Hello! It’s John from Circles Tokyo!
Back when I was working in Nagoya, Asai-san invited me, saying, "John, let's ride around Lake Hamana!" and so I headed off for a Lake Hamana group ride.
Lake Hamana is a nature-rich lake about an hour and a half drive from Nagoya. There's a path that goes all the way around, making it the perfect spot for cycling.
This was my first time circling the lake, and I was impressed by how clean and easy to ride the paths were on every part of the course.
There’s a slightly long hill on the way to our destination, the Lake Hamana Music Box Museum, and to my surprise, I even left our resident speedster Yanase-san, aka "Yanac," in the dust!
I had a vague suspicion before, but could it be that I’m actually fast at climbing? We weren't exactly racing, but it definitely builds confidence when you find something you're good at.
The breathtaking view of Lake Hamana I saw when I arrived first is so beautiful I still can't forget it, and having that supreme scenery all to myself is a great memory. (It really was stunning!)
The gear I chose for the day: CLEVERHOOD
So today, I want to talk about the CLEVERHOOD Rover Anorak I wore on that Lake Hamana ride, which turned out to be better than I ever expected.
I was worried the day before because of reports of a cold snap and snow, but it turned out to be a clear, sunny day. While the wind was strong, the temperature was a perfect 10°C. It was a fantastic day for a ride.
Choosing what to wear for cycling can be tricky, right?
I usually love wearing casual gear with drawcords, but because I’m prone to getting hot and sweaty, I’ve often dealt with heat buildup leading to "sweat chill."
But the CLEVERHOOD was different.
I’d like to draw your attention to the sides of the hem.
That’s right: the "slit design."
The slits allow trapped heat to escape from the sides, letting you regulate your internal temperature. As someone who loves long rides, being freed from the stress of "heat buildup" made my daily riding more fun than ever!
The side slits also add movement to the fabric, increasing your range of motion! It’s hard to pedal if your clothes get in the way, but the slit design keeps things comfortable.
The raglan and long-cut sleeves allow the upper body to move easily, and when you’re gripping the handlebars, the sleeves still cover your wrists even when your arms are stretched out, preventing cold wind from getting in.
And unlike my usual clothes, the best part is the weight!
It’s super lightweight at just 318g. (So light!)
Thanks to this lightness, my cadence went up and my bike just kept surging forward!
When I arrived at Lake Hamana, I realized I’d forgotten to attach my frame bag, but that’s where the front kangaroo pocket comes in handy.
I was able to store my essential tubes, tire levers, and other multi-tools right there!
Plus, you can take things in and out while riding—grabbing energy bars or taking out your gloves—it’s like a four-dimensional pocket.
While it has a "minimal design," the functionality is beyond what you’d expect from a simple rain jacket.
With an aesthetic charm that stands out from other apparel or outdoor brands, and details that any cyclist can appreciate, it’s highly practical and stress-free for riding or commuting. Honestly, it’s so cool that it’s worth buying for the design alone, but I really felt the excellence of its performance.
Its performance as a rain jacket goes without saying
Japan is hot, humid, and rainy.
The membrane, which offers 15,000mm of water pressure resistance and breathability, is sandwiched between the outer and inner fabrics to ensure waterproofing. In other words, it prevents water from seeping through even if it hits the outer layer.
It also features a C6 DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating, which makes water bead up and roll off the surface, preventing the fabric itself from getting waterlogged. This means it can handle even heavy downpours.
I ride 12km to work every day, and I always wear my CLEVERHOOD when it rains.
It repels water perfectly, and you don’t have to worry about getting wet!
After all, CLEVERHOOD is the ultimate rain jacket!
It’s a stylish piece of gear you’ll actually want to wear on rainy days, and a convenient item to have for your daily cycling life.
Why not pick one up for yourself?
