This series is a fictional podcast show in which writer Hagiwara (who runs #WednesdayBudouzakaRen together with Nishioka and Yoshida), the two people who created milestone items, listens to and delves into the stories of these two people.

・The reason why the waist glows

Nishioka (hereinafter, Nishi): This time, I would like to introduce the update to the West Light, a collaboration item with Paagoworks.

Yoshida (hereinafter Yoshi): milestone x paagoworks  RUSH Light 2.0.

Hagiwara (hereinafter, Hagi): What has been updated this time?

Nishi: Thank you. The price has been updated. (laughs)

Yoshi: I heard that last month too (laughs).

Nishi: Of course, it's not just the price. As Yoshida-san has named it "Koshihikari," the Rushlight is a light that you wear around your waist, not your head. The biggest change this time is storage capacity.

Hagi: Even your appearance has changed completely.

Nishi: We received requests from many customers asking for more storage capacity, so we updated the product based on Pargo Works' RUSH HIP item.

Hagi: It looks bigger than the current RUSH HIP (pictured above)?

Nishi: That's right. It's bigger than Pargo's product. And while the previous Rushlight (photo below) only had storage in the front, the updated 2.0 (photo center) now has storage in the back as well. It's big enough to fit a 500ml PET bottle.

Yoshi: Of course, it can hold 600ml of barley tea (laughs).

Nishi: I was originally a RUSH HIP user myself. I talked to Pargo about improving it and adding a light, and the previous Rush Light was created as a collaborative item. To be more specific, at the time it was called the MS-F1: Trailmaster, not the MS-i1. Unfortunately, the Trailmaster was discontinued due to battery supply issues. For this 2.0, the color has also been changed to match the Eye One (MS-i1).

Hagi: Previously it was a dark gray color to match the Trail Master.

Nishi: Pargo told me that they might discontinue the Glacier color that we used this time, but I told them it was perfect for Eye-One, so they kept it (laughs).

Incidentally, although it didn't end up being commercialized, there was an idea to attach a storage bag to the belt as a separate part of the previous Rush Light. However, in the end, we decided to make it from scratch. We had several versions of the prototype made and tested them, and this is how it came to be.

Yoshi: I like how you can tighten it up with the bungee cord on the side. It doesn't shake around.

Nishi: As for improvements, the battery case storage area was previously a pocket type. The Trail Master's battery case was square. This time, it's cylindrical so that the Ai-One's round battery case can be inserted. This is attached to both the front and back, so it can be inserted in either place.

Most people put it in the front, but if you want to adjust the weight balance, you can put it in the back to distribute the weight.

It looks like this.

You can put a spare battery in the empty space (in that case, you need to put it in a ziplock bag to make it waterproof). There is also a zipper on the front, and the words "LIGHTING YOUR WAY" are printed in reflective material on the back.

Yoshi: For people who tend to lose their keys (laughs), there is also a key loop in the rear storage compartment.

Nishi: I also changed the strap for attaching the light from 25mm to 20mm. From Trail Master to Eye-One. By the way, by passing the light through the upper loop, it won't sway vertically. The lower loop on the front is for the bib number, and the upper and lower loops on the back can be used to pass bungee cords through if you want to attach external poles.

Hagi: Even though they don't come with bungee cords, they're sold everywhere.

Yoshi: If you're just doing regular practice or riding on the road nearby, unless you're riding a really long distance, this is enough without carrying a backpack. It can fit most things. But if you ask me how many liters it has, I'm not sure how to answer (laughs).

Hagi: With the hot weather coming up, it'll feel good to have the breeze blowing across your back without a backpack.

Yoshi: When I use Koshihikari in a race, I use Eye One for the waist and MS-G2 for the head.

Hagi: Won't the G2's battery last?

Yoshi: For the head, it's fine if you keep it darkest. You don't need it to be very bright, as you'll only be using it to get supplies and check your watch. The main light for illuminating the trail is the Eye One on your waist.

Nishi: Come to think of it, in an interview in the 10th anniversary catalog, Akacon (the founder of the Wednesday Budouzaka Training) said that he was able to complete the non-stop traverse of the Omine Oku-Kade Trail thanks to Koshihikari rice.

Hagi: Akakon seems to have been using two Trailmasters, one on his head and one on his waist. If he was going deep into the mountains alone, he would want a good amount of brightness.

Nishi: One of the advantages of having two is that you can share the spare battery.

Hagi: To begin with, I've never used a waist light. What's the advantage of having a light attached to your waist? Is it easier to see?

Yoshi: By illuminating from a lower position, you can see the road surface clearly. Especially in foggy conditions, illuminating from closer to the ground allows you to see the trail conditions clearly.

Hagi: I see.

Yoshi: If you can see clearly, you can run with confidence, and your running speed will naturally increase. This means you can reach the finish line faster and get closer to completing the race.

Hagi: It's all good news (laughs).

