everything if possible, but this was my limit. I was here and I was there! Please enjoy the snapshots I took
I personally love Sportiva
The familiar A&F
Lightweight spoon Hoverlight
Pargo Works has many personal favorites
The new indigo assassin, HAKU
The field record of the DCF tent that everyone longs for
ENO is famous for its hammocks
A local Azumino heritage!
FEDECA: Passing on Japan's knife culture to the next generation
There was a lottery for the Casio Pro Trek
What did you think of the Alps Outdoor Summit Press Day?
We thought we did our best, but there's still a long way to go. Nevertheless, we hope that the passion of the exhibitors we were able to interview reaches everyone reading this. The third event has already been scheduled for October 3rd-5th, so it seems we're already on our way to 2025. The official website also concluded with "Thank you to everyone."
Alps Outdoor Summit Official Website
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https://www.instagram.com/alpsoutdoorsummit/
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