“Star” and “Moon”: Two Trail Packs, Two Purposes

Murai joined the Goldwin business division in 2024. At the time, Goldwin’s only trail running pack was the Goldwin Star Trail Pack, designed for speed-oriented racing. As part of a broader strategy to expand the lineup for runners taking on longer trail distances, development began on the Goldwin Moon Trail Pack, drawing on Murai’s own experience in ultra running.

Murai:

“Goldwin already had the Star Trail Pack, and its strengths were clear: a short overall length for low weight, a secure fit, minimal bounce, and reduced pressure around the abdomen. With the Moon Trail Pack, the goal was to carry those strengths forward while increasing storage capacity and improving ease of use—even under the extreme fatigue that comes with long hours on the trail.”

The Moon Trail Pack’s most distinctive visual feature is its crescent-shaped reverse-opening zipper.

“The Moon Trail Pack is defined by that crescent-shaped opening, but the reason behind it is very practical. By creating a wide opening, we made it easier to quickly reach items stored lower down on the back panel. The curve naturally resembled the arc of a crescent moon, and because we already had the Star Trail Pack, we thought, why not make it ‘star and moon’? In the end, the crescent shape felt right. But getting there involved many ideas, many forms, and repeated prototyping with the equipment development division and design team as we pursued storage capacity, ease of use, and minimal bounce.”

Murai:

“Where the Star Trail Pack is focused on quick, instantaneous operability for speed races, the Moon Trail Pack feels more like something for a long journey. It is designed to make items in the lower section easier to access, and it can also be customized with the included bungee cord to expand carrying capacity. For example, trekking poles can be secured to the vertical pocket on the right side using the cord, which adds storage options outside the main compartment. The poles don’t interfere with the body at all, and because ultra races often require a lot of mandatory gear and packs can easily become heavy, we paid close attention to reducing weight down to the level of individual milligrams.”

She also points to the balance between close fit and flexibility.

Murai:

“We used stretch mesh from the bottom through the sides, so the pack fits securely around the torso while still allowing enough give to accommodate breathing. Because that stretch is already built into the body of the pack, the chest strap on the Moon Trail Pack uses a non-stretch material to prioritize ease of operation, unlike the Star Trail Pack. That said, the side of the strap that doesn’t require adjustment still allows for some stretch. The reason for this is simple: as the race goes on and you consume gels and fluids, you may want to tighten the overall fit. We also assumed there would be many moments—during climbs and descents, for example—when runners would need to adjust the strap.”

Ease of operation was a constant theme in development.

“The magnetic buckle was chosen because it is easy to open and close, slides smoothly, and locks securely. That decision came from my own experience as well as feedback from testers. I’ve had many situations where my hands stopped working properly—when they were numb from the cold, or in desert races when I was dehydrated. Those experiences made me think carefully about what kinds of components and adjustments would make fine movements easier in real race conditions.”

At the same time, she approaches product development with a deliberate sense of distance from her own instincts.

Murai:

“One thing I always try to remember when planning and developing products is to question what I personally think is good—at least once. I try to gather as many testers as possible and analyze things objectively, from a broader perspective. I use my own experience mainly to make the image more concrete when thinking through those findings. But in the end, I always arrive at something I can believe in completely—something I feel 120 percent confident about.”

Murai:

“An ultra is such a long and demanding journey that by the time I reach the finish, I’m often past the point of even feeling a sense of achievement. After finishing, it’s almost like a state of emptiness. But each time I complete that kind of challenge, I feel myself becoming calmer and more grounded as a person. I’ve run Hasetsune—the Japan Mountain Endurance Race, 71.5 km—eight times, and Mt. FUJI 100 ten times. Looking back, I realize I’ve approached racing by returning to the same events again and again. But even when the race is the same, the environment is never the same. Nature changes, I change, and there’s something deeply interesting about working through whatever appears in front of me each time.”

For Murai, the appeal of ultra-distance racing is inseparable from the way it places a person face-to-face with nature—and with themselves.

“The longer the distance, the more inevitable it becomes that you confront both yourself and the natural world. And having that kind of time in my life raises my overall sense of happiness. Whether I win, finish last, or come in anywhere in between, the joy I feel after finishing doesn’t change by even a millimeter.”

She sees something distinctly human in that desire to continue pushing beyond necessity.

“Unlike other animals that hunt simply in order to survive, I think humans are unique in being able to strive for self-fulfillment—to put effort into something beyond survival itself. When someone achieves something, it inspires others to try something even harder. Then the challenge expands—200 miles, 300 miles, and beyond. I think that drive to keep reaching for something further is part of what makes us human.”

Murai:

“This isn’t only about 100-mile races. I’d be happy if anyone who wants to take on longer distances would pick it up and try it—people aiming for 70 to 80 km middle-distance races as well. If it feels like a long distance or a long time out for that person, and they need to carry a certain amount of mandatory gear, I think this pack is worth considering.”

She also sees the pack as something that extends beyond trail racing alone.

“Outside the trail context, I think it also works well for things like city running—putting in your wallet, carrying back a few things you’ve bought, and moving through different situations without changing bags. I think we were able to make something that feels rational and minimal while still meeting practical requirements, with a design that connects different scenes seamlessly. I’d be happy if people also used it simply as a convenient tool for carrying what they need on a jog through the city. I’d love for anyone who sees running as part of their life’s work to try it at least once.”