Up for sale here is a jacket from Mountain Research, one of those cult labels that doesn’t get the exposure it deserves outside of Japan. Before getting into the specifics of this piece, first some background on the label. Mountain Research is a line of “….. Research”, designed by Setsumasa Kobayashi, and started in 2007. Before …… Research, Kobayashi was the designer for a label called General Research, also very much a cult label in Japanese streetwear, very much a peer of Undercover, Bathing Ape and the like. General Research ran from 1993 to 2006.
With Mountain Research you essentially have the combination of a very forward-thinking punk aesthetic with more traditional outdoor wear. Kobayashi and Mountain Research have a lot of similarities with Undercover actually, where they’ve both got a pretty strong punk influence that they often apply. The idea here is to tweak classic outdoors wear to a more modern fit, often with interesting details and quality materials.
This jacket comes from the spring-summer 2021 collection. It is called the “logger jacket” as you can see on the label. Jacket appears to me to be modeled after the classic Carhart coverall, given quite a few tweaks. Fabric is 100% cotton coming in a fairly heavy weight. Most of the jacket is a solid navy blue, while there is a large panel in gray at the bottom of the jacket which creates a very nice contrast. All kinds of practical details are included, such as expansion gussets on the back allowing for a considerable range of motion, four pockets on the front as well as an interior pocket to cover your storage needs, corduroy collar and a removable hood with throat latch.
Aside from the already well considered design, Mountain Research like to differentiate themselves with a strong attention to detail as well. All snaps have a “…Research” logo, pockets are reinforced with rivets throughout, substantial double and triple needle chainstitching is used, the hood has a leather pull, wrists have adjustable snaps, etc.
With Mountain Research the designs are closely considered with everything done just right to maximize practicality and the excellent sense of design. They always produce in very limited quantities with highly limited international distribution. This jacket is now completely sold out.
Size is labeled a medium and fits relaxed where it should be able to work for a large just as well. I measure the chest at 23” / 58cm, shoulders at 17.5” / 45cm, length at 30” / 76cm and sleeves at 23” / 59cm. The jacket comes in lightly used, very good shape. Just one thing to note: there is a bit of wear on the right cuff. Otherwise no holes, tears or stains. Made in Japan.
Shipping from Japan to anywhere will be $32.
