・In various scenes

Yoshi: I told Nishioka-san a lot that if you think about wearing it under the Onion Hoodie , you don't really need pockets, but now I think it's good that it exists, considering that you can wear it as a jacket indoors and use it for things other than running. Haven't you been wearing it every day since it was delivered?

Nishi: I'm wearing it. It's super comfortable. And it's warm (laughs).

Yoshi: I went for a bike ride over the weekend for the first time in a while. It was a gravel bike, but the road was so rough I thought I should have ridden a mountain bike, and I still wore it the whole time.

Nishi: I did a field test on my bike. Of course I did it for running, but I also wanted to try using it for other things. It actually worked really well.

Yoshi: I rode my bike for 30 kilometers and climbed about 800 meters.

Nishi: You don't have to take it off at all. I hope people will use it for a variety of activities.

Yoshi: I don't think I'm the only one who would wear it naked while on the move (laughs), but when you're fastpacking on a long-distance hike, try putting the Cloud Hoody on over your bare skin, then the T-shirt you wore during the day and sleep in your sleeping bag. Then, your T-shirt, which will be soaking wet with sweat, will be dry by the next morning.

Hagi: Wow!

Yoshi: It's dry, so you can wear it again. It's emitting evaporative heat all the time, so it feels like you're putting it in the dryer.

Hagi: What should I wear underneath when running?

Yoshi: At this time of year, I'd recommend the Daybreak Merino T-shirt . If the polyester sticks to your body, even if you're wearing active insulation, you'll probably get cold from sweat.

Hagi: It feels like the Alpha absorbs the sweat that Merino has absorbed and then releases it outside.

Yoshi: I also recommend being naked, but it's very vulnerable to the wind.

Hagi: Mesh undergarments that don't retain moisture also seem good.

Yoshi: Yes. I think it's best to have something that doesn't feel cold when you touch it.

Nishi: And this Cloud Hoodie comes in two colors.

Yoshi: It's completely original. The black is also original.

Nishi: Green is a kind of indescribable green.

Yoshi: In Polartec's home country, Milestone was known as "Gray" (laughs).

Nishi: I always struggle with naming colors, but I decided on Peacock Green because it's peacock green. I decided on peacock first.

Yoshi: So let's do a "bird series" and call it Crow Black, the color of a crow.

Nishi: If the response is good and the design is well-received, there's a chance we'll add more colors next season.

Yoshi: I have one question. When it's introduced in various magazines and media, it's written as "insulation" or "insulation." Which is the correct way to pronounce "insulation"? I'd like to ask those of you who have returned from overseas.

Nishi: Well, to know how to pronounce this, stand up for a moment. (Yoshida stands up, and Nishioka puts his fist in Yoshida's stomach, causing him to let out an involuntary cry.)

Yoshi: "ə" (phonetic symbol)! This?!

Nishi: So, I guess it's insultation in American English.

Yoshi: Was that part really necessary? (laughs)

Hagi: I wonder if it can be conveyed in words (wry smile)

・Years gone, years coming

Nishi: I'd like to continue creating new products and develop products that make people think, "Wow, we're a headlamp manufacturer, but we're also serious about apparel!" We're also planning new products for next year, so I hope you'll look forward to them.

Yoshi: This year we've released a lot of new things.

Hagi: New products come out before you know it, so much so that we can't keep up with the monthly releases.

Nishi: There are also multi-containers . They are incredibly convenient as you can put things on both sides.

Yoshi: It was an unsung hit.

Nishi: The larger L size can hold shoes,

Yoshi: The smaller M size can be used before and after use for clothing, etc.

Arm covers are also selling out quickly and we are currently producing more. *Currently in stock

Hagi: I want you to hear that it's gone (laughs).

Yoshi: This year, as a headlamp manufacturer, we were able to release new models that can be used for hiking, the MS-G3 and the MS-G4 .

They also released the MS-J1 flashlight.

It was also a good opportunity to take on new challenges in the apparel industry.

Nishi: They also released tabi-style socks. Collaborative shoes too.

Yoshi: Even your shoes are out.

Nishi: It's really great that we were able to open the store. It's great that we have a place where users can actually use what we've planned, report on how it went, come and talk, meet us, and get together.

Including the "Teradacho Jogging Club (TJC)" held on the third Thursday of every month,

After the run, everyone drinks beer and the conversation flows.

It is open once a month on a weekend to host events.

Yoshi: This year we've tried new things, retail outlets, events, and I think we've broadened our horizons considerably. While doing that, we've also gone back to basics. When milestone first started, specialty stores were the first to spread the word, saying, "Hey, there's a Japanese headlamp manufacturer like this." Next year, I'd like to once again convey our passion to specialty stores. Nishioka-san is a pro among pros when it comes to headlamps, so I've only been involved from a user's perspective, but I'd like to delve a little deeper into that. I want to make milestone's core stronger.

Hagi: Speaking of which, what's next year like for milestone?

Nishi: Yes, it's our 10th anniversary. I never imagined back then that we'd make it to 10 years thanks to you all. When I said I wanted to start a brand, my brother, the CEO, told me to produce results in two years. I worked like crazy, visiting various stores to sell my products, and they all recognized the good points and commitment of milestone, and the specialty stores and users beyond that accepted it. Of course there were tough times, but I'm glad I didn't give up and kept going. I think the biggest thing was that I entered the world of trail running myself and was able to feel the players' feelings.

Yoshi: I ran 100 miles.

Nishi: I was able to run this year. If I hadn't done it, it wouldn't be convincing, and although it's not everything, I think the fact that I was able to get that feeling was a major gain.

Yoshi: Next year we'll be focusing on activities.

Nishi: Mainly about 20km (laughs)

Yoshi: I'll be participating in the Shinetsu Mile (laughs).

Nishi: My main event next year will be the 100-mile Shinetsu Gogaku Trail Running Race. In the spring, I'll also be setting up a booth and running in the Aso Volcano Trail 100. I'll be setting myself various challenges.

Yoshi: And OMM too. Hagi-san will also be there?

Nishi: We're rivals (laughs)

Hagi: Yes, I need to practice reading maps.

Nishi: It would be great if we could combine work and play in this way and have fun without thinking of it as work. That's the kind of industry we are in. I want to continue shining a light on a bright future in 2024.

We look forward to your continued support next year.

This month, we learned about the Cloud Hoody, a warm and breathable piece of activewear that's essential as the weather gets colder. Even though we know it's easy to get moving, it can be a hassle to even take a step outside. At times like these, having some soft, warm active insulation is a great comfort. It's sure to be useful in many situations, from marathon training to hiking in the snow.

Each of the 12 items this year had a deep story behind it. It was a process in which something as shapeless and fluffy as a cloud gradually took shape as a product, born from encounters with people and chance encounters. We can't wait to see what will be born next and what stories we'll hear.

We hope you will continue to read our magazine next year.

Text and composition: Ken Hagiwara