RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR Enough hat

Introduction

[The "Enough Hat" was born to solve the minor problem of sunburned ears]


I feel that hiking along the ridges of the highlands in summer is a special place for hikers. A clear, unobstructed blue sky spreads out before you, and a gentle breeze gently caresses your cheeks. Countless small flowers bloom at your feet, and the vivid mountain ridges stretch out in the distance. There are moments when the magnificent panorama takes your breath away. In such a magnificent view, you will feel a sense of lightness in your body and mind, and a blissful moment will come when you feel that "just being here is enough."

However, during this luxurious time, one thing that was always in the back of my mind was the worry of "sunburned ears." The edges of my ears, exposed to the intense UV rays for several days while walking along the ridge, were always burnt red, and the skin peeled off after descending the mountain. Not only was it painful, but the nuisance and change in appearance that followed was also a concern. "Oh no, here I go again," I would regret every time.

Of course, I did try to avoid it. I carefully reapplied sunscreen to my ears, tried adding a bandana or neck gaiter under my cap, etc. But there was always some problem with these methods. They would get too hot or slip out of place, and I would end up sacrificing comfort, so I naturally stopped using them. Still, the day came when I was free from the discomfort of burning ears.

The Enough Hat was born out of a simple wish to create a hat that would be simpler and more natural at protecting the ears. The hat was designed by reflecting on the experience of hikers, and is based on the classic RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR Basic Cap, with a brim of just the right length to cover the ears. It achieves the perfect balance between blocking out the sun and not obstructing visibility.

We paid particular attention to the design, and aimed for a minimalist look that was not unnecessarily large. It is a versatile piece that can be used comfortably not only to protect you from the strong sunlight at high altitudes, but also when hiking at low altitudes and in the city. The material used is highly breathable and quick-drying, so it is comfortable and does not get stuffy even when hiking in the mountains in the sweaty summer. You can now fully enjoy the scenery and the breeze without worrying about sunburn on your ears.

This hat was born from the desire to solve the small problem of sunburned ears. However, looking back now, I feel that this "small problem" is a common issue faced by many hikers. With the "Enough Hat," hiking in the sun becomes even more enjoyable. This is the thought I put into this hat.

Design

The biggest feature of the Enough Hat is the unique shape of its brim. Most hat brims are open evenly on all four sides, but the Enough Hat goes against that convention by finely adjusting the opening of the brim at three points: the front, sides, and back.

The front brim is designed with an exquisite angle that ensures visibility while blocking the sun. This allows you to check the terrain and see your feet without getting in the way while hiking. Meanwhile, the side brim is shaped to cover the ears, providing a firm cover to protect your ears from strong UV rays. This design protects hikers from sunburn on their ears. The rear brim also subtly covers the neck, reducing the reflection of sunlight and UV rays from behind when walking on mountain trails.

This design is packed with mountain experience. The reason for the creation of the Enough Hat and its greatest feature is that it does not simply spread evenly, but fits the necessary parts at the "just right" angle. This shape not only dramatically improves functionality in the mountains, but also realizes a smart appearance that does not look out of place in the city.

The shape of the brim is one answer to the question, "What do you need to be comfortable in nature?"

Another attractive feature of the Enough Hat is its flexibility, allowing it to be worn in a variety of ways depending on the scene or situation. This hat not only protects against UV rays, but can also be freely arranged to suit the user's style and purpose.

For example, on days with little sunlight or cloudy days, or when walking along ridgelines, if you want to ensure a wide field of vision, we recommend lifting the front brim slightly. This style reduces the shadows covering your face and widens your field of vision. It is extremely useful when you want to enjoy distant scenery on the trail or when you want to see the path under your feet. Lifting the front brim also gives the hat a lighter impression, making it useful when you want to change up your mood.

One way to enjoy the Enough Hat is to adjust the back of the brim to create a variety of different looks. By slightly lifting the brim at the back, the entire hat looks more compact, allowing you to enjoy a lighter style that is similar to a regular cap.

This style is perfect for adding stability, especially in active or windy situations, as well as for creating a laid-back, casual look.

Additionally, the raised brim at the back gives it a classic feel, reminiscent of a Tyrolean hat.

If the product size is larger than your head size (head circumference) or if you are in a situation where the hat is easily affected by wind, you can adjust the size by pulling the plastic tab on the back and tightening the elastic.

Material

The main body is made of Toray's Stunner®, a 100% nylon material that is water repellent, windproof, and highly breathable. This high-performance material provides excellent protection from the elements while reducing sweat and discomfort, keeping you comfortable.

The biggest feature of Stunner® is its excellent durable water repellency. It can withstand light rain as well as sudden changes in weather, and its water repellency will last for a long time. In addition, it is windproof and prevents cold air from entering, so you can keep warm even on chilly days. On the other hand, its high breathability allows excess moisture to escape, maintaining comfort even during intense activity.

Although this material is a synthetic fiber, its natural and elegant appearance is a major feature. Its natural appearance allows it to maintain high functionality as outdoor wear while also achieving a design that fits perfectly into everyday life and urban styling.

In addition, a special coating on the back of the fabric gives it a firm and resilient texture. This coating allows the fabric to maintain its shape well despite being a lightweight material, and it is also less likely to wrinkle during use, which is a major attraction.

