I saw a video of falling snow on someone's social media.
It seems they’ve recorded the first snow of the season in Hokkaido earlier than usual.
The sudden nationwide chill makes it feel like it was a lie that I was saying it was comfortable to wear T-shirts and shorts just the other day. Even though I had predicted it to some extent, once you actually feel the cold on your skin, you find yourself thinking, "Wait, seriously?! I’m not prepared for this yet. I wanted to enjoy a more gradual change of seasons..." though I feel like I say this every year.
That said, it’s clear that this has finally put a definitive end to the lingering traces of summer, and we now have no choice but to prepare for autumn and the winter that will inevitably arrive all of a sudden.
However, this year I already have a reliable partner by my side.
That partner is none other than the RAL / Tonbo Jacket.
Although it was only just released, the final sample was completed last winter, and I was wearing it even on mid-winter rides. That's right—with this, there’s nothing to worry about.
The notable features of the Tonbo Jacket are listed below, but for more details, please check out the release article by Izuru-san from Daisy Messenger.
https://ral.life/news/ral-tonbo-jacket-story
Features of the Tonbo Jacket
- Fabric surface treated with Teflon for water repellency and stain resistance
- Lining made of warm fleece material for heat retention
- Articulated, longer sleeves designed for a riding position
- Cuffs designed to prevent wind from entering
- Compact hood to protect the head
- Underarm ventilation to efficiently release body heat
- Split back pockets convenient for carrying items
- Left chest pocket for small items like keys
- Water-resistant double zipper
By the way, during last year’s mid-winter rides, I often went out using a three-layer system with the ACLIMA / Woolnet Crew Neck and ACLIMA / Warmwool Granddad Shirt. On tough climbs, I would unzip the front and underarm vents completely, and as I started the descents, I would close them up, keeping the ride comfortable by repeating that process.
Since there is no doubt that it’s highly functional, I’d also like to share information about the sizing this time.
Tonbo Jacket Sizing
Wearing Size S / Khaki
My build is 170cm tall, about 60kg, and I’m lean in the upper body.
I wear a size S. (The color I own is Red, but I wore the Khaki when shooting the release photos.)
I often wear a winter base layer and a slightly thick mid-layer underneath, so if I wear a casual sweatshirt, it feels a bit tight. If you have a similar build and want a more relaxed fit, I recommend going one size up to an M.
However, please be aware that the sleeves are long, so there will be extra length.
Wearing Size M / Charcoal
Kenji-kun is about the same height as me but prefers to wear a more relaxed fit.
He is 170cm tall and 63kg; he’s built a bit more solidly than I am, and he was wearing a thin sweatshirt under the jacket during the shoot. If you look closely, you can see there is plenty of room in the sleeves. The color is Charcoal.
Wearing Size L / Red
Our other model, Shun-kun, has a physique I truly envy at 179cm tall and 67kg, and he wears a size L. I’m pretty sure he was wearing a long-sleeve T-shirt at the time. It also pairs well with slim denim. The color is Red.
Also Matches Casual Styles
By the way, I also had Kyon-chan wear it last winter.
She is 163cm tall and wore a size S.
Although the sleeves are long, the sizing fits perfectly for a casual style.
Just the other day, a woman who is in the late 160cm range tried on both the S and M sizes because she wanted a more relaxed fit, and she ended up purchasing the M.
This time, I provided information about the sizing, focusing mainly on the people who helped with the release, but I will continue to introduce the jacket in various ways based on its sizing as we head into the on-season.
【RAL】Tonbo Jacket
PRICE：¥ 33,000 (tax included)
COLOR : Khaki, Charcoal, Red
SIZE : S, M, L, XL, XXL