NEWS: This season's hottest gear and unique new faces all in one place! TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 3 report
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
In the end, we are all people who are enjoying playing on the same mountain
TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 3 (TOAD3) is an outdoor gear event that can be enjoyed by major brands and emerging manufacturers, creators and consumers, mountain lovers and running enthusiasts, beginners and advanced enthusiasts, and everyone who enjoys the blessings of the mountains and is driven by them . The opening words came out naturally when I spoke to the organizer. They reflect the open, comfortable atmosphere of this event, where no one worries about the small details.
This event allows you to try out a variety of outdoor products, including those related to trail running, on the spot and hear directly from the manufacturers. The biggest attraction is that you can actually try out the subtle fit of shoes, backpacks, and other important gear that will affect your performance, even in the field, which is something that you can't tell at first glance. This year, the third time the event has been held, the number of participating brands has expanded from around 30 at the beginning to around 70, both large and small, and the event's popularity only grows with each passing year
Still, the organizers made it clear that they have no intention of simply pursuing scale. If the scale of the event expands, it will inevitably get out of hand, and there will be areas that will require strict management. They want to maintain the current atmosphere of being relaxed and open, in a good way, and enjoying the event for everyone involved. Yes, this person gets it. I have rarely come across such a comfortable event in Japan, and I was once again convinced that this attitude of breaking down barriers and opening up to all people to share and enjoy the same field of nature is what makes this event so great, different from the many try-on and test run events
I'd like to report on the atmosphere of the event and my visit to each brand's booth for those who couldn't make it on the day. However, there were so many brands I wanted to introduce this time. I left out some of the major brands that are stocked in most stores, so the lineup is a bit off-beat
table of contents
2017 season's hottest brands and items found at TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 3
HERITAGE Crossover Dome f
At first glance, it looks like a typical dome-shaped tent, but it's actually a typical bivouac (shelter). For those who want ultralight weight but also want livability and ease of setup, HERITAGE's latest freestanding bivouac (single-wall, of course) fulfills that dilemma. At 570g (body: 304g, poles: 266g), it's one of the lightest UL tents available. And yet, its dome-shaped design, with sleeves for poles, allows for easy setup anywhere. The L-shaped zipper provides a tight seal, yet ventilation is also excellent. The price is also reasonable, making it a very good balance. It was particularly noteworthy among this year's new tents (shelters), and seeing it in person convinced me. I made a reservation without hesitation later. (Official website)
NATHAN VaporKrar / VaporHowe
I've been interested in Nathan, a running gear brand from the US West Coast, for a while now. Their new race vest is a signature model created in collaboration with two champion ultrarunners, and it's an ambitious product that even won a European award (ISPO 2017/2018). Well, I only found out about that after the fact, so just try it on and you'll fall in love instantly. The incredible fit, from shoulders to back and sides, is so comfortable it's practically impossible to describe it as a backpack. It's incredibly light, breathable, and the thoughtful pockets are a great addition. ( Official website )
UltrAspire ZYGOS 2.5 JAPAN
Bryce Thatcher, the father of the modern hydration pack (vest), founded UltrAspire, and has continued to freely pursue his own unique style while moving from Ultimate Direction to Nathan. This updated version of the ZYGOS 2.0, developed in collaboration with Japan's world-renowned trail runner Kenichi Yamamoto, is a highly refined model that seems to have been the result of a clash between two world-class pioneers in the field. It fits just as well as the previous Nathan, and while lightweight, its 10L capacity and the design of the main compartment and pockets haven't been stripped down too much, making it easy to use and hitting the sweet spot. This is a pack that will have you grinning. ( Official website )
Mountain martial arts DUSTY
Isn't it strange to separate everyday life and outdoor activities like "ON/OFF"? This is the question that seems to be coming from the up-and-coming Japanese brand Mountain martial arts, which designs gear for running and hiking with the same sensibility as everyday activities. For many users, this approach, which allows people to use gear as an extension of their everyday lives, is more appealing than gear that pursues extreme performance. ( Official website )
Toe-Bi Running Tabi
If the mainstream trend in running shoes these days is to make the soles as thick and cushioned as possible to reduce impact, then the idea behind Toe-Bi, which uses no protective materials whatsoever and aims to keep the foot as close to barefoot as possible, may seem absurd. However, if humans are inherently capable of "correctly" capturing impact from the ground with the soles of their feet and have the strength to respond to it, and if making full use of that strength can bring us closer to an ideal running style, then there's nothing more interesting than that. I don't have the answer yet, but I'd like to give it a try! ( Official website )
La Sportiva AKYRA
Among the brands we're reporting on this time, Sportiva, we've also featured on this website, has finally released their latest model this year: the AKYRA. I'd actually had my eye on them since last year's exhibition in Germany, and when I finally tried them on and took them for a light run, I was amazed at how flawless they were. Essentially, they're positioned as mountain running shoes with improved protection and suited to more demanding, long-distance trails, but the unique sole, which is inspired by the geometric shapes of origami, is flexible and highly cushioned, making the AKASHA more all-around and suitable for runners of a wider range of abilities, making it just right for a laid-back runner like me. ( Official website )