Innovation through "Optimization" | 15 Years of the Tsurugi Jacket, Vol. 1

Innovation called "optimization"

OPTIMIZATION IN PROGRESS

TETON BROS.'s manufacturing is underpinned by a spirit of pursuing "optimization." We always pour in the best technology and ideas to create the best products. However, this is merely a process of evolution. We listen to voices from the field, face real demands, and continue to search for optimal solutions. This tireless journey is a never-ending journey of optimization itself. Let's take the development of the "Tsurugi Jacket" as an example.

This is how the Tsurugi Jacket was born

The Tsurugi Jacket was originally created in 2013 as ice climbing wear.

A few years had passed since the debut of our first product, the TB Jacket & Pants, and the TETON BROS. brand was just beginning to gain recognition among core skiers.

At that time, a climber approached us with a request to create clothing for winter climbing.

He highly appreciated the diagonal ventilation at the front, which was effective for cooling down, and wondered if he could make use of this concept.

This led to the launch of the Teton Mountain Project (TMP).

Planning map for TETON BROS.'s first mountaineering layering system, "TMP" (2013). Many products have sprung up from this project, including the Tsurugi Jacket, Climatic Jacket, and Hoback Suit.

This is a group of products for professional use that supports activities in harsh alpine environments. Based on the keywords of functionality, innovation, and practicality that were the development theme for the TB Jacket & Pants, the company has added the new element of "lightness" and has planned a total of eight models ranging from shells to base layers.

The first product to emerge from this was the "Tsurugi Jacket," which is positioned as a lightweight climbing shell.

The starting point for development was weight reduction. The TB Jacket was originally designed for use in the backcountry, so it was made with a material that had a certain degree of strength.

So we decided to use a thinner fabric and change the design to a pullover style that would allow us to shorten the front zipper. Zippers are surprisingly heavy, so shortening it seemed like an effective solution.

However, a short zipper can make it difficult to put on and take off, so the solution was to move the front zipper to one side and open it diagonally.

This utilizes the ventilation angle of the "TB Jacket," ensuring a sufficient opening for hassle-free putting on and taking off, while also functioning as ventilation. This is the birth of a groundbreaking specification that can truly be called the identity of the "Tsurugi Jacket."

The diagonal front zipper has a double slider. You can open it from the bottom for ventilation, or open it wide or just wide. It also allows easy access to the inner mesh pocket and bib pocket.

Simple design for maximum effectiveness

The next thing I worked on was shoulder mobility, which is necessary for climbing.

Increasing the amount of fabric around the joints would create more freedom of movement, but this would result in unnecessary weight. Our biggest challenge was to ensure ROM (range of motion) around the shoulders through simple construction and pattern making without adding excess fabric.

To allow customers to experience the results, we sometimes ask those trying on the "Tsurugi Jacket" to wear one size smaller. This is so that they can experience the ease of movement without feeling any tightness even when they raise their arms.

Even the smallest details have been carefully designed to be specialized for ice climbing.

Climbing helmets are more compact than backcountry ski helmets, so the hoods are designed to fit that size.

In response to requests for "not having to bother adjusting the hood while climbing in wind and snow," we have adopted eyelet stoppers on the front that allow for single-action adjustment of the drawcord in both vertical and horizontal directions. Furthermore, the drawcord that adjusts the circumference of the face is equipped with a thin nylon taffeta tunnel part. When tightened, it closes the gap between the hood and the face, preventing wind and snow from getting in.

The eyelet stopper allows the hood to be adjusted in two directions, around the face and head, with a single loop. Open the loop outward to lock it, and pull it forward to release it; it's easy to operate even with gloves on. This part is a symbol of "simple and functional."

To avoid interference with climbing gear clipped to the harness, the hem drawcord stopper is limited to one location at the front. The popular cuff specifications have also been simplified to fit climbing gloves.

The large inner abdominal pocket is made of mesh fabric to allow body heat to dry wet gloves. For climbers who continue to climb and bivouac repeatedly on frozen rock faces, it is essential to make effective use of body heat as a heat source to keep wet gloves from drying out.

Even though a shell jacket protects you from the snow and wind on snowy mountains, the functionality required for backcountry skiing and snowboarding is subtly different from that required for ice climbing.So, based on the flagship "TB Jacket," the "Tsurugi Jacket" was born by incorporating new ideas specialized for ice climbing.

It's not a completely new design, nor is it simply an improvement. It's an evolution worthy of being called "optimization."

The design sheet for the Tsurugi Jacket when it was released in 2013. Even back then, it was clear that it had all of its distinctive features.