BlackYak free hiking boot rental pilot targets non-Koreans
Seoul-based outdoor brand BlackYak recently launched Together Mountain, a pilot initiative targeted at non-Korean visitors (or resident “foreigners”) in South Korea.
In partnership with the capital’s Gangbuk district, home of Bukhansan national park, the brand is hoping to mitigate against health and safety accidents on the country’s mountains, in particular, notably caused by the wearing of improper footwear.
From BlackYak’s Ui-dong store initially, with scope to expand the project in the future, non-Koreans will be offered the opportunity to rent functional hiking boots for free. Gangbuk’s administrators will be responsible for washing and sterilising the boots after use.
The boots on offer will go up to 290 millimetres in foot length (around a UK men’s size 10.5), in order to better accommodate non-Koreans’ relatively large feet, local media said.
Naver (frequently referred to as “the Google of South Korea”) will facilitate a reservation system, which will allow users to select their desired size and colour, plus receive an optional 50% discount on BlackYak-branded socks and insoles.
“I hope that this Together Mountain campaign will be a good opportunity for foreigners seeking a safe and healthy mountaineering experience,” BlackYak chairman, Kang Tae-sun, commented.
The project will operate until May in its first iteration, followed by a September-November window later this year.
Image: Fashionbiz.
