16 years on trails, 10 years on Asian roads.
Trusted companions that have survived countless trials and errors.
A milestone headlamp designed for ultra trail running. Milestone uses a warm-tinted LED, which works especially well in foggy races like those in Hong Kong. It runs on a standard 18650 battery, so it is easy to share and swap batteries with other brands, which I value for travel and long events.
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A 15L pack I have loved for years, going back to my time as a Decathlon ambassador. It is perfect for ultra races and winter trail running. For large-capacity models, this is the strongest option for me so far. The one in the photo is from Decathlon Taiwan.
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I keep this as my race trail vest. There is a subtle Japanese flag on the back, so it helps signal I came from Japan when abroad, though PaagoWorks is sold overseas now, so maybe it is less special. In any case, it carries extremely well. You can feel the quality of a Japanese maker.
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A Decathlon soft flask I’ve used for years. It has a locking cap and costs 2,290 yen, which makes it excellent value. It’s also very durable, and I’ve never had one break so far.
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A signature Altra trail shoe. I have used it since the early versions, but at one point the shape stopped fitting me, so I stepped away for a while. After trying it again recently, it feels much improved, and I am back on it.
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Daily trainer shoes. Zero drop. I prefer the design over Altra, and it looks good enough for casual wear. The toe box is wide, and the instep fit feels even better than Altra. Lately I wear Topo for road runs so often that I might switch to Topo for trails too…
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Minimal, zero-drop road shoes I picked up at the end of 2025. The stack height is quite low at 14 mm, but there is a small amount of cushioning, and it has a nice, moderate rebound. I also use them casually for everyday wear.
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The recovery version of Taiwanese sandals. I have tried premium recovery sandals from Western brands too, but this is what I ended up sticking with.
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A running shirt developed by Taiwan Beast Runners, who organize Formosa Trail. Clothing like this often sticks to your skin when you sweat, but this shirt does not cling as much, so it stays comfortable.
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Running shorts with lots of pockets on the front and back. They have a built-in liner, so you can wear them without underwear. I usually keep my phone in the back pocket, and valuables like my house key in the front. For around 5,000 yen, the value is unreal.
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Running tights with lots of pockets on the front and back. Think of it like a tights version of baggy shorts, but without a built-in liner. For trail running, I prefer tights over shorts.
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A sleeveless shirt from Mountain Martial Arts (MMA). I use it in many situations, from training in hot weather to races. MMA gear has a refined design, and it feels like it can make anyone look stylish.
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Souvenir socks from the 2024 Kobe Marathon. The “Shin-Ma” logo makes them very noticeable, but the comfort is excellent. I end up wearing these all the time, both on the road and on the trail. There should be a base product behind this, so I would like to find it.
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Clef is a headwear brand born in Osaka in 2003. This cap has a retro look, but the mesh panels breathe well, so I use it heavily in endurance races. I keep coming back to Clef because the fit matches my head shape and it stays comfortable even after long hours. I like the brand so much that I own another model for everyday wear, too.
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One pair covers everything from city use to trails. The fit is excellent, it does not slip even when running, and overall comfort is top-tier. Among all the sunglasses I have bought, this is easily my No. 1.
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A concentrated solution containing high levels of magnesium, potassium, and sodium ions. I first bought it as a trial when volunteering at the Kyoto Arashiyama heat-resistance relay marathon two years ago, and I have been using it ever since. It is indispensable for training and trail running on very hot days.
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The red Amino Vital. It is inexpensive, and after trying many, this is the gel that feels best to me.
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A stronger version of Green Magma co-developed with Hiroki Ishikawa. I have been drinking it continuously since around the initial release (around 2012?). It is especially good for stomach issues, and in the hot conditions of Asia it is one of my essential items. Personally, I think it is best mixed into a drink. It takes some getting used to, but it is easier to drink than the original Green Magma (aojiru).
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After trying many sunscreens, this is the one I keep coming back to. It is SPF50 but feels light, with no heavy “film” on the skin, so I also use it day to day. Biore is easy to find at drugstores in places like Taiwan and Hong Kong, which is reassuring if I forget to pack sunscreen from Japan.
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A travel pouch from a Taiwanese apparel brand called Plain-me. I originally had a smaller size, but I wanted something larger, so I bought this at the flagship store in April 2025. It has a front pocket that fits a passport and flight tickets, which is very convenient.
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My current travel backpack. 795g. It has a laptop sleeve inside, but you can remove it if you do not need it to make it even lighter. It comes with an external bungee cord, so you can expand storage when you pick up extra gear. It also stands on its own when placed on the ground, which is surprisingly handy.
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A popular PaagoWorks wallet among Japanese trail runners. Many people around me use the smaller S size, but for overseas trips the M size is more practical. The M has a handy rear pocket that fits a transit IC card like ICOCA. I also clip my house key to the included hook when I go out.
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A supplement with 800 mg of ornithine plus Kirin’s proprietary Plasma Lactobacillus. I’ve tried many sleep supplements, and this is the most effective. For me, it improved how quickly I fall asleep almost immediately, and I rarely wake up during the night now. I can’t say I feel the immune benefits yet, but since immunity is said to drop right after a full marathon, I think it’s worth taking.
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An action camera I mainly use for activities like trail races. I used DJI OSMO ACTION 3 before, but it broke, so I replaced it with this. I have not used it for long yet, but image quality and handling are better than the ACTION 3. Heat resistance is said to be worse than the ACTION 3, but I usually shoot short clips of a few minutes, so I think it is fine as long as I am not recording continuously for long periods.
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Main smartphone. I have tried many, but for now the Google Pixel series feels like the best. The camera is especially strong thanks to Google’s AI processing, so you can consistently get clean shots. It is integrated with Gemini, and call screening is quietly useful. From Pixel 10 onward, it also supports MagSafe accessories.
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GPS watch I replaced in October 2025. It feels premium as a watch, and the battery life is enough at up to 42 hours. Voice guidance supports Japanese. GPS lock is extremely fast, around 5 seconds. It also supports trail running maps and waypoints, and the UI/UX is the best I have used so far.
Learn more →Last updated: January 10, 2026