STORY
Ayu fishing style at the time
NEXUS, a Clothing Brand That Broke with Conventional Wisdom and Offered a New Concept
Shimano launched full-scale efforts to develop fishing wear in 1988. This was based on the belief that, to achieve further development of the fishing tackle business, it was necessary to propose a new totally coordinated fishing style, including fishing gear as well as conventional reels and rods. NEXUS was the clothing brand that was launched to meet this goal.
The brand name “NEXUS” means connection and link. It connotes “NEXT STATUS” based on the concept that this superb field gear connects anglers with nature through a harmonious relationship. NEXUS debuted at a fishing show in 1989. It was unveiled as a series focused on ayu (sweetfish) fishing, which was booming at that time. Conventionally, the so-called “old style” was taken for granted, with a happi coat, sedge hat, tights, vest, and tabi socks considered as the norm. Young anglers tended to give a wide berth to this style. Based on the belief that “we must promote fishing as a sport by offering appropriate wear,” Shimano replaced the hat with a baseball cap and the tights with slim-type waders. Sporty designs were fully introduced. For example, a yellow one-point pattern was indicated on the sides of waders, boat-shaped ayu cages, and bags, most of which were black at that time. The innovative designs, which broke away from the conventional ayu fishing style, were highly evaluated by ayu fishing anglers, both experienced and beginners.
In autumn of the same year, Shimano released various items one after another, including warm waterproof clothing and rainwear with water vapor permeability, bags for surf fishing, rod cases, floatation vests, and boots. In 1990, Shimano deployed clothing products made from hypermaterials to meet the needs of anglers, including SORBOTHANE, an impact-absorbing material, Coolmax, a material that is both moisture-wicking and breathable, BIOCHITON, a waterproof and antibacterial material with water vapor permeability, and Orlon, which is a comfortable and lightweight material. In 1991, Shimano released rainwear made from GORE-TEX Fabrics. In 1992, it released gear for mountain stream fishing and ayu fishing that was characterized by high functionality, colorful designs, and proper coordination to raise the profile of the NEXUS brand. In around 1999, Shimano proposed its TECHNO LAYERED SYSTEM, a concept that enabled anglers to cope with various natural conditions systematically by layering clothes, such as underwear and intermediate wear, and enjoy fishing in comfort.
The brand name “NEXUS” means connection and link. It connotes “NEXT STATUS” based on the concept that this superb field gear connects anglers with nature through a harmonious relationship. NEXUS debuted at a fishing show in 1989. It was unveiled as a series focused on ayu (sweetfish) fishing, which was booming at that time. Conventionally, the so-called “old style” was taken for granted, with a happi coat, sedge hat, tights, vest, and tabi socks considered as the norm. Young anglers tended to give a wide berth to this style. Based on the belief that “we must promote fishing as a sport by offering appropriate wear,” Shimano replaced the hat with a baseball cap and the tights with slim-type waders. Sporty designs were fully introduced. For example, a yellow one-point pattern was indicated on the sides of waders, boat-shaped ayu cages, and bags, most of which were black at that time. The innovative designs, which broke away from the conventional ayu fishing style, were highly evaluated by ayu fishing anglers, both experienced and beginners.
In autumn of the same year, Shimano released various items one after another, including warm waterproof clothing and rainwear with water vapor permeability, bags for surf fishing, rod cases, floatation vests, and boots. In 1990, Shimano deployed clothing products made from hypermaterials to meet the needs of anglers, including SORBOTHANE, an impact-absorbing material, Coolmax, a material that is both moisture-wicking and breathable, BIOCHITON, a waterproof and antibacterial material with water vapor permeability, and Orlon, which is a comfortable and lightweight material. In 1991, Shimano released rainwear made from GORE-TEX Fabrics. In 1992, it released gear for mountain stream fishing and ayu fishing that was characterized by high functionality, colorful designs, and proper coordination to raise the profile of the NEXUS brand. In around 1999, Shimano proposed its TECHNO LAYERED SYSTEM, a concept that enabled anglers to cope with various natural conditions systematically by layering clothes, such as underwear and intermediate wear, and enjoy fishing in comfort.
Enjoying Fishing Life in a More Personalized Way
In 2000, Shimano released NEXUS LIMITED PRO wear as its high-end range for competition-oriented anglers. It won support from fans due to the luxurious designs, which helped manifest superiority in skills from head to toe, and the excellent functionality. At that time, the brand was deployed for ayu fishing wear. In 2004, the lineup of surf fishing wear, rod cases, and boots was expanded. NEXUS LIMITED PRO was highly evaluated for various products in addition to ayu fishing gear. In 2017, Shimano developed COREACT, a new design derived from scientific measurement and analysis to ensure easy movement. It researched the movement of anglers during fishing to develop products that made it possible to enjoy fishing more comfortably by eliminating stiffness of the arms and shoulders and enabling smooth flexion and extension of the knees and elbows. The products were designed to ensure both outstanding appearance and functionality by taking into account the movement required in fishing, such as jackets that enabled free movement of the arms, floatation vests whose back area was reduced to expand the range of movement of the shoulders, and pants which ensured smooth movement and wear resistance without stiffness. The clothing products that allow the full range of free movement required in fishing are highly evaluated by many anglers, including tournament anglers.
NEXUS remains a well-established clothing brand of Shimano. Continuous efforts are made to develop more comfortable fishing gear based on the belief, “We want anglers to enjoy their fishing life through total coordination with rods and reels.”
NEXUS remains a well-established clothing brand of Shimano. Continuous efforts are made to develop more comfortable fishing gear based on the belief, “We want anglers to enjoy their fishing life through total coordination with rods and reels.”
