Stay Refreshingly Cool and Sun-Protected! The Blockbuster Innerwear 'Cho-Reikan AIR,' Born From the Voices of Nissen Employees.

The 'Cho-Reikan' series, developed by Nissen Holdings Co., Ltd., is the coolest-feeling innerwear in the company's lineup. It has captivated many people since its debut, and with total series sales surpassing 950,000 units since its 2018 launch, it has become a certified blockbuster.

How was this garment, which shatters the conventional wisdom of 'cool-touch' clothing, created? The story behind it involves the desperate plea of a single employee standing under the scorching sun and a unique technology that doesn't lose its effectiveness even after repeated washing. We sat down with Ai Ikeuchi and Miyuki Suda from the 'Cho-Reikan' series development team to hear more.

Innerwear in Pursuit of an 'Instantly and Decidedly Cool' Sensation

'Cho-Reikan' first hit the market in 2018, a time of relentless heat when the term 'extreme heat' began to feel all too real. To survive the increasingly brutal summers, the team realized the need for an innerwear that delivered an 'instantly and decidedly cool' feeling, which sparked its development.

The 'Cho-Reikan' series is packed with features, including contact cooling, sweat-wicking and quick-drying properties to reduce the discomfort of sticky sweat, and UV protection. The secret to its remarkably cooler feel compared to other items lies in natural ore (jade stone) containing cooling agents that are kneaded directly into the fibers. The result is a Q-max value (a measure of how cool a fabric feels to the touch) approximately 1.4 times higher than that of a 100% cotton jersey of the same thickness.

Ikeuchi: The fabric uses nylon, a material with high thermal conductivity and a distinct advantage in providing coolness. This creates a synergistic effect with the jade stone, ensuring a reliably cool sensation. Moreover, instead of a 'post-processing' treatment that adds a cooling function to the fabric's surface, we pulverize the cooling agent-infused jade stone to the nano-level and knead it uniformly into the fibers.

Post-processing treatments tend to wear off with repeated washing, so the cooling sensation fades over time. In contrast, kneading the material into the fibers makes the function highly resistant to washing, offering the benefit of a semi-permanent cooling effect.

'Cho-Reikan,' the first product in the series, is prized for its instant cooling sensation and silky-smooth feel against the skin. It also boasts approximately 2.3 times the quick-drying capability of a 100% cotton fabric of the same thickness.

Suda: As we pursued that cool feeling, we also encountered the problem of the fabric clinging to the skin. A survey we conducted revealed that many people struggle with their summer innerwear, expressing concerns like, 'It's so uncomfortable when my innerwear sticks to my skin because of sweat,' and 'It feels stuffy and hot.'

That's when we decided to develop 'Cho-Reikan AIR.' We wanted to create an item that wouldn't cling to the skin, all while keeping the signature coolness of the original 'Cho-Reikan.'

While it might seem challenging to give mesh fabric UV-blocking properties, the material used in "Choreikan AIR" has a fine weave. This allows it to effectively shield the skin from UV rays while ensuring excellent breathability. Of course, it also achieved the non-clingy feel they were originally aiming for.

The fabric has received glowing feedback from users, with comments like, "It has a smooth, dry feel and is very breathable," and "The breeze comes right through, so it feels cool."

Ikeuchi: "We also prioritized durability, assuming it would be washed almost daily. We use a special, highly resilient yarn that's resistant to losing its shape and deteriorating. It even passed a '30-wash test' at a specialized testing institution, which simulates repeated laundering in a typical household."

Earning user trust requires practicality that can withstand the rigors of daily use. The ease and comfort of getting complete protection from heat and UV rays just by wearing it—this product's evolution into a massive hit stems from it being the ideal solution so many people had been searching for.

The Spark for Development Was a Working Mom's Dilemma

In addition to basic items, the "Choreikan AIR" lineup includes a diverse range of products like innerwear with long sleeves to cover the back of the hands and over-pants. A turtleneck top that can cover the face up to the eyes has become popular as a "wearable sunscreen" among people who spend a lot of time outdoors, perfect for situations where using a parasol isn't an option.

So, why such a unique lineup?

Suda: "The creation of 'Choreikan AIR' was inspired by the very real struggles of a mother on our team. She had to spend long hours under the scorching sun while accompanying her child to baseball games. She'd say things like, 'Parasols and sunscreen just aren't enough to prevent sunburn while I'm watching the game,' and 'Being outside for so long is hot, sweaty, and just uncomfortable.' Her concerns led to the creation of an innerwear piece with a then-revolutionary design that fully covered the lower half of the face, offering an easy way to prevent sunburn while also solving the problems of heat and sweat."

During the initial development of the "turtleneck with a detachable hood designed to cover the face up to the nose," there were some concerns, such as, "Is it okay for the neck part to be this long?" However, the product became a surprising hit. The first year's order sold out immediately, and it remained so popular that production struggled to keep up.

The item often sells out within about a month of being restocked, sparking a flood of customer inquiries asking, "When will it be back in stock?" By pinpointing the needs of people who have to be outdoors in the heat and creating a product to match, they established a new wardrobe staple.

Of course, they don't just create something and move on. For their most popular item, the "long-sleeved innerwear with thumbholes and a longer hem," they adjusted the position of the thumbholes by the millimeter in response to user feedback that "the thumbholes shift out of place during daily movements."

Even the uniquely designed items have received high praise from users, with comments like, "It's fantastic for preventing sunburn in the midsummer heat," and "Even when it covers my nose and mouth, it's not stuffy. It's so light and helpful."

They listen to their users and continuously make small improvements. This sincere dedication is surely why they continue to attract so many fans.

The "Choreikan" series has now cemented its status as essential innerwear for a comfortable summer. By listening to the real voices of employees and users and solving problems with technology and innovative ideas, Nissen will undoubtedly continue to pursue and upgrade summer comfort for years to come.