"Trail Open Air Demo 5" and "Off The Grid 2019" Report (Part 1) - Summary of 2019's hot outdoor gear

The well-known event where you can easily try trail running and mountain climbing equipment, "TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 5 (TOAD5)" was held again in Ome this year.

At this time when new releases of that year coincides with the timing of releases of that year, I am looking forward to seeing what each brand will push this year, but it is also a rare opportunity in Japan where you can meet new brands you've never known before, and it is becoming a unique event that you can't miss every year.

Meanwhile, Off The Grid 2019, which is rapidly growing as an exhibition centered on garage brands such as ultralight hiking and camping, was also held in Machida City, and this year, the show was so busy that long lines were formed even before its opening in search of limited edition goods that are only available here.

This year, when the events were rarely held, OGZ recklessly made it possible to interview these two events in one day.

Under a clear blue sky, I've compiled a list of the most popular and new faces of this season, as I ran around my neck and was tanned in the sun.

#1: TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 5 Featured brands and items for the 2019 season

La Sportiva BUSHIDO 2

Sportiva, a long-established Italian mountain shoe brand with a wealth of new releases every year, has updated BUSHIDO, a well-known speed trail running shoe that meets the needs of athletes. While retaining the advantages of lightness and stability, the new midsole gives rise to even greater response and rebound, making it a great deal of high expectations.

RaidLight REVOLUTIV SHOES

The shoes that have been completely renovated from the popular raid lights of French trail running brands are attracting attention. Among them, this flagship model has a two-layer upper that improves fit and prevents penetration such as pebbles from entering. It is resistant to tough conditions, including rug patterns that are hard to bite and prevent clogging, and seems to go well with Japanese trails.

MERRELL MTL CIRRUS/MOMENTOUS

Merrell's new trail running shoes are also attracting attention. Both use Vibram mega grips, so you're sure to get a grip. The speed-focused MTL cilas (right photo) was created from ambassador feedback, and the momentum (left photo) that also provides long distances with stability and cushioning when landing. I'm looking forward to both.

Black Diamond Distance 15

Personally, this season, my vest-shaped backpack is hot, with a 20L vest-shaped backpack. The challenge of maintaining stability without shaking even when driving, and achieving both storage and convenience that can withstand long travel use seems to be a new challenge for modern backpack craftsmen, and I feel like there have been an interesting new product from various brands recently. Not only is this game interesting, it's a climbing pack approach that is typical of Black Diamond, but it also has a great look. I'll definitely try this year.

Evernew Focoup

At first glance, it is an all-conventional, integrated cutlery (so-called spokes) with a spoon and fork. Evernew focused on not on the texture of the wood, but on the curve of the spoon that fits without gaps on the edge of the cooker. When washing dishes in the mountains, we use paper to wipe them off without using water, but we will continue to watch over them, as this brand has the idea that "it's easy to wipe off any leftovers with a spoon first to make it easier to wipe off as much as possible."

GORE WEAR GORE® R7 GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™ Trail Hooded Jacket

Is this the first original apparel brand from Gore-Tex, a material manufacturer? Exhibited. The lineup, which mainly focuses on cycling, has now emerged many interesting models in the running field. The highlight of this model is the colouring. The GORE-TEX SHAKEDRY™ jacket developed by other brands is all black and doesn't look much different, but at the moment GORE WEAR is the only one who has made color models. I see, that's how it came. It's a brand that you won't take your eyes off from now on.

PaaGo WORKS RUSH Series

The "Tre Run Pack for Japanese" RUSH series (photo is a new 5R) developed by PaaGo WORKS, an outdoor brand from Japan, is particularly reliable by runners as it is easy to use, and I personally love the 28L model for speed hiking. That's the end of the season. There are many improvements, from the comfort of carrying on the back to the ease of use such as the pockets, so I can't wait.

NATHAN VaporKrar 2.0

The race vest, co-developed with the world-renowned endurance runner Rob Krar, has been updated. It's light enough to be seen just by looking at it, but the elastic fabric gives it an incredibly high fit. This pack is becoming more and more popular because the pockets are easier to use.

Vibram Five Fingers V-Trail 2.0

These five-finger shoes made by Vibram are "more barefoot-like than barefoot," which you may have seen at least once. Now? That may seem like that, but I was surprised that I had been exhibiting for the first time, and before I knew it, the lineup had become awful. The model in the photo is for trail running with a mega grip. I suddenly became interested in it because it has a balanced design of the flexibility unique to Five Fingers and the protection that protects your feet from uneven terrain. By the way, there is a lineup of nearly 20 other types, including hiking models.

SKINS A400 COMPRESSION

SKINS' flagship model A400 not only has its unique dynamic, step-by-step compression function, but also finely maps fabrics with different properties based on the latest ergonomics, providing stability to hard exercise and supporting long periods of exercise. What's surprising is the parts that each woman and man are designed with their own unique patterning. This is a result of research that different ways to support men and women can support different bone structures and muscles. When I hear this kind of thing, I really want to try it.

R×L WILD WOOL Socks

Takeda Legwear, the creator of socks that are made up of separate three-dimensional socks on the left and right, has released the latest model, blending merino wool, which is comfortable but has a weakness in durability, with durable Cordura nylon. Mochizuki Shogo, who has won the TJAR (Trans Japan Alps Race) for four consecutive years, is also proud of his high level of perfection.

ULTRA LUNCH Bivercration

This bivou creation was developed by ULTRA LUNCH, a company that manufactures and cateres Vegan foods, to provide safe and satisfying meals even in the mountains of your hobby. It has enough volume to exceed 400 calories per meal, and is healthy with a vegan design. And yet, it's easy to use just 2 minutes of boiling water. This truly is the "new standard for mountain rice." It also has four flavors: the spicy "Tomato Kick," the refreshing and warming the body, the "Porcini Cream," which has a mellow aroma, and the "Nori Chazuke," which is great for Japanese people.

"Trail Open Air Demo 5" and "Off The Grid 2019" report Part 2 has been released! More details here