COMMUNITY

For hikers who were there in the early days of ultralight hiking, making or modifying their own gear for the mountains was probably just part of everyday life.

The biggest reason, of course, was that lightweight gear was not as easy to get hold of as it is today. But many hikers also found real joy in MYOG—Make Your Own Gear.

Information on materials, construction methods, and the making process was actively shared through blogs and other channels, and there is no doubt that this culture played a part in the rise of ultralight hiking itself.

The process of testing self-made gear in the mountains, then refining it little by little, offered so much to learn. It may even have changed the way people looked at their everyday lives after coming down from the trail. These kinds of realizations, which reach beyond hiking itself, are full of the essential appeal that lies at the heart of ultralight hiking.

The sacoche was once an iconic item for hikers, and it is a piece we at Yamatomichi have always had a deep attachment to. It was also a popular entry point into MYOG.

At the HLC Kansai program in April, participants made their own Yamatomichi Sacoches with our factory staff at our Toyooka Factory. Sewn by the participants themselves, each sacoche is a one-of-a-kind piece that will surely bring a special kind of joy.