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Mountain Hardwear: Delving Into the Brand's Roots and the Gear That Supports Adventures in Extreme Conditions
Mountain Hardwear is a brand renowned for its high-quality, durable apparel and equipment that enable activities in extreme mountain regions exceeding 8,000 meters, like Mount Everest.
Tracing the history of its craftsmanship reveals that the brand was a pioneer of various items. This time, we'll unravel the roots of Mountain Hardwear with Makoto Honda from Columbia Sportswear Japan Co., Ltd., who will introduce us to some of their key pieces.
Mountain Hardwear Was Born on Halloween Day in 1993
"Mountain Hardwear was born on Halloween, 1993, in Berkeley, California. The 1990s was an era when mountaineering was becoming more mainstream. It was also around this time that climbing Mount Everest became open to the public; before that, it was an age where only explorers forged paths into uncharted territories.As routes became more established, experienced climbers from the general public began to aspire to Everest as a dream destination. It was against this historical backdrop that Mountain Hardwear was founded."
"At the time, Jack Gilbert, who was the president of 'SIERRA DESIGNS,' left the company along with his colleagues, including Vice President Paul Kramer. They were determined to create a brand that would make truly functional gear for extreme 8,000-meter peaks like Everest, and so, on Halloween night in 1993, Mountain Hardwear began.
The name Mountain Hardwear was inspired by a real tool shop called 'American Hardware.'
The brand's iconic 'Nut Mark' logo reflects this origin, embodying Mountain Hardwear's product philosophy of “durability” and “toughness.” The brand's commitment to creating gear that can withstand harsh environments is firmly embedded in its name and logo."
Craftsmanship Featuring GORE-TEX from the Very Beginning
So, how did Mountain Hardwear begin its journey in craftsmanship after the brand's launch? Let's have them introduce their very first items."From our inception, we established a strong relationship with what is now W.L. Gore & Associates (formerly the GORE-TEX company). We developed products utilizing the unique three-layer GORE-TEX material, known for its combination of waterproofness, durability, breathability, and windproofing.
A prime example is the 'Exposure™ GORE-TEX Parka.' Developed in just three months after the brand's founding, it was unveiled at the major American outdoor trade show, the 'Outdoor Retailer Show,' where it garnered significant attention. It's said that their extensive experience from the SIERRA DESIGNS era is what made such rapid development possible.
The Exposure™ GORE-TEX Parka, released in the brand's early days, was re-released once in 2023. With no successor model, it remains a legendary piece of outerwear. Since then, we have maintained our partnership with the GORE-TEX company, continuously releasing items using the latest GORE-TEX materials, regardless of the era.
Currently, we offer items like the 'TrailVerse GORE-TEX Jacket,' which incorporates the environmentally friendly 'ePE membrane [1].'"
"Furthermore, in 1996, we released a fleece jacket called the 'Windstopper® Tech Jacket,' which was co-developed with and patented by the GORE-TEX company.
Fleece, being a knitted material, is typically susceptible to wind. However, this jacket was laminated with a GORE-TEX windproof and breathable membrane, which significantly improved its wind resistance. It's a revolutionary item said to have changed the perception of fleece at the time. This piece also has no successor model and was re-released in 2023, making it another crucial item in telling the brand's history."
The Space Station™ Dome Tent: Built to Endure Extreme Conditions Like Everest Base Camp
Beyond apparel, we want to spotlight another iconic piece of gear from Mountain Hardwear: the "Space Station™ Dome Tent," a dome tent designed for polar expeditions. Let's dive into the story behind this item."This tent is another indispensable icon in the brand's history. Patented in 1997, this large dome tent can accommodate up to 18 people. It was engineered to endure the harshest conditions, including the wind and rain on Mount Everest.
While you might not see many of these pitched in Japan due to space limitations and setup complexity, if you turn your gaze to extreme locations like the Himalayas, you'll often spot the Space Station standing proudly at the heart of base camps.
It's a highly reliable model that continues to be the top choice for mountaineers worldwide, and it has become a beloved icon at extreme locations like Everest Base Camp."
Mountain Hardwear: The Pioneer of Lightweight Down
Lightweight down jackets are a staple for any outdoor brand. While many companies offer them today, Mountain Hardwear was already releasing them back in the early 2000s."Today's version is sold under the name 'Ghost Whisperer™,' implying a jacket as light as a ghost. But its predecessor was released in the early 2000s as the 'Nitrous Down Jacket.' While lightweight down jackets are common now, this piece was unlike anything else on the market at the time.
Back then, the ultrathin nylon fabric, made from a fine 15-denier thread that delivered the necessary lightness and performance, could only be produced by Japanese manufacturers. As a result, the jacket was crafted using Japanese-made nylon.
Materials have advanced significantly in recent years, and we now use an even finer 10-denier nylon fabric. The insulation is 800-fill-power[2] RDS-certified down[3].
Packable, compact, and astonishingly light, this jacket has become one of Mountain Hardwear's bestsellers."
Packable, compact, and astonishingly light, this jacket has become one of Mountain Hardwear's bestsellers."
Everything is Equipment
Founded on a commitment to high quality, authenticity, and creating products its own team could stand behind, Mountain Hardwear has consistently released outstanding gear throughout its history.The brand’s founding philosophy remains its cornerstone today: creating durable, long-lasting products. This is achieved by gathering feedback and real-world insights from everyone involved in development—from staff and athletes to mountain guides and even the sewing team—all of whom rigorously test the products.
Since its inception in 1993, the company's product development philosophy, "Everything is Equipment," and its slogan, "SEEK WILDER PATHS," have remained constant. The brand aims to continue supporting the bold endeavors of people everywhere.
[1] Membrane: A film-like layer sandwiched between fabrics in performance materials, such as 3-layer nylon. It blocks water droplets from entering while allowing water vapor (sweat) to escape.
[2] Fill Power: A unit measuring the loft or 'fluffiness' of down. A higher number indicates that the down traps more air, providing better insulation. High fill power means less down is needed to achieve the same warmth, resulting in a lighter garment.
[3] RDS-Certified Down: Down that meets the criteria of the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), an international certification that ensures animal welfare throughout the down supply chain. It guarantees, via a traceability system, that the down does not come from animals subjected to cruel practices like live-plucking or force-feeding.
PROFILE
Makoto Honda
Columbia Sportswear Japan, Ltd.
Marketing Department, Brand Marketing Division
Originally from Hokkaido, Makoto became captivated by the beauty of the mountains and began climbing after studying environmental economics in college. Today, he enjoys a wide range of outdoor pursuits, including trail running and multi-day treks, while overseeing all marketing activities for the Columbia brand, including promotions.
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