You can seriously wear it from the trail to the city, and on top of that, there's an ethical T-shirt and mountain shirt. BRING's review of mountain wear made from recycled polyester and natural merino wool that is comfortable even in the summer
Clothes to cut off the "world where one truck worth of clothing is disposed of every second."
Before I knew it, I was able to find clothes that I casually wear on a regular basis and are now very inexpensive and easy to get. However, this global fast fashion culture is at a major turning point. While it is said that clothing production has almost doubled since 2000*1, the period of wear by consumers has been reduced by half*1. In other words, the reality is that people in the 21st century wear more clothes and throw away more.
It is caused by the massive water consumption from production, enormous carbon emissions, and large amounts of waste by consumers. In fact, the fashion industry is the second most water-consuming industry in the world, and 10% of the carbon dioxide emitted from human activities comes from the fashion industry*1, and it is also said that the world's fashion industry produces 92 million tons of waste per year.
*1: BUSINESS INSIDER
*2: BRING Website
If this situation continues like this, the Earth may eventually become a place that humans cannot live in, in a literal sense. I'm not kidding, I'm sure you all feel that something is happening that makes you wonder if the Earth is already beginning to roll down the slope. Every year, trivial chats that have been saying things like, "Was summer so hot?" have become a serious problem before we know it, and no one wants to see a future like that.
BRING is a new Japanese brand that aims to implement a circular economy that realizes a sustainable global environment by developing a unique technology that can cycle through the cycle of collecting unused clothes, regenerating them into raw materials at our own factory, and then remodeling them into clothes again.
In last year's base layer feature, Outdoor Gearzine has been paying attention to the "WUNDERWEAR," a knit made from merino wool and recycled polyester blend for autumn and winter. This time, we have been receiving BRING to offer a variety of items that can be used in the mountains, mainly in spring and summer, and we have checked its capabilities, including outdoor activities.
*The author is offering this product on the condition that the review is reviewed in accordance with the policy of this site
table of contents
- What is BRING?
- Detailed review
- WUNDERWEAR AOYAMA T-shirt: Merino wool T-shirt with great functionality and design, from summer life to travel and trails
- DRYCOTTONY Mountain Aloha Shirt: New genre "Aloha Mountain Shirt" Not only does it have enough style but also features
- WUNDERWEAR “ONE” 50/50: Underwear with a gentle fit and feel that makes you want to wear it every day.
- WUNDERWEAR SOCKS: Mainly wear everyday but can be worn with no stress, but it's a stressful merino blend socks
- Summary: Comfortable, highly functional, stylish, sustainable. BRING is one of the shapes that outdoor wear should aim for in the future
- BRING Product Details and Purchase
What is BRING?
Among the fibers used in clothing, polyester is the main material that accounts for about 60% of fiber production. This polyester is light, durable, low absorbency, quick-drying, and durable, making it highly durable, and is also well-known outdoors. BRING has recycled it from the condition of the clothes to the sustainable ingredients, and has developed its own technology to create threads, fabrics, and clothes.
Until now, there has been a method of recycling PET (=polyester) bottles into fibers, but there is almost no way to recycle these recycled fibers, and they could only be recycled once, but BRING has developed BRING Technology, which is a chemical recycling method that can be continued "every time and again" is a very different thing from the rest. BRING uses this unique technology to set each individual clothing field and purpose, such as "when, what to do, who will wear it, and what experiences it will have," and aims to create clothes that will help you survive in everyday life and nature.
This time, I tried out the following four items from this BRING, assuming that I would like to use it for summer mountain climbing.
- WUNDERWEAR AOYAMA T-shirt (photo left)
- DRYCOTTONY Mountain Aloha Shirt (right of the photo)
- WUNDERWEAR “ONE”50/50
- WUNDERWEAR SOCKS
Detailed review
WUNDERWEAR AOYAMA T-shirt: Merino wool T-shirt with great functionality and design, from summer life to travel and trails
The WUNDERWEAR series features comfortable, high-performance underwear made from a blend of sustainable polyester "BRING Material™" made from original technology recycled from used clothing and other materials, and high-quality natural merino wool. The first time I came across BRING was the fall/winter base layer of this series. "WUNDERWEAR AOYAMA T-shirt" is a short-sleeved T-shirt for spring and summer from the same series, and the designer's desire to wear it for both activity and town use is reflected in the name "AOYAMA" and its sophisticated and stylish design at a glance.
