NEWS: This season's hottest gear and unique new faces all in one place! TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 3 report

TECNICA SUPREME MAX 3.0

This is a new release from Tecnica, which started out with winter sports shoes but now also produces a wide range of shoes for trail running and fastpacking. This is another recent trend: a high-cushion model for comfortable long-distance running, such as long trails. It may seem a little cheesy to say this after just praising running tabi socks, but my current favorites are high-cushion models like HOKA, so it can't be helped. This model has a high drop (the difference in height between the heel and the ball of the foot) of 8mm, but after wearing it for a while, I didn't notice any wobble and it seemed like a model that would be popular with a wide range of people

On Cloud Venture

our recent article on recommended long-distance road shoes . The basic feature is the same across the entire series, with an open outsole that resembles a rubber hose cut into a ring, effectively absorbing strong impacts and shocks from multiple directions. I was worried that they might slip when stepping or braking, but that didn't happen at all when I tried them out on flat ground. Above all else, the design is just amazing. (Official website)

Evernew Ti570 Cup

New this season is this ultra-light titanium mug. Unless you're really looking for it, it's hard to notice the subtle differences in this type of gear, and I'm embarrassed to admit that I hadn't even noticed it this time. It wasn't until the developer spoke to me enthusiastically that I finally realized just how superior this mug is. For example, the first thing that catches your eye is the seemingly awkward scale of 160/330. These represent the amount of water needed for Onishi's instant rice and Cup Noodle refills, respectively, and for those who rely on these as their staple foods, the lightweight design makes it incredibly convenient. Other details, like the silicone handle, which has no bottom half to allow for better heat distribution, and the smooth edges for a comfortable mouthfeel, are impressive, showcasing the designer's ingenuity in every detail

KAENON Polarized Sunglasses

I found these wonderful sunglasses at the booth of ADAPT, a stylish outdoor select shop in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, which combines reliable technology with sophisticated design. Although it is a new brand founded in California in 2001, they use patented polarized lenses called SR-91, which are said to provide clear vision by cutting out distracting reflected light to an unmatched level

FINAL FLAME GEAR Titanium Pot Stand

Another amazing piece of UL gear I came across at the ADAPT booth. Details about this brand itself are unknown, but this pot stand (trivet) was modeled using a 3D printer and has a very tricky assembly. When in use, it has a rotating, radial shape as shown in the photo above (right), but when stored, it takes on a surprising shape thanks to its unique sliding transformation mechanism. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo, but you can check out the details on their official website . This thing could sell worldwide!

 NATURE THING 100% Natural Energy Bar

Outside of Japan, especially in the US, there are a ton of different types of energy bars on the market, but in Japan, perhaps because there isn't a demand for them, it's been difficult to find anything appealing to us outdoor enthusiasts. That's when I came across this 100% natural energy bar, "NATURE THING." It contains a balanced amount of nutrients that athletes need to effectively absorb, has a Japanese-style taste (without the American sweetness), and best of all, it's additive-free, with no added sugar or sweeteners. It also doesn't have an extremely short shelf life, so it may just change the way we satisfy our hunger by relying on nuts and gels for our on-the-go meals. I'm excited about it. ( Official website )

   

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