RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR JUN OSON×RIDGE Case

Illustrator JUN OSON and I have long talked about how we "want to create something together again." His characters and drawings have a powerful quality that instantly identifies them as OSON's work, along with a humorous and relaxed atmosphere. I've been a fan for a long time, and I've always thought about how we could combine RIDGE's craftsmanship with OSON's artistic expression.

Art is generally appreciated by hanging it on a wall or flipping through the pages of an art book. But we thought, "Wouldn't it be great if there was a way to carry art with you more casually, in everyday life?" Instead of just looking at OSON's drawings, we wanted to incorporate them into daily life and hiking gear. By doing so, art transforms from something to be displayed into something "usable."

Superimposing art onto tools means more than just design. For example, when OSON's motif catches your eye during a hike. It might alleviate fatigue or lighten your mood. We hoped to deliver such small moments.

"What if I could always carry OSON's drawings in my pocket?"
"What if they could be spread out as a tool in the mountains, in nature?"

That idea became the starting point of this project.

Graphic

This graphic has an original drawing. It's an oil painting called "Dance 3" that was unveiled at AFAF in 2024.
This work marked a major turning point for me, who had been creating works with acrylic paints until then.
The reason for switching to oil painting was that I "wanted to draw more sensuous paintings, somewhere between figurative and abstract."
People who are neither male nor female dance among trees? Flowers?
Are they dancing? I'm not sure, but I wanted to draw a picture that seemed understandable yet not quite so.
This time, I redrew the oil painting in a two-dimensional way and modified it so that it can be repeated.
It's a picture where you can't tell what's depicted, but I hope you enjoy it.
JUN OSON

【What I look for in a stuff sack】

While various materials are used for stuff sacks, silnylon is one of the most common. When I first started hiking, I primarily used silnylon stuff sacks. The reasons were simple: they were lightweight and readily available.

However, as I continued to use them, I gradually started to feel a sense of discomfort. Silnylon is slippery, and stuff sacks often shifted to unintended places in my backpack. Even when packed tightly, I'd often find the contents rearranged, making it difficult to retrieve what I needed quickly. Especially when resting on an incline, the stuff sack itself would sometimes roll away. As I accumulated these experiences, I gradually started using silnylon items less and less.

【The Option of Dyneema® Composite Fabric】

It was then that I discovered stuff sacks made from Dyneema® Composite Fabric. When I tried making one myself, the usability was surprisingly excellent. First, a major advantage is that it's less slippery than silnylon, which increases stability when packing. Since it doesn't shift easily inside the backpack, organizing my gear became much simpler. Furthermore, its incredible strength and durability, while still being lightweight, and its long lifespan are also major attractions.

【A Stuff Sack can also be a Pillow】

I'm not a big fan of the bouncy feel of air pillows, so I often use a stuff sack as a pillow when I sleep. However, silnylon stuff sacks would slide around every time I turned over, and I'd often find my pillow gone. In contrast, Dyneema® Composite Fabric stuff sacks don't slip, so there's no such stress. Especially when storing soft items like clothing and using the zipper side down, you can sleep even more comfortably.

【The Joy of Material Development】

The Dyneema® CT5K.18/wov.32c material used in this stuff sack is characterized by how its appearance changes with use. It starts with a crisp texture, but over time, it develops more wrinkles and becomes softer overall. In addition, a slight shrinkage creates a wavy texture around the zipper, and the gusset folds disappear, making the corners more rounded. This aging process provides a sense of cultivating "your own gear" beyond just a mere tool. Of course, even after changing, it maintains sufficient strength, and rather, as it becomes more familiar, it becomes even easier to use, which is a major appeal.

With prolonged use, it becomes familiar to the hand and develops a richer character. Beyond its practicality, the joy of developing it into a cherished tool is also a significant charm of this stuff sack.

Spec

Material: Dyneema® CT5K.18/wov.32c
Surface: 50 denier polyester (73% polyester, 27% polyethylene)
Middle layer: Polyethylene fiber (UHMWPE fiber)
Back: Polyester film

Size: 36.5cm (height) x 15cm (width) x 13cm (side gusset), approx. 9ℓ capacity
Weight: Approx. 34g
Country of Origin: Japan
Manufacturer: Uchino Co., Ltd., Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture, RIDGE Co., Ltd. Atelier, Zushi City, Kanagawa Prefecture

*The pattern position varies for each product. Please be aware of this beforehand.

Material

We use "Dyneema® CT5K.18/wov.32c" as the material.

This material consists of a woven fabric with a 50-denier polyester surface + a 0°/90° UHMWPE (*1) fiber middle layer + a polyester film backing. It is a lightweight material with excellent durability and waterproofness (water pressure resistance of 20,000mm or more). The hybrid laminate with polyester woven fabric also provides excellent tear strength and puncture resistance, making it a robust material.

(*1) UHMWPE is an abbreviation for Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, indicating ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene has an average molecular weight of 1 million or more, exhibits excellent slipperiness and abrasion resistance, and is a polyethylene classified as an engineering plastic with high strength.

