This series is a fictional podcast in which writer Hagiwara (who met them at #WednesdayBudozakaTraining) interviews three people (Nishioka, Yoshida, and Haruka) to delve into various topics about milestone.


The days continue to fluctuate between cold and warm, but is spring just around the corner? So, what about this month?


Nishioka (hereafter, Nishi): Good evening, everyone! The cherry blossoms will soon start to bloom. It's the beginning of the season. In the general sense, it's SS.


Yoshida (hereafter, Yoshi): Spring & Summer. Generally, in apparel, February and August, when seasons change, are said to be slow business periods. But in outdoor gear, hard goods like tents and harnesses are not seasonal.


Nishi: Headlamps aren't seasonal either. So, even though I said it, we don't really pay attention to it (laughs).


Yoshi: It's a blessing to have that foundation.


Omori (hereafter, Haruka): As for items, the hat came out first, didn't it?

Nishi: Yes, the hat we talked about last month. Its official name is the Denali Hat.


Yoshi: "Chabudai-gaeshi" (flipping the table) came out, didn't it? (laughs)


Nishi: That happens often (laughs). I think those things are important too.


Hagiwara (hereafter, Hagi): Until halfway through, you were calling it the Denali Bucket Hat, so I thought it was a joke (laughs). So instead of flipping a bucket, that got flipped.


Nishi: I think it turned out for the best. Thanks to that, it's been doing well.



・Everyone's Favorite



Nishi: Well then, we'll be holding a solo exhibition by Jerry Ukai, whom everyone loves, at milestone TERADACHO for the first time in two years. Last time, his daughter also came along, and it was great to see them interact like family, and the exhibition was a success, so we decided to do it again. Since it's too much to do every year, I asked him to come once every two years. I want to continue events rather than just having them as one-off occurrences.


Haruka: The title of the exhibition is 'Through The Night Softly,' and it will run from Saturday, April 25th to Sunday, May 17th.

Nishi: This time, Jerry Marquez also created new artwork specifically for milestone.


Yoshi: It includes the phrase "Let's Keep Pushing Our Limits!" I imagine, since he had just run the BAMBI100, that it was still on Jerry's mind. That he can still do it even at 54.


Haruka: The first wave of items will be released prior to the exhibition.


Nishi: We've made the artwork he drew into a T-shirt, but there's something different about it this time.


Yoshi: That's right! This time, it's a back print.

Yoshi: The front just has simple text.

 

Yoshi: The first collaboration two years ago depicted Marquez as a trail runner, wearing a headlamp MS-i1, a trail running pack, and trail running attire.

 

Haruka: Huh? Was that right?


Yoshi: Oh! He was naked last time (laughs). This time, it's a hiker version. The image is of Marquez walking through a mountain landscape.

Nishi: If I may be so bold, I made that request as a theme.


Yoshi: It's a small detail that people who knew old UL (ultralight) packs might understand, but I also asked him to depict Jerry carrying a pack like that.


Nishi: We had a video chat meeting, and he graciously accepted my requests. And based on this artwork, we made T-shirts in three colors plus one additional color.


Haruka: Indigo, off-white, and walnut. There's also a ruby red, which is a limited edition color for milestone TERADACHO and the official online store.

Yoshi: Regarding the T-shirt colors, Jerry trusted us and didn't specify exact colors, but he advised that two-color printing or limiting the number of colors might give a nice retro feel.


Hagi: The body is also a new color we haven't had before.


Haruka: Our milestone original pattern Canvas T-shirts have custom-dyed body colors, after all.


Nishi: It is truly made in Japan.


Yoshi: It was around the time the Canvas T-shirts were completed that we made Jerry's artwork into a T-shirt two years ago. The fabric is good, and we were particular about the pattern, so we wanted many people to know its quality, which is why we used it for the body.


Haruka: It's 100% recycled polyester with a cotton-like feel.

Nishi: Furthermore, utilizing this artwork, we've created our first-ever market tote. It will be exclusive to milestone TERADACHO and the official online store.

Nishi: Like the Utility Bag, it has pockets on both sides of the interior.

Yoshi: It's just right for sticking in a baguette.


