In this article, we will introduce "bandage pants" that top kendo players wear without feeling uncomfortable during practice. How was it possible to develop revolutionary pants that are comfortable to wear during practice? We spoke to Nogi, president of Login Co., Ltd.!

Shiro Nogi

In 2002, he was so moved by seeing Inamoto score a goal at the Japan-Korea World Cup that he decided to develop underwear for athletes representing Japan. He moved to a sewing company run by his father and spent four years developing the prototype for "bandage pants."

He founded Login Inc. in 2006. He released his "Bandage Pants" in 2007 and his "Armor Pants" in 2008, which became a huge hit. His loyal customers include many famous people, including some of Japan's leading athletes.

Interview and writing: BUSHIZO Uejima

President Nogi's profile

Nogi : "I was working as a buyer at Senshukai, a company famous for its mail-order catalogue Belle Maison. When I was around 40, I received a call from the company my father runs asking for help, so I joined the company. My father's company is a subcontractor for a major women's underwear manufacturer."

-And that's how you got to bandage pants.

Nogi : "Even though I was making women's underwear all day, it didn't really feel real to me as a man. Then, I received tickets to the World Cup as a farewell gift from Senshukai.

The most memorable event of my life happened when I happened to go to see the World Cup. It was a match against Russia, and I was really moved when I saw Inamoto score a goal. At that moment, I thought, "I want to make pants for athletes who are active on the world stage ." From then on, I spent my life thinking only about men's sports underwear."

-How did you get the idea for "bandage pants" from there?

Nogi : "I was an amateur when it came to pants, so I tried on over a thousand pairs of pants from all over the world. To be honest, I thought they were all great pants, but when it came to playing sports, they all seemed uncomfortable. They clung to me with sweat, were too tight, and were sticky and difficult to move in. There were a lot of uncomfortable aspects to them.

It took about four years of eliminating each unpleasant aspect and completing something that I was satisfied with. I then founded the company in 2006."

-It's amazing that it took four years of hard work... I imagine it was made with a lot of care. By the way, you didn't start the business at your father's company, did you?

Nogi : "Of course, I had the option of selling bandage pants through my father's company, but he was a manufacturer specializing in OEM products, so he wasn't the type to take risks. I decided I had no choice but to do it myself, and so I went independent."

*HOHTAI BELT (Houtai Belt) Gray

After four years of hard work, the "bandage pants" for athletes are finally complete

Nogi : Cotton absorbs sweat, which means it becomes heavy and clings to you. Synthetic fibers don't absorb sweat, but they just cling to you.

Bandage pants are made with a special knitting structure that allows them to absorb sweat without sticking to the body.

I used to play tennis, and when a cross ball came my pants would stick to my body and I couldn't open my legs, which was really stressful. Bandage pants don't have that kind of restriction at all."

- In kendo, you often have to spread your legs, which makes you sweat a lot.

Nogi : "I see. Sweating makes you cold, right? Athletes who play sports that involve a lot of sweating love bandage pants. In professional baseball, they're especially popular among pitchers."

-When I'm waiting for my ground training, I get cold from sweat.

Nogi : " Bandage pants are a mix of cotton and synthetic fibers. The cotton absorbs sweat, and the synthetic fibers diffuse it, repeating this process . That's why they don't get sticky. It's a special processing method that has been patented."

-Could you explain a bit more about the expression "spread"?

Nogi: "It breaks down sweat particles. The particles are absorbed into the cotton material, so your skin stays dry and comfortable."

-Does bandage pants mean they're made from bandage material?

Nogi : "Normal bandages are made of the lowest quality material called 'sufu'. Bandage pants are made from high-quality cotton and high-quality polyester/polyurethane. They're called bandage pants because the knitting structure is like a bandage. We make bandage pants on a Russell machine, a machine that has been used to make bandages for a long time."

-What kind of athletes wear bandage pants?

Nogi : "Currently, professional athletes in 17 sports wear them. In kendo, Mr. Asano, who retired from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Mr. Koda from Tsukuba University, and Mr. Eika from the Hokkaido Prefectural Police have all worn them. Mr. Eika also wore them during practice back then. It was a while ago, so I don't know if he still wears them now."

-I usually wear pants without elastic, but can I wear them during kendo?

Nogi : "I don't think underwear without elastic is very suitable for exercise. When exercising, it's better to wear underwear with elastic that provides a little bit of tightness. After exercising, it's best to take a shower and switch to the "parasympathetic nervous system" and relax. If you stay in the "sympathetic nervous system" for too long, you won't be able to get rid of fatigue. If you wear elastic-free pants after exercising, the lack of tightness will allow you to smoothly switch to the "parasympathetic nervous system."

We are grateful that many athletes on the Japanese national gymnastics and handball teams wear our bandage pants, but after their workouts they change into elastic-free pants and receive massages."

The sympathetic nervous system is also known as the "fight or flight nerve" and is a tension-mode nerve that is predominantly active during the day.

On the other hand, the parasympathetic nervous system is also known as the "nerve of rest," and is the nerve that is active at night and in a relaxed mode . These two nerves maintain a balance by suppressing the activity of one nerve when the other is active.

*Source: https://sleepdays.jp/articles/210

A message to those who practice kendo

BUSHIZO's thoughts

It is obvious that it is better to wear pants while doing kendo from the standpoint of safety and cleanliness, but I think the disadvantage of it hindering movement was felt to be significant.

When I saw the "Bandage Pants" this time, I thought "I wonder if I could wear these for kendo," so I tried them out myself and was able to practice kendo without having to worry at all about the fact that I was wearing pants! By wearing the Bandage Pants, I'm sure I'll be able to practice more comfortably than I do now. The SIDO brand concept is to support those who strive to perfect their way, so as President Nogi said in the video, I sincerely hope that everyone will "try them out at least once!"

Thank you for today, President Nogi!