The fabric is very stiff at first, but it develops creases and becomes more supple with use. (Due to the nature of the material, creases may be present from the time of purchase.)

A nylon tape handle with the brand logo printed on it is attached to the zipper pull.

The 'Case' is available in two sizes, M and L.

Case M

The Case M was designed to perfectly pack my cook set for overnight hiking.

・humangear - GoBites Click Spoon
・humangear - GoBites Click Fork
・Wildo - fold a cup
・Trangia - MINI SET
・Bic - mini lighter
・MSR - Pocket Rocket 2
・MSR - Iso Pro 110
・RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR - YUNOMI CUP
・Small Twist - Farm-fresh
・Mountain Laurel Designs - Titanium Mug 475ml

All of the above items can be stored.

The Case L is mainly designed to store clothing.

・RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR - Basic Long Sleeve Shirt
・RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR - Merino Basic Tee Long Sleeve × 2
・RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR - Basic Hike Pants
・POINT6 - Hiking Essential Medium Crew

All of the above items can be stored.

The zipper used is YKK AquaGuard®. The zipper surface is laminated with polyurethane, making it a highly water-resistant zipper.

While it is designed to be highly resistant to water penetration, it is not completely waterproof.
For items that absolutely must not get wet, please use a Ziploc bag or similar as an inner bag.

When not stored

When stored

Collaborator

Collaborator introduces the people involved in the product.

OSON is an illustrator and artist who draws characters and landscapes with simple lines and flat colors.
He has published his work in a wide range of forms, including advertisements, book covers, animations, posters, T-shirts, and small items. He also holds gallery exhibitions and is expanding his activities both domestically and internationally. His works are not overly busy, yet not weak. They are characterized by leaving "space" for the viewer's imagination.

For me, OSON is a friend I made through the mountains.
We met through hiking, and there were times we hiked together. Through that accumulated time, I gradually came to know OSON's art and personality.

OSON's drawings are instantly recognizable.
Clear lines, uncluttered shapes, and flat colors. They are not overly busy, yet not weak. The expressions can look smiling or serene. That "in-between" quality draws out the viewer's imagination. They are never tiresome to look at for long, and you suddenly want to see them again. That's what I love about them.

Another good point is how well it blends in no matter where it's placed. It has strength as a wall art piece, and its charm doesn't diminish when used for posters, T-shirts, or small items. I believe this is because the lines are solid and the colors are subdued, so it remains consistent even when the shape or size changes.

"I wish I could carry art with me. I wish I could bring it into my tools."
Even when OSON's artwork is applied to mountain gear, it doesn't feel excessive and still stands out. It's not overbearing under natural light, yet easy to find when needed. I believe this aligns very well with RIDGE's manufacturing philosophy. Flat colors complement the fabric's texture, and thick lines are legible even from a distance. It's not just decorative; it becomes a functional visual aid every time you use it.
Having met through hiking and hiked together, we share the same views. The faint light of morning, the long shadows of afternoon, the way the wind passes through. We believe we share these sensations.

JUN OSON

An artist and illustrator based in Kamakura. Began his career as an illustrator in 2005. His unique style, which fuses Western elements with the manga and anime influences he's enjoyed since childhood, defies categorization. He works on a wide range of projects, including advertisements, animation, book cover design, and merchandise design, while also actively holding solo exhibitions. Since 2020, he has exhibited his work worldwide, including in Asia, Europe, America, and the Middle East, expanding his activities beyond the boundaries of art and illustration.

https://junoson.com/

Size Chart

*Please note that there may be an error of ±5mm in the finished product size. Thank you for your understanding.

Case M

Case L

Shrinkage during use

Dyneema® Composite Fabric (DCF) may experience slight shrinkage depending on the usage environment and conditions. Specifically, shrinkage of a few percent has been reported with use or storage in high temperature or high humidity conditions. The exact shrinkage rate varies depending on usage conditions and environmental factors, but it is generally considered to be around 1-3%.

Causes of shrinkage

Thermal shrinkage: Dyneema® (UHMWPE) has low heat resistance and gradually begins to shrink at temperatures above approximately 60°C. Therefore, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or heat can easily cause shrinkage and deformation.

Internal tension: Dyneema® Composite Fabric is laminated with multiple layers, so internal tension can change due to aging or stress during use, causing the entire fabric to shrink.

Moisture and humidity: While DCF itself is highly water-repellent and does not absorb water, slight shrinkage may occur during drying after prolonged exposure to humidity or use in rainy weather. This phenomenon occurs as the fabric re-adjusts its internal tension.

Measures to prevent shrinkage

Avoid high temperatures: Try to avoid leaving it in direct sunlight or in hot places like inside a car.

Correct storage method: After use, dry it thoroughly and then fold it appropriately for storage. Forcing it into a compressed state can cause internal tension and make it more prone to shrinkage.

After-use care: Leaving it wet for extended periods can cause shrinkage and deterioration, so dry it promptly if it gets wet.

Attention

Although both the fabric and zipper used are waterproof materials, seam sealing is not performed, so this is not a completely waterproof product.
If the surface gets dirty, please wipe it with a damp cloth to clean it.