Wearing size M/L at 176cm and 63kg.
The fabric is made of almost half wool and polyester, and is indescribable in comfort, combining the supple, naturally moist feel of natural extra fine merino wool and the light, smooth and refreshing feel of polyester. The reason I won't give up on merino wool even in the summer is this unique, comfortable feel and comfortable to the skin.
I wore size M/L, but the size was just right and the width was a little wider when considering it as a mountain wear. As it is "all-gender-friendly," it is certainly designed to be worn without any discomfort, regardless of whether it is worn by a man or a woman. In addition to this loose fit, it also has moderate elasticity and a firm kickback, so there is no stress even when it comes to large movements during activities, and there is nothing to say about comfort.
Short stitching width and body hem for a refined look
Also, when you hear the word wool, you may think that summer is hot, but wool has a natural humidity control function, so when the temperature and humidity inside the clothing rise, the fibers function to keep the temperature and humidity constant. Additionally, the quick-drying properties of the blended polyester and excellent breathability keep you comfortable even in high temperature environments.
I also sweated a lot from my actions in the scorching sun in the mountains, but the sweat didn't last forever and dried quickly. When I wore it on my hike, my back was covered in sweat, but there was no discomfort that made my shirt stick perfectly to it, and after a while it returned to its original smooth texture so that it didn't bother me.
Of course, from the perspective of strict mountain wear, the design should be a little more closely attached to the skin, but what makes up for this is that its sophisticated and versatile design allows you to continue wearing it from the city to the trails and from the after-departing the mountain. Thanks to the natural deodorizing properties of wool, when I went on a trip to Asahikawa with my family this summer, I was able to wear it comfortably, from sightseeing in Furano to hiking Mt. Asahi, which was the only one I had, without any discomfort.
It's great to wear it alone in outdoor activities with high temperatures, as an inner layer under a windshell, or layer it with underwear in spring and autumn. In addition, in rare cases, wool shrinks when washed, but we have also been able to confirm that this product does not shrink at all after washing it many times.
In conclusion, aside from the harsh activities, it was perfectly suitable for mountain climbing, hiking, and summer outdoor activities.
DRYCOTTONY Mountain Aloha Shirt: New genre "Aloha Mountain Shirt" Not only does it have enough style but also features
If there was a "buying a jacket" in the world of mountain tools, that would have been exactly like that. The design makes you want to wear it just at first glance, the sophisticated silhouette that goes well with anyone who wears it, and the peace of mind when you put it on. This aloha shirt is a playful aloha shirt that you can wear in the mountains, making it a truly "Aloha Mountain shirt."
Of course, it is also important to have functionality, such as whether you can really wear it on the mountains.
Aloha shirts are originally worn in hot places, and the shape and shape make it a neat neck area and does not easily trap air, making them not suitable for outdoor activities in hot seasons such as low mountains in the summer. Furthermore, unlike the thin, smooth material of the so-called "aloha shirt", the fabric is made of a voluminous fabric woven with DRYCOTTONY yarn, which is 100% recycled polyester but has excellent texture like cotton and quick-drying properties, making it natural and comfortable to wear, quick-drying that will escape sweat and stuffiness, and also has UV protection.
You might think a single short-sleeved aloha shirt would be a layering addition, but when I put it on top of the T-shirt mentioned earlier, the thick fabric and voluminous collar block out the wind, moderately soften the cold, and work properly as a cover-up. Of course, it has short sleeves, the collar is open, and the fabric does not interfere with natural air flow, and the front buttons are dot buttons, so if you open and close the buttons each time, it's easier to ventilate, and you can control your body temperature better than you think.
If there is a drawback, it is that we deliberately use thick fabric, which gives it a slightly heavy feel. It's hardly a concern if it's a mild activity, but it can be said that it's a concerning weight for active, severe activities.
