RIDER'S IMPRESSION - Rider Impressions - Handa "YZ" Yuzuru's Layering
We received some impressions on layering from Teton Bros. contract rider Yuzuru Handa.
Yuzuru Handa http://www.zaoc.org/
Representative of ZAOC, which plans and manages outdoor activities mainly in Zao, Miyagi. He is a multi-talented man who is a professional skier, backcountry guide, web creator, tea master, and more. He has been enjoying Zao since he was a child.
JMGA Mountaineering Guide Stage II / JMGA Ski Guide Stage II / JAN Avalanche Worker Level I Certified / FWT Japan Advisor / RESCUE3 Swiftwater Rescue First Responder / SUPA Basic Instructor / Japanese Red Cross First Aid Paramedic / Asahi Beer Quality Seminar Certified
[Upper body]
BASE: MOB Wool Hoody
MID: Farallon Shirt + Hybrid Inner Down Jacket
SHELL: TB Jacket
[Lower body]
BASE: Sports support tights + wool and PP socks (both from other companies)
MID: Hoback Prima Knee
SHELL: TB Pant
Introduction
Layering is essential for staying comfortable while out in the backcountry (BC), but everyone's sensitivity to heat and cold varies, so there's no one-size-fits-all layering solution. For example, I'm extremely sensitive to heat and sweat a lot, but as I've gotten older, I've also become sensitive to the cold, so I'm a pretty picky person. In the ZAOC introductory BC course I regularly host, I talk about how the best approach is to first find your own basic layering pattern and then adjust it based on the actual conditions of the day (season, weather, temperature, altitude, duration of activity, etc.). Here, I'd like to introduce my basic layering routine for the harsh winter.
My base, Zao in Miyagi, is dotted with fields from north to south, but the main area is around Katta-dake (1,758m). The average temperature in January is around -9°C, but because it is famous for its frost-covered trees, strong winds of over 10m are common, and even though it is on the Pacific side, it is rare for it to be sunny. However, since I can access the summit from my base, Sumikawa Snow Park, by cat, I tend to dress in layers that are more focused on keeping out the cold, but since I generally get hot easily, I don't dress more than necessary. This is my style of layering for these conditions.
Base layer
My only base layer choice is the MOB Wool Hoody. Once you start using it, you won't want to let it go. The exquisite combination of PP and wool makes it a supple and warm base layer without feeling cold when you sweat. While I do opt for the hoodless model when skiing in the spring, I generally wear the hooded version until around March. If you opt not to wear the hood and pull it up, it doubles as a neck warmer, something I've found particularly useful this season. You can also wear it as a simple mask by covering your nose. I usually leave the hood off when hiking uphill, but if I'm hiking uphill or skiing in strong winds, I can wear it as a balaclava. Even though I hate balaclavas, I can wear it comfortably and it also works well as an inner layer for my helmet. While I'd love to wear MOB on my lower body as well, I prefer support tights from other companies for personal reasons, prioritizing fatigue reduction and injury prevention over the warmth and breathability of a base layer. Instead, I use a mid-layer for extra warmth.
Midlayer
For my mid-layer, I chose the Farallon Shirt. The main reason for this choice is its appearance. This checked recycled wool shirt stands out not only at the base camp but also during après-ski sessions. It's become a must-have item for me, a professional skier who wants to stay stylish. It's especially great when paired with bib pants. Of course, it's not just stylish; it also functions well as a mid-layer, with hidden mesh ventilation in the back and excellent insulation. However, in case I need extra warmth, I keep the Hybrid Inner Down Jacket in my backpack. Its round neck doesn't interfere with the collar of my shirt or the hood of my MOB base layer. When I'm riding the lifts on slopes on cold days, I sometimes wear it over my shirt. For my lower body, I wear the Hoback Prima Knee. The Primaloft fabric provides warmth, but it doesn't feel baggy under my pants and has a clean silhouette. The 3/4 length means it doesn't interfere with my boots, and its moderate thickness prevents my shell pants from bunching up unnecessarily. The ventilation is located in the same position as the TB Pant, so opening both will ensure proper ventilation all the way down to your base layer.
Outerwear (shell)
The TB Jacket and Pant have been evolving ever since the company's founding. In Miyagi Zao, where we often hike in strong winds, there are very few situations where I can remove my shell, so the high breathability and ample ventilation are extremely helpful for someone like me who sweats a lot. Previously, I would sometimes have to remove my shell due to sweat buildup, but since I started using the TB Jacket, I almost never have to. And pairing it with the bib pants makes it even more convenient. Even when wearing a backpack, I can access the inner pocket of my smartphone through the jacket's ventilation to take a photo, turn on the radio, or pull out a map, all without having to remove the chest strap or open the front zipper of the jacket.
summary
So, I've talked about my layering, but I hope that everyone will enjoy finding their own basics, and I think that choosing clothing is also about enjoying fashion, so I think that layering in a way that expresses your own style is one of the joys of snow sports and BC.
When you find something that looks just right in a catalog, on their website, or in a store, check the fabric as well. What kind of material is used? What are its characteristics? Does it suit your personality and behavior? Fashion and functionality. Teton Bros. creates clothing that is not only stylish, but also functional, to meet your needs. My basics are updated every year.
