Following on from last time, we will be reporting on The OutDoor Show Friedrichshafen, a comprehensive exhibition of outdoor equipment held in Germany in July. In this second report, we will continue to feature the latest and most noteworthy gear from brands that are well-known in Japan. Let's go and check it out!
→Part 1: PETZL, OMM, MAMMUT, and other European brands' latest gear featured in Part 1
table of contents
1. Vibram Furoshiki
Vibram is trusted by enthusiasts worldwide for its outsoles (the part that comes into contact with the ground) of outdoor shoes, but what the FiveFingers five-finger shoe . One of these, Furoshiki, which debuted in 2015, is a type of footwear that literally "envelops" the foot, a design that any Japanese person would understand. Next season, they will be releasing colorful new colors featuring ethnic patterns from around the world.
While I was there, I was able to speak directly with Hashimoto-san (pictured in the title), the designer in charge of developing this item. It goes without saying that human feet vary enormously in both size and shape, but is it possible to defy this conventional wisdom and create shoes that fit everyone's feet? He said one answer to this question is the idea of "wearing shoes that wrap around the feet." This has resulted in an innovation that allows the shoe itself to flexibly adapt to subtle differences in size and foot shape, making it possible to fit a wide range of people with a limited range of sizes
In addition to Furoshiki, Hashimoto is constantly exploring the act of "walking" from various perspectives, not just ergonomically, but also historically and ethnologically, and is constantly coming up with new footwear ideas through trial and error. I can't wait for his new work, but I'd love to have a chance to talk to him in detail someday!
2. VAUDE Brentour
In Japan, VAUDE is considered a relatively low-key brand, not known for anything other than its backpacks. However, in its home country of Germany, it's a comprehensive outdoor brand that offers a wide range of outdoor products, including not only backpacks but also sleeping bags, tents, shoes, and apparel. Even just backpacks, they offer a wide variety of models to suit a variety of purposes, from everyday use to biking and mountain climbing. One that caught my eye was the Brentour (45+10L), a lightweight and comfortable backpack for the globally popular speed hike. While high breathability thanks to the airflow structure on the back is commonplace these days, this backpack features AEROFLEX X+, designed to enhance ventilation without compromising load balance even under heavy loads, making it even more versatile. Another unique feature is the brand's commitment to eco-friendliness, which is a consideration for the natural environment
3. HOUDINI Wooler Houdi
Swedish brand HOUDINI continues to create functional and beautiful outdoor wear that packs exceptional comfort and mobility into simple, stylish designs. Next season, be sure to check out the Windshell Air 2 Air Jacket (center photo), whose silhouette and coloring make it perfect for everyday running and mountain climbing. Another must-see is the Wooler Houdi (foreground photo), a high-performance parka made from New Zealand merino wool. Though made from 100% wool, the lining features a grid-like weave, allowing air to circulate through the gaps. This construction improves breathability and quick-drying properties while maintaining the soft feel and comfort that merino wool is known for, resulting in a highly versatile garment
4. GARMONT DRAGONTAIL N.AIR.G
Garmont is a personal favorite of mine, an Italian brand known for its innovative design and advanced technology that provides sturdy, stable walking performance (especially the heel hold, which is a comfort that no other brand can match). Despite going bankrupt last year, they've made a remarkable comeback. This latest addition to Garmont's 15-year-old Dragontail approach shoe series provides grip and stability for technical, complex terrain on the way to the rocks, while also being lightweight, highly breathable, and waterproof thanks to Gore-Tex, making them ideal for light hikes. The stylish design remains as versatile as ever, making them suitable for everyday wear
5. EXPED SKYLINE TRAVERSE
EXPED began as a Swiss couple's honeymoon (for nine months!) in the Canadian wilderness. Over the 20 years since they began manufacturing tents, they've expanded into sleeping bags, mats, bags, and more, creating unique gear in each category. I'd known they also made backpacks for a while, but hadn't quite found the opportunity to get started. Then, I came across a very interesting model: the lightweight, multi-functional hiking backpack SKYLINE TRAVERSE. The most eye-catching feature is the back system. You can create a space in the back for the trendy airflow system, or you can wear it snugly against your back
This versatile model offers a wide range of uses and is highly versatile, with airflow for lighter weather in the summer and tighter fit for winter or when carrying heavy loads. It also comes in a variety of sizes, including 15L and 25L (SKYLINE) and 35L and 40L (TRAVERSE)
6. LEKI Micro Trail Vario
It seems that trail running is a real hit in Europe, with almost all major brands now offering specialized trail running lineups. LEKI, one of the world's leading trekking pole brands, will also be launching a full-fledged trail running series in 2017. Its flagship model, the Micro Trail Vario, differs from trekking poles in that it prioritizes light weight over durability. Its easy-to-grip cork grip, straps that won't wobble even during intense movement, and the ability to detach the entire strap from the pole with a single touch make it easy to fold up the pole and get into a running position. Its unique features include features specifically tailored for running. Of course, as long as your luggage is lightweight, it's also suitable for fastpacking and speed hiking
LEKI importer and distributor in Japan: Caravan Co., Ltd.
7. Salewa Multi Track Trail Running Shoe
Salewa's original designs continue to make a big impact, but their new trail running shoes are designed for a wide variety of terrain, making them a truly all-in-one, multi-track model that's perfect for hiking, running, and biking. The outsole is made by Michelin, which has recently begun supplying various brands. Judging by the sole pattern, it's not dissimilar to my personal favorite, the Montrail Bajada, and its studded design with tiny cubes at various angles suggests a stable, high-grip design. At just 270g, they're also quite lightweight
8. Nordisk Lofoten 1 ULW
The world's smallest and lightest double-wall tent has been rewritten. The Loften 1 ULW is a double-walled, one-person tent that weighs an astonishing 490g. Not only that, but its pack size is just 11x22cm, about the size of a 500ml water bottle. Sitting inside, your head would get caught on the ceiling while sitting cross-legged, so it's a bit on the edge of livability, but it's still worth it if you don't have to worry about insects and it weighs about the same as a tarp or tent
9. Dynafit Alpine Pro
DYNAFIT is the brand that invented the TLT bindings, which are now loved by backcountry skiers around the world, so it was previously known only in the world of winter sports. However, DYNAFIT has been gradually warming up to summer outdoor activities over the past few years, and is now making a full-scale entry into the market
The brand covers a wide range of categories, from apparel to shoes, backpacks, poles, and various accessories, in the alpine running, speed mountaineering, and lifestyle genres. This time, we focused on the Alpine Pro low-cut shoes, which are ideal for speed mountaineering
The Vibram Megagrip outsole boasts excellent grip, the stable and cushioned midsole, the Alpine Rolling curved sole that doesn't hinder your foot movement, and the Ballistic Bumper that absorbs shock at the toes allow for a stable run on any terrain. Furthermore, the Rubber Tension in the heel provides a snug fit and support. The Carbon Shield provides strong resistance to sharp impacts. Performance and comfort have been pursued in every detail, making it hard not to be excited
10. LIGHT MY FIRE Add-a-Twist
This Swedish outdoor accessory brand, known for its beautifully designed cutlery, has released a stylish and functional accessory storage solution. This set of vertically oriented containers, easy to store in a backpack, includes large, medium, and small containers that can be connected together. As shown in the photo below, multiple sets can be connected together indefinitely. Each container is double-walled, waterproof, and shock-resistant, and can hold anything from food to first aid supplies, batteries, and other gadgets. While they're a bit heavy, they're sure to make packing easier
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