COOLMAX® fabric is used for the sweatband.
The pique-patterned 100% polyester material is moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and UV-resistant (UPF 40+).

Spec

Material: Main body 100% nylon, sweatband 100% polyester
Size: One size Depth: approx. 16cm (when laid flat), visor length: approx. 6.5cm (front), head circumference: approx. 60cm (adjustable with elastic)
*Please note that there may be an error of ±1cm in the finished product size.
When you actually put it on it will spread out a little.
Weight: Approx. 53g
Country of origin: Japan Producer: Shimada Co., Ltd., Kanonji City, Kagawa Prefecture

Color

※About the color of the product

We strive to make the product images as close to the actual colors as possible, but the actual colors may differ depending on your viewing environment and monitor settings.
Please also note that it is difficult to perfectly reproduce the texture and luster of the fabric on the screen.

Size Guide

*Please note that there may be an error of ±1cm in the finished product size.
It will expand slightly when actually worn and used.

When comparing the Basic Cap and the Enough Hat, you will probably feel that the Enough Hat is a little shallower.
This is because the brim of the Enough Hat is sloped so that it does not touch the ears as much as possible, as shown in the image above.
You can wear a cap deep over your ears, but with a hat the brim is slanted so you have to wear it shallower.

How Users Use It

Collaborator

Collaborateur introduces you to the people who produce these products.

Shimada Co., Ltd. is responsible for all of RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR's headwear.

Shimada Co., Ltd. is located in Toyohama-cho, Kan'onji City, Kagawa Prefecture.
Founded in 1935, this hat manufacturer started out by producing straw hats and has continued to focus on handcrafting hats by artisans.

Even though they are all called "hats," their specifications vary widely. Shimada-san has introduced two cutting methods, CAD-CAM (computer-aided design) and mold-making, and selects the method most suitable for each product. In addition, for products that cannot be handled by these two methods or for small-lot production, craftsmen will individually create patterns and cut the hats. He always proceeds with his work by choosing the best method for the hat and the customer.

The craftsmen in charge of sewing are experienced craftsmen who support the production of hats made in Japan, which is something we have always been particular about. They sew each hat with care, pouring in their experience, knowledge and skills they have gained from it, such as using lock stitching and chain stitching, which have different elasticity depending on the material, purpose and finish, to ensure a consistently high level of stable quality.

In apparel sewing, a seam allowance of about 1cm to 2cm is common, but in hats, the seam allowance is usually about 4mm. Because the seam allowance for hats is very small, high precision is required when sewing.

However, small seam allowances mean that there is less variation in the finished product. Therefore, even though hats are made by hand, there are few individual differences, and it is possible to produce almost identical products.

From Toyohama Town, "Udon Prefecture," a tranquil place surrounded by sea and mountains, to the world.

Shimada's goal and basic philosophy is to create products that he himself would "want to use" with a level, technique, and ideas that cannot be imitated anywhere else. He also hopes that through product creation, he can bring the "countryside craftsmen" who have been solely behind the scenes and supporting Japanese manufacturing to the forefront.

"Think in Japan, make in Japan. We want to spread these 'All Made in Japan' products from Toyohama to the whole of Japan and the world. We will continue to pour all our skills, knowledge, experience and heart into making high quality products."
RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR's hats are made by craftsmen like these.

Shimada Co., Ltd. is a hat manufacturer that provides high-quality hats made in Japan with a careful craftsmanship spirit. It originally started as a family-run company that manufactured and sold straw hats for farm work.

A few years after the current owner, Kazuhisa Takada, took over the family business, the president of a hat shop in Osaka, who happened to be visiting the 88 temples of Shikoku, got lost while looking at the navigation system. This prompted Takada to train at the hat shop for about half a year to try his hand at the fashion world as the straw hat business for farm work was shrinking. After that, the current business model began.

Having started out with straw when it was first established, the company has experience, skills, and equipment that are rare even in Japan, and has now evolved to include a wide range of activities, from felt molding to sewing woven fabric, and the company primarily receives offers from brands that insist on high-quality Made in Japan products.

At Shimada, we aim to create unique products that people want, not only in Japan but all over the world, with a high level of technology that cannot be replicated anywhere else, and originality and ingenuity, and products that we would want to use ourselves.
I would like to bring the "country craftsmen" who have previously been thought of as supporting the industry from behind the scenes into the spotlight so that more attention can be focused on them.
And from Toyohama Town, "Udon Prefecture," a tranquil place surrounded by sea and mountains, we will continue to create high-quality products with all our heart and soul every day, with the desire to share 100% Made in Japan products that are conceived and made in Japan with the world.

Shimada Co., Ltd.
1876-1 Wada, Toyohama-cho, Kanonji City, Kagawa Prefecture
https://www.shimada-oem.com/

Attention

We recommend putting it in a laundry net when washing.
Dark colored products may transfer color, so please wash them separately from other items.
Do not use detergents containing fluorescent brighteners or chlorine bleach.
Do not tumble dry.
When ironing, always use a pressing cloth and iron from the back.
The core of the bill is soft, so the core itself will not break when folded. However, if the bill is folded too tightly, it will wrinkle and take time to return to its original shape. Please avoid folding it intentionally.