Montbell Guys and Montbell Girls

　In stark contrast to the long spell of rain in September, I haven’t really noticed much rain since October began. With that in mind, my wife and I went to the Montbell Friends Fair. I’m a fan of Montbell products, but I’m not exactly a heavy user, nor am I an outdoor enthusiast.

　The dates are October 3 and 4, 2026, and the venue is Pacifico Yokohama. The fact that it’s at Pacifico Yokohama is a big plus—I can walk there. Broadly speaking, there’s an outlet area, outdoor activities, and a section introducing local governments that have partnership agreements with Montbell.The outlet area is fun if you can find what you’re looking for, but if you go with a specific goal in mind and come up empty-handed, you’ll end up having to go to the nearby MarkIs(that’s what happened to us).The outdoor experience area features a flowing pool-like waterway filled with water where you can float kayaks, as well as a bouldering corner, so it might be a good way to entertain kids when visiting with the family. The local government showcase features introductions to tourist attractions and displays of local specialties; if you’ve visited those places before, it brings back memories, and it serves as a great guide for your next trip.

　I don’t know the exact attendance figures, but I think it’s a large-scale event for a single company. Since Montbell members tend to be fairly loyal, I suppose it’s a viable venture. If I played golf, I suppose I’d wear golf clothes, but I don’t. As a result, as people get older and their wardrobe choices become more limited, I wonder if that’s how “Montbell uncles” and “Montbell aunts” come to be?