and wander ONLINE STORE

今回はですね、いつもとはちょっと趣向を変えて、それぞれのお店のスタッフが、よくお客さんに質問されること、というテーマでいきたいと思います。

Today, we’re going to do something different for a change. Our theme for today is “customer’s frequently asked questions posed to our store staff.”

まずはですね。「これって登山で使えますか？」という質問。登山をあまりしない人が日常着で買おうとしているんだけど、もしかしたら登山も始めるかも、みたいな感じでしょうね。アンドワンダーのお客さんにはこういう方も多いかもしれません。

That’s right. To begin with, let’s start with this question. “May I use this item for mountain hikes?” I assume that the customers who ask this question are not really a hiker and are planning to use whatever he or she is trying to buy for daily use. They’re making sure that it is also suitable for mountains just in case they want to start hiking later on. A substantial number of and wander customers may fit in this category.

素材は高機能のものを使っているから、基本的にはほとんどすべてのアイテムが登山でも使える。ただ、これには前提条件があって、やっぱりレイヤリングなんかをきちんと考える必要がある。でもそれってどのブランドのアウトドアウェアにもいえることなんだよね。うちのスタッフにも、ほぼ全身アンドワンダーで冬山に行ってる人もいるし、レイヤリングや行く山域、季節などをちゃんと考えれば、問題なく登山で使えるよ。俺がその質問を受けたら「いつ、どこの山に行くんですか？」って聞いて、それにあった商品をおすすめする感じかな。

Basically, almost all of our items can be used for mountain activities since most of them are made with high-performance materials. However, there’s a precondition to that. It also applies to any other outdoor brands, but you need to make sure that you have the right layering system. Some of our staff here go on winter hikes with and wander’s outdoor clothing from top to bottom. If you choose the appropriate layering pieces based on where and when you’re going to hike, and wander’s clothes can be used without any problems. If I was asked that question, I would confirm which mountain they plan to go and in which season, so that I can make a recommendation based on that.

メリノウール、アルファダイレクト、イーベントなど、ガチのアウトドアブランドが使っている素材と同じものを使っていますからね。つづいてのお便りは「テント泊登山デビューしたいんですが、何を揃えればいいですか？」

Just like the other major outdoor clothing brands, and wander uses all different kinds of high-performance materials like merino wool, ALPHA DIRECT, and e vent, so your answer makes sense. Okay, let’s move on to the next letter from our listeners. “I am interested in overnight camping and hiking trips. What do I need to bring with me?”

いえ、ラジオDJみたいで格好いいですよね！1回言ってみたかったんですよ。

I was trying to be like a radio host! Doesn’t it sound cool? I’ve always wanted to use this phrase!

あ、そうなんだ……。えーっとテント泊ね。まず日帰り装備にプラスしなきゃいけないのは、テント、寝袋、マット、あとは調理器具かな。これが必要最低限。

Yeah, whatever… So, about camping in a tent. In addition to your regular day-hike gears, you would need to prepare a tent, a sleeping bag, and a good set of cookware. These are the most basic camping essentials.

「それぞれのギアにいろいろ種類があると思うんですけど、オススメはあるんですか？」というお便りもきてます！

Here’s another letter from one of our listeners. “There are various types and choices available for each equipment, but do you have any recommendations on which to buy?”

お便り、ね……。うーん、なかなか難しい質問だ。例えば、マット。大きく分けて、エアを入れるタイプと、クローズドセルというウレタンのマットがあるんだけど、エアマットは、クッション性が高いんだけど、パンクの可能性はあるし、寝返りをうったときに音がけっこう出るから気になる人もいるかもね。一方クローズドセルのほうは、クッション性と携行性は劣るけど、故障しにくい。あと値段もお手頃だよ。そんな感じでテント泊装備って、その人がなにを重視するかでだいぶ変わってくるんだよね。俺がオススメする始めかたは、とりあえず安めの装備で揃えたり、人から借りたりして、一度簡単な山でテン泊してみること。そうすると、不満点などが洗い出されるはずだから、それをもとに装備を揃えていく感じでいいと思う。

Letter from our listeners… oh, never mind. That’s a difficult question. Let’s take a sleeping pad for an example. There are mainly two types: air and closed-cell polyurethane foam pads. Air pads are well-cushioned and comfortable, but it can be punctured. It often makes a crinkly noise when you toss and turn in your sleep, so this may be bothering for some people. The closed-cell foam is not as comfortable and portable as the air pads, but it’s durable and cheap. My point is that the best camping equipment selection varies greatly from person to person, depending on their priorities. If you’re going to camp overnight for your first time, start with a cheaper set of equipment or borrow the essentials from your friend, and try spending a night in an entry-level mountain. You can clarify your priorities and needs through that experience and then decide what to buy.

むー。なんか答えになってないような……。

You have a point, but that’s not really answering the question, is it?

そうよね……。でも、テント泊登山って、体力だったり、我慢強さだったり、個人差が出ちゃうから、小さな失敗をいっぱいしながら、徐々に覚えていく感じしかないんだよね。俺も失敗いっぱいしてるもん。

Well, you can say that… but there’s no such thing as a perfect overnight hike packing list that applies to everyone, because physical strength and patience level varies among individuals. You need to make small mistakes every time you go on a hike in order to learn your lessons and gradually grow through your experience. I’ve made many mistakes myself.

「今までどんな失敗をしましたか？」というお便りもきています！

Oh, I found a letter with a perfect question! “What are some of the mistakes that you have made so far?”