Basic Short Sleeve Shirt

Introduction

【Seamless Integration of Daily Life and Mountains】

RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR's concept, "seamless integration of daily life and mountains," might seem like a common phrase at first glance, but it's a deeply important theme for me. The truth is, I'm not very good at organizing, and my closet often ends up in disarray. Frankly, I struggle with neatly separating everyday clothes from mountain gear.

So, why not eliminate that boundary from the start? If I could wear my favorite clothes for both daily life and mountain adventures, my closet would be tidier, and I could save on unnecessary expenses. With this in mind, I design RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR products every day. I believe that by creating items that fit both daily life and outdoor activities, life becomes a little easier. This shirt embodies that very idea.

【A New "Basic" Option】

This "Basic Short Sleeve Shirt" is a product infused with my deepest intentions. Serving as a staple for daily life and a reliable companion in the mountains, this shirt will undoubtedly become a new "basic" in your wardrobe.

I believe each of us has our own essential "basics." I hope this shirt can be one of yours. Once you wear it, you'll surely experience its comfort and versatility. Please do pick up this "Basic Short Sleeve Shirt."

RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR's "Basic" Series

At RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR, products named "Basic" hold a special significance. As the name suggests, the "Basic" series is a collection of products that pursue the essential elements of daily life and outdoor scenes. This series embodies the design philosophy of "stripping away the unnecessary and leaving only what is truly essential."

【Essential Simplicity and Functionality】

The name "Basic" encapsulates the philosophy of eliminating ornamentation and focusing on necessary functions. Its simple, refined design is intuitively easy to use and reduces user burden. Furthermore, its design allows for effortless use both outdoors and in daily life, embodying the importance of being "basic." Essential functionality is deeply integrated within its simplicity.

【Adaptability for Various Uses】

The "Basic" series is not intended to be limited to specific scenarios. Instead, its versatility allows it to naturally blend into various situations, from daily life to active outdoor pursuits. It flexibly adapts to the user's style and purpose, aiming to be "usable daily, not just for special occasions." This series is sure to become a trusted item in a wide range of situations.

【Timeless and Durable Design】

Another feature of the "Basic" series is its timeless design, unaffected by trends or fads. We prioritize designs and material choices that are loved for a long time, rather than being swayed by temporary trends. Moreover, with a focus on durability, it is intended as an item that will stay with the user in their daily life. Thus, it's not just from the moment of purchase, but through continued use that affection for it deepens, and it naturally integrates into one's lifestyle.

The name "Basic" signifies more than just simplicity. It plays the role of a "basic" that accompanies the user and allows them to be natural in any environment. RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR's "Basic" series, as its name suggests, continues to exist as a reliable "foundation" for any moment.

Design

This shirt was designed with a focus on a basic design that naturally blends into daily life. It features a simple and versatile style with minimal ornamentation, making it easy to incorporate into various scenes.

The silhouette adopts a relaxed shape that is moderately distanced from the body line. We pursued an exquisite balance that emphasizes ease of movement without appearing sloppy. Therefore, it is less likely to cause stress even during prolonged wear, allowing for comfortable living.

Although it's a simple design, the shirt has meticulous details.

Rounded Edges

I designed it to eliminate sharp points as much as possible, as they are prone to wear.

For these sections, we adopted a small rounded shape as much as possible to prevent abrasion. Typically, these areas are finished with sharp angles, but in such cases, they are more susceptible to wear and fraying becomes more noticeable. By incorporating small rounded edges, we aimed for a design that reduces damage from abrasion and maintains a beautiful condition over a long period.

However, this small rounded shape requires advanced sewing techniques. The stitch pitch is set finely, and the manual work along the curve increases, making it a very delicate and difficult process for artisans. Nevertheless, we deliberately chose this shape to pursue both the beauty of the finish and durability.

Small-sized Collar Design

One of the features of this shirt is the adoption of a "shirt collar with a stand." The stand collar ensures that the collar fits beautifully around the neck, giving a refined impression to the silhouette when worn.

Furthermore, both the stand collar and the upper collar are designed to be low and compact. This minimizes the flapping of the upper collar in the wind, making it comfortable to wear without stress even during outdoor use. This modestly sized collar design considers not only visual aesthetics but also practicality.

RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR's philosophy of "simple yet detail-oriented" is reflected in the collar's design. Please experience its charm.

The pattern is set so that the upper collar conforms to the neckline when worn upright.

Sleeves designed with ample room for movement under the armpits

The armholes are designed to be wide to prioritize ease of movement. By ensuring ample range of motion in the underarm (armscye) area when raising the arms, comfortable, stress-free movement is achieved.

This design was created with outdoor use specifically in mind. For example, when accessing items from a backpack while wearing it, or when operating trekking poles on a steep incline, the shirt is less likely to pull and feel restrictive, even during large arm movements.

