NEWS: Summary of the 2023 Spring/Summer Season's Expected Outdoor Gear Sighted at TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 9

Thursday, April 13th, 2023

Events , TOAD , UltrAspire , Topo Athletic , ESS , RIG , News , BAUERFEIND , La Sportiva , OLENO , BLACK DIAMOND , Rab , PaaGoWORKS

Written by Yasushi Hisatomi

From major outdoor manufacturers to small garage brands, the "TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO (TOAD)" event was held on March 31st, where you can try out popular mountain equipment and the latest trail running gear all at once. This event has finally been held for the ninth year, as it has become a spring tradition. Due to the coronavirus, I have been absent for the past few years, but this year I was able to participate for the first time in a while.

After visiting the Nagayama Park Ground in Ome for the first time in a few years, it was so bustling that it was hard to imagine from the first session, with runners of all ages and many families. In addition, the trends of exhibitor brands and events as a whole seem to be darker in trail running every year, and even if there are mountain climbing systems, it is often mostly gear related to speed hiking. Considering the changes since the first episode and the current boom, it may be that the popular outdoor activities are clearly visible.

That's all I can get emotional, and now I'll start putting together some of the heart-warming gear that I've come across at the event this year, including new brands and anticipated items.

table of contents

TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 9 Featured brands and items for the 2023 season found

TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO 9 Featured brands and items for the 2023 season found

Paagoworks: RUSH 30

It is no exaggeration to say that Paagoworks' masterpiece, the RUSH series of running packs, is now one of Japan's leading outdoor manufacturers, has been fully renewed this season. The popular line seems to be a 10-20-liter model for trail running, but as someone who prefers fast packing, I can't take my eyes off the large capacity 30-liter model. I have been watching over three generations since the original RUSH 28, but I still can't forget the shock I received from the extremely unique design of the time, including a "high center of gravity design" that is comfortable and easy to run despite its large capacity as a running pack, and a lightweight yet abundant and functional storage space that eliminates waste. I wonder what kind of scenery will it be at the forefront of the vest-shaped backpack, which has been showing signs of a huge trend in recent years, that you can carry and run on? I'll definitely review this year, so I'm looking forward to it now.

Rab: Veil 6/Phantom Pull-On/Ionosphere 5

Rab, an outdoor brand that the UK boasts of, does not know the term "compromise" in every way to create authentic products used by real people, is still in the mood. Last season, sleeping bags, mattresses, alpine packs and more made their first appearance in Japan, but this season they have finally made full-scale entry into the trail running and fast packing field. The high-quality construction with a refined design and cutting-edge technology packed with cutting-edge technology, such as the Veil running vest, which is ultra-lightweight, breathable and fitted monomesh chassis, and the Phantom Pull-On, which combines the incredible lightness of 90 grams with the stylish yet highly mobile tailored look that Rab specializes in stylish yet extremely mobile without hindering body movement (though this was also available since last year), the high-quality construction that is packed with cutting-edge technology gives you a sense of high quality that you wouldn't expect from a first-time entry in Rab.

The Ionosphere 5 air mattress, which has been released since last fall, is also an interesting model. It is packed with new gimmicks, including Stratus™ insulation and the unique reflective film "TILT" to achieve lightweight and high insulation. By the way, this is my personal feeling, but I'm also happy that high-end outdoor brand Rab hasn't been priced much in the recent trend of price hikes. This season, we've been guaranteed to be reviewed with Rab items.

ESS: JAPAN LIMITED Cerakote Series CROSSBLADE NARO

ESS, located in the lush state of Idaho overlooking the Rocky Mountains, is the first eyewear brand I've ever heard from TOAD. However, when I asked him about it, it was an incredible brand.

ESS (Eye Safety Systems, Inc.) is a brand founded in 1998 to solve the problems of visual impairment that occur in many veterans returning from the war. The mission is to "create the toughest eyewear in the world." He has steadily accumulated a track record, mainly being adopted in the fields of US military and special forces, police, fire service, and rescue, and is now certified as a combat eye protection (ballistic eyewear) by the US Department of Defense. Recently, it has become an Oakley umbrella and has finally begun to actively develop products in the sports division.

There's no way the sunglasses made by this brand, a skilled manufacturer that requires the best performance in harsh environments, are incredible. For example, high-resolution lenses that are far above American industrial standards have a different processing on both sides: ESS's unique special anti-fog coating that is resistant to fog on the inside, and scratch processing that is less likely to cause scratches on the outside. Furthermore, the frame is made of Cerakote, a highly durable paint/coating that meets the US MIL specifications standards, including rust-proof, corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant, flexibility, impact-resistant, solvent-resistant, and chemical-resistant, making it laughing high-spec. It's understandable why Kaburagi Takeshi and Ueda Rui receive support.

