The new category "CRV" from the Japanese brand "Caravan", is a town shoe that can be used for mountaineering. It's not about wearing mountaineering boots in the city, but a shift in thinking!
Caravan is a long-established brand in Japan's outdoor scene, known for supporting the local mountaineering community. The interview features three key members: Rui Sato, Masaki Sasaki, and Atsuro Matsuzaki, who discuss the brand's history and the development of the new "CRV" category.
ー Can you tell us about Caravan's history?
Sasaki: The founder, Kyuichiro Sato, started Yamaharisha Co., Ltd. in 1954, making trekking shoes, which marked the beginning of trekking shoes in Japan. The company was renamed Caravan Co., Ltd. in 1971 and will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2024.
ー What made Caravan well-known in Japan?
Sato: Caravan gained recognition when the Japanese expedition team wore their shoes to approach the base camp of Manaslu (8163m) in the Himalayas, which was an unclimbed peak at the time.
ー How has the brand evolved over the years?
Sasaki: Initially, Japanese mountaineering shoes were heavy leather boots with metal studs. Kyuichiro Sato decided to make lighter, more practical shoes. The first Caravan shoes were made with rubber from Fujikura Rubber Industry.
ー What is the "CRV" category?
Sato: Launched in June 2022, "CRV" is designed to be stylish and practical for both outdoor and everyday use. It includes various models equipped with Vibram soles, tailored for different terrains and conditions.
ー When did Caravan start using Vibram soles?
Sasaki: Around 1984 with the "V450" model in the "GRANDKING" category. Caravan was one of the first in Japan to use Vibram soles, and the "V450" even won a Good Design Award.
ー What is the concept behind "CRV"?
Sato: The idea was to create shoes that are not only functional for mountaineering but also stylish and practical for everyday use. The "CRV" series includes the "Free," "Cross," and the upcoming "Vita" series, each designed for different purposes and equipped with various Vibram compounds.
ー How has the internal reception been for "CRV"?
Sato: Initially, there was some resistance because it was different from the main Caravan line. However, it has gained popularity among staff and clients, often becoming a conversation starter.
ー What is "Zero Drop"?
Matsuzaki: "Zero Drop" refers to shoes with no height difference between the heel and toe, promoting the use of muscles that are often underutilized. This concept is part of the "Vita" series, aiming to improve overall fitness.
The "CRV" series blends traditional mountaineering expertise with modern design, making high-spec outdoor shoes suitable for everyday wear. This approach positions "CRV" as a new brand that can also appeal to the fashion scene.
Caravan
"Caravan Co., Ltd." with the corporate philosophy of "Supporting that one step", offers a lineup of various mountain-related items. "Caravan" provides hiking shoes and accessories necessary for mountaineering. "GRANDKING" is a shoe aimed at reaching greater heights in mountaineering. The new category "CRV" is equipped with Vibram soles, featuring a variety of compounds and lug patterns, tailored to diverse values. Additionally, "Keiryu" offers shoes and accessories for stream climbing and fishing. Vibram soles are actively adopted for necessary products in each category.
Caravan is a long-established brand in Japan's outdoor scene, known for supporting the local mountaineering community. The interview features three key members: Rui Sato, Masaki Sasaki, and Atsuro Matsuzaki, who discuss the brand's history and the development of the new "CRV" category.
ー Can you tell us about Caravan's history?
Sasaki: The founder, Kyuichiro Sato, started Yamaharisha Co., Ltd. in 1954, making trekking shoes, which marked the beginning of trekking shoes in Japan. The company was renamed Caravan Co., Ltd. in 1971 and will celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2024.
ー What made Caravan well-known in Japan?
Sato: Caravan gained recognition when the Japanese expedition team wore their shoes to approach the base camp of Manaslu (8163m) in the Himalayas, which was an unclimbed peak at the time.
ー How has the brand evolved over the years?
Sasaki: Initially, Japanese mountaineering shoes were heavy leather boots with metal studs. Kyuichiro Sato decided to make lighter, more practical shoes. The first Caravan shoes were made with rubber from Fujikura Rubber Industry.
ー What is the "CRV" category?
Sato: Launched in June 2022, "CRV" is designed to be stylish and practical for both outdoor and everyday use. It includes various models equipped with Vibram soles, tailored for different terrains and conditions.
ー When did Caravan start using Vibram soles?
Sasaki: Around 1984 with the "V450" model in the "GRANDKING" category. Caravan was one of the first in Japan to use Vibram soles, and the "V450" even won a Good Design Award.
ー What is the concept behind "CRV"?
Sato: The idea was to create shoes that are not only functional for mountaineering but also stylish and practical for everyday use. The "CRV" series includes the "Free," "Cross," and the upcoming "Vita" series, each designed for different purposes and equipped with various Vibram compounds.
ー How has the internal reception been for "CRV"?
Sato: Initially, there was some resistance because it was different from the main Caravan line. However, it has gained popularity among staff and clients, often becoming a conversation starter.
ー What is "Zero Drop"?
Matsuzaki: "Zero Drop" refers to shoes with no height difference between the heel and toe, promoting the use of muscles that are often underutilized. This concept is part of the "Vita" series, aiming to improve overall fitness.
The "CRV" series blends traditional mountaineering expertise with modern design, making high-spec outdoor shoes suitable for everyday wear. This approach positions "CRV" as a new brand that can also appeal to the fashion scene.
Caravan
"Caravan Co., Ltd." with the corporate philosophy of "Supporting that one step", offers a lineup of various mountain-related items. "Caravan" provides hiking shoes and accessories necessary for mountaineering. "GRANDKING" is a shoe aimed at reaching greater heights in mountaineering. The new category "CRV" is equipped with Vibram soles, featuring a variety of compounds and lug patterns, tailored to diverse values. Additionally, "Keiryu" offers shoes and accessories for stream climbing and fishing. Vibram soles are actively adopted for necessary products in each category.
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