Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Snow Peak is Japan’s One-Stop-Shop for Outdoor Gear (and You Can Get it in the U.S.)

Clay Abney
By

snowpeak
Image used with permission by copyright holder
In 1958, accomplished mountaineer, Yukio Yamai, was disenchanted with the existing line of climbing gear on the market. This was the catalyst that launched Snow Peak, a company that began its journey in Sanjo City, in the Chūetsu region of Niigata Prefecture. The town was known for its history of fine crafted metal work. It was here that Yamai created his own line of superior climbing gear.

Yamai was inspired by this region that is surrounded by a high mountain range, deep valleys, and rivers that empty into the Sea of Japan. It is here that the company was born and where the designers continue to be inspired. The company’s international headquarters are still located in that same area and remains deeply connected to the outdoors and to insuring that nature is a part of life.

Recommended Videos

In 1980, Yamai’s son, Toru, took over and continues to lead the company. Under his leadership, the brand has attained worldwide recognition for its superior design and simplicity and has and continues to achieve the company’s mission to bring all people closer to nature.

Over fifty years after the company’s inception, Yukio’s granddaughter, Lisa Yamai, launched Snow Peak Apparel in 2014. The apparel division’s goal is to produce ultra-technical garments built for the outdoors but that also transition easily between urban and trail. The collection is divided into three categories: Transit, Camp, and Dwell. Check out some of our picks from Snow Peak’s incredible stock below.

Get The Gear

Flexible Insulated Shirt – $240

snowpeak insulated jacket
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This versatile, insulated shirt features a windproof outer layer. Front snap buttons make this shirt both functional and fashionable and sure to become a wardrobe staple.

Titanium Double 600 Mug – $60

snowpeak titanium mug
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This simplistic yet nearly indestructible camp mug is made of corrosion-resistant, lightweight titanium and double-wall construction, so it’s insulated as hell. This 20 ounce capacity mug weighs just over 5 ounces.

Iron Grill Table – $150+

This customizable gourmet camping solution allows the user to select the preferred size and height to accommodate their personal needs. The IGT allows for personal customization of stove options, work surfaces, and even storage units.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of The Manual’s larger Journey to Japan travel guide. Over the course of a month, our writers had the pleasure of experiencing Japan in its many forms, from high-rise bars in Tokyo to traditional tea-ceremonies in Kyoto. We hope this series of articles will not only inform, but inspire you to take your own trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Clay Abney
Clay Abney
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Clay Abney is a PR guru and freelance writer living in the wild and wonderful state of West Virginia, where he spends his…
From $350 to $1,399: The 5 best outdoor pizza ovens in 2024
ooni koda pizza oven review

Whether you're just starting on the craft of pizzas or you're a veteran who wants to make them in your backyard, you're going to want an outdoor pizza oven. If you have one, you can make your own delicious pizzas for your parties, and even try your hand at different recipes every night for your family's meals. However, with all of the options that you can shop, it may be overwhelming to narrow down your choices to the best outdoor pizza oven for you. To help you out, we've rounded up this list, with explanations on why we're going with these recommendations.

The major advantage of outdoor pizza ovens over traditional ovens is that they're capable of reaching higher temperatures in less time, which is necessary to get a perfectly cooked crust without burning the toppings. With an outdoor pizza oven, cooking will be done in a few minutes, for the ability to make pizzas pretty quickly so your family and friends won't wait for long. The best outdoor pizza ovens offer more than just this though, so if you're looking for something in particular, read on to find the cooking tool that you may have been looking for.
The best outdoor pizza ovens in 2024

Read more
The best long-distance bike trails across the U.S.
Bikepacking trails or new places to adventure on two wheels
Sunset at the Continental Divide in Colorado Rocky Mountains

Bikepacking, more commonly known as bicycle touring, is a self-supported trip in which participants spend days, weeks, or even years traveling across regions, countries, and continents via bicycle. One of its greatest perks is the opportunity to explore amazing places.

Whether you’re traveling to a new city or region, there’s no better way to do this than on two wheels. You can cover more miles when pedaling using your bike shoes rather than walking and, unlike driving, you’re still connected to your environment -- no carbon footprint, just fresh air.

Read more
Dust off your gear, it’s time to hit the trail: The spring hiking tips you need
These tips will keep you safe and comfortable on the trail
A person hiking

I don't know about you, but I love the fact that spring is here, and I can hit the trail again. I went out the other day without having to load up in all of my outdoor layers and enjoyed a trail run along some snow-free tracks. It's that time of year when you can dust off your hiking boots, dig out your trekking poles, and start to make some hiking plans. But spring isn't all sunshine and dry tracks. A little like fall hiking, spring trails can be muddy, and some of the wettest, coldest days I've had on the trail have come in springtime. Maybe it's not quite a time to pack away all that warm gear after all.

Spring is changeable. That's what I'm getting at. It's perhaps the toughest time of the year to pack a hiking pack because, on any given day, you might need to change layers four times. The days are long enough to get a good hike done, but you can still find yourself caught out after dark if you're not careful, and once that sun drops, the temperature goes with it. In return, though, spring rewards us with those golden hours at sunrise and sunset — the outdoor photographer's dream — raging waterfalls as the snow melts off, and the sounds and sights of nature coming back to life after a winter's hibernation. It's great if you get it right, and if you follow our spring hiking tips, you won't go far off track.
Dress and pack accordingly

Read more