NEWS: A summary of outdoor gear that made me feel gross in "TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 4"

This year I have been taking part in the TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 4 (TOAD4), a spring tradition that is becoming fully established as an event where you can easily try mountain equipment and trailing gear. Moreover, this year I was appointed as a reporter on the day by TOAD4, and was able to visit almost all of the booths and check out the most popular items (I'm sorry to those who couldn't go around).

This time, I'll be putting together some of the many interesting items I've come across at the event, but I've been particularly excited about outdoor gear that I personally found.

TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 4: Featured brands and items for the 2018 season found

La Sportiva UNIKA

Among the most worn by UNIKA this time, this was the most impressive in terms of impact. The concept is "Why don't a climbing shoe brand make the ideal trail running shoes," and it is the first and only European-made model. Rather than writing this Noh, you can quickly see how unique these shoes are just by wearing them. The entire upper wraps around your feet like climbing shoes, and the feel of the shoes and feet literally integrated into one with the high cushioning that firmly accepts impacts, allowing you to experience a never-before-driving feel.

RaidLight Hyperlight MP+ Jacket

I've been wondering about it since last year, but it's once again insane. This ultra-lightweight rainshell has a sufficient performance of 20,000mm water pressure and 25,000g moisture permeability, a two-layer ultra-lightweight rainshell with drooling specs of stretch material, and is from RaidLight, a serious French trail running brand. There is little discomfort when swinging your arms, so the cutting is also perfect. It has been carefully considered for outdoor use, such as reinforcement to prevent the shoulders from slipping off and the watch window on the left sleeve, and it is a piece that cannot be underestimated, including the lack of gaps.

MERRELL TRAIL GLOVE 4 E-MESH

Barefoot running shoes have become even more well-known due to the influence of last year's drama Rikuo, but I want to barefoot on trail runs off-road! For those who are interested, we recommend this new Merrell product. The outsole is made of Vibram, making it perfect for grip, and the upper is a mesh string-closed model that is breathable, durable, and has excellent fit. The barefoot's pleasure of "capturing the feel of the ground" is just the right blend of the peace of mind of ordinary running shoes, and it makes me feel like I'm going to enjoy running.

Arc'teryx Novan LD/Novan 7 Hydration Best

This season's hot topic has been a huge hit as Arcteryx has been fully entered into Trerun Gear, but I was surprised to see the newly released all-around trail running shoes this season. What makes them look shockingly "normal" in style, which is rare for those Arc'teryx. As with the appearance, it has a quirky fit and lightness, good cushioning, and reliable grip, and no noticeable flaws. In fact, the shoes were so natural that I forgot I was trying them on and tried to leave. What's interesting is that the weight remains almost the same even in the GORE-TEX® version, which makes it perfect for speed hiking.

Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ

This season, the lineup of BD, one of the top brands in trekking poles, will be completely remodeled. The "distance carbon FLZ" that I used to use has also evolved steadily. The joint has been further strengthened, which improves durability, a weakness of carbon, but it has been slightly lighter than the previous model. The finer operability was also improved. In addition, the "Distance" lightweight pole series, which was only available for hiking for three seasons, has been added to the "Distance Plus" series, which allows you to exchange baskets, so I'm looking forward to it.

MONTANE Fang 5L / Jaws 10L / Laser 15

The British light and fast brand MONTANE has been strengthening its lineup for trail running for several years, but it is still not well known in Japan. But the thing itself is very well made. My favorite is the backpack. The chest strap, which is made of flat elastic with Velcro, has an exquisite fit and tightness, and as far as I know, can only be enjoyed with this model alone. The 5-15L lineup has been slightly updated this year, with POLYGIENE® adding deodorizing treatment.

ZEN NUTRITION

ZEN NUTRITION is a sports supplement containing naturally-derived amino acids. Based on the concept that "natural materials are the most effective and safe for humans to accept in their bodies," we are committed to using natural ingredients, and are strictly controlled by ensuring traceability from cultivators, temporary processing plants to arrivals, production management on-site, pesticide inspections, and more. It was a bit of a surprise to me, as I had thought that supplements such as sports drinks could not be helped even if they were artificially made chemically synthetic products.

inov8 TRAILTALON 235 MS

The iov8 has gained a strong following from many trail runners. This time, there was an unparalleled success in the booth as many people came to try on. Personally, this TRAILTALON 235 MS was nice. Rather than going over so-called tough, long-distance courses, this speed model is suitable for shorter courses and decent roads. It has a lightweight, highly breathable upper similar to road running shoes, and a thin yet highly cushioned finish, making it perfect for people who are switching from road to trail running, or for introductory races in Okutama, Chichibu, Tanzawa, and other areas.

PaaGo WORKS RUSH28

PaaGo WORKS, a Japanese backpack brand, has the RUSH28 fast packing backpack that offers a comfortable carrying experience while eliminating waste. The tightly fitted chest pads and top stabilizer designed to cover the weight from the shoulders make it a comfortable fit, giving it a sense of unity and less likely to sway, making it a comfortable fit. In addition to the ease of use of straps, it also offers the most functionality with minimal materials, such as serving as compression when the luggage is small. The photo shows a limited edition model that has not yet been decided.

NATHAN ExoShot Flask

Instead of bottles that are hard and inconvenient, such as not being too small after drinking, I've been using flasks to keep hydrated while running. However, it had the drawback that it was soft and difficult to store when the amount was decreasing. This NATHAN ExoShot Flask is improving this. It has a thin core inside, so even if there is less water, you can easily insert it into your pocket like a bottle. It's a small thing, but I love this kind of invention.

Naito Trail Run Poles

The trail running poles from Night Craft, a small pole maker in Shinshu that I first encountered at this event, are foldable at first glance, but the unique feature is that the core of the joint is made of strong rubber. This is a convenient pole that was unlikely to happen, as the moment you spread the pole, the pole will be automatically assembled. The detailed usability and durability of the product is unknown, but there is no doubt that it has become a brand that we would like to pay attention to in the future.

GARMIN ForeAthlete 645 Music

A new GARMIN sports watch is now available for everyday use and training. First of all, the size is small and thin, so it doesn't feel strange to wear it on a regular basis, which is important. A new feature is that it has a music playback function on its own, transfers up to 500 music data, and connects it to Bluetooth earphones sold separately (without a smartphone) to listen to music while running. Of course, it also has basic sensors such as GPS, barometric pressure, altimeter, gyro, compass, and heart rate monitors, so it can be used in the mountains and can be used in conjunction with a smartphone.

summary

It was seven hours in a flash. It's a bit uneasy to try out a lot of different things even though you don't buy them in the store (Is it just me?), but here you don't have to be that kind of thing, and you can try out a variety of tools to your heart's content. That's why you can try things you wouldn't normally have tried, and then you make unexpected discoveries. I once again realized this is a rare event that will give you such a wonderful encounter. The most appeal of the Trail Open Air Demo is that it is relaxing and enjoyable for everyone, including the various other heartwarming events that took place. If you were unable to come this year, be sure to meet up at the venue next year! Well then.