These generously sized armholes are also very convenient for layering. They can accommodate various items, from thin base layers to slightly thicker insulation, making the shirt suitable for a wide range of seasons. The meticulous design details contribute to the shirt's overall comfort.

Flat-felled Seams

All seams are flat-felled. A flat-felled seam is a method where the raw edges of the fabric are folded inwards and then sewn, resulting in a finish where no raw edges are visible, as shown in the image above. This sewing method is characterized by its clean appearance, as no seam allowances are exposed, and its enhanced strength.

However, flat-felled seams are very labor-intensive. The process of folding the fabric adds extra steps, requiring high skill and careful work during sewing. We chose this method nonetheless to achieve a durable and long-lasting finish.

While serged seam allowances are efficient, the exposed threads carry a risk of unraveling if caught on nails or other objects. By adopting flat-felled seams, we prevent such issues and improve durability.

Snap Buttons

All buttons are made of resin snap buttons (YKK PLANCER®). This choice prevents common problems with regular sewn-on buttons, such as loss due to thread breakage. Additionally, the snap button structure allows for smooth opening and closing, making it easy to put on and take off frequently.

This type of button also boasts excellent durability, so you can use it with confidence for outdoor activities.

Hanger Loop

The back yoke features a hanger loop, a traditional shirt detail. While this detail might not be used as frequently in daily life anymore, it is incredibly convenient while hiking.

For instance, being able to quickly hang your shirt on a branch or hook during a break at a campsite or along a trail is a unique convenience for outdoor enthusiasts. It also comes in handy for drying a wet shirt or temporarily securing it to the outside of your pack, proving useful in various scenarios.

Material

This product uses COOL DOTS®, a 4-way stretch fabric that stretches both vertically and horizontally. COOL DOTS® is a high-performance material developed by Komatsu Matere Co., Ltd., made of 100% polyester with countless microscopic air holes. The key features of this material are its excellent stretch and breathability.

Its superior stretch allows it to adapt flexibly to all movements, reducing stress during wear. Whether it's sudden movements while hiking or active scenes in daily life, it naturally conforms to body movements, maintaining comfort. Furthermore, the high breathability provided by the microscopic air holes prevents stuffiness and keeps you cool even during prolonged wear. You can stay comfortable even in summer or during intense physical activity.

Breathability/Water Repellency

This shirt achieves excellent breathability through a special weaving technique that creates countless microscopic pores in the fabric. This technology allows air to flow efficiently from inside the shirt, reducing stuffiness and maintaining a consistently comfortable feel.

Furthermore, the design of these micropores incorporates a mechanism to minimize transparency when worn. Typically, prioritizing breathability can lead to thinner fabric and increased transparency, but this shirt balances visual discretion with functionality. It ensures the necessary breathability for hiking and exercise without compromising comfort or design.

【Breathability (cm3/cm2.sec)】
Test Method: JIS-L-1096 Method A (Frazier method) → 59.6

【Water Repellency】
Test method: JIS-L-1092 Spray method → Grade 4

Here's a video demonstrating its water repellency. Please watch it.

Stretch and Lightweight

This shirt utilizes two types of special stretch yarns with different shrinkage rates, achieving excellent 360° multi-directional stretch. This technology significantly enhances comfort by flexibly adapting to all movements during wear. It smoothly follows body movements in active scenes, preventing any feeling of stress.

This material boasts a lightness of 104g/㎡ and also possesses high wrinkle resistance. Even if crammed into a backpack pocket or storage space, it quickly regains its shape when taken out. You can maintain the shirt's original beautiful silhouette without extra effort.

【Elongation Recovery Rate and Elongation Rate (%)】
Test Method: JIS-L-1096 B-1 method, B method 14.7N
Elongation rate → Vertical 31.9, Horizontal 16.6
Elongation recovery rate → 30 seconds later Vertical 74.9, Horizontal 86.7

【Wrinkle Resistance】
Test Method: JIS-L-1059-1 Monsanto Method 5N
Length direction → 85
Width direction → 78
Wrinkle resistance rate (%)

UV Protection

【UV Measurement (%)】
Test Method: JIS-L-1925
Shielding Rate Measurement Wavelength 280mm-400mm → 96.8

Durability

Abrasion test on dry and wet fabric.

【Abrasion (grade)】
Test Method: JIS L 0849 (Type II) Dry rubbing 4-5 grade, Wet rubbing 4-5 grade (max 5 grade)

Environmental Considerations

Some of the stretch yarns used are plant-derived LYCRA® T400® fiber.

