RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR Sacoche

Introduction

When I first encountered ultralight hiking around 2011, the world of ultralight hiking was still filled with a very rough and free atmosphere. The act of hiking itself seemed more personal and experimental.

The gear of the time had a certain imperfect, rough-hewn charm that made it hard to call it a finished product. It was as if mountaineers had made it at home, using their sewing machines and following their imagination, pursuing nothing but lightness. Going beyond the boundaries of ready-made products, people made things that suited their own sense and style. This culture certainly existed.

Thin and flimsy Silnylon, light and transparent Cuben Fiber, and somewhat rugged Tyvek. Each material was purely functional, purposely stripped away from beauty and durability. They had a clean appearance, as if they had only focused on the necessity of the tool and only its essence. I still vividly remember the feeling of deflation, yet a refreshing surprise, when I first saw the gear, thinking, "This is all right?"

It felt as if the concept of "perfect equipment" that I had taken for granted up until then was crumbling away. It overturned the preconceived notion that gear should be heavy and durable, and instead demonstrated that lightness is the key to freedom. There was a free and playful spirit of making things with your own hands that was not present in conventional outdoor gear that demanded high functionality. It doesn't have to be perfect; by identifying the bare minimum you need, you can achieve true freedom. Such is the simple and powerful message.

Remembering those days, I felt a desire to create gear like the ones I used back then. Although it may look a little unreliable, it is actually packed with all the essential elements. There is a definite sense of satisfaction every time I use it. The "sacoche" is an iconic item that stayed in my mind when I first discovered ultralight hiking, and I wanted to recreate it in my own way.

RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR's "Sacoche" recreates the simple freedom I felt back then using modern materials and design. I wanted to express in my own way the "excitement of lightness" and "freedom of a tool" that remain unchanged even as time passes. This product, which combines nostalgia and newness, is a homage to myself back then.

Wind shell, gloves, wallet, earphones, 500ml plastic bottle, sunglasses, keys, smartphone

As shown in the image above, it can store items that you need while hiking and want to be able to quickly access.

The zipper is a YKK AquaGuard® NATULON® coil zipper No. 3. AquaGuard is a zipper with a tape surface laminated with polyurethane film for waterproofing. This zipper has been specially treated to be highly water-repellent, providing excellent protection for the interior even in light rain or splashes of water.

The main pocket has a built-in hook for hanging keys and small items.

The shoulder straps have loops for attaching small accessories such as a thermometer, compass, or whistle. This allows you to quickly check gear in the mountains in an easily accessible location, so you can check it while moving or on the move without having to stop.

There is also a D-ring located just below the cord adjuster, which can be used to hang keys, small LED lights, etc. using a carabiner or cord reel.

To adjust the length of the rope, simply tilt the plastic part of the cord adjuster and pull the rope.

The zipper opening is a double zipper with two sliders, making it easy to open and close from either side.

The bottom has a 5cm gusset. As you put things in it, the gusset naturally expands, creating a fuller appearance. It is designed to maintain a sleek silhouette when not in use, while providing ample capacity when needed.

Material

The main body of this product is made of Challenge Sailcloth Ultra100X.

[UltraWeave™ Ultra100X]

UltraWeave™ Ultra100X is a high-performance fabric developed by Challenge Sailcloth that is the ultimate in lightweight, durable, and waterproof performance. This fabric is based on UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene) fibers, which are approximately 10 times stronger than steel per weight ratio, making it extremely resistant to tearing and abrasion. Furthermore, it uses Challenge Sailcloth's proprietary CrossPly technology, which places fibers diagonally, improving tear resistance in directions that regular ripstop fabrics cannot match.

Unlike conventional laminated fabrics, this material uses a one-piece structure with minimal adhesives. This design not only reduces weight, but also significantly reduces the risk of peeling and hydrolysis. It is characterized by high durability, maintaining its performance even after long-term use. It is also highly waterproof, providing excellent protection from rain and moisture. These properties combine to make it a reliable material that maintains its performance for a long time, even in harsh environments where friction and impacts are repeated.

[UHMWPE]

UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) is an exceptional material that is over 10 times stronger than steel per weight ratio. This makes it an ideal choice for lightweight yet durable products. It also has excellent tear and abrasion resistance, allowing it to perform in harsh environments.

In addition, UHMWPE has excellent resistance to water and many chemicals, allowing for long-term use with less risk of deterioration due to moisture or corrosion.

Spec

[Main body] (UltraWeave™ Ultra100X)
Surface: Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene 52%, polyester 48%
Middle thread: 100% ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
Back: 100% polyester film
Zipper: YKK AquaGuard® NATULON® coil zipper, size 3

Size: Height approx. 21cm x Width approx. 26cm
Weight: Approx. 54g
Country of origin: Japan

Size Guide

*Please note that there may be slight variations in the finished product size.

Attention

*Both the fabric and zipper are made of waterproof materials, but the seams are not sealed, so the product is not completely waterproof.
*If the surface becomes dirty, wipe it with a wet cloth to care for it.