・As a user

Nishioka (hereinafter referred to as N): When I see people wearing socks on the mountain or at a race, I think, ``Oh, they understand'' (laughs).

N: I think they first knew about us from the headlamp and hat, but then they noticed the socks too and started wearing them, which made me happy.

H: There's no other design that even has an embroidered logo.

N: Did you notice that the embroidered logo is different from 001 to 002? 001 has a signpost, but 002 doesn't.

H: That's true. And the logo is the mark on the outside.

Y: I wasn't paying attention at first, so I was wearing it with the inside facing out without realizing it, and Nishioka-san pointed that out to me (laughs). Also, starting with the 002, Cordura nylon was used in some parts.

N: The areas that bear the weight, the toes and heels, have been made stronger.

Y: In my case, all my socks get holes in the big toe. Depending on the pair, they get holes in just one or two months, so I have a high turnover rate. If there are socks that don't have a left or right side, I switch them and wear them until they have holes in all four places on both ends, but they only last three or four months.

H: That was quick. Will it really tear that quickly?

Y: Maybe it's because I'm attacking downhill. So, when I actually ran with the 002, it lasted about 2,000 km. About half a year. Of course, it depends on the individual. After 1,000 km, the shoes tend to wear out first.

N: 2,000 kilometers is quite a distance.

Y: I would definitely recommend this to anyone who tears their socks when their fingers touch them. I'm not asking you to buy them, but I can recommend them as a user. Also, they don't make your legs look shorter. I wouldn't say they make your legs look longer though (laughs).

H: I rarely have my hat tip torn (laughs), so I simply chose it based on the color. There are a wide variety of hat colors, so it's fun to match them.

N: I'd be happy if they matched the color. They're not cheap after all. I'm happy that they put so much effort into wearing them, and I think they'd make a great gift.

・Things you can learn from running

H: By the way, Koryo-cho, Nara Prefecture, where the socks are made, is the number one sock producer in Japan.

N: It's best to make it in Japan, and the closer it is to my company, the better. So, it's reassuring to know that it's made in Kansai, within reach if something happens. Nomaru-san, who acts as OLENO's contact person, is a trail runner. We're the same age and work for the same manufacturer, so we can talk to him. He also appears in the making-of video filmed at the factory.

H: You can really sense the nuances when you're running.

N: That's a big deal. I'm grateful to be able to create things with people like that. I'm glad I was able to do that too. Thanks to them, I was able to complete the FUJI (Ultra Trail Mount Fuji: a pioneering 100-mile race in Japan) the other day.

H: Thank you for your hard work.

N: I think I did well in terms of content, finishing in 34 hours. I was wearing the new 003 socks, which were comfortable and comfortable. In my case, my thumb and index finger would rub together and cause corns, but the tabi style socks prevented that.

H: But you don't do five-finger?

Y: He says five-finger shoes are a pain. The founder said he can't imagine himself wearing them at the moment, so it doesn't seem likely. But maybe (laughs).

N: My way of doing things has always been to try something new, stop if it doesn't work, and take another step if I think it will work. I've been working on it little by little, being careful not to get hurt, and I've now reached the third series of socks. It's important to keep going, and there's a story behind it, not just a one-off, and being able to make minor updates little by little is important and fun. I do it hoping that it will resonate with people who wear them and those who are thinking of buying them in the future. Who knows, the fourth series might be five-finger socks (laughs).

H: There was a time when I was particular about wearing five-toed socks, but after I continued to wear shoes with a wider width and the space between my toes became wider, any socks were fine.

N: Whenever I make socks, I make samples over and over again, and it's rare that I get a sample that I think is good the first time. When I was making 002, I wanted to make something different, so I made a sample with anti-slip silicone on the soles.

Y: It's the issue of whether or not there is anti-slip material.

N: Our ambassador, Saku (Yoichiro Sakurai), tested it out for us because he was going to run in the Karasu Tengu 100 (a casual race held in Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, where participants face their own worldly desires). After completing the 100 miles, he sent us a picture saying, "This is what my legs looked like."

H: The blisters have gotten pretty bad.

N: Maybe the grip was too strong. I think it's better to have a little more play in the shoe.

H: When the terrain is sloped, the shoes move around inside.

Y: Because of the friction, it stops too quickly.

N: I think it was a good decision to scrap it after Saku tested it for himself.

N: I don't dislike non-slip socks and I actually like them, but I thought it might be okay for milestone not to have them.

H: I've heard that new anti-slip grippers have too much grip, so it's best to use ones that have started to wear down with use (laughs). It's really a matter of preference though.

Y: I love the length of these socks, but if there's one downside, it's that they leave distinctive tan lines. On days when I wear sneaker socks that go below my ankles, it looks like I'm wearing them even though I'm not.

H: It's milestone burn.

N: No matter what socks you wear, you'll get sunburned (laughs)

Y: Compared to hats, natty shorts, and onion hoodies, socks may not get as much attention, but I think they're pretty great.

H: Let's light up the ground as well.

N: Well, you're a headlamp manufacturer after all (laughs).

If shoes are the most important piece of equipment when it comes to running, then socks, which connect your body (feet) to your shoes, may actually be a surprisingly important item when you think about it.

Everyone's feet are different, so when it comes to choosing shoes that fit your feet and your purpose, you might not always be able to wear the color of shoes you want. In those cases, socks can help tie your outfit together.

Please look forward to the next issue while you wait for the new tabi style.

Text and composition: Ken Hagiwara