NEWS: A roundup of outdoor gear that got everyone excited at "TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 4"

Saturday, April 7, 2018

inov8 , PaaGoWORKS , Naito , MERRELL , Raidlight , Event , Arc'teryx , Garmin , News , TOAD , La Sportiva , NATHAN , MONTANE , ZEN NUTRITION , BLACK DIAMOND

Written by Yasushi Hisatomi

I once again participated in TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 4 (TOAD4), a spring tradition that has become a well-established event where you can casually try out mountain gear and trail running gear. This year, I was personally appointed by TOAD4 to be a reporter on the day, so I was able to visit almost all of the booths and check out the featured items (apologies to the brands I wasn't able to visit)

This time, I'd like to summarize the outdoor gear that particularly caught my eye out for among the many interesting items I came across at the event

table of contents

2018 season's hottest brands and items found at TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 4
summary

2018 season's hottest brands and items found at TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 4

La Sportiva UNIKA

Of all the shoes I tried this time, the UNIKA stood out in terms of impact. The concept was "What if a climbing shoe brand tried to create the ideal trail running shoe?" and it is the first and only European-made model. Rather than just reading about it, you can immediately tell how unique these shoes are just by trying them on. The entire upper tightly wraps around your foot like a climbing shoe, literally making you feel as though the shoe and your foot are one. Combined with high cushioning that firmly absorbs impacts, this shoe offers a running feel unlike anything you've ever experienced before

RaidLight Hyperlight MP+ Jacket

I've been interested in this since last year, but it's amazing. This ultra-lightweight rain shell from RaidLight, a serious French trail running brand, boasts impressive specs: a 20,000mm water resistance/25,000g breathability mp+ membrane, a two-layer construction (115g), and stretch fabric. The cut is perfect, so it's comfortable even when swinging your arms. It's also designed with outdoor usability in mind, with reinforced shoulders to prevent slippage and a watch window on the left sleeve. These flawless features make this a piece you shouldn't underestimate

MERRELL TRAIL GLOVE 4 E-MESH

Barefoot running shoes have become even more popular thanks to last year's TV drama "Rikuo," but for those who want to run barefoot even on off-road trail runs, this new Merrell model is recommended. The outsole is made by Vibram for excellent grip, and the upper is a mesh lace-up model that is breathable, durable, and has an excellent fit. The perfect blend of the pleasure of "feeling the ground" barefoot and the security of regular running shoes makes running seem like it will be fun

Arc'teryx Norvan LD/Norvan 7 Hydration Vest

Arc'teryx's full-scale entry into trail running gear has been much talked about this season, but I was surprised when I actually tried on this season's new all-round trail running shoes. What's more, they have a shockingly "normal" feel, which is rare for Arc'teryx. As you can see from the appearance, they have a natural fit and lightness, good cushioning, and reliable grip, and there are no noticeable flaws in any aspect. In fact, they feel so natural that I almost forgot I was trying them on and walked away. What's interesting is that the weight is almost the same even with the GORE-TEX® version, which makes them perfect for speed hiking

Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ

This season, BD, one of the top brands in the trekking pole industry, is completely redesigning its lineup. My beloved "Distance Carbon FLZ" has also undergone significant improvements. The joints have been made stronger, improving durability, a weak point of carbon, while still being slightly lighter than the previous model. Fine handling has also improved. Furthermore, the "Distance" series of lightweight poles, which were previously only available for three-season hiking, has been expanded with the addition of the "Distance Plus" series, which features interchangeable baskets, and I'm looking forward to that too

MONTANE Fang 5L / Jaws 10L / Laser 15

MONTANE, a British light and fast brand, has been strengthening its lineup for trail running for several years, but it's still not very well known in Japan. However, the products themselves are very well made. I particularly like their backpacks. The chest strap, which fastens with flat elastic and Velcro, provides an exquisite fit and tightness that, as far as I know, is unique to this model. The 5-15L lineup has been slightly updated this year, and an odor-resistant treatment using POLYGIENE® has been added

ZEN NUTRITION

ZEN NUTRITION is a sports supplement containing naturally derived amino acids. Based on the concept that "natural ingredients are the most effective and safe for the human body," the company is committed to using natural ingredients, ensuring traceability from growers and processing plants to shipment, and strictly managing production on-site and testing for pesticides. This was an eye-opener for me, as I had always assumed that sports drinks and other supplements were artificially created, chemically synthesized products

inov8 TRAILTALON 235 MS

inov8 is a popular choice among many trail runners. Once again, the booth was bustling with people coming to try on shoes. The model I personally found to be the best was the TRAILTALON 235 MS. This speed model is more suited to shorter, moderately road-heavy courses than tough, long-distance runs. With a lightweight, highly breathable, and flexible upper similar to road running shoes, and thin yet highly cushioned, it's perfect for those switching from road to trail running, or for introductory races in places like Okutama, Chichibu, and Tanzawa

PaaGo WORKS RUSH28

PaaGo WORKS, a Japanese backpack brand, has released the impressive RUSH28, a fastpacking backpack designed to eliminate unnecessary clutter while still providing a comfortable carrying experience. The securely fitted chest pad and top stabilizer, designed to distribute weight from the shoulders, create a sense of unity and stability, resulting in a truly comfortable and thrilling carrying experience. The straps are easy to use, and they also function as a compression strap when the load is small, achieving maximum functionality with minimal material. The photo shows a limited edition model, the release of which has yet to be determined

NATHAN ExoShot Flask

I've started using flasks more often to stay hydrated while running, replacing bottles that are hard and don't shrink after drinking, which can be inconvenient. However, one drawback is that they become squishy and difficult to store when the amount of water starts to decrease. NATHAN's ExoShot Flask solves this problem. It has a thin core inside, so even when the water level is low, you can easily slip it into your pocket like a bottle. It's a small thing, but I like inventions like this

Naito Trail Running Poles

At this event, I first encountered the trail running poles of Knight Kogei, a small pole manufacturer in Shinshu. At first glance, they look like a typical folding pole, but what makes them unique is that the core of the joints is made of strong rubber. This makes them a convenient pole that automatically assembles the moment you unfold them, a feat you've never seen before. While it's unclear how comfortable they are to use or how durable they are, this is definitely a brand to keep an eye on in the future

GARMIN Forerunner 645 Music

GARMIN sports watches have released a new model perfect for everyday use and training. First of all, it's small and slim, making it perfect for everyday wear—a key point. New features include standalone music playback, the ability to transfer up to 500 songs, and the ability to connect to Bluetooth earphones (sold separately) for listening to music while running (no smartphone required). Of course, it also has built-in basic sensors like GPS, barometer, altimeter, gyro, compass, and heart rate monitor, making it suitable for mountain climbing and also for use in conjunction with a smartphone

summary

The seven hours flew by in a flash. I sometimes feel a bit hesitant to try out various things without buying them in a store (is it just me?), but here I didn't have to worry about that at all, and was able to try out various tools to my heart's content. That's why I was able to try things I wouldn't normally be able to try, and make unexpected discoveries. I once again realized that this is a rare event that gives you such wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime encounters. The best part of the Trail Open Air Demo is that everyone can enjoy themselves, along with the various other heartwarming events that were held. For those who couldn't make it this year, let's meet at the venue next year! See you then!