Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Enigma]

I've got a jacket I bought at MEC in Canada many years ago, but it's starting to fall apart. I'm debating whether to pick one up here, or waiting until the next time I'm in Canada.
So I'm wondering if anyone knows what companies here have high quality gore-tex jackets for wind and rain, for when I'm hiking and just going around town in bad weather. Korean men seem to love black North Face jackets, but I don't really care what the name is, as long as it's quality for a reasonable price.
Or are there any companies that ship jackets to Korea without costing an arm and a leg? I looked at MEC and it looks like $50 for shipping which seems a little ridiculous.

Thanks

[laguna]

[gava01]

american companies here in korea

Moutain Hardwear
Marmont
Lowe Alpine

I have all three and they are great and fit tall people


I think the best here in Korea

Millet Black Yak Kollen Sports

check out http://www.meetup.com/bucheon/ if you like to hike

[Weigookin74]

If you want warmth in Korea, the products here dont cut it. Even the ones that are American. The ones sold in Canada would use Thinsulate (greatest material ever made - very warm). But here, the same company will use Gore Tex or some similiar material. Prob is Gore Tex wasn't made for warmth; it was made for keeping out moisture and water vapor. My first year in Korea, my feet were always cold because of this. The jackets are ok though. Bought a North Face. But I discover LL BEAN ships to Korea. I ordered really warm boots, socks, gloves, long johns, etc. Haven't had a problem since. (Also stocked up at Marks Work Warehouse in August of last year. Got another pair of longjohns that were meant for working in the oil fields in Northern ALberta. Needless to say I was really warm this past winter while others were freezing. Ha ha)

[Weigookin74]

www.llbean.com

[Kurtz]

I'm in the market too.

I'm after a gore-tex outer shell rain jacket. I don't see many of that style here, I see mainly shorter wind stopper jackets that stop at the waist and don't seem suitable for rain unless you're wearing overpants.

The main brands in Korea have already been listed, but personally, I don't like stuff from the internet, a good fit is important and that's hard to do online.

Poke your head in a few shops and look out for a sale, I try to never pay full price for outdoor stuff, it's way way overpriced.

[le-paul]

i wouldnt bother wasting your money.
Gore tex is a semi permiable membrane that works on the premise that it is more humid on the inside than the out in order for it to be able to pass sweat through.
Korea can be pretty humid so it doesnt work well here except in the winter. Its designed to be used in alpine conditions where the air is dry for it to work (i know all thjis cos i used to work for a company that produced professional climbing equipment and we were always getting complaints becasue of this kind of thing).
I use a normal rain jacket here and it works just as well.
just my 2 pennies worth...
(if you must, try a proper climbing shop (asteryx, berghaus, northface, marmott etc - all make really good jackets).

[greenshirt]

[Weigookin74]

In mainstream Korean stores, you can't find thinsulate in winter, only GoreTex or comparible technologies. It gets cold enough here in winter overnight anyways, that I've used this material and it was cold. I had to import thinsulate material. I've been warm in winter ever since. But I like to hike and ride my bicycle in the cold. Gore tex or other waterproofing sold here in Korean outdoor stores are no good for that. Gore tex is ok maybe for spring and fall here before it gets too warm. But not for December to February. I'm talking gloves, boots, etc. I spent two years with cold feet and always pissed because of it before I wisend up and imported my thinsulate boots. Don't know why they dont use warmer material. Maybe they get it from Japan or something, which is much warmer in winter (except Hakkaido).

[TravelinSig]

along these same lines, does anyone know where I can buy a waterproof spray for coats and/or shoes? I've been looking around the little shops in my area but haven't been able to come across it.

[kardisa]

I have a Millet Gore-Tex shell (pro series) that I use for around town, long distance hiking, and winter climbing. It's was a bit expensive, but it's almost bombproof and definitely keeps the rain out. In the winter, just wear a fleece under it and you're be perfectly toasty.

I haven't seen a Millet store here, but you can find their merchandise in most of the dedicated hiking/climbing stores.

[Kurtz]

Just bought a nice Kolon Gore-tex jacket 40% off (paid 270,000 won), it looks the goods, have to put it through its paces to see what it's really like. I used to be hardcore in brand named outdoor gear, but unless I can find it at a friendly price, I'll give it a miss. Water proof jackets lose their waterproofness after about 3 years I find, I don't think running them through the washing machine helps.

I agree on layering for warmth. I prefer a shell jacket just to keep the rain off.

Anyone seen any good Gore-tex water proof pants at a reasonable price?

[aphase]

check out okoutdoor. Theres a shop near dongdaemun, and I think one near mokdong.
They have a lot of different brands.
They also have a website.
okoutdoor.com

[is so delicious]

You like saying Gore-Tex, don't you?

[redaxe]