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The new assassin from the workwear industry is seriously dangerous
It's been a while since I've felt such a shock. A certain piece of clothing arrived at the editorial department this winter and it has had a major impact on me
the ATION Crater Mesh S/S Shirt , a new mesh underwear (inner T-shirt) released this spring by Kajimake, a workwear brand based in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture .
First of all, there's probably almost no one, including myself, who recognized the brand name. That's because Kajimake has mainly been a manufacturer of workwear such as rainwear and work clothes up until now. Looking at the official website , it doesn't seem like they're making a full-scale entry into the sports and outdoor fields. Needless to say, I was left wondering when I saw the address on the package that was delivered to me unexpectedly.
has been covering the recent, undeniable evolution of the workwear industry now, and as someone who knows the momentum of the workwear industry, I have been secretly looking forward to it.
However, when I tried it on, I realized within a few minutes that it was far more amazing than I had expected. It was so comfortable that it was practically usable, going beyond just cost-effectiveness. So, let's get straight into reviewing the ATION Crater Mesh S/S Shirt
General characteristics
ATION the sportswear brand of Kajimake , a Japanese manufacturer of workwear, including rainwear . The special crater-structured mesh prevents the fabric from clinging to bare skin during hot weather or when sweating, reducing stickiness. Conversely, when the outside temperature is low, the recesses in the mesh create an insulating layer between the skin and the outer layer, providing just the right amount of warmth. Supporting comfortable activities year-round, the lightweight, gently compressive fabric provides an excellent fit. This next-generation underwear, at an incredibly low price, is a must-have all-season choice for everyday wear and outdoor activities.
Recommended points
- Gentle compression for an excellent fit
- Crater-structured mesh reduces both sweat chill in summer and cold in winter
- Thin and light, yet durable even after washing
- The smell doesn't bother me
- Amazingly low prices
Points of interest
- Its sweat-wicking ability is by no means comparable to or superior to that of specialty brands
- Visually, I'm not really comfortable with the tight mesh (maybe it's just a matter of getting used to it?)
- V-necks and women's models are acceptable for everyday wear (no problem for leisure use)
Main specifications and evaluation
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| item | ATION Crater Mesh |
| material | 79% polyester, 21% polyurethane |
| size | M, L, LL |
| Color variations |
|
| Weight (measured) | 90g (Large size actual measurement) |
| others | Short sleeve and sleeveless types available |
| evaluation | |
| Fit | ★★★★☆ |
| Comfort | ★★★☆☆ |
| quick drying | ★★★★☆ |
| Resistant to sweat chills | ★★★★☆ |
| Heat retention | ★★★☆☆ |
| Odor resistance | ★★★☆☆ |
| durability | ★★★★☆ |
| price | ★★★★★ |
| General | ★★★★★ |
Detailed Review
Gentle compression for an excellent fit
This type of high-performance underwear isn't designed to be worn alone during exercise. It's meant to be worn directly against the skin, and by layering a base layer or running T-shirt over it, it maximizes the sweat-wicking, quick-drying, and temperature-regulating properties of those shirts. Of course, you can also wear it under everyday clothes like a dress shirt, knitwear, or cut-and-sew top, providing a level of comfort unmatched by conventional cotton shirts
The first thing you notice when you put it on is the comfortable fit, neither too tight nor too loose (see eye-catching photo). Compression wear generally constricts the body, so depending on the model, it can be so tight you can only wear it for a few minutes. This shirt is basically a compression-type underwear, but it's not so tight that it feels tight, and it fits snugly to the body
The fabric is made of polyurethane and has a mesh stitching that gives it excellent stretch and a comfortable fit
Some people may prefer a snug (loose) fit. In that case, you can adjust the compression by choosing a model that is smaller (larger) than your size. When I wore it, I didn't notice any significant change in the sleeve or hem length depending on the size
Crater-structured mesh reduces both sweat chill in summer and cold in winter
In hot weather or during intense exercise, the highly absorbent polyester fiber quickly absorbs sweat and helps it evaporate. Up to this point, it is no different from other so-called "sweat-wicking, quick-drying" sports T-shirts
What makes this shirt so comfortable is that the special crater-structured mesh fabric, "Crater Mesh," has clearly visible unevenness (concave and concave), which means that less of it comes into direct contact with the skin, reducing the discomfort of wet fabric sticking to the skin like with cotton T-shirts. This means that no matter how much you sweat, it prevents the so-called "sweat chill" and keeps your skin dry and comfortable
It's surprisingly useful in winter. At first glance, you might think that sheer underwear would be cold in winter, but it actually keeps you warmer than usual. Of course, it won't keep you warm on its own, but you should wear layers on top of it. This is because the moderate spaces created by the unevenness of the crater mesh act as an insulating layer in winter, keeping the air warmed by body heat close to your skin, preventing the cold and keeping you comfortable
In winter, it creates an effective insulating layer under your base layer, gradually increasing your warmth
This highly functional innerwear maintains the right humidity and temperature all year round, so once you put it on you won't be able to take it off, and you'll become so addicted to it that it becomes like a second skin
Thin and light, yet durable even after washing
I've washed it in the washing machine dozens of times since I started using it, and it hasn't stretched or worn out. It doesn't seem to be made of poor quality material
The smell doesn't bother me
Although the manufacturer does not specifically advertise the product's odor-preventing properties, I did not notice any particular odor even when using it for various sports
Amazingly low prices
In fact, this type of high-performance mesh underwear has been gaining attention in recent years in the outdoor world, with a plethora of new products from various manufacturers this season. Of course, this site has been keeping an eye on it for quite some time . While they certainly seem to offer high performance, the price is a major drawback, and you can only own one or two pairs, making them a special item reserved for "real events."
To be able to get something that rivals those in performance at such a low price is no longer a special treat. If you wanted to, you could easily buy five and wear them every day. I have yet to come across a model that offers such good value for money, whether it's Workman or Uniqlo. The workwear industry is truly impressive
This is what I'm curious about
Although I feel it may be rude to criticize such high cost performance, I will point out some concerns. Firstly, when looking at the maximum performance of each feature such as sweat absorption, quick drying, and resistance to sweat chilling, it cannot be said to be on the same level as mesh underwear from outdoor specialty brands. However, as I wrote above, it is comfortable enough to use in normal usage environments, so unless you are looking for extremely high specs, I think it is quite satisfactory as value for money
Additionally, crew necks are difficult to wear as everyday clothing because the mesh fabric inevitably peeks out from underneath the shirt. I'm fortunate enough to be able to work without a business shirt most of the time, but I do have a fair number of opportunities to wear a collared shirt, so I'd love to see a V-neck version added. Furthermore, if they could do something about the annoying meshy look, this shirt would be an undeniable piece of innerwear for everyday wear
Summary: Innerwear that you'll want to wear every day, perfect for everyday use as well as the mountains
The more I tried it on, the more I couldn't let it go, and before I knew it, I was wearing it every day, not just in the mountains. Of course, it's wonderful to find a piece that will last you a lifetime and cherish it, but at the same time, in our busy lives, we also need consumable items that we can wear out every day without hesitation. This piece is sure to add the comfort of outdoor wear to that everyday life. Once you try it, you'll want to wear it every day, not just in the mountains, but for sports, work, and on holidays
In any case, it's becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the fact that non-outdoor brands are increasingly producing interesting products. So, we spoke directly with the person in charge of development at Kajimake about the background and how this high-cost-performance innerwear was created. We'll write about that in our next post, so stay tuned
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