Montbell Japan vs USA

Doesn’t the Japanese MontBell website have an English option? I’ll check:

Yes, go to:

http://en.montbell.jp/

Try:

http://en.montbell.jp/products/goods/category.php?category=32

Is that 90$ after shipping costs and import tax ?

They ship free or so the website says even international.  I am not aware of import fees on goods from Japan but I could be wrong.

In the USITC Tariff Database I find for sleeping bags a general import tariff of 4 % and I see no bilateral agreement with Japan.

EDIT: when I choose ‘ship to the US’, there’s no #0

I heeded that advice, and bought my Ex Light from the Japan website last week…shipping was very affordable. Total cost came out to about 175$, as opposed to the 219$ domestic retail. It is on its way now, let’s see if their sizing for Large was true to the website, fingers crossed! Would anyone care for an update as to the quality when it arrives?

Thanks for all the replies.  I heard back from the MB Japan customer service very quickly.  They were great, sending me side beside comparisons of the specs for the #0 from both US and Japan.  The weight difference is materials and size.  The length and girth are both significantly less for the Japanese version.  While they don’t publish fill weight specs for MB Japan they said both versions had the same EN rating.  They suggested that at my height (just und 6′ 2”) the length would be borderline.  I am also a little worried about the girth as I am fairly large framed.  This is a winter bag and I want to be able to easily fit boots/liners and a hot water bottle as well as wear plenty of high loft insulation.  They said they would have no problem taking a return if it doesn’t fit but I would have to navigate customs.  Not sure if it is worth the hassle of possibly returning it, especially when it sounds tight.  The half pound weight savings is pretty tempting though as is the cost.

Shipping was free by the way as this item met the cost threshold.  If the 4% sighted above is correct it would still be 69$ cheaper.

This difference between the design size of the East Asian torso and the European/American is very real; it has previously put me off purchasing sleeping bags because they felt too tight in the girth. Although for Montbell, there is usually a single shift in size between Japan and American fitting, which they helpfully state on their labels, I’ve found a double shift to sometimes be a better fit.

So for a 110 mm chest, I find XXL in Japanese Montbell might be a good fit, when otherwise I would have expected XL. Sometimes XXL is too tight, or too short.

If it don’t fit, don’t throw a fit, it’s not fitting…

I’m a very trim guy, and Montbell’s tops fit pretty well, but their pants would be a disaster for me.

I visited one of my company’s centers in Japan a few years ago.  I needed a lab coat to go into the shop, and the admin was helping me pick one out.  I put one on – it fit great in the chest, but the admin was laughing uncontrollably at me.  I looked down and the coat ended half way down my femur.  It was like a man in one of those way too short bath robes.

Anyway, nice tip on ordering from Japan.  I went into one of their stores in Tokyo, but the prices didn’t seem cheaper than in the US.

Any word on whether or not it was in fact lighter?

Very interested if so!

I’m 5’10” / 160 lbs and wear a size Medium in most over-garments. Out of curiosity, I wrote Montbell JP a week back asking for a comparison of the Western Storm Cruiser Jacket and the Asian version of the same… here’s the measurements they sent me with inch conversions added by me:

Western Fit: Size M

A. Neck: 58.5cm (23″)
B. Chest: 125.0cm (49″)
C. Hem: 119.9cm (47″)
D. Torso: 76.0cm (From center of neck to hem) (30″)
E. Sleeve: 95.3cm (From center of neck to cuff) (37.5″)

Asian Fit: Size L

A. Neck: 58.5cm (23″)
B. Chest: 120.0cm (47″)
C. Hem: 115.0cm (45″)
D. Torso: 74.0cm (From center of neck to hem) (29″)
E. Sleeve: 90.0cm (From center of neck to cuff) (35.5″)

Asian Fit: Size XL

A. Neck: 60.0cm (23.5″)
B. Chest: 125.9cm (49.5″)
C. Hem: 120.9cm (47.5″)
D. Torso: 76.0cm (From center of neck to hem) (30″)
E. Sleeve: 93.0cm (From center of neck to cuff) (36.5″)

Based on what they sent me, I’d say I’d likely be happier with an Asian XL than an Asian L.

BTW, I have to say Montbell Japan’s communication/customer service was outstanding!