Spec
Material : 70% Wool (Rino Wool), 30% Polylactic Acid (PlaX™)
Size: Free
Colors: Glacier Blue, Sage Fog, Misty Greige, Cinder Brown
Weight : Approx. 85 g
Country of Origin: Japan
Manufacturer : Kobayashi Meriyasu Co., Ltd., Minami-Alps City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Introduction
Ridge Mountain Gear had previously created a 100% merino wool beanie, but it was heavy and expensive. Now, the PlaX™–merino blend offered the perfect solution. By combining PlaX™’s lightness and durability with merino wool’s warmth and comfort, Ridge Mountain Gear was able to craft a beanie that brings out the strengths of both materials.
This product is manufactured using WHOLEGARMENT® technology by Shima Seiki. WHOLEGARMENT is a knitting method that produces a fully three-dimensional piece without any seams, unlike conventional garments that require multiple sewn parts.
Its key advantages include:
No seams: Provides exceptional comfort with no irritation against the skin.
Three-dimensional shaping: Offers a natural fit and ease of movement.
Efficient production: Eliminates sewing steps, reduces material waste, and streamlines the manufacturing process.
Material: Merino Wool × PlaX™
This product uses a blend of 70% Australian Merino wool and 30% PlaX™, knitted by Kobayashi Meriyasu in Minami-Alps, Yamanashi. Combining Merino wool’s natural qualities with PlaX™’s plant-based bioplastic properties results in a sustainable, high-performance material.
Environmental Benefits
The blend dramatically reduces environmental impact across the product lifecycle.
Both materials are derived from renewable resources, making this a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based synthetic fibers.
Functional Advantages
High durability & comfort: PlaX™ adds strength, while Merino wool provides temperature regulation.
Moisture absorption & antibacterial: Merino’s humidity control and PlaX™’s antibacterial properties keep the fabric clean and comfortable for extended wear.
Ideal for outdoor and sports apparel.
About PlaX™
PlaX™ is an upgraded form of PLA (polylactic acid) developed by Bioworks.
It is a carbon-neutral material made from plant sources such as sugarcane, enhanced through molecular engineering and plant-derived additives.
Key Characteristics
Plant-based: Derived from sugars extracted from crops like sugarcane; reduces reliance on petroleum resources.
Improved durability & heat resistance: Overcomes traditional PLA weaknesses, enabling broader use including as a substitute for synthetic fibers and plastics.
Antibacterial by fermentation: Lactic acid fermentation contributes to natural antibacterial properties.
Carbon-neutral: Burning the material releases significantly less CO₂, and the plants used as raw material absorb CO₂ during growth.
Lower environmental impact:
~41% less CO₂ emissions during production compared to polyester
~90% less water consumption compared to cotton
Biodegradability
In controlled industrial compost environments, PlaX™ undergoes hydrolysis and is ultimately decomposed by microorganisms into water and CO₂. General soil conditions do not provide sufficient temperature and humidity, so industrial composting is recommended.
About PLA (Polylactic Acid)
PLA is made by fermenting starches or sugars derived from plants like sugarcane, corn, or cassava into lactic acid, then polymerizing it. Since the 2000s, it has been developed as an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics, with PlaX™ being a next-generation enhancement.
Credit: photos and description from Ridge Mountain Gear official website (https://www.ridge-mountaingear.com/)
*Product information translated and written by morimori
Spec
Material : 70% Wool (Rino Wool), 30% Polylactic Acid (PlaX™)
Size: Free
Colors: Glacier Blue, Sage Fog, Misty Greige, Cinder Brown
Weight : Approx. 85 g
Country of Origin: Japan
Manufacturer : Kobayashi Meriyasu Co., Ltd., Minami-Alps City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Introduction
Ridge Mountain Gear had previously created a 100% merino wool beanie, but it was heavy and expensive. Now, the PlaX™–merino blend offered the perfect solution. By combining PlaX™’s lightness and durability with merino wool’s warmth and comfort, Ridge Mountain Gear was able to craft a beanie that brings out the strengths of both materials.
This product is manufactured using WHOLEGARMENT® technology by Shima Seiki. WHOLEGARMENT is a knitting method that produces a fully three-dimensional piece without any seams, unlike conventional garments that require multiple sewn parts.
Its key advantages include:
No seams: Provides exceptional comfort with no irritation against the skin.
Three-dimensional shaping: Offers a natural fit and ease of movement.
Efficient production: Eliminates sewing steps, reduces material waste, and streamlines the manufacturing process.
Material: Merino Wool × PlaX™
This product uses a blend of 70% Australian Merino wool and 30% PlaX™, knitted by Kobayashi Meriyasu in Minami-Alps, Yamanashi. Combining Merino wool’s natural qualities with PlaX™’s plant-based bioplastic properties results in a sustainable, high-performance material.
Environmental Benefits
The blend dramatically reduces environmental impact across the product lifecycle.
Both materials are derived from renewable resources, making this a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based synthetic fibers.
Functional Advantages
High durability & comfort: PlaX™ adds strength, while Merino wool provides temperature regulation.
Moisture absorption & antibacterial: Merino’s humidity control and PlaX™’s antibacterial properties keep the fabric clean and comfortable for extended wear.
Ideal for outdoor and sports apparel.
About PlaX™
PlaX™ is an upgraded form of PLA (polylactic acid) developed by Bioworks.
It is a carbon-neutral material made from plant sources such as sugarcane, enhanced through molecular engineering and plant-derived additives.
Key Characteristics
Plant-based: Derived from sugars extracted from crops like sugarcane; reduces reliance on petroleum resources.
Improved durability & heat resistance: Overcomes traditional PLA weaknesses, enabling broader use including as a substitute for synthetic fibers and plastics.
Antibacterial by fermentation: Lactic acid fermentation contributes to natural antibacterial properties.
Carbon-neutral: Burning the material releases significantly less CO₂, and the plants used as raw material absorb CO₂ during growth.
Lower environmental impact:
~41% less CO₂ emissions during production compared to polyester
~90% less water consumption compared to cotton
Biodegradability
In controlled industrial compost environments, PlaX™ undergoes hydrolysis and is ultimately decomposed by microorganisms into water and CO₂. General soil conditions do not provide sufficient temperature and humidity, so industrial composting is recommended.
About PLA (Polylactic Acid)
PLA is made by fermenting starches or sugars derived from plants like sugarcane, corn, or cassava into lactic acid, then polymerizing it. Since the 2000s, it has been developed as an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics, with PlaX™ being a next-generation enhancement.
Credit: photos and description from Ridge Mountain Gear official website (https://www.ridge-mountaingear.com/)
*Product information translated and written by morimori