However, despite these disadvantages, it is also true that it is difficult to abandon the comfort and style that only a thick, relaxed fit can offer. With this design, it can naturally be worn not only in the mountains but also in the city without any discomfort, so it is not just versatile. Of course, if it gets dirty, you can wash it in the washing machine without worry, making it extremely easy to use, such as mountain wear or everyday wear.
When hiking, no matter how hot it is, it can be comfortable to wear something on top of the base layer to protect you from the wind at the ridge. In such cases, this unique "Mountain Aloha" can be worn comfortably and safely even in the mountains, and will surely blow a new air into your summer mountain style.
Printed designs using hikers, trail runners, and mountain motifs. Illustrator "SASAKI HISAE" is in charge
WUNDERWEAR “ONE” 50/50: Underwear with a gentle fit and feel that makes you want to wear it every day.
Actually, this is the first time I've learned about WUNDERWEAR's underwear, which is probably the most popular item among BRING's outdoor enthusiasts. I also tried this one, although it was a little late.
The fabric is made of merino wool and half polyester, so (as I mentioned in the T-shirts) it combines the comfort of wool with the durability and quick-drying properties of synthetic fibers, making it comfortable and functional, suitable for outdoor use.
Above all, the comfort of the wear is made of three-dimensional knitting that is less likely to stick to the skin and allows for a soft, light feel, and the "Whole Garment® knit" that eliminates any sewing, including the waist area, and reduces roughness on the skin. The fine, undulating fabric creates a layer of air, which becomes an insulating layer and tries to keep the temperature of the skin constant even when it's cold or hot. Of course, the wool also does a good job of deodorizing functions, so it reduces discomfort even on long trails that you'll be left wearing for days. It's also nice that you just need to put it in the washing machine without worrying about the details.
The type I tried this time was "ONE" 50/50" with "unsewn all the way to the waist" and "50 wool: 50 synthetic fiber", but if you prefer a solid fit at the waist, you can also choose the flat elastic type, or the "70 wool: 30 synthetic fiber" blended model for those who prefer comfort and heat retention over high sweat processing capabilities. In my case, I chose the Whole Garment 50/50 this time because it would be for summer and also for mountainous areas.
WUNDERWEAR SOCKS: Mainly wear everyday but can be worn with no stress, but it's a stressful merino blend socks
This is a great opportunity, and we responded to a selfish request to try out the WUNDERWEAR series, and we also tried out these merino wool and recycled polyester blend socks.
The pop-colored design is a simple, plain color that is valuable for mountain socks. It is not only blended with polyester, but also nylon and polyurethane, and the instep, arch and shin are ribbed to create a highly elastic vertical and horizontal stretch, making it a firm fit when worn, but still feels gentle, not too tight. It gave me the most comfortable impression as a everyday sock.
However, when hiking or running, you will need to create more support than usual that does not slip even when stepping on hard, cushions that can withstand impacts, and reinforced toes and heels that can withstand rubbing. In this regard, the fabric composition and comfort of these socks can be said to be for outdoor use, but it is not believed that the specifications in this area are so presumed. For this reason, I'm not saying that it can be used actively in the mountains, but I plan to use it for outdoor work or as an extension of my daily trip, such as camping and strolling.
Summary: Comfortable, highly functional, stylish, sustainable. BRING is one of the shapes that outdoor wear should aim for in the future
It is true that BRING is not a purely specialized manufacturer of mountains, but now that the high functionality of outdoor products has become so prevalent in the apparel industry and the general consumer, it is a kind of inevitable that items that can be used in the city and in the mountains, taking into account the functionality of the outdoors. I also believe that brands like BRING have a respect for nature and a high sense of concern for society, and we as users must continue to grow well and have these brands create good things and develop them thoroughly.
I tried out four items this time, and I think you've learned that, to varying degrees, they have excellent functionality that allows you to wear them on the mountains. We hope you will use this review as a reference to help you identify the advantages and disadvantages of the items while using them outdoors, allowing you to climb mountains more in your own way.
BRING Product Details and Purchase
For product details, please check the official BRING website
