NEWS: From the popular gear this season to the unique new faces, it's all in one! "TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 3" Report

In the end, they were all allowed to play in the same mountain.

The outdoor gear event "TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 3 (TOAD3)" was held again this year, where emerging manufacturers, creators and receivers, mountain lovers, run lovers, beginners and advanced players The words at the beginning were lines that naturally splattered when I heard the organizer talk. This shows an open and pleasant atmosphere that doesn't bother you with the smallest details of this event.

This event allows you to try out a variety of outdoor-related products, including trail running, and listen to the manufacturer's stories in person. The most appealing thing is that you can try out the subtle fits of important gear, such as shoes and backpacks, which can influence performance, and not just at first glance, in the actual field. This year marks the third time this year, the number of participating brands has expanded from the first 30 to about 70 sizes, both large and small, and the gratitude of this is only increasing year by year.

Even so, the organizers are keen to see that they are not going to simply pursue scale. As the scale expands, it becomes inevitable that it will be difficult to control it, and there will be some areas where we will have to strictly manage it. I would like to cherish this feeling of being relaxed and open in a good way, and that everyone involved can enjoy it. Ah, I know this guy. I have rarely encountered such a comfortable event in Japan, but I am once again convinced that the greatness of this event is the attitude that opens to all those who enjoy sharing and enjoying the same field of nature, which is the unique aspect of this event, unlike the many try-on and test-taking events.

I would like to immediately report on the atmosphere of the event and how they visited booths of each brand for those who were unable to go on the day. However, this time there have been too many brands that I would like to introduce. I've omitted a bit about the major brands that most stores offer, so in the end the lineup is a bit more than a curveball.

TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 3: Featured Brands and Items for the 2017 Season

HERITAGE Crossover Dome f

At first glance, you might think it's a common dome-shaped tent, but this is what is called a zert. I want to pursue ultra-light weight reduction, but it's better to have the livability and ease of setup, HERITAGE's latest independent-standing Zelt (of course, single wall) will fulfill your worries. 570g (body: 304g, pole: 266g) is the lightest in comparison to UL tents. It has a dome-shaped shape that allows the pole to pass through the sleeve, which can be easily set up anywhere. The entrance is also tightly sealed with an L-shaped zipper, but the ventilation does not allow for ventilation. The price is reasonable, and this is a pretty good balance. Among the several new tents (shelters) this year, it was particularly popular, but after seeing them, I was convinced. I made a reservation at a later date without hesitation. (Official website)

NATHAN VaporKrar / VaporHowe

Nathan, a running gear brand on the west coast of the US, which I've been interested in for a long time, is an ambitious work that has also won European awards for his signature model in collaboration with two champion ultra runners (ISPO 2017/2018). Well, you've only learned about that in an afterthought, so try and learn it. I'll fall in love with you instantly. The wonderful fit that fits from your shoulders to your back and your armpits is no longer suitable for the word "carrying" you. The pockets are extremely light and breathable, yet fully considerate. ( Official website )

UltrAspire ZYGOS 2.5 JAPAN

UltrAspire was established as his current creative hub by Bryce Thatcher, the creator of modern hydration packs (bests), and has been founded by Ultimate Direction and moved to NATHAN, who continues to pursue his own manufacturing freely while exploring his own manufacturing skills. This model is an updated version of ZYGOS 2.0, created in collaboration with Yamamoto Kenichi, Japan's proud world-renowned trail runner, and is a highly refined model that makes you think that the forefront of this road collided with each other and became a crystallization. It fits just as well as the previous Nathan, and although it is lightweight, its 10L capacity and the construction of the main storage and pockets are not too slashed down, so it is easy to use and it is exquisitely smashed into the best. The pack can't help but grin like that. ( Official website )

Mountain martial arts DUSTY

Isn't it strange to divide everyday life and outdoor activities into "ON/OFF" formats? Mountain Martial Arts, a rising Japanese brand that makes you hear such questions, is designed with the same sensibility as usual for running and hiking gear. For many users, this approach is more appealing than gear that pursues extreme performance, making people who live their daily lives want to use it as an extension of this. ( Official website )

