It’s been nothing but rain lately, so the frequency of my bike rides has dropped significantly. How have all of you been spending your time?
Instead of my usual "bicycle" routine, I’ve been taking a break from it now and then to explore mountains or local parks. Even when it’s raining, walking in a raincoat or sometimes going for a run... I think there is a charm completely different from sunny days in walking while feeling the plants under your own feet and taking the time to fully enjoy the natural beauty of the damp forest.
If you occasionally stop and take a close look at the trees, grasses, and insects, you might find new discoveries you never paid attention to before.
I’m enjoying this experience of feeling connected to nature firsthand, but when I happen to look at the T-shirts, socks, or the jerseys I wear when I go out for a ride, I’ve noticed that many of the products I wear use merino wool.
Merino wool, now indispensable for outdoor wear, is used in various products beyond mountain gear, including cycling jerseys, base layers, and socks.
It doesn't get smelly even when you sweat, it breathes to manage moisture and keep the inside of your clothes comfortable, and it maintains your body temperature even if you get wet in the rain. With these incredible natural functions, merino wool makes rides, hikes, and even daily life something special, keeping you comfortable even in the muggy rainy season we’re currently in.
While merino wool has excellent characteristics and functions, it does have its drawbacks, of course—parts that must be sacrificed, such as fabric durability, quick-drying properties, and a tendency to shrink. Even so, Yamatomichi consistently insists on "100% merino wool."
Why 100% Merino Wool?
While merino wool has wonderful qualities for activewear, such as superior temperature and humidity regulation and natural odor resistance, it also has weaknesses that cannot be ignored, such as a tendency for distortion and shrinkage due to being a natural fiber, as well as low durability.
To compensate for these weaknesses, many current outdoor merino wool fabrics are made by blending several to tens of percent of synthetic fibers. Yamatomichi, however, consistently develops "100% merino wool" fabrics simply because we feel the benefits and appeal of merino wool far outweigh those weaknesses.
Our own independent testing has also made it clear that the very benefits that make merino wool so wonderful, such as its temperature and humidity regulation, decrease in proportion to the blending ratio with synthetic fibers.
It’s a fantastic material equipped with many of the functions necessary for moving in nature—cool in the summer, warm in the winter, keeps you from getting cold when wet from water or rain, and doesn't get smelly even after long periods of wear. It is now indispensable for the outdoors, but Yamatomichi products also have the appeal of being suitable as everyday wear, as we incorporate them into designs that are easy to use in daily life.
Lighter, moisture-wicking 100% merino wool
【Yamatomichi】Light Merino Crew Neck T-Shirt
Material:
100%MERINO WOOL 140-145g/m²
Weight:
111g（Size XS）
127g（Size S）
135g（Size M）
146g（Size L）
153g（Size XL）
Size:
UNISEX | XS / S / M / L / XL
Color:
Charcoal Marl / Navy Marl / Deep Forest
Price : ¥8,500 (excl. tax)
The Light Merino Crew Neck T-Shirt is a simple shirt finished for a wider range of situations, such as hot summer weather or high-intensity activities, using merino wool that is lighter, wicks moisture better, and has superior temperature/humidity regulation and natural, powerful odor resistance. Lighter than previous Yamatomichi merino wool, which was somewhat thicker, this 100% merino wool has durability comparable to synthetic blends, while being lighter, sturdier, and better at absorbing sweat.
The collar uses a binder finish that resists stretching, and the shoulder areas feature flat seams to minimize discomfort when wearing a backpack. Additionally, the back hem is longer, so it won’t ride up and expose your lower back when you’re in a riding position on a bike or wearing a backpack.
100% merino to keep your core warm
【Yamatomichi】Light Merino Kangaroo Pocket T-shirt
Material:
100% MERINO WOOL 140-145g/m²
Weight:
132g（Size XS）
157g（Size S）
165g（Size M）
176g（Size L）
187g（Size XL）
Size:
UNISEX | XS / S / M / L / XL
Color:
Charcoal Marl / Navy Marl
Price : ¥8,500 (excl. tax)
The Light Merino Kangaroo Pocket T-Shirt features a unique kangaroo pocket on the abdomen. The double layer of fabric here is intended to ensure warmth and keep your abdomen from getting cold. While it doesn't happen as much lately, I often used to get an upset stomach because the temperature would drop suddenly during long descents after climbing a mountain pass on a bike—but with this, I feel safe knowing my midsection is protected. As a pro tip, when you’re just too cold, wrapping a towel or even newspaper around your midsection makes a difference.
It’s perfect for those who struggle with overly strong air conditioning in the summer. A belly warmer might get too stuffy around the waist, but this kangaroo pocket—which also serves as an accent—provides just the right amount of heat retention and temperature regulation, keeping you comfortable even during activities with large changes in body temperature.
Thick and durable 100% merino
【Yamatomichi】Merino Henry Neck T-shirt
Material :
100% MERINO WOOL 170-180g/m²
Weight :
135g（Size XS）
152g（Size S）
168g（Size M）
177g（Size L）
192g（Size XL）
Size :
UNISEX | XS / S / M / L / XL
Color :
Charcoal Marl / Navy Marl
Price : ¥9,000 (excl. tax)
The Merino Henry Neck T-Shirt uses 100% merino wool fabric with strength and durability comparable to synthetic blends by using "plied yarn" (two twisted yarns) to increase fabric strength. The fabric is thicker than the light merino, which might cause concerns about heat, but we’ve adopted a henley neck so you can fully open it at the neck to regulate body temperature when it gets hot.
By using buttons instead of a zipper—which can look too sporty—this has become a staple Yamatomichi T-shirt with a classic design that fits in both in the mountains and in the city.
These products were developed with Yamatomichi's original fabric in the Bishu region, a Japanese wool production area. They are lighter than previous Yamatomichi merino wool that was somewhat thicker, have been treated with a hydrophilic finish to quickly absorb sweat, and have a soft touch.
After going for a bike ride or hiking in the mountains, you often want to get out of your sporty gear when you head down into town. You could think about carrying a change of clothes for the city, but carrying a change of clothes is surprisingly bulky. If you’re thinking about carrying multiple items, there’s no reason not to choose merino wool, which has high antibacterial and deodorizing effects and can be worn continuously.
Why not take this opportunity to incorporate merino wool as your everyday activewear? I’m sure you’ll be able to feel the comfort that only merino wool can provide.
We have other items centered on U.L. (Ultra-Light) that only Yamatomichi can make, so please try them out in-store, and I'm sure you will realize their comfort and ease of use.
Yamatomichi products will be available in our WEB SHOP until July 30th, so if you are interested, please check them out soon. Starting August 1st, they will only be available for sale in-store.
Notice of Closure for Ridin’Birds 2020
For web shop orders, those for which payment is confirmed by 15:00 on Wednesday, July 22, will be shipped before the temporary closure.
Thursday, July 23 – Sunday, July 26
We will be closed for both our physical store and web shop.
Please note that orders placed after that time will be shipped sequentially starting Monday, July 27.
Of course, we are still accepting participants, so if your schedule has suddenly cleared up, please check the link below—we look forward to your entry!