Nishi: How stylish (laughs). The original idea came from a REI bag that Yoshida-kun had.


Hagi: What was REI again?


Yoshi: REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) is an outdoor gear store and brand with over 100 stores across the US. They don't have stores in Japan, but I found a market tote at a vintage clothing store, liked its size, and had been using it ever since.


Haruka: It has a 25-liter capacity.

Nishi: Yesterday, I put 25 liters of water in it.


Hagi: Again?! (laughs) You measured with water for the Utility Bag too, didn't you?


Yoshi: I counted and poured it in, one liter at a time.


Nishi: That's the most reliable way. The fabric is also sturdy. It's fine even with 25 kilograms.


Haruka: You wouldn't want to carry a sweat-soaked trail running pack on your back after a run, would you? This size is perfect for carrying your pack home.


Nishi: The price is 4,500 yen plus tax.



・For Craft Beer Lovers



Nishi: We also made beer glasses. They're acrylic, not glass, so they won't break if you drop them.

Haruka: Even though it's acrylic, it has a substantial feel, doesn't it? It's great that it can be used outdoors. It's also scratch-resistant and more transparent than glass. It's made in Japan, from Niigata.


Nishi: Haruka, you've been saying "I want to make a cup" ever since you joined milestone, but we put it on hold for a while. After all, we already had the titanium mug.


Haruka: Because I love craft beer.


Hagi: You want to pour it into a clear glass and drink it, right?


Haruka: That's right. Craft beers come in such a wide variety of flavors and hop aromas, from pale white beers made with wheat to dark beers with a rich malt flavor, and their colors are just as varied. There are even hazy ones. I want to see and enjoy the color, like "Oh, this beer is this color!"

Hagi: I want to take this to the mountains!


Nishi: It came to be after we discussed how well it would fit with this artwork.


Haruka: It turned out cuter than I imagined!


Yoshi: It pairs well with this glass.


Nishi: This one costs 3,000 yen plus tax. The first three items will be released on March 25th. By the way, the second wave is planned for around the start of the exhibition.



・Of National Parks



Yoshi: Next, we had this illustration drawn on the Canvas T-shirt body.


Nishi: Okamoto-sensei of STAMP RUN&CO is a designer who handles a wide range of graphics, from craft beer to outdoor shop logo designs. I really love his work, and we've collaborated with STAMP-san before, but I was worried if he'd do it on our body. But he said, "Of course I'll do it." This time, he drew it with the theme of national parks. I have a feeling this will become a series.

Yoshi: There are also regular customers of milestone who often ask, "Are you going to restock that design?" Since we've created a good original body with our Canvas T-shirt, it was a bit of a dilemma for us. I think we were able to make the request in the best possible way.


Hagi: National parks, you say?


Yoshi: I gave them the theme of creating an image like souvenir items from American national parks. I've never been to American trails myself, but I've always admired the local caps and T-shirts sold at visitor centers and souvenir shops there. Even if I can't go, I want to feel that atmosphere through a T-shirt, something like that (laughs).


Haruka: Following previous designs, it depicts male and female trail runners.


Hagi: "EST 2014" is the year milestone was established, isn't it?

 

Nishi: That's right. Thanks to everyone, this year marks our 12th year.


Haruka: It's available in two colors: Ruby Red and Pale Gray.

Yoshi: The "TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO" (Location: Nagayama Park General Sports Ground, Ome City), which we exhibit at every year, is on Saturday, April 4th and Sunday, April 5th. We're planning to unveil it there.



・Fourth Color for Rainwear



Yoshi: And then, in mid-April, a new color for the Up-Swing Rain Hoody will be released.


Haruka: Since we released the rainwear in January last year, we've had three color options, but now we're adding one more. This one will be a caramel brown color.

Hagi: The dark zipper color is effective and stylish!


Nishi: The logo on the chest is silver on the other three, but we changed it for this one, didn't we?


Yoshi: That also makes a difference. For the new color, I wanted something that wasn't similar to the previous three, and that both men and women could wear.

Hagi: How did you decide?


