7 Missions

Protecting the natural environment is at the forefront of our objectives. As a company, we reduce our impact on the environment during the design process, carefully considering the materials we use and our manufacturing processes. If the environment isn't protected and left intact, then there won't be a place for us to enjoy the outdoor activities we so love. It is vital that people are given the chance to experience the awe-inspiring beauty and raw power of Mother Nature, so that people can become aware of their part in and the importance of the natural world.

Activities and experiences in the outdoors are ways to foster and develop life skills and how to face the uncertain. For example, even on a small "outdoor adventure" at your local trail, it's an opportunity for children to develop a willingness to face the unknown and learn about risk management skills. These outdoor adventures become formative experiences that have a great effect on our identities and the ways we are molded.

The average life expectancy is on the rise and Montbell hopes that everyone can enjoy a long, fulfilling, healthy life up until the very last by staying active through outdoor activities.

In 1995, Montbell formed the Outdoor Gientai for disaster relief in response to the Hanshin Earthquake in Japan. The Outdoor Gientai has since helped with disaster relief during the Tohoku Earthquake (2011), Kumamoto Earthquake (2016) and other natural disasters. The Outdoor Gientai is a positive proof that relief via outdoor products (clothing, shelter, and food) and outdoor survival skills are useful during times of emergency. From this background, Montbell is also using firsthand experiences to develop products that can be used in times of natural disaster. We are working with local governments to create a disaster response network.

As people become concentrated in city centers, the revitalization of rural areas has become increasingly important. Since the opening of a Montbell store in the town of Daisen in Tottori Prefecture in 2008, Montbell has been working with local communities to revitalize rural economies through Ecotourism. Montbell helps with promoting what the area has to offer in terms of outdoor activities, navigating the delicate balance between nature conservation and using sustainable resources for the economical benefit of the local community.

In Japan, there is a concern over the decline in our food self-sufficiency, with a lot of people leaving the agriculture industry. Through Montbell's partnerships with "Friend Areas," we are working to bring safe, wholesome foods directly from farms to our Montbell Club Members via "Friend Market." We are also developing fashionable yet functional "field wear" for the next generation of young farmers. These are our ways to help bring some stability to the industry that is in decline.

Along with promoting reforestation in areas ruined by irresponsible logging practices, we are helping the forestry industry by providing safe and comfortable clothing and equipment based on our experience with outdoor product development.

We are also manufacturing products that can be utilized in the fishing industry, by working closely to an oyster farmer and environmental activist, Shigeatsu Hatakeyama.

In 1991, Montbell hosted the first canoeing clinic in Japan for people with disabilities in collaboration with a social welfare group based in Nara Prefecture. This clinic foreshadowed that one day, people with disabilities would be able to compete at the national or Olympic level, evenly matched alongside those without. At the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, canoeing finally became an official event. Montbell continues to work with various organizations to realize a society where people with disabilities can live barrier-free.