Spec

Material: 100% Polyester
Sizes: (Men) S, M, L, XL (Women) S, M, L
Weight:
Men/S approx. 152g, Men/M approx. 159g, Men/L approx. 166g, Men/XL approx. 178g
Women/S approx. 126g, Women/M approx. 128g, Women/L approx. 138g
Country of Origin: Japan
Manufacturer: Fashion Kobo Kuroishi Co., Ltd., Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture

Anti-static measures

A special discharge tape is sewn in to suppress static electricity caused by electrification, which often occurs with clothing made of thin chemical fibers (nylon, polyester, etc.).
(*Starting with the "Poly Basic Long Sleeve Shirt" to be released in 2023)

Discharge tape was developed as a measure to reduce electrostatic voltage, which has harmful effects on the human body. Discharge tape is not anti-static; it prevents the discomfort of static electricity by lowering the electrostatic voltage through discharge.
Wearing it will not interfere with mobile phones, computers, or other equipment. Furthermore, during discharge, it has the effect of repelling pollen and dust in the vicinity.

The above discharge tape is cut into chips approximately 2cm long and sewn into a total of four locations: ① inside the cuffs of both sleeves and ② the hems of both sides. The discharge tape is sewn into the seam allowance and is therefore not visible.

【Discharge Mechanism】

The diagram below illustrates the state of electrons when static electricity occurs without the use of discharge tape.
When the fabric becomes negatively charged ("-") and comes into contact with positive charges ("+") in the air, static electricity occurs with a "zap!"

The diagram below shows the case where discharge tape is used. Negative charges ("-") gather on the discharge tape and are neutralized by positive charges ("+") in the air, instantly lowering the electrostatic voltage of the fabric.

*Please note that static electricity cannot be completely prevented.

Size Chart

Please note that this product comes in men's sizes [Men] and women's sizes [Women].

【Men】
4 sizes: S Size, M Size, L Size, XL

【Women】
3 sizes: S Size, M Size, L Size

Overall, there is no significant difference in silhouette between the men's and women's sizes. However, the women's sizes have a silhouette more tailored to the female body, including length and sleeve length.

Please refer to the size chart below for details.

*Please note that there may be an error of ±1cm in the finished product size.

Size Guide 【Men】

Size Guide 【Women】

Comparison and Characteristics of RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR's Three Shirts

【Basic Short Sleeve Shirt】

・Easily repels water droplets in light rain, preventing penetration into the fabric.
・Provides peace of mind in situations where sudden weather changes or splashes are a concern.
・Due to the water-repellent finish, the shirt's surface is less likely to get wet, which also has the advantage of preventing the fabric itself from becoming heavier.

【Basic Short Sleeve Shirt "Stripe"】

・Although not water-repellent, it is more breathable and prevents stuffiness.
・Absorbed sweat and moisture dry quickly, maintaining comfortable wear even during long activities.

【Comfy Pullover Short Sleeve Shirt】

・While not water-repellent, its uniquely lightweight and soft fabric provides comfortable wear.
・Its airy breathability and quick-drying properties, even when sweating, are particularly effective in hot weather.
・The "pullover specification" is its greatest feature, with a simple structure creating a light wearing experience.

Collaborator

In Collaborateur, we introduce the people who produce our products.

The factory that produces RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR shirts is Fashion Kobo Kuroishi Co., Ltd.

Fashion Kobo Kuroishi is a factory in Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture, with about 50 employees. It was established in 2003.

They specialize in shirt sewing, producing shirts for many well-known domestic manufacturers year-round. They produce about 60,000 shirts annually.

Each factory has its own specialties, with some excelling at shirts, others at pants, and some specializing in cut-and-sew items.

As the saying goes, "Let the shoemaker stick to his last," so we entrust each item to a factory that specializes in it.
Often, they point out things we, as manufacturers, hadn't noticed, which leads to improved quality.

I love manufacturing, and while I enjoy creating things myself, I also adore production sites like this.
Occasionally, I get asked, "Does 'sewn in a factory' mean it's all done by machines?" It's certainly not always the case. Even now, there are many processes involved in completing a product, and many human hands are involved in those processes.

President Watanabe. He is on the factory floor every day, working with machines and ironing.
On this day, amidst their production of RIDGE MOUNTAIN GEAR products, I was able to speak with him briefly.

As those who have handled the products will realize, I can confidently vouch for the quality of the sewing finish.

The staff, including everyone involved, mentioned that they diligently study and focus on neatly sewing and finishing products every day. Their words hold true, as the products always come out beautifully.

Like saying,
"Using such amazing material from such-and-such place,"
I believe that
the sewing factory itself could also become a brand,
like "sewn in such-and-such amazing factory."

Fashion Kobo Kuroishi Co., Ltd.
42-2 Kamicho, Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture 036-0386

Attention

To ensure the longevity of this product, please observe the following care instructions:

・Use a neutral detergent for washing.
・Turn the product inside out, place it in a laundry net, and wash it separately.
・Water temperature should not exceed 40℃; avoid washing with hot water.
・Do not tumble dry.