Toe-Bi Running Tab Bag

If the mainstream of running shoes these days is to make the sole thicker and more cushioned to reduce impact, then Toe-Bi's idea, which aims to keep the sole as close to barefoot as possible without using any protective material, is a ridiculous idea. However, if humans can "correctly" grasp the impact from the ground with the soles of their feet, and have the power to respond to it, and by using that force fully, they can get closer to an ideal running, there is no such interesting story. I haven't got the answer yet, but I'd like to try it anyway! ( Official website )

La Sportiva AKYRA

In this report, AKYRA is the latest model released this year by Sportiva, which has the popular trail running shoes AKASHA, which has also featured on our website In fact, I had been looking at it at an exhibition in Germany last year, and when I finally tried on it and ran lightly, I was amazed at how unstable there was. Basically, it is positioned as a mountain running shoe that improves protection performance and is suitable for even harsher, longer-distance trails, but the unique sole, inspired by the geometric shape of origami, makes it flexible and highly cushioned, which makes AKASHA more all-around, wide-ranging runners, perfect for loose runners like me. ( Official website )

Next page: Second half of the report on "TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 3"

TECNICA SUPREME MAX 3.0

This is a new product from Technica, which started out as a winter sports company and now has many shoes for trail running and fast packing. This is also one of the latest trends, a high cushion model that allows you to comfortably ride long distances such as long trails. I just lifted my running tabi socks and it felt like I was wondering which mouth to say, but at the moment my favorite is high-cushion models such as HOKA, so it can't be helped. This model is a drop (the difference in height between the heel and thumb ball of the shoe) of 8mm, but when worn a little, I didn't notice any signs of shaking, and I felt that it would be a model that would be popular with everyone.

On Cloud Venture

Trail running shoes from On, a relatively new Swiss shoe brand that was featured in an article on recommended long distance shoes on the road the other day The basic features are common to all series, with the outsole, which is spaced like a rubber hose cut into rounds, effectively absorbs strong and impacts from multiple directions. I was worried that it would shift when I stepped on or braked, but that was never the case after trying it out on flat ground. Above all, the design is just too good. (Official website)

Evernew Ti570 Cup

An ultra-light titanium mug that was newly released this season. It's not easy to notice any small differences in this type of gear unless you're seriously looking for it, so I'm ashamed to say that this time I was completely out of nowhere. However, it was only when the developers spoke directly to me and enthusiastically that they were able to realize how excellent this cup was. For example, the first thing you see is a seemingly insane scale of 160/330. The amount of water required for Onishi's alpha rice and Cup Noodle Refill, and for those who use these as their staple food, the light weight is extremely easy. Other features of the silicone handle are packed with developers' ingenuity, such as the bottom half not being there, due to the need for how well the fire reaches, and the smooth edges that make it look delicious.

KAENON Polarized Sunglasses

I found this at the booth of ADAPT, a stylish outdoor select shop in Yokkaichi, Mie Prefecture, and the more you learn about it, the more you know these, the more you combine solid technology with sophisticated designs. Although it is an emerging brand that was just launched in California in 2001, it uses a patented polarized lens called the SR-91, and it is said to provide a clear field of vision that cuts out any obstructive reflected light that is impossible to imitate.

FINAL FLAME GEAR Titanium Pot Stand

Another surprising UL gear I came across at ADAPT's booth. Details about the brand itself are unknown, but it is a very tricky, assembled pot stand (trives) modeled with a 3D printer. When used, it has a rotating radiation-like shape as shown in the photo above (right), but when stored, it has a unique slide deformation mechanism that fits in a surprising form. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo, but you can find more details on official website This will sell to the world.

 NATURE THING 100% natural energy bar

In the world outside of Japan, especially in the United States, energy bars are sold in a wide variety of demons, but perhaps because there is no such demand in Japan, there has been a situation where it is difficult to find anything attractive to us outdoors. Amidst this 100% natural energy bar, "NATURE THING," has a balanced amount of nutrients that allow athletes to effectively inhale the nutrients they need, and its taste is Japanese (no sweetness in America), and most importantly, it is not additive-free, and does not contain any sugar or sweeteners. Plus, it doesn't last very long, and it might change the way you've been eating so far, when you've been able to satisfy your hunger with nuts and gel. I'm looking forward to it. ( Official website )