BRAND & PRODUCT
About our brand and products
RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR Unwind Pants Trail Shadow
About RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR
Whether I am hiking or spending time at home or in the city, it is all part of a continuous daily life for me.
I want to be able to move comfortably and naturally throughout that ongoing time.
RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR creates tools and clothing that gently support that feeling.
We give reasons for every function and avoid adding anything unnecessary.
We think about construction so that items can be repaired and used again if they break, and we build upon realizations gained from my own hiking experiences with small improvements.
What I want to create are not items only for special occasions, but tools that I find myself picking up every day without thinking.
I like to call items that have earned their place in daily life "staples."
To me, a staple doesn't mean never changing, but rather not changing too much.
I aim for forms that increase in reliability over time, updating only what is truly necessary while listening to the voices of the users.
Quality is born from the relationships between creators.
We maintain face-to-face communication with factories and suppliers across Japan, choosing only the designs that best utilize their respective strengths.
Rather than decorating our products with grand words, I want to honestly convey why they have this shape and the background behind how they are made.
RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR will continue to gradually increase the number of things we feel we truly need.
The "Unwind Pants" are designed for both walking a lot and truly "unwinding."
I envisioned these pants being comfortable from the cool morning when you start walking, through hiking on ridges during the day, to relaxing inside a tent or mountain hut, and even when you slip straight into your sleeping bag.
They are designed for three-season use.
Except for the coldest part of midwinter, these are a go-to pair for everything from spring and autumn low-mountain hikes to treks through chilly highlands. If you wear tights underneath, they can also handle mountain walks in colder periods.
The name "Unwind" means "to relax."
The longer you walk, the more "breathing room" you want in your clothing. I aimed for a balance that sacrifices neither ease of movement nor comfort when sitting.
While maintaining necessary room around the waist and thighs, I’ve refined the silhouette so it doesn't look sloppy.
For the fabric, I focused on a thickness and suppleness that doesn't lean too far toward either ease of movement while hiking or comfort while sitting still in a tent or mountain hut.
They don't get sticky when you sweat, and they don't get too cold when hit by the wind. I searched for a balance that allows you to wear them all day long.
Maybe today is a day for lots of walking, or maybe it’s a day for brewing coffee slowly at a campsite.
Perhaps after descending, you’ll head straight to a hot spring or an inn.
These are the hiking pants you can think of as, "Whatever the day brings, I’m safe as long as I’m wearing these."
They feature a simple, natural silhouette with a gentle taper.
Neither too baggy nor too slim, I aimed for a balance that feels "just right" in both the mountains and the city. While keeping the lines clean, I ensured there is enough room for relaxing.
The pockets have been intentionally kept to a minimum.
There are two side pockets on the hips that allow you to quickly slide your hands in, plus a single zipper pocket on the left side.
In the zipper pocket, you can store minimal essentials you want to keep on your person, such as a smartphone or wallet. The pocket configuration is designed to keep you light without packing too much in.
The hems are equipped with drawcords, allowing you to cinch them depending on the situation.
When you're on a windy ridge where the hems might flap, or when you don't want to get your hems dirty on muddy trails after the rain. Or, when you are riding a bicycle or want to jog to the train station—simply cinching them can slightly improve footwork and wind resistance.
In keeping with the "unwind" concept of these pants, I was particular about the waist construction.
Hoping you would be able to wear them without stress even when sleeping, I adopted ultra-soft elastic for the waistband. It is a super-light, thin, and soft flat elastic.
The goal was to make the presence of the elastic feel as minimal as possible while still securely holding the waist during movement. I chose something that could satisfy these conflicting conditions.
Rather than constricting, it has a sensation of "gently resting against you," minimizing any discomfort around the waist whether you are sitting, walking, or inside a sleeping bag.
The "Unwind Pants" use a 100% polyester fabric made with Toray’s stretch material, Primeflex®.
It is a functional material with 2-way stretch that extends comfortably in both length and width, and comes with a water-repellent finish.
The greatest feature of Primeflex® is its "natural stretch and reliable recovery." It isn't a stretch that feels like forced pulling, but rather one that smoothly follows your movements—whether you are squatting, stepping over obstacles, or lowering your hips to enter a tent—providing exactly as much give as you need.
Even after staying in a knee-bent position, the fabric resists stretching out, ensuring the silhouette doesn't easily collapse even after long hours of wear.
The 100% polyester fabric is quick-drying even when it absorbs sweat or moisture, and has a dry touch that prevents it from sticking to your skin.
Even after working up a sweat while active, the fabric dries quickly by the time you catch your breath at the campsite, so it doesn't leave you with a chilled feeling. This is a level of quick-drying performance designed for wearing the pants all day long.
Furthermore, the surface has a water-repellent finish that sheds light rain and morning dew.
When you are walking to a campsite in light rain, or sitting on a wet bench or rock, it prevents you from getting soaked through immediately. While it cannot replace dedicated rain pants, it is a finish that adds just the right amount of reassurance without the need to carry extra clothes.
STAFF VOICE
Staff comments
Ichimura / 175cm / 75kg
I wear a size L, which is the perfect fit.
Thanks to the highly stretchy and lightweight fabric, these pants offer an incredibly comfortable wearing experience.
They are suitable for three seasons (excluding midwinter) and feature a water-repellent finish, making them a fantastic, versatile model that I find myself reaching for most often throughout the year.
They have a just-right thickness and a clean, tapered silhouette.
They are easy to wear for both town use and outdoor activities.
