The 5-Pocket Shorts, released by Yamatomichi, are designed as shorts for hikers that are easy to wear both on the mountain and in town.
While many oppose wearing shorts in the mountains due to the risk of injury, it seems the makers were reluctant to overlook the inherent convenience and comfort of shorts—such as their vastly superior ease of movement and ability to prevent the legs from overheating—by focusing solely on the dangers.
As long as you are walking in the mountains, absolute safety is impossible; the decision of where to strike the balance between risk, convenience, and comfort is something that individuals must decide for themselves based on their own knowledge, experience, and subjective view. They simply want to walk the mountain comfortably while feeling the wind on their legs in the hot mountains, whenever they choose. These shorts were created with that sentiment in mind.
And there is no doubt that this construction is also incredibly useful for us cyclists. Let’s explore the reasons why.
Outstanding Ease of Movement
When riding a bicycle, it is only natural to want to wear pants that are open and easy to move in.
First and foremost, the excellence of these pants lies in the large gusset in the crotch, which ensures that leg movement is never restricted in any situation. Thanks to this, you won't feel any stress, even during vigorous movements like getting on and off the bike or while pedaling. The slits on the sides also help make it easier to move your legs.
Five Pockets
Furthermore, there are pockets to store valuables like your smartphone, wallet, and keys, as well as nutritional supplies, for both hiking and riding. Because these are positioned effectively so as not to hinder your movement, you won't even notice them while straddling the saddle.
The height and size of the pockets are truly exquisite; even with a smartphone inside, they won't get in the way while pedaling, they don't bounce around when you run, and there is absolutely no worry about items falling out when you move your legs.
Lightweight, Durable, and Fast-Drying Fabric
Of course, they have also paid close attention to the fabric.
Made from taslan nylon (120g/m²) with a cotton-like texture and a durable water-repellent finish, the material is not too light and possesses the sturdiness required for the mountain environment, while also placing a strong emphasis on quick-drying properties.
If you are sitting on the saddle for a long time, you will inevitably sweat or get stuffy, and at this time of year, you might even want to splash around in the water during a ride. Having the quick-drying performance to ensure these shorts dry off quickly while riding even if they get wet is an extremely important point when choosing cycling apparel.
A Design You'll Want to Wear in Town, Too
Thanks to a simple design that makes them easy to wear in town, these are items that will serve you well not only for hiking and cycling but also when going out in the city or while traveling. If I were to compare them to a bicycle, they have the same reliability as a SURLY / Cross Check, which serves as a great commuter or a partner for weekend touring and rides, or the ALLCITY / Space Horse that I ride myself.
If you want to use them for long-distance rides, you can simply wear padded liner shorts or racing tights underneath. For those who aren't comfortable with the tight, form-fitting style of cycling jerseys, especially during cycle transport or touring, having shorts you can easily wear over your bibs is a huge help. I hope more people will enjoy riding in a relaxed style, pairing these with a quick-drying T-shirt or an open shirt.
Shorts Essential to Daily Life
I personally love and use these shorts all the time. I wear them in the mountains, at the bouldering gym, when riding my bike, and of course, in the city. (Come to think of it, I was wearing them when I got my All-City, too!)
They are truly versatile shorts that you can use for anything. The pockets are positioned so perfectly that they hit all the right spots—the smartphone pocket, in particular, is so easy to access and stow when you want to take a quick photo while hiking. They also don't get in the way when sitting down.
There is also a large pocket that fits a map perfectly, which I find extremely useful. The large gusset in the crotch makes it easy to move your legs, so I can use them for bouldering without any stress. In this way, they have become an indispensable part of my daily life.
5-Pocket Pants Now in Stock
And this time, we have not only the shorts but also the long pants in stock.
Driven by the desire to keep that same comfort even in the colder months, they have crafted these long pants, keeping the functionality of the 5-Pocket Shorts intact, so they can be worn throughout a wider range of seasons.
Easy-Moving Silhouette
Even as long pants, the easy-moving silhouette remains; they are loose around the hips and knees and taper toward the hem. While the overall fit is slightly relaxed, the taper reduces bulk around the feet, so you can ride your bike with peace of mind.
You might worry that wearing long pants would restrict knee movement, but a large gusset in the inseam ensures ease of movement without obstruction even when you spread your legs wide. The crotch and the back of the gusset are finished with a durable sewing technique that prevents fraying.
Even for someone like me who worries about thick thighs, these are easy to wear, and the taper has a slimming effect on the legs! These are pants that are incredibly useful for cycling, mountains, and the city alike.
We have a total of 6 colors of the 5-Pocket Shorts and 5-Pocket Pants in stock this time. Although some colors and sizes are already running low even before we could provide a proper introduction, we have plenty of other recommended shorts and pants to help you spend the summer in comfort, so please come to the shop and try them out for yourself! (*Note: Yamatomichi products are sold only in-store, so we invite you to come try them on and see for yourself.)
Because these are essential tools for cyclists, we will propose the most suitable gear tailored to your way of use!