FEATURE｜. What is the uniqueness of Nanga that survives in the age of the "down warring factions" of the "herdsmen.
Superb NANGA
What is the uniqueness of Nanga that survives in the down warring age of the herd.
Nanga", a sleeping bag manufacturer born in 1941 in a town of down, is now recognized as the best down brand in Japan, not only for its sleeping bags. Its high functionality has captivated many designers, and the company has developed special-order models for a wide range of brands and stores. And while the highest quality of "made in Japan" attracts fans, this season they have released a US-standard model that can be dared to be called a reimportation. This article will take a closer look at the charm of Nanga through a silver-world photo story of the products taken at an ice skating rink and testimonials from two people who were fascinated by Nanga.
When we look into "Nanga," we find three key words. The first is "domestically washed down. All down used is cleaned and processed by Kawada Feathers, a well-known down processing manufacturer. The second is "production by skilled craftsmen." Each process, such as down blowing and sewing, is carefully carried out to create a safe and secure product. The third is a "Lifetime Warranty," which is limited to sleeping bags only, but is a surprise. The company's commitment to quality can be seen in the fact that it basically accepts repairs on sleeping bags free of charge. Among the many special-order products made by Nanga, which insists on Japanese manufacturing, the exclusive models for Urban Research and F.C.E. have been well-received every season. We interviewed the key people behind both labels, Mr. Nishikawa, senior chief designer of Urban Research Doors, and Mr. Yamane, director of F.C.E., to find out more. We asked them about the appeal of Nanga.
Profile
Toshifumi Yamane(F/CE. Director, NORDISK CAMP SUPPLY by ROOT Director)
After working as a designer for an apparel brand, he participated in the establishment of the Japanese branch of Crocs Inc. in the U.S. In 2010, he founded OPEN YOUR EYES, and in the same year, he also founded F/CE.®. In 2010, he founded OPEN YOUR EYES and F/CE.® in the same year, and in 2017, he opened NORDISK CAMP SUPPLY STORE by ROOT, the first NORDISK concept store in the world. He is also the bassist in the band toe.
He is the creator of Urban Research Doors, a brand within Urban Research that actively develops lifestyle-related clothing, food, shelter, and entertainment for people who enjoy family life. . He has also worked on a number of special order items with various brands, including Nanga. This season, the brand offers two new models, the upgraded standard "AURORA" and the new "STORM".
MOUNTAIN BELAY COAT ¥76,000+TAX
Boasting an unprecedentedly high specification of 200g of Polish white goose down, this is Nanga's warmest down coat. The outer fabric is made of stretch nylon and the sleeves are raglan sleeves , making it windproof and waterproof and providing outstanding ease of movement.
First of all, please tell us how you decided to place a special order with Nanga.
Toshifumi Yamane ( , )I have always loved camping and have been using Nanga sleeping bags. At first, I was surprised that there was a domestic manufacturer that made such a high-quality product! About seven years ago, I talked to someone about Nanga, and he introduced me to the company. (Laughs.) That's when we discussed the idea of making the jacket I had in mind, and the special order was realized.
Shigeki Nishikawa ( , Nishikawa)This season will be the 10th year for this special order, but the general manager of our company at the time had an opportunity to visit Nanga to ask them to let Urban Research Doors carry our shrugs, and he asked me, who was in charge of planning wear for Doors, to make a special order with them. That's how I got the opportunity to make a special order. At the time, Nanga had just started making wear, and I remember the president cutting the garments himself.
AERIAL DOWN VEST PACKABLE ¥30,000+TAX
The quilt thickness is appropriate for the amount of down to minimize cold spots, and the sides and cuffs are made to block the outside air. This pocketable vest can be used as an outer layer for climbing from spring to fall , or as an inner layer for winter camping.
Have you had any new impressions of Nanga since you started working together?
west side of a riverNanga is a manufacturer of highly functional Japanese-made sheluffs, and I had heard of the brand name for a long time, but when I was given the opportunity to place a special order for their clothing, I was again surprised by the high quality. I climb 3,000-meter mountains with my family several times a year and stay in tents, and we have been using Nanga's shelves for about five years now.
mountain rootWhen I visited the factory for the first time, I was convinced that I could give shape to the model I had conceived, since they were able to produce sleeping bags with such advanced technology and also produced jackets for foreign brands. Even now, I visit the factory once or twice a year for meetings. There are many technologies that are developed on site.
AERIAL DOWN PARKA PACKABLE ¥38,800＋TAX
Equipped with the same features as the previously released "AERIAL DOWN VEST PACKABLE" , the hood opening also features shirring elastic for high heat retention. . ideal for mid-layers in severe winter and for fall hiking.
From the perspective of a designer, what is it that makes Nanga so great?
west side of a riverSince we are originally a sleeping bag manufacturer, we are very particular about the quality of our down, and have been using only domestically washed down for more than 10 years. We have been using only domestically washed down for more than 10 years now, and the same goes for the down used by Urban Research Doors.
mountain rootYes, they are. The quality is thoroughly controlled domestically, and the down raw materials are pursued with half the care, making them very trustworthy. Also, the way they treat and think about cold spots (sewing areas where warmth inevitably escapes) is a skill that comes from their experience with sleeping bags. Of course, designers think about the outer shell, but I believe that the value of a product can be multiplied by partnering with a factory that maintains the quality of the unseen parts.
So, that kind of background as a manufacturer of shrugs is what sets you apart from other downwear brands?
mountain rootYes . I respect the way you think about cold spots because you are a sleeping bag manufacturer. I think this is something that ordinary jacket makers cannot do.
west side of a riverIn addition to the aforementioned high quality of the down itself, the brand is also very good at making lightweight, high-quality clothing, which is unique to a sleeping bag brand. I think this is what makes the Nanga brand so appealing.
MAZENO RIDGE VEST ¥34,000+TAX
Sile-repellent outer fabric and watertight zipper reduce wetness from rainwater. . The elastic around the sides and at the hems is shrinkable to keep out the outside air. The deep chest pocket, waist pocket with hand warmers, and an inside pocket provide high storage capacity.
And this season, a US-standard model, which could be considered a reimportation, has been released. What do you think about these series of models (see photos)?
west side of a riverAlthough I have not actually held the product in my hands, I have the impression that it is a product that has been made with the user in mind, and not just a trendy, current design model. It's a model that doesn't exist in the world today, and it's a very cool approach.
mountain rootI saw it for the first time myself, and I have the impression that it is a condensed version of what Nanga has accumulated over the years.
Finally, do you have a message for Nanga?
west side of a riverThe number of Japanese manufacturers and factories is decreasing, but I hope that Nanga will continue to produce high quality products made in Japan for the sake of end users.
mountain rootDown is a product with a special position, and similar to bags, I think it is a product that can easily become a standard item. It has a very strong gear-like element, and the work involves adding warmth and comfort by making subtle adjustments to the silhouette and fabric. This time, we developed and produced the optimum materials for down in-house. I am grateful to Nanga for always asking me to do the impossible.
Nanga" has been active not only in Japan but also in the U.S. and other parts of the world, with an approach of a high-spec series of US-only models and a redesigned website that allows visitors to enjoy the brand's world view. Because of the absolute high quality of its products, there is no reason not to try Nanga in winter, which is the main season for the brand.
