What do you usually wear when you go for a walk?
On a Sunday afternoon, you might notice the daffodils blooming in the park you pass on your way to work and feel like taking a short walk nearby. Or perhaps you feel a growing concern about a lack of exercise and the gradual weakening of your legs. Both are reasons familiar to me. Over the past year, however, there has been another reason: walking my dog, Fuku. It is no longer simply about me, but about his health, so it has become something I cannot avoid.
I can only manage longer walks on my days off, so I would head out each weekend with some enthusiasm. But as the weather turned colder, I found myself facing the question of what to wear for winter walks. It is not impossible to step out in indoor clothes, but it feels a little too relaxed. More than that, winter in Nara is cold. As I am not accustomed to sportswear, I was unsure what the right answer might be. Over the course of this winter, I tried various approaches, and if you have a moment, I would like to share a little of that here.
To begin with, it needs to be something that can tolerate a certain amount of dirt. Walking is also part of training, and while the dog is still getting used to it, he will push his head into all sorts of places and pull eagerly on the lead.
In Nara, there are still many natural walking paths. You might stumble along muddy ridges between rice fields, or be met with unexpected displays of affection from muddy paws you would rather not be touched by. For that reason, everything must be easy to wash thoroughly. At the same time, if it is to be washed frequently, the fabric needs to be light and quick to dry. The monpe trousers I have worn since summer are well suited in that respect, but when warmth becomes the priority, they are not quite sufficient on their own.
After some consideration, I decided to protect my midsection with haramaki trousers. I already wear these regularly in winter and value them so much that I have found myself giving them to friends and family. They are light, warm, and do not show through outer layers. With this, the lower half is well covered.
For warmth, and also to avoid the need to arrange my hair, a hat is essential. I cannot bring myself to put on full make-up just for walking the dog on a day off. Rather, I choose not to. A hat that can be put on quickly is enough. In addition, winter cold can easily discourage you from walking further, so a neck warmer and gloves are also useful. It is important that they can be removed easily, as it is not uncommon to feel slightly warm towards the end of a walk.
Finally, there is the overall balance. There is no need to dress as though going out, but it is still nice to greet neighbours properly. Sometimes people will stop to say how lovely the dog is, and a few words are exchanged. At a time when it can be difficult to connect with others, there is something natural about greeting one another whilst out walking a dog, even for the first time. Each time, it leaves a quiet sense of warmth.
For now, my winter walking outfit has settled into a light outer layer, a warm vest, haramaki trousers, monpe trousers (choosing either a warmer or cotton-linen type depending on the temperature), a knitted cap, neck warmer, gloves, and trainers.
Summer has its own challenges, such as avoiding mosquitoes, but that is a story for another time.
After returning from a longer walk, I wipe down the dog, tidy myself, and then take time to enjoy a cup of coffee. At my feet, the dog lies comfortably at rest.
Unconcerned with my considerations over clothing, he lets out a large yawn and soon drifts into sleep.
Spring is just around the corner. I already look forward to walking beneath the cherry blossoms in lighter clothes.
＜Featured Products＞
Monpe Trousers (Model height 158cm, wearing size L)
Seamless Thermal Haramaki Trousers
Writer: Aya Sengoku
