The 'Three Sacred Treasures' of Hiking Gear: How to Choose Your First Hiking Boots, Backpack & Rainwear

When you start hiking in Japan, experienced mountaineers and outdoor shops will almost always tell you to invest in the "Three Sacred Treasures of Hiking" (Tozan no Sanshu no Jingi / 登山の三種の神器) before anything else:

1. Hiking Boots (Tozangutsu / 登山靴)
2. Hiking Backpack (Zack / ザック・バックパック)
3. Waterproof-Breathable Rainwear (Rainwear / レインウェア)

Named after the three imperial regalia of Japanese mythology, these three pieces of equipment are not merely comfort upgrades—they are life-support gear that prevent the three leading causes of beginner mountain accidents: slips/falls and ankle sprains, exhaustion from poorly balanced loads, and hypothermia caused by wind, rain, and sweat chill.

This guide breaks down why casual city sneakers, commuter daypacks, and convenience-store vinyl ponchos fail on mountain trails, how to choose the right specifications for your first hiking boots, backpack, and rain suit, and what to check when trying them on in a specialty mountain shop.

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Why These 3 Items Are Called the "Three Sacred Treasures" of Hiking

On paved city streets or a short tourist stroll, ordinary running shoes, a fashion backpack, and a folding umbrella work fine. On a mountain trail, however, three environmental realities change everything:

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1. How to Choose Hiking Boots (Tozangutsu): Cut Height, Sole Stiffness & Sizing

According to Montbell's Official Mountaineering Footwear Selection Guide, hiking footwear is categorized by ankle cuff height (low-cut, mid-cut, high-cut) and sole stiffness:

Comparing Low-Cut, Mid-Cut, and High-Cut Footwear

4 Checkpoints When Trying On Hiking Boots in a Store

1. Try Them On with Thick Trekking Socks in the Afternoon: Feet swell slightly by afternoon, and mountain socks are much thicker than everyday socks.
2. Check the "1 cm Finger-Width Rule" at the Heel: With the laces untied, slide your toes all the way to the very front of the boot; you should be able to slip one index finger (~1.0 to 1.5 cm) snugly behind your heel. If the boot is too tight, your toes will jam into the front on long descents; if too loose, your heel will rub and blister.
3. Lock Your Heel Before Lacing: Kick your heel gently backward into the heel cup, then lace snugly across the instep (甲) so your foot cannot slide forward on a downhill ramp.
4. Test on the Store's Sloped Ramp: Walk both uphill (checking that your heel doesn't lift) and downhill (confirming that your toes never touch the front toe box).

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2. How to Choose a Hiking Backpack (Zack): Capacity (Liters) & Back-Length Fit

In Japan, a hiking backpack is universally called a Zack (ザック, from the German Rucksack). As detailed in Montbell's Official Backpack Selection & Fitting Guide, choosing the right capacity and torso length is what makes a 7 kg load feel effortless.

Recommended Capacity by Hike Type

Beginner Rule of Thumb: If you want one versatile backpack that handles everything from weekend day hikes in spring, summer, and autumn to a 1-night stay in a mountain hut, choose a 28 L to 32 L trekking pack with a proper padded hip belt and rain cover.

How to Put On and Adjust a Backpack in 4 Steps

1. Loosen all straps first before hoisting the pack onto your shoulders.
2. Fasten the Hip Belt over Your Iliac Crest (Hip Bones): Position the center of the padded hip wings directly over the top bony ridge of your pelvis (腰骨の上)—not around your soft waist/stomach—and cinch firmly.
3. Snug the Shoulder Straps: Pull the shoulder straps down just enough to hug your back without lifting the weight off your hips.
4. Adjust the Load-Lifter Straps (Shoulder Stabilizers) & Sternum Strap: Pull the top load-lifter straps so the pack leans close to your upper back, and clip the chest strap across your collarbone (not too tight, so your chest can expand freely when breathing).

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3. How to Choose Mountain Rainwear: Two-Piece Suit, Hydrostatic Head & Breathability

In Japan's humid, rainy island climate, mountain safety guidelines (including the Nagano Prefecture Mountain Trail Grading & Equipment Guidelines (PDF)) treat a dedicated waterproof-breathable two-piece rain suit as mandatory equipment on every hike—even when the morning forecast is 100% sunny.

Why Your Rainwear Also Serves as Your Wind Shell

Above 1,000–2,000 meters, a 10 m/s wind drops the perceived temperature by roughly 10°C. A mountain rain jacket blocks 100% of wind, meaning it doubles as your primary windproof outer shell whenever you step onto a breezy ridge or stop for lunch.

Minimum Performance Specifications to Look For

Sizing Tip for Rainwear: Always try on rainwear over a fleece or light insulated jacket, and check that you can raise both arms and step your knee high without tightness across the shoulders or hips. Choose a bright, high-visibility color (red, orange, yellow, or bright blue) for your rain jacket—it makes you far easier to spot in fog, dusk, or a search-and-rescue situation.

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Budget & Buying Order: If You Can Only Buy One Item First

Buying all three items at once typically costs around 50,000 to 80,000 JPY total (Roughly 20,000–30,000 JPY for mid-cut boots, 15,000–25,000 JPY for a 30 L pack, and 18,000–35,000 JPY for a waterproof-breathable rain suit). If you are building your kit step by step, buy them in this strict priority order:

1. First Priority — Hiking Boots (Mid-Cut): Nothing can substitute for proper ankle support and sole grip on uneven trails, and breaking in your own boots before longer hikes prevents blisters and falls.
2. Second Priority — Waterproof-Breathable Rain Suit: Directly protects your life against sudden weather changes, cold wind, and hypothermia.
3. Third Priority — 30 L Trekking Backpack: Once your hikes exceed 3–4 hours, a framed hip-belt pack transforms your endurance and posture.

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Official References & Equipment Guides

• Montbell Official Guide — How to Choose Mountaineering & Trekking Footwear
• Montbell Official Guide — How to Choose & Fit a Trekking Backpack
• Nagano Prefecture — Mountain Trail Grading & Equipment Guidelines (PDF)