Why I choose Teton Bros. for my extreme challenges

Mitsuteru Yasuda is an adventure racer who takes part in adventure and mountain races both in Japan and abroad in search of scenery that can only be experienced there.

Sometimes they go into the mountains for days, facing all kinds of situations. In addition to physical strength, knowledge, experience, mental strength, and teamwork, they believe that clothing that maximizes performance is also an important factor in overcoming a race. What is the thought process behind choosing clothing that can be worn continuously without stress and that can protect your life? We also asked them how Teton Bros. products have played a role in their actual challenges.

The importance of choosing the right clothing for adventure racing

In search of "unseen scenery" that can only be experienced there, he participates in adventure races both in Japan and overseas, as well as trail running and mountain races of over 100 km and 100 miles.
I choose two or so races to aim for each year, and train for those races by going into the mountains and streams, or participating in "preparatory races."

Many of the races I take part in require me to read a map and make my way through areas where there are no paths, so when I go into the mountains to train, I sometimes vary my actions, such as going up a stream while looking at a map, or taking a dotted line route or a path that is not on the map. Also, in overseas races, the race often continues even in rough weather, so I sometimes go into the mountains to train on days when the weather is bad.
As a result, sometimes you may not be able to move at the cruising speed you would like, or you may find yourself using up more energy than you expected and sweating profusely as you make your way through the bushes.

The scary thing about such situations is that your body will get wet from sweat or rain and become "cooled." If your body gets cold in bad weather, at night, or at high altitudes when the temperature drops, not only will your performance suffer, but it could also be life-threatening.

So I try to wear "clothing made of fabric that doesn't get cold even when wet," "clothing that retains water for an extremely short time," and "clothing that is easy to ventilate so I don't overheat while I'm active." This not only reduces the risk, but also helps me reduce the need to change layers during the race, allowing me to proceed through the race without stress.

In addition to worrying about getting wet, I'm also concerned about whether I can continue to move around without feeling stressed while wearing it.
Small "stresses" are caused when noises occur when you try to make the movement you are trying to make, such as "feeling a bump," "feeling like something is rubbing," "feeling like it's moving or shaking a lot," "it gets wet and clings to you," or "it's restricted when you try to make a big movement."The longer the race, the more these small stresses can accumulate and lead to decisive damage, so it's important to try out your equipment during practice to see if it will be comfortable to use in the actual race.

When I go into nature, I often find it much harder than I expected. But it's at times like these that I suddenly come across a beautiful view, or a spectacular view awaits me once I've overcome the difficult part. It's precisely because I've had such a tough experience that I'm saved by the "views that can only be seen there" that nature offers. These experiences are the driving force behind me going into nature and participating in races.
In order to be able to fully enjoy this "breathtaking view" and to avoid being worn down physically and mentally during the tough parts of the journey, I want to carefully select my gear, including my clothing.

Why is AXIO LITE the best fit for my activities?

I retired from my professional adventure racing team and started racing solo in 2022. It was at STRIDE LAB, a specialty store where I started working, that I first came into contact with and began using Teton Bros. products.

As I began to go out more frequently for fastpacking in the Alps, I wanted a base layer that could withstand a wide range of temperatures, from bright sunny days to sudden weather changes and exposure to wind and rain. That's when I came across the AXIO LITE series.

When I go into the mountains, especially at altitudes above 2,000m, I wear the AXIO LITE series because the fabrics used have an excellent balance of reducing sweat chill and quick-drying properties.

When you go to the Alps in the summer, the temperature drops significantly compared to the plains. It's especially cold in the mornings and evenings, so I usually wear rainwear when I'm out and about before sunrise. However, when the sun starts to come out, as in the photo, the scorching heat can make you sweat in an instant while hiking up.

In situations like this where the temperature changes dramatically, the AXIO LITE's hybrid wool fabric keeps the cold from getting through the fabric, and the thin fabric and polyester fibers help dry out sweat before you know it. For me, wearing it is so stress-free that I'd wear it the whole time for a 2-3 night trek through the Alps (lol).

This garment is very useful as it can be worn in a wide range of temperatures without causing any stress. Its simple appearance means that I use it not only in the field but also in my daily life, and I am now using it heavily.

"A reliable companion" Scrambling Short

A scene from an adventure race held in New Zealand at the end of January 2025.

The first mountain bike section was ridden in the rain, and after the downhill I was completely wet and dirty from the rain and mud splashed up by my bike. However, I knew it was still early in the race and that a hard climb awaited me in the trekking section that came later, so I trusted the quick-drying properties of my scrambling shorts and decided to keep going without changing.

As a result, my shorts dried as I hiked up to the ridge, and thanks to that, I was able to lift my legs smoothly and climb over bumps without being restricted by the shorts as I made my way up the steep, pathless slopes. It was a good decision to set off again with my scrambling shorts on.

Another great feature of scrambling shorts is the large zippered pocket at the waist, which can be used for various purposes, such as storing any leftover food or storing a map and compass in dangerous areas.

In the end, even though I changed my underwear and top half during the race, I wore the scrambling shorts the whole time. They were like a reliable companion that I could wear without any stress.

Why I Choose Teton Bros. Products

The races I want to compete in are often held in environments with large changes in climate and temperature.

Therefore, clothing that can withstand changes in the environment and can withstand situations when you are unable to move as usual due to a problem is an essential item for achieving and completing your goals.

Teton Bros. clothing is developed based on feedback from guides and athletes, so I can actually feel that the materials and stitching used in the products are all carefully selected to allow for stress-free movement. For me, Teton Bros. clothing is an essential piece of gear that allows me to race with peace of mind.