Nepa launches new hiking boots via crowdfunding
Korean outdoor brand Nepa recently launched its Sanarae Gore-Tex hiking boots (pictured) on local crowdfunding platform Wadiz, successfully raising more than 100 million won (around $85,000) within two days of the launch of the campaign on July 22.
The high-top footwear is reportedly able to relieve foot fatigue, due to its being optimised for “Korean feet”.
According to a widely cited 2006 study by Deok-Hyeon Seong, Ui-Seung Jeong and Yong-Ju Jo in the Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea, the adult Korean foot shape can generally be categorised into three groups for males: the ladder, inverted triangle and square types, plus four for females: the triangular, ladder, inverted triangle and square types.
To allow potential customers to physically try on the shoes, a dedicated exhibition zone is now open until August 15 in Seoul’s experiential Space Wadiz store.
Local media said that Nepa is also currently working alongside the Korea Forest Service to encourage consumers to donate via Wadiz to help save an endangered native tree species.
In a separate but similarly eco-conscious effort, buyers of the brand’s products will receive kits designed for “plogging” (a term used to describe the combination of picking up litter while jogging).
Korean media further reported that year-on-year sales of Nepa hiking boots increased by 50% between January and July of this year.
Image: Fashionbiz.
