【Yamatomichi】Why Cyclists Should Know About Yamatomichi

Hello! I'm Yanase.
We started carrying Yamatomichi products at Circles about seven years ago. I've incorporated many of their items into my own style, so I think I can provide a very realistic take on how they feel in use!

I'm Dar-chan!
I learned about Yamatomichi when I first started climbing. I didn't own any gear from the famous big-name brands back then, and I didn't see many people wearing Yamatomichi, so it felt kind of special. I was interested partly because I wanted to be "ahead of the curve" (lol).

Although Circles is a bike shop, we consider cycling to be just one form of outdoor activity. We love bikes, of course, but our staff also enjoys a wide variety of activities, from hiking and camping to winter sports. Because of that, our shop is stocked with products that cater to all those activities, and you could say Yamatomichi is one of them.

As for how it started, Yamatomichi's staff members rode bikes, and we had various connections, including our annual "OFF THE GRID" event. But I think the real push was RIDEALIVE 2017: TOE to TOP, which was planned by Yamatomichi's Mr. Natsume and Circles staff member Monjya. This event really brought Yamatomichi and Circles closer together, and led to us carrying their products.

※Please do read the event article mentioned above! And while it’s a bit old, please also check out our article on RIDEALIVE in Yamanashi ~Yabureyama-Kure~.

I thought their shorts were super cute! So I bought my first pair of DW 5-Pocket Shorts at Circles because they carried them nearby.
I bought them strictly for hiking, but the colors were so easy to wear around town that before I knew it, I was incorporating them into my daily wardrobe too.

The best part about the 5-Pocket Shorts is, well, the many pockets. Especially the 5th pocket, which is positioned on the side of your body, so it doesn't get in the way when you move your legs! Even with a smartphone in the pocket, I can move without stress. I agonized over choosing between the standard, DW, and Light fabric versions, but I went with the DW because it balances durability and lightness! (And, uh, I chose based on the color. Haha.)

100% Merino Light Sleeveless

The 100% Merino Light Sleeveless is a summer must-have. It feels soft and comfortable against the skin, minimizes sweat odor and stickiness, has minimal skin coverage, and lets the breeze in beautifully. Of course, it’s also great as an inner layer throughout the year.

I used to be hesitant about wearing merino wool in the height of summer, but the slightly relaxed, sleeveless style covers less skin and lets the air through so well that it’s pure comfort.

UL Shirt
I love how incredibly light it is and how compactly it can be stashed in its own pocket. The fit is smooth and just amazing.
Once, while staying in a mountain hut, I had to wash and hang it to dry during some drizzly, humid weather. When I touched it a few hours later... it was completely dry! Honestly, I didn't think it would dry at all in that humidity, so I was incredibly impressed!!
It takes up almost no space and the quick-drying performance is top-notch, so I find it super useful.

Which is better depends on the person, but personally, I'm a merino wool guy. Merino wool tends to trap air, so in the heat of summer, the stuffy, hot feeling used to stress me out and I'd choose synthetics instead. However, since I’ve started using sleeveless tops more, and because modern merino wool products are much more durable than they used to be, I’ve found myself wearing merino year-round much more often.

Merino wool feels soft, comfortable, and resists sweat odor and stickiness—I think it’s the best.

It's hard to choose one over the other, but when I'm worried about sweat smell and it's hard to get to a bath after a hike, or when I'm camping and need to minimize gear, I choose 100% merino for its deodorizing properties. On the other hand, if I know I'm going to sweat a lot and I'm worried about getting cold, or if it's just a day hike, I use synthetics. So, I choose based on the situation like that.

When I’m out for a serious ride, it’s cycle jerseys and bib shorts all the way, but for other times, I incorporate their gear. This time of year, I often use the 100% Merino Light Sleeveless I mentioned earlier. Other than that, I mix and match products like the DF Mesh series and 100% Merino Hoody depending on the weather, and I carry the All Weather Jacket on many occasions, including rides.

It’s incredibly light and packs down compactly, making it easy to carry, and it features excellent waterproofing and breathability, so I find it indispensable.

【Yamatomichi / All Weather Jacket】Light! Breathable! Super Comfortable!

On days when I'm riding hard, I incorporate Yamatomichi. I often wear the DF Mesh Merino Sleeveless or the 100% Merino Light Crew Neck Pocket under the UL Shirt. Not only the nylon-blended DF Mesh Merino Sleeveless, but the 100% Merino Light series is quite thin for merino wool, so it dries quickly even when I sweat. Like I said before, the shirt packs down incredibly small, so it’s super convenient to grab it quickly from my pocket whenever it feels a bit chilly.