History
2004
Yotaro Kanayama establishes finetrack in a house in Kobe City’s residential area.
The first version of the ELEMENTAL LAYER®—a world’s first water-repellent undergarment—is developed.
2005
The MID SHELL®, marking a new concept in layering, is developed, and 5LAYERING® technology is established.
A hybrid fiber combining natural materials and polyester is successfully developed.
2006
An improved version of the ELEMENTAL LAYER®, bringing the concept of water-repellent clothing to layering, is developed.
2007
Obtained approval for a management innovation plan from Hyogo Prefecture.Durable, water-repellent stretch outdoor pants, which later become one of finetrack’s bestselling standard products, are developed.
2008
A hybrid system of wool and polyester is applied to finetrack socks.
2009
ELEMENTAL LAYER® socks are developed, bringing 5LAYERING technology to socks.
2010
The company relocates its offices to a building in front of Kobe Station.FLOODRUSH® ACTIVE SKIN—a new ELEMENTAL LAYER® series product—is developed. The NANOTOWEL®, capable of absorbing dirt and sebum, is developed.
2011
The EVERBREATH® membrane, made with proprietary finetrack waterproof breathable material, is developed.The fifth layer—the OUTER SHELL—is developed. POWER MESH—the third version of the ELEMENTAL LAYER®—is developed. Layering technology is applied to gloves.
2012
Variable-direction stretchable rainwear and the winter OUTER SHELL are developed.Development of insulated clothing begins at finetrack.
2013
FINEPOLYGON®—the world’s first sheet-shaped heat insulating material—is developed.A sleeping bag adopting FINEPOLYGON® material is also developed.
2014
Lightweight, compact warming clothing using FINEPOLYGON® is developed.
2015
Silk is incorporated into the hybrid BASE LAYER.
2016
Professional-grade all-season tents are developed. Production of gloves in Japan begins.
2017
Detergent for high-functional outdoor wear is developed. Our first own retail shop -TOKYO BASE-is opened.
2018
Nylon-based BASE LAYER with sweat-absorbent, quick dry and material toughness is released.
2019
Successor product of ACTIVE SKIN, ELEMENTAL LAYER® WARM is released.
2020
Our classic ELEMENTAL LAYER®, SKIN MESH is rereleased as ELEMENTAL LAYER® BASIC after evolving its water durable water repellency. ELEMENTAL LAYER® COOL with our first nylon material based ELEMENTAL LAYER® is released.Single wall tent -KAMINA MONO POLE- is developed.
Made In Japan
Outdoor clothing is not about fashion. It’s about getting home safely.
When it comes to the unstoppable forces of nature, people really have no control over the outcome. However, in addition to making full use of our past experiences and knowledge, we can also get a helping hand from the clothing and gear that we choose.
All of Finetrack’s items are developed based on actual experiences in the face of nature’s fury. To ensure the time we spend outdoors is enjoyable and remembered fondly, we place importance on safety above all else. In this way, comfort is just as important as safety.
World-leading textile technology + Uniquely innovative ideas
The world’s first water-repellent undergarments, ELEMENTAL LAYER®. The BASE LAYER developed from yarn that takes advantage of both natural materials and synthetic fibers. Ultra-lightweight and highly breathable shelters using the newly developed TENSION SLING™ made using Dyneema®, an incredibly strong synthetic fiber. EVERBREATH® waterproof breathable material with varying directions of stretchability. The world’s first sheet-shaped heat insulating material, FINEPOLYGON®.
These are just a few of Finetrack’s products developed with careful attention to an idea and the material.
A note on finetrack’s production methods
The outdoor industry is supported by nature and those who love spending time there. However, being a part of the outdoor industry does not automatically mean that eco-friendly ideas are employed throughout the production and distribution process.
From mass overseas production to keep costs down to focusing on trendy products, mid-season drops in prices, and products that will be considered out of style come next year—these are just a few of the issues faced by mass production–based manufacturers. In light of this, you could say that finetrack is working backwards. However, at finetrack, our focus is on creating standard products that rise above the rest while not being bound by their production age, all within Japan. And this philosophy is not one we are willing to sacrifice.
Made in Japan
It is not uncommon to see products made from materials procured in Japan but sewn together overseas.
At Finetrack, we choose to do everything—from yarn-making to weaving (knitting), finishing fabrics, cutting, and sewing—right here in Japan. The reason that Japan’s textile technologies are the best in the world is because all of those involved have grown together to create a thorough textile industry that starts with the material itself and ends with the finished product. Our decision to manufacture products in Japan is a testament of our dedication to keeping that collective spirit alive.