Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Mont Bell Ebisu
Montbell is an outdoor company from Japan that is not well known here in the states. There are only a handful of outdoor types that Ive ever met that have even heard of this brand. It is very popular in Japan, mainly because it is a domestic brand and therefore much cheaper than US or European brands like Patagonia, The North Face, Mountain Hardware, Aigle, etc. I really do like this brand as it is quality stuff although much of what they offer doesnt make it to these shores. One good plus is that some of their goods are still made in Japan. But like the aforementioned brands they are not immune from the perils of the free markets and as such much of their goods are made in China and other third world nations.
I found the Ebisu store, like most things I find in Japan, purely by accident. I was on the train coming home and the train stopped at the Ebisu station. I looked out the window and I saw a huge Montbell sign. It was night so the whole store was lit up. I saw all that merchandise and I quickly noted the stop so I could return another day. And so I did.
This store is nice and has two storeys. First floor is hats, trinkets, boots, backpacks and I believe womens wear. Upstairs is Mens, fishing, camping, tents, bicycling, and canoeing. I had no clue that Montbell made fishing appeal. They make waders, vests, and fanny packs. That stuff never makes it here. Snow Peak used to make fishing stuff as well ( they still might but I dont think so). Ive seen in my old copies of Fly Fisher magazine Snow Peak ads for their traveling tying vise. I would have liked to see that.
I bought some beanies and neck gaiters (still made in Japan) for myself and one for my Dad. I also bought T-Shirts, an aluminium tea cup and strainer, and some other small trinkets.
Finding this place is easy. Get off the Ebisu station. It is right there. I believe it is the west ticket gate, if not then go to the other side. It wont be hard to find.
If you can read Japanese here is the stores site.
http://store.montbell.jp/search/shopinfo/?shop_no=679919
Friday, July 26, 2013
Mont Bell Crushable Lantern Shade
Today I received a unique piece of kit from UPS. Its the Mont Bell Crushable Lantern Shade that converts your headlamp into a lantern. I bought it on a whim, curious to see if it was more gimmick than practical. I like the ideal and if it works as advertised than it will make a useful addition to my backpacking gear. I using go without a lantern in the backcountry, often leaving behind my Black Diamond Apollo lantern to save weight. Made from a polyester fabric that has the feel of rice paper, the shade is extremely lightweight, adding only .18 ounces or 5 grams (for those of you on the metric system) to your pack. So far Ive only tried the system with my Black Diamond Spot headlamp in a dark closet so I can not really comment on the effectiveness on it. Im not sure if the shade actually added anything more or not. Ill have to wait and see what it looks like once it gets dark outside. If it fails to do as advertised, it would suck but at $14, I was willing to give it a shot. One good thing going for it is, its not a cheap import, its made in Japan.
Ill have to take it backpacking one day and see if its worth carrying. Maybe Ill get to try it when Chul and I finally go beyond the Bridge to Nowhere.