Forty years after the outdoor revolution.
Two people from the Prop Store talk about it,
Colombian World.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the debut of the interchange system, we have updated a classic model from the 1990s. The outer shell is made of Columbia's Omni-Tech waterproof and breathable fabric, and the inner shell is filled with 100 g of padding for enhanced warmth. The inner puffer jacket is reversible, and one side, previously made of double-sided shell material, has been updated to a boa fleece material for a design that fits in well with the city.

This is an update of the model introduced in 1986 as the first outerwear with an interchange system. The outer layer and fleece can be integrated with a zipper, and can be worn separately or as a set for a three-way outfit. Equipped with Omni-Tech, a waterproof breathable function that prevents water from entering and releases steam, it is sure to be useful from the city to the outdoors.

Fujii:Wasn't Columbia founded in Portland, Oregon? When I was going around there on a buying trip, I collected a lot of [Columbia]. The vintage clothing interchange system sometimes sold innerwear and outerwear separately. Then one day, I realized that they were connected, and that's how I came to know about the interchange system.

Doi:And with vintage clothing, the outerwear and innerwear don't always match. Rather, you can sometimes swap them around to get the color scheme you prefer. It's nice to be able to play around like that.

Fujii: Sometimes I don't know the original combination. It is interesting because it can be an unexpected color combination.

Doi: When deadstock comes out, we can match the answer. Well, in many cases, the coloring of details such as tags and zipper pulls are matched with the inner lining, so we can predict the color.

Fujii: I thought such color combinations were what made Columbia's vintage clothes interesting, so the black model (released this time) is fresh.

Fujii: Details have also changed. The length has been lengthened, and the ribbed hems have been loosened. It looks different from the old clothes we sell. It's easier to wear. The matte black color gives it an urban image, making it perfect for town use.

Doi: It's cool. It's not wild and I think it's easy to wear.

Fujii: It is also available in blue. It looks different from black too. May I try it on for a minute?

Fujii: The coloring is loud, but it's surprisingly normal. I like the distinctive color scheme that is typical of Columbia.

Fujii: It can be worn in three different ways, and it's helpful in the winter because you don't have to layer it, it's just one piece of clothing. Even the military ECWCS makes sense because there is a shell, a fleece, and layers to keep you warm.

Doi: Sometimes it's hard to get through to customers when you explain layering to them. For example, "Is a shell jacket made of Gore-Tex warm? Can I go to Hokkaido in the middle of winter?" I am often asked. Shells can protect you from rain and wind, but they don't keep you warm. But this jacket has an inner layer that keeps you warm, so you can take it off if it gets too hot.

Doi: If I am going to an extremely cold place in winter, I will prepare functional clothing, but I don't pay attention to it in my daily life. I like to know the functions of the clothes I use and when I wear them, but I don't care about them in my daily life. If I think that a decorative feature makes it look bad, I even remove it.

Fujii: The decorative features are being stripped away (laughs).

Doi: It's better to pull it together in a way that is comfortable for me to wear, isn't it? I care about the function of the material, like linen is better than oxford in summer. It is important whether it is chic or not.

Fujii: I don't care about functionality that much either. I do care about the position and size of pockets, though.

Doi: But in terms of Columbia's features, I like the radial sleeves.

Doi: I like the fact that we continue to do this because it is such a slightly unassuming but useful feature. If radial sleeves were used in outerwear from Columbia, I would raise my arms when taking pictures.