Yoshi: If you've never used it, I'd recommend giving it a try. You'll be amazed at the difference compared to lighting it from the head up.

Nishi: Actually, there is one other big change.

Hagi: Do you still have any?

Nishi: Last time, apart from the light and belt set, we also sold the belt alone. Then I saw someone attaching a light from another manufacturer to this. This was quite a shock (laughs). It was being sold for 4,000 yen on its own.

Hagi: That's a pretty reasonable price.

Nishi: It does have the milestone logo on it, but customers are free to turn on any lights they want.

Hagi: That's true. I understand how the customers feel.

Nishi: But personally, I wanted it to have a milestone attached, so it didn't make sense to me that it had lights from another manufacturer attached. When we were making version 2.0, I went to Pargo and explained that this time we wanted to sell it only as a set. If we could attach a product from another company, we wanted to do it exclusively from our company. It even says "LIGHTING YOUR WAY."

Hagi: I see. That's how it feels for the creator.

Nishi: I wanted to sell it exclusively at Pargo, not as a separate item. Then the CEO, Mr. Saito, said, "I see. I understand." I thought it was very important, so I think he sensed that feeling and gave the OK. That's how much thought I put into the product. That's why I think collaboration has meaning.

Yoshi: That was a major renewal point.

Nishi: Pargo Works has been very supportive since our first collaboration. We are grateful that we have been able to build such a strong relationship. In our 10th anniversary catalog, the company's president, Mr. Saito, made a cameo appearance and we were able to take photos.

Nishi: I would like to have a deeper relationship with you in the future, and it's fun to think up the next story, so I think that's how things are born.

Hagi: I'm looking forward to it.

Nishi: By the way, it seems that Yoshida-san plans to take off his light and only take the pouch with him in the Fuji Five Lakes Ultra Marathon.

Yoshi: It can also be used in road ultramarathons.

Hagi: Don't you need a light?

Yoshi: The start is at 5am, so a light isn't necessary. It might be necessary if you're running close to the time limit in the evening, though. I don't think it was a must-have item.

Hagi: When I ran the Tango Ultra Marathon a long time ago, the start was at 4am, so I needed light when setting up at the venue, and I remember using it for about 30 minutes right after the start.

Yoshi: I'll check.

Rush Light 2.0 will be available from mid-March, so it will be on sale by the time this column is posted. As I mentioned last month, there will be a trial event on the evening of Friday, March 28th, and a pop-up event with Pargo Works will be held the following day, Saturday, March 29th.

・New canvas

Yoshi: I have one more product to introduce. We have a new canvas T-shirt coming out.

Nishi: What is a canvas T-shirt? Yoshida-san, please explain it again.

Yoshi: This model uses our completely original fabric and pattern. It's 100% polyester, so it's quick-drying. It looks like cotton, so it can be used for everyday wear, as well as for running and other activities.

Hagi: In the previous episode, episode 15, "What will become the canvas," we were introduced to patterns in detail.

Nishi: We talked about freedom sleeves. This time, the color is emerald green.

It's orange.

Following on from our previous work, "Beam," this one was designed by art director COVER.

Yoshi: You also drew illustrations for the jogging club.

Nishi: Last time, I created an original font that looked like it could be found on Marvin Gaye or 70s soul or funk records.

Hagi: The brown and beige ones.

Nishi: This time too, we're quoting from music. There's a funk master called George Clinton who was in a group called Parliament, and we paid homage to the logo of the label he was signed to, Casablanca Records, in a milestone style.

Hagi: Sorry. I have no idea (laughs).

Nishi: I think it would be good if people who understand it could understand it.

Hagi: There are a lot of quotes that are too obvious, aren't there? It's clever that they come from something that isn't too well known.

Nishi: We're pushing the limits.

Yoshi: Something niche (laughs).

Nishi: Huh? Casablanca? I don't think there's anyone who would say that (laughs). I'm sure it's only known by those in the know, but I'd be happy if some people thought, "Maybe?" It's produced in small quantities. We only make it once a year.

Yoshi: Even if you don't know it, the design is cute.

Nishi: This time too, we specified the colors and made sure to create colors that are unique to us.

Hagi: It has the texture of well-washed cotton, like old clothes.

Yoshi: I like this unevenness. A real cotton T-shirt would end up feeling loose, but this one doesn't. I think people who bought a Jerry Marquez T-shirt last year thought this body was great.

Nishi: I think that's all for now. Well then, goodbye.

Nishi/Yoshi: Goodbye.

Nishi, Yoshi, Hagi: Goodbye.

This time, we learned about the collaboration with Westlight and the new patterned T-shirts. The design and shape have been updated and are clearly visible. Behind the scenes, there is a wealth of thoughts and stories from the creators. We will continue to bring you these narrow (lol) deep stories in this monthly column.

Well, just the other day it felt cold, but now it's suddenly warm and spring-like. Trail running season has begun. Let's make the most of this great season for playing outside. See you next month.

Text and composition: Ken Hagiwara