We asked Itakura Hisashi, a porter based out of Sonbutsu Sanso Lodge at the summit of Mt. Tonodake, to try out Il Roro socks.
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Hisashi Itakura
I am carrying porters to Sonbutsu Sanso, located at the summit of Tonodake Mountain, which is 1,491 meters above sea level, in Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
His love of mountain climbing led him to become a porter.
*What is porterage?
It refers to the act of carrying loads weighing tens of kilograms up mountains and delivering supplies to mountain huts. Or it refers to a person who does this as a job.
We support mountain huts by helping with lifting luggage.
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- "First of all, please tell us about your work and activities in the mountains."
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- "Twice a week, I carry porters to the summit of Mt. Tonodake, Sonbutsu Sanso. It takes me about four and a half hours to carry an average of 60 kilograms."
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- "What do you find rewarding and enjoyable about working and doing activities in the mountains?"
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- "It's not just about climbing the mountain, but also helping the lodge by carrying the loads. It's a very fulfilling experience."
"Originally, I used to climb the Okura Ridge of Mt. Tonodake while carrying heavy loads as part of my tent training, but once I got into carrying loads, I lost all desire to climb other mountains (laughs). When I handed over my load, the words 'Thank you for your hard work' were the happiest thing for me."
Itakura-san carries the load for an average of 60 kilometers in about four and a half hours.
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- "It's a tough job, but it's also rewarding because you get to enjoy mountain climbing and communicate with people."
"What are your concerns and requirements regarding socks for mountain work and activities?" - *
- "In order to carry the weight of my trail running shoes, I have to wear thick socks even in the summer to withstand the strain of carrying nearly 130 kg on each foot. Because of this, the heels and the base of my big toes quickly become thin and develop holes."
"Of course durability is important, but there are also conflicting luxury requirements: warmth in winter and good breathability in summer."
Itakura-san has strong feet, which are subjected to great stress, and shoes and socks help support them.
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- "Can you tell us your impressions of wearing ILLLOLO?"
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- "First of all, the compression is amazing! I usually wear size 28, but this time I wore size 27 and it didn't feel tight or cramped at all. On the contrary, it felt good to hold me in place, there was no chafing inside the shoe, and the cushioning was excellent."
"Usually, when my feet get tired, I want to take off the socks I wear, but with Il Roro, even after changing into sandals after descending the mountain, I didn't feel any discomfort even with my socks on. They didn't feel too stuffy (even though it was a surprisingly hot day) and they didn't smell when I got home with them on." - *
- "Thank you very much. I'm very glad to hear that our socks were able to provide some support to the porters' feet in such difficult conditions."
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- "As these have only been used once, I have yet to test their durability, but I would like to see how the comfort and compression changes after washing, and how the heel wears down. So far, they are perfect. If I had to say one thing, I think they would stand out more if the Il Roro logo was on the side."
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- "We will look into the logo issue. Thank you for trying Il Roro socks. Please continue to try them and let us know what you think."
Please take care of yourself and continue to do your best in your porter work.
Thank you for taking the time to do this interview today.
The socks we tried this time are "Peakhunt Wool Socks Flashy Line Yama" by Il Roro.
Peak Hunt Wool Socks are mid-weight socks developed for mountaineers.
By providing moderate pressure in the calf area, it supports the calves, which are prone to fatigue.
The support and cushioning on the sole of the foot reduces the impact of landing.
Wool's inherent antibacterial and deodorizing properties help keep the fabric clean for a long period of time.
It can be used for a variety of occasions, including outdoor activities that require overnight stays, as well as sports.