OUR HISTORY (1975-1979)
1975
- Established MontBell Co. Ltd. in Osaka, Japan, on August 1. Our goal was to produce quality outdoor equipment.
- Began making rain gear and sleeping bags suitable for the rainy climate of Japan.
Sleeping Bag
1976
- Developed a sleeping bag using DuPont's Hollofil® insulation.
- Pioneered quality rainwear using Hypalon.
- Developed quality helmets and durable, heat-retardant gloves for climbing.
1977
- As a replacement to wool in knitted clothing, began using Orlon, a faster-drying acrylic fiber developed by DuPont—a first in Japan.
- Produced clothing using Dacron Hollofil for its proven performance.
- Used core-spun fabric in clothing—lighter and stronger than 10 oz. cotton.
- Using Kevlar®, another material developed by DuPont, produced the world's very first lightweight helmet.
- Produced Nomex® gloves.
- Began exporting MontBell items to the largest sporting goods shop in Europe.
- The Katsuyama alpine club proved the performance of our Dacron Sleeping Bag ST at 6,000 m/19,685 ft on Mt. McKinley.
Orlon Fibers
1978
- Produced Orlon fleece items that were 50% lighter than wool sweaters and with better durability and warmth.
- Began retailing climbing pants made using core-spun cloth.
- Group YETI used our Dacron jackets on the south pillar of Dhaulagiri (8,167 m/26,810 ft). They also used our Sleeping Bag SP at the final camp.
Moon Light Tent
1979
- Developed three revolutionary tent styles, giving birth to the first Moon Light Tent designs.
- Produced an extremely lightweight emergency shelter.
- Experimented with Thinsulate® thermal insulation, developed by 3M.
- The Kyoto Karakorum Club proved the durability of Moon Light Tents and Dacron products.
