03 The trigger for coming up with an idea is "discomfort.
PROFILE
In 2013, he established "Half Track Products (HALF TRACK PRODUCTS)" and developed products based on his own outdoor experience. . His fresh ideas from a direction that no one had overlooked have been the talk of the town. He is a pioneer of the so-called "garage maker. He is well-liked in the outdoor community and has collaborated with Jerry Ukai, Fumihiko Okabe, and Helinox, among many others.
Instagram:@halftrackproducts
What kind of outdoor activities do you enjoy these days?
Tsuchiya:Motorcycle. I ride in all seasons, but touring in the coming season, the wind is cold, so the temperature drops about 10 degrees Celsius. When I ride at 100 km/h, I shiver while riding (laughs).
What do you enjoy about motorcycles?
Tsuchiya:There is a term used in winter mountaineering, "THE DAY", which refers to a day when the weather is nice and the snow is powdery, but it always feels like "THE DAY" on a motorcycle. I ride a large 1200cc motorcycle, and the torque I feel when I open the throttle... just riding the bike feels great. It feels great just to ride it. It's almost like snowboarding.
I see. The "Tavi Down Jacket" has a gimmick that is useful for motorcyclists as well.
Tsuchiya:. it is nice that the sides of the hem can be zipped up and closed. . easy to raise my legs when straddling a tall bike. The pockets can be used as handwarmers and have a flap to keep your cell phone in.
. If you remove the hood, it can be converted into a stand collar.
Tsuchiya:That's great for a motorcyclist. . If I wear a helmet, the hood gets in the way, and a stand collar doesn't let the wind in too much.
Many of "Half Track Products'" products are used in the camping scene, aren't they?
Tsuchiya:Yes, that's right. I feel that we are not making outdoor gear, but rather gear for the uniquely developed genre of camping. . Although I say that, I don't go camping that much anymore. I used to go camping about 15 years ago, and now I only go occasionally for work.
As a maker of camping gear, how do you view the flame-retardant materials used in the "Tavi Down Jacket"?
Tsuchiya:Fifteen years ago, when I used to make campfires, I used to wear a cotton jacket over my down jacket to protect it from fire sparks. Nowadays, new functional materials like the "takibi fabric" used in the "Takibi Down Jacket" are constantly being introduced, and I'm in a state of Urashima Taro (laughs). With this down jacket, you don't need cotton outerwear, which is definitely a good point for those who like specs.
What kind of items do you actually use from "Nanga"?
Tsuchiya:It's a sleeping bag. The quality is unmistakable. Incidentally, like Nanga, Half Track Products is also made in Japan. No matter how inexpensive the production costs are, we would rather see the money go to Japanese craftsmen and women than to overseas factories.
That's a nice way of thinking. Have you ever conceived of a product based on your experience riding a motorcycle?
Tsuchiya:I just made a bag to hold a sleeping bag, and I made it so that it can be attached to the bike.
I guess many of your outdoor products are based on your own experiences and thoughts of "what I would do if I were you.
Tsuchiya:Yes, that's right. In my case, I am often inspired by a sense of "what the heck is that? For example, I don't like the strange, lived-in feel of wet wipes, so I make cases for them, or I develop cushion covers for stuffing down sleeping bags, which are difficult to store. . So, you can't come up with new ideas if you sit around in the workshop moaning and groaning, but it is easier to come up with new products if you go out and have fun.
TAKIBI DOWN JACKET ¥66,000 This down jacket incorporates a classic design with modern materials and functions. The unique cotton-like polyester fabric is blended with aramid, a flame-retardant material, and is resistant to campfires, a weak point of synthetic fibers. Nanga's proprietary UDD (ultra water-repellent down) is used for the down, preventing water and moisture from reducing the jacket's heat retention. In addition, the design is designed for a variety of situations, with an emphasis on ease of movement and usability. Available in four colors.
