Yamatomichi Now Available
at Coffee Outdoors in New Zealand
We’re very happy to share that Yamatomichi products are now available at Coffee Outdoors, an outdoor shop in Wellington, New Zealand, run by Tom and Shev.
The connection began through our longtime friend Ryosuke Kawato, better known by his trail name “Sketch.” A long-distance hiker who has written extensively for the Yamatomichi Journal about his journeys across the US, Sketch introduced us to Tom and Shev. When Tom later visited us in Kamakura, we had the chance to meet in person, and conversations about bringing Yamatomichi to Coffee Outdoors began from there.
Along the way, we discovered another unexpected connection. The coffee served at Coffee Outdoors comes from Coffee Supreme, a New Zealand roaster that Yamatomichi has also had a relationship with for many years. It was a nice surprise to find that a connection stretching back to when we first began making products with New Zealand merino wool had crossed paths with us again.
Tom is a hiker himself and has a deep understanding of both Yamatomichi products and ultralight hiking. Coffee Outdoors is a place where people gather around coffee, hiking, and the outdoors, and we’re very happy that hikers in New Zealand can now experience Yamatomichi products there firsthand.
On the Coffee Outdoors blog, they welcomed Yamatomichi to the whānau—a Māori word meaning family. Be sure to give it a read.
I hiked Te Araroa in 2019–2020, and looking back, I really wish there had been a place like Coffee Outdoors when I was on the trail. A few years on from that journey, I’m genuinely happy that there is now a place in New Zealand, a country I love, where people can actually pick up and experience Yamatomichi products firsthand.
In New Zealand, spending time outdoors is simply part of everyday life. I love the idea of locals, long-distance hikers, and people setting out on the Great Walks being able to stop in for a coffee, check out ultralight gear, and connect with other hikers. If a place like this had existed when I was hiking there, I’m sure I would have found myself coming back again and again.
I’ve also heard that hikers are treated to free coffee, so if you find yourself in Wellington, be sure to stop by Coffee Outdoors.
About Coffee Outdoors
Coffee Outdoors brings together a carefully chosen selection of gear and apparel from high-quality independent brands, with an emphasis on performance, thoughtful design, and environmental responsibility. It has also become a welcoming spot for Wellington’s outdoor community to stop by, talk trails, and share ideas over a coffee.
From tramping and trail running to bikepacking and all kinds of time outside, Coffee Outdoors is a place built around the people who love getting outdoors — with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that makes it easy to drop in.
