2024.05.01

Strong, Lightweight, & Cooling Cargo Pants Produced with Workman's New Self-Developed Material, 'ONI-TEX™'

At the Workman Spring/Summer 2024 New Products Presentation in February 2024, one booth that particularly caught the attention of attendees was the newly launched 'Crosslander' series.

The 'Crosslander' products feature Workman's proprietary new material 'ONI-TEX™' Advertised with the catchy slogan "Oni (literally, 'demon') Pants are hard to tear," 'ONI-TEX™' has passed 200,000 abrasion tests, making it approximately 4 times more abrasion-resistant, 2.6 times more tear-resistant, and 3 times more tensile-resistant according to Workman standards. Additionally, it boasts about 130% lateral stretch, cool touch, and quick-drying capabilities.

This time, we spoke with Shinnosuke Kawata, the chief buyer in Workman's product development first section, and Koji Yamada, Workman's official ambassador and co-developer of the 'Crosslander' series, about the behind-the-scenes of product development.

The Project Began from a Supervisor's Love of Car Tinkering

Koji Yamada (hereinafter, Yamada)How did the planning for 'Crosslander' start?

Shinnosuke Kawata (hereinafter, Kawata)My boss loves cars, and when working on cars or motorcycles in the garage, there are instances of kneeling on the ground or going under the car. This inevitably leads to the attire rubbing against the ground or getting caught on protruding objects, resulting in torn fabric. Thus, the desire to create clothing that is 'unbreakable' and 'tear-resistant' suitable for such scenarios was the starting point for 'Crosslander.'

YamadaDoes this mean ‘ONI-TEX™’ was specifically developed for 'Crosslander'?

KawataExactly. We created an entirely new fabric that was previously not available in the market under the concept of 'tear-resistant fabric,' in collaboration with the fabric manufacturers.

YamadaNot only the catalog, but the product tags of 'Crosslander' also clearly state the abrasion and tear resistance values of 'ONI-TEX™.'

Kawata'ONI-TEX™' is composed of 95% nylon and 5% polyurethane, and by using exceptionally strong nylon fibers, we achieved high durability. Listing the fabric specs numerically is quite rare, but having specific numbers like how it "does not develop holes even after 200,000 rubs" adds an entirely different level of persuasiveness.

Yamada'Crosslander' is significantly more affordable compared to products that use famous brands' fabrics known for their toughness. What's the secret behind this cost-effectiveness?

Kawata'Crosslander' could easily be priced double what it is now without being surprising. A significant aspect of achieving this affordability is undoubtedly the strength in volume. By producing a large volume of products, costs are reduced. For instance, 'ONI-TEX™' is used not only in 'Crosslander' but also in 'Procore,' gear aimed at craftsmen.

KawataUsing the fabric in many products helps reduce costs. Additionally, with famous brands, costs typically include a 'brand charge', but Workman avoids such expenses. Moreover, anticipating the volume of future production allows for further price reductions. While we hope to continue using 'ONI-TEX™' in our products for a while, it’s essential that they sell well to sustain this (laughs).

The Absolute Must for Summer Clothes to Sell at Workman

YamadaRecently, I've been almost exclusively wearing 'ONI-TEX™ Crosslander Baker Pants' and 'ONI-TEX™ Crosslander Cargo Pants' as my everyday attire. Although not highlighted in the catalog or tags, 'lightness' is also a significant appeal of 'ONI-TEX™'.

Workman × Koji Yamada jointly developed 'ONI-TEX™ Crosslander Baker Pants'

KawataWorkman's summer items, especially those made from thinner fabrics, sell overwhelmingly well. Especially for craftsmen who are active on-site, coolness during the summer months is absolutely essential.
It's logical, but as we try to increase durability, the material tends to get thicker. That's why, when ordering the 'ONI-TEX™' fabric, we were very particular about the thinness and lightness, and went through numerous prototypes.
However, just making the fabric thin can result in it feeling sticky when you sweat. Therefore, by adding a slight crisp texture and using contact-cooling materials, we were able to create a fabric that is tough yet lightweight and cool to wear.
The 'Crosslander' series reflects some of the recent fashion trends, offering a relaxed silhouette across all products. We realized that added stretch is necessary for greater comfort and utility. The market share for casually-worn clothing is expanding, and the point of wearing without stress is crucial, I believe.

Yamada'Stress-free' will be an important keyword for future clothing items, so I really hope Workman will lead the industry in this area.