Yoshi: Whenever we decide on a new color, paper can be quite inconsistent, so each of us selects candidate colors from fabric swatches. We then present them, narrow down the choices to a few, and have samples dyed. Finally, we choose one from those samples.


Hagi: I'd love to wear this natural color in a serious race. It goes well with pants too.


Yoshi: I'm sorry! We couldn't hold back on the rain pants, so the price has gone up slightly.


Nishi: The jacket's price remains the same, though.



・New colors for all sock models



Nishi: Next up are new colors for our socks. Actually, socks have been a long-standing item for us. The design is inspired by mountain scenery.


Haruka: For more details, please see Episode 5: "What You See From the Car Window".


Nishi: This time, each series will have new colors. For the MSC-002 round type, it's...


Yoshi: Snow white.

Hagi: Nishioka-san was wearing them at the Sasayama Marathon.

Nishi: For the tab-toe MSC-003, it's Midnight Navy.

Nishi: And for the MSC-004 merino wool, Sprout Green will be available.

Haruka: We use Cordura nylon thread in the toe and heel for reinforcement, but until now, the thread color was only black. From this time, we can use other colors, so the designs have become more varied. They're perfect for gifts too.


Hagi: More color variations for socks will add to the fun of coordinating them with shoes and apparel.

Nishi: These will be released in mid-April. I guess that's all for today.



・Currently in production!

                 

Yoshi: There's one more thing we're frantically working on right now.


Nishi: Oh, that's right! The milestone original catalog Vol. 11, scheduled for release at the end of March, is in progress. The "Oshi! My" series also started from my relationship with Hagi as a catalog printer. We even ran the Sasayama Marathon together, from activities to work. By the time this is released, it should be printed.


Hagi: That's right. It's probably just about to start folding before binding.


Nishi: I always attend the printing process and get to take videos. This will be Volume 11, and as long as the brand continues, I want to keep trying to film and publish them. This time, we photographed the three reliable people who always help us with model shoots: Sayaxx, Saku-san, and Doi-san. I'm really grateful for their continuous cooperation. It's turning out great.


Yoshi: The cover photo has already been decided, right?


Haruka: I haven't seen it yet, so I'm looking forward to it.

 

Nishi: First public reveal. This is how it turned out.

Hagi: So, it also features items that are scheduled to be released this year but aren't known yet, right?


Nishi: That's right. You definitely want to get your hands on it.

So, I also want to take it to the "TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO." The sooner the better, but what do you think?


Hagi: Huh?! That's bad. There's no time! It depends on when you can submit the data. *Distribution will begin on April 1st.


Yoshi: Well then, I think it's okay to say it now, (whispers) a new headlamp is also in it.


Haruka: Well, you'll just have to enjoy seeing what's what! We'll have a booth, so for those living in the Kanto region, let's meet at the "TRAIL OPEN AIR DEMO"!


Nishi: We'd love for you to come and visit. So, that's all for this month. Goodbye.


Yoshi: Goodbye.


Haruka and Hagi: Goodbye.

 

This time, we learned about the first collaboration with Jerry Ukai, as well as new Canvas T-shirts, rainwear, and new sock colors. Each item evokes an aspirational place or worldview, making you feel as if you could be transported to distant, unknown lands.

Well, the best season for mountain activities has finally arrived. The other day, I participated briefly in a local grassroots race that was held for the first time. It was a wonderful atmosphere where you could feel the warm community fostered by the dedicated volunteers and aid stations supporting the race. For many of the participants, the mountains on the course were their local, home mountains. If they went for a trial run every weekend, they would always meet someone and exchange greetings. Even during the main event, a reverse course was set up in the latter half of the loop, and runners passing each other were seen encouraging one another.

By connecting trails and creating a route for the race, people gather there even without markings, and a single path emerges. A new path changes how you see and experience that mountain.

While the distance and time are terrifyingly different from a 100-mile race, there's an anime film based on a manga about a 100-meter dash called "Hyaku Emu." In the film, when asked why he runs, the protagonist replies, "To get serious."

Even without distant peaks or big races, if you play "seriously" and push your limits, nearby low mountains can become the best stage. Running is wonderful.


Text and composition by Ken Hagiwara