Ruy Ueda on the Appeal of the Goldwin Star Trail Pack

In 2026, Goldwin entered into both an athlete support agreement and a race pack partnership with professional mountain runner Ruy Ueda. Ueda describes a race pack as “one of the most important pieces of gear—something that must keep functioning as part of your body, even during intense movement.”
This time, we spoke with him about why he chose the Goldwin Star Trail Pack, how it performs in racing, and the details he values most.

His First Race as a Goldwin Athlete

Ruy Ueda has long been one of the leading figures in Japanese trail running, with a strong record on the international stage as well. In 2026, he finished second at the Mt. FUJI 100 ASUMI 40k, won the NIPPON TRGP CENTRAL ALPS 38k in a new course record, and claimed back-to-back victories at the Fuji Mountain Race Summit Course.
Even so, he reflects on the season with characteristic composure.

Ueda:
“In February I had an ankle issue, in March a muscle strain, and in May I was dealing with shin splints and fibula-related problems. Because of that, I couldn’t train consistently. At ASUMI, I was leading for much of the race but got passed late on. CENTRAL ALPS was a good race in terms of the result, but considering how training had been, I’m not sure how repeatable that performance really was.”
Still, ASUMI held special meaning. It was a Goldwin-supported race and his first since the partnership announcement.

Ueda:
“It brought the right kind of pressure. To be honest, based on training, I didn’t have much confidence going in. But I still managed to finish as the top Japanese runner and ran faster than last year’s race-record pace. As my first race as a Goldwin athlete, I think it was a solid start.”

The “Right Answer” for an Athlete Who Is Particular About Gear

Unlike many top athletes, Ueda does not have an exclusive footwear contract. He remains “shoe free,” choosing different models depending on distance, terrain, elevation gain, and weather conditions.
That makes it especially interesting that he arrived at the Goldwin Star Trail Pack as his preferred race pack.

Ueda:
“In 2023, I saw Yuya Kawasaki using the Goldwin Star Trail Pack and thought it looked great. I started racing with it myself in 2024. At the time, I was still free with packs too, so I tried many different models. What I liked about this one was the firm base fabric. It doesn’t stretch much, so it reduces bounce. You don’t see many race packs using that kind of harder material.”
For Ueda, stability is not a small detail—it is central to performance.

Ueda:
“At the speed I race now, minimizing movement really matters. I also like the length of the pack. It sits close to the neck in just the right way. With some other packs, the vest section runs too long and interferes below the ribs. If it doesn’t stay neatly within the ribcage area, it creates pressure, and once that reaches the diaphragm, it becomes uncomfortable. This pack is compact, stays within that area, and doesn’t interfere with arm swing. That’s a big part of why I like it.”
He also points to the importance of how the pack manages weight distribution.

Ueda:
“There are two pockets in the main compartment, plus storage up high, so if you place items there, you can keep the center of gravity higher. That helps the pack feel more stable. For the kinds of races I do most often now—where mandatory gear is relatively limited and speed matters—this pack feels like the right answer. At the same time, the outer fabric has excellent stretch, so it can still carry gels and other essentials well. Kawasaki has even raced 100 miles with it.”

A Desire to Refine and Develop Gear Further

When asked what he values most about the Goldwin Star Trail Pack, Ueda names five points:
1. minimal bounce thanks to the firm base fabric
2. low weight and compact length
3. non-absorbent fabric that does not easily become heavy
4. stretch in the storage areas for carrying capacity
5. easy access to each pocket without relying on zippers
He also spoke about how those details matter during the race itself, such as when pulling out a shell or preparing drinks at an aid station.

Ueda:
“This pack has no zippers. If I store my shell in the upper rear area, it’s easy to reach because it stays high on the back. With some other packs, gear drops lower and becomes harder to access. I also use the lower rear pocket a lot when making my own special drinks. During a race, instead of relying only on aid-station drinks, I often want my own calories or electrolytes. So I carry powder in a flask, then add water at the aid station. I keep those flasks, including spares, in the lower pocket.”
At the same time, Ueda is clear that even a preferred product can still evolve.

Ueda:
“Until 2026, I was free to choose any pack, and through trying different models, I became very clear about what works for me and what doesn’t. That said, I still haven’t found a pack that is 100 percent perfect. Even with the Goldwin Star Trail Pack, it’s not that there’s zero room for improvement. That’s exactly why the partnership with Goldwin is meaningful. It’s easier to communicate what I want, and the dialogue is very open. It’s also a Japanese brand, which matters to me. I think it’s a very good environment for future updates and development.”

Continuing to Grow as an Athlete

In early July, Ueda returned to his alma mater, Saku Chosei High School, where he participated as a guest coach in the school’s junior athlete development program. Although injuries made his own high school years difficult, the mountain walking sessions he did at the time became part of the foundation for the climbing strength he is known for today.
This July, he successfully defended his title at the Fuji Mountain Race Summit Course. Looking ahead, he will race 60 km in Chamonix this summer while continuing to manage the effects of injury.

Ueda:
“I’m still dealing with injuries, but compared with how difficult things were in high school, I can stay positive. Testing and data have shown clearly that climbing is one of my strengths. The steeper it gets and the longer the climb continues, the more it suits me. In Chamonix, the 50 km category now includes more runnable sections, but the course still emphasizes climbing. I’d like to move up through the field later in the race.”
His long-term ambitions remain firmly set on the top.

Ueda:
“I became world number one in skyrunning, but I want to reach the top in trail running as well. My goals are to win the Mountain & Trail Running World Championships in 2027 and 2029. Along the way, I’d also like to take on new challenges such as 100-mile races. I want to compete at an even higher level and race in many different places. I think my career will continue for a long time.”

Ruy Ueda

Professional Mountain Runner
Born on October 3, 1993, in Omachi, Nagano, Ruy Ueda began his athletics career in junior high school. At the well-known ekiden powerhouse Saku Chosei High School, he served as team captain in his final year.
After entering Waseda University, he joined a track and field club and won the Japan Mountain Endurance Race at the age of 21, becoming the youngest winner at the time. He later built his career in skyrunning, racing in high-altitude mountain terrain and earning world titles. In recent years, he has continued to collect victories mainly in short- and middle-distance trail races, while also looking toward new challenges such as 100-mile events.

World Titles
– 2019: No. 1 in the overall Skyrunner World Series rankings (the first Asian athlete to achieve this)
– 2021: Skyrunning World Championships in SpainVertical Kilometer: 1st place / Gold medal
　- Combined: 1st place / Gold medal
　- SkyMarathon: 3rd place / Bronze medal