UltrAspire: Epic XT 2.0/Epic XT 3.0

UltrAspire, famous for its vest packs for trail running races, was a Japanese brand, just like Paagoworks, and was a manufacturer that made the best-style fast packing backpacks early on, despite its brand. The Epic XT series continues to be updated steadily, with 3.0 coming out this season. The original was 25 liters, and personally I didn't have enough capacity, but at 2.0, it was 30 liters, and at 3.0, it has evolved into a lightweight backpack that can withstand long-term fast packing. With the increased capacity, it has a roll top closure and a back frame, and the "Fluidic Holster System" mesh pockets that can be stored generously on both sides are well tuned to improve comfort and ease of use. This brand is originally creed to create products based on the voices of athletes, and is truly reassuring.

Black Diamond: DISTANCE 1500/DISTANCE 22

The headlamp market, which continues to be fiercely competed in development in line with the speed of technology evolution, is hot again this year. The new headlamp in the Distance series, designed for a wide range of activities, including mountain climbing, speed hiking and scrambling, is groundbreaking in many ways, with a huge amount of light of up to 1,500 lumens, a thin body made possible by the omitted reflector (reflector), and a natural fit to the head. It appears that the release will start after autumn, but I can't wait.

A 22-liter model of the best-type backpack "Distance," which has been released for its lightweight yet has received high praise from many users for its unique level of perfection, including its fit, durability, and high functionality (the right-hand side of the photo above). This market for large capacity vest backpacks with over 20 liters is in full swing right now.

RIG: nohy/tetiva

It's hard to let go of small, emerging outdoor brands to support them, but if they're from Japan, that's even more so. These new Japanese-born footwear manufacturers have a sophisticated outdoor sandal called "nohy" or "tetiva" concept, "thin recovery sandals that can be carried on mountain climbing and worn on the temps." That's fine. It's true that I really understand the desire to wear recovery sandals to relax at the tent site, and since normal recovery sandals are bulky, the direction is to keep the blood circulation promotion function as small as possible while keeping it as thin and compact as possible. Furthermore, it is made to be easy to put on and take off. It is full of detailed consideration that it is clearly understood that the mountain climbers are made by people who do so.

Topo Athletic: ULTRAVENTURE 3

This brand, which is a name that Japanese people don't know about, is a new shoe manufacturer launched in 2013 by Tony Post, a former CEO of Vibram USA and was involved in the birth of FiveFingers, and was also an avid runner and athlete. We have achieved rapid growth over the past 10 years with the aim of creating shoes that respect the shape of your feet and maximize natural movements.

The third generation of the bestselling Ultraventure series is lighter and is suitable for a wide range of runners, with plenty of cushioning, a spacious forefoot footbox, and a firm fit that holds the bag, making it a comfortable running experience that is less stressful for everyone. This luxurious pair of shoes will make you think it would be nice to run along a mild ridge with these shoes with a great view.

La Sportiva: JACKAL II BOA®

As always, Sportiva, an outdoor shoemaker who has not relaxed his aggressive attitude, yet has a stunningly unpleasant look, and the latest release in the Jackal series, released this season, has an impressively unsatisfactory look and performance. These high-end shoes combine the essence of both speed and long distance at a high level, and feature a midsole that combines rebound and shock absorption, making them suitable for a wide range of terrain and tough scenes. Above all, the asymmetrical upper has a comfortable fit and features two BOA racing systems. This allows you to finely adjust the tightness to suit the situation, and is an ambitious product that overcomes the weaknesses of mechanical shoelaces.

BAUERFEIND: Genyu Train (knee supporter), other sports supporters

This is the first brand I've encountered, BAUERFEIND, a manufacturer of musculoskeletal medical devices that started in Germany by making medical compression stockings and has been in operation for nearly 100 years. We offer a wide variety of supporters that can accommodate a wide range of areas, from medical to sports, but I was particularly impressed by the knee supporter "Genyu Train." The unique silicone pads that finely and properly secure the knees, polyurethane stays that support the joints, and knits that are breathable and comfortable, while the price is high, the rational construction that is sought out in extremely small details gives it an extraordinary feel. I have a knee in the summer and a hip in the winter, so I can't help but try it, so I'll be reviewing this soon too.

OLENO: Ultimate Series

OLENO is a socks brand that was born in 2017 in Hiroryo Town, Nara Prefecture, known for its long-standing sock manufacturing town. Sports socks, representative of this "Ultimate" series, are made from cutting-edge fibers such as Cordura fabric, and each one is carefully crafted by skilled craftsmen using the latest Italian round sock knitting machine. Introducing new knitting machines is a truly fate-related issue for the factory, and this alone really shows that it's not a light-hearted approach to "the outdoors are a bit popular so I gave it a try." There's no way you don't want to try wearing those kinds of socks.