Check out our favorite picks for the upcoming snow season.
(mattress)
CASCADE DESIGNS
Therm-A-Rest PROLITE 4 ¥17,325 (Regular size)
When pitching a tent on the snow, top priority is keeping the cold from creeping up from below. An inflatable mattress provides much better insulation than foam. (1)
(snowshoe)
ATLAS
AT-1225 ¥35,500
The Atlas standard gets a makeover with an adjustable heel-lift for steep climbs and crampons to keep you from slipping and sliding making a traverse. (2)
(sleeping bag)
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR
Banshee SL ¥54,600
This bag is rated to twenty-below, which is ideal for winter nights in Japan’s highlands. The 800-fill down and water resistant outer shell make this the perfect pouch. (3)
(tent)
HILBERG
Nallo GT 2-Person ¥80,850
Sweden’s Hillberg has been pitching tents for 35 years. The two-person Nallo GT is their latest model featuring a sizable anteroom for keeping things safe and sound even amidst wind-blown snow. (4)
(backpack)
OSPREY
Switch 36 ¥17,850
Winter sports enthusiasts everywhere have been licking their chops in anticipation of this ski and snowboard pack, and the exceptional functionality won’t disappoint. (3)
(shoes)
THE NORTH FACE
McMurdo Boot ¥18,900
On cold, snow-covered slopes a good snow boot is a necessity for keeping warm the body and soul, and the special compound used offers great tractions to avoid slips on snow and ice. (5)
(pole)
LIFE LINK
Guide Ultra Light ¥15,540
With an upper made of Easton Aluminum and the lower of carbon, each pole weighs in at only 390g. Put the two together and you’ve got yourself a great probe. (6)
(under wear)
SMARTWOOL
Mid weight Crew ¥7,980
Mid weight Bottom ¥7,455
Smartwool does it again, staying ahead of the pack with Merino wool-lined underwear that doesn’t itch while keeping the sweat away from your body. (3)
(outer wear)
THE NORTH FACE
Trango Jacket ¥25,200
This insulated outerwear features PrimaLoft, a synthetic polyester micro-fiber that keeps out the cold using far-infrared (FIR) technology, which is said to naturally energize your body. It’s a perfect fit for wet Japan snow, proving the point that sometimes synthetics work better than down. (5)
(headlamp)
BLACK DIAMOND
Spot ¥5,040
This super-lightweight 85g head lamp features a two-setting LED light, and weighs in at a mere 50g when you take out the batteries. To top it off, the battery life runs up to a whopping 150 hours! (3)
CONTACT INFO
(1) Mochizuki (0256) 32-0819 (2) mont-bell (06) 6536-5740 (3) Lost Arrow (049) 271-7113 (4) A&F (03)3209-7575 (5) Goldwin (0120) 307-560 (6) Vertex (03) 3635-2913
