Korean Job Discussion Forums

[RufusW]

Hey,

I'm looking to buy some proper hiking gear in Seoul. Does anyone know any proper hiking/mountaineering stores in Seoul?

Specifically, good quality rucksacks/backpacks, I'm talking large, top-quality bags...

Any information would be much appreciated :)

[Eglayzer]

www.okoutdoor.com

The are the REI of Korea, although they are not a Co-op. They are the largest chain hiking store in the country. Good prices and they carry both international brands as well as domestic. The selection is big but not always consistent. Get their discount card when you go there and you will get %20 off your first purchase so make it BIG!

The OKOutdoor flagship store is in Seoul. Dongdaemun History Park Station on line 1. I can't remember the exit number I think its five. It is in the basement of a large building so just look for a green sign with their logo. If you need more specific directions I will be going there in the near future and can confirm the exit number for you. You can also PM me and I can just take you there!

[thomas pars]

Ok outdoors is one of the most overpriced hiking stores in Korea.
113,000 Won for a Cap. 3 baselayer top? Last time I looked it was 49 bucks at REI.

Do yourself a favor. Try on all the stuff you would like to buy from any hiking store that sells good quality gear here. Then order the stuff from REI, Moosejaw. etc etc. You'll earn points and even with the postage you will save tons of money.

The other thing that REALLY infuriates me here about buying hiking gear is that the concept of lifetime guarantee is virtually unheard of. Say I buy a pair of boots back at REI. After some hiking I find they heel slip and cause blisters. I can turn them in, money back guarantee 100% of the time.
In Korea? They have after service! They will try and fix the problem and in the mean time you wait! Or say I buy a insulating jacket that claims to breathe well. I try it out and it turns out to be a sauna. Guess what? I'm stuck with it. It is almost impossible to return anything here. It is unheard of here. They look at you like youre crazy. It is kinda like when you ask to test drive a bike before you buy it here. They just don't do it.

So buy your gear online ship it over.

Try on all the nice foreign gear at the base of any popular mt.

Good luck and if you got the other way don't say i didnt warn you.

[Eglayzer]

This is all mostly true. Foreign brands are significantly more expensive here than in the US. So what else is new? Its still one of the cheapest places to buy outdoor gear in the country. Also, Korean brands are not as expensive if you can find something that is serviceable.

I also hate Korean return policies. If you wear it they wont take it back! Crazy. Ordering from REI is an option but a lot of gear that REI sells cant be shipped to Korea, things like stoves, or bulky stuff like bikes. Also, OKoutdoors, LIKE EVERY STORE IN KOREA, has sales. Often times I can find stuff on sale there that is actually cheaper than in the US.

Koreans have the mentality that they need to replace every single piece of their kit annually so that they can fit in with their mounting buddies. Last years stuff that didnt sell sometimes goes for 50-70% off.

I have ordered from REI before but it also has its problems. If you dont like a jacket you ordered from REI are you going to pay for the shipping to return it anyways? I ordered a tent from them and got hit with the importation fee as well. If you have some time before you need your kit just go to all the different outdoor shops, including OKoutdoor and all the little shops are Jangno 5, and buy it when it goes on sale.

[thomas pars]

i second the "finding cheaper gear here". i have found some outlet centers that have marked off shirts, shorts, pants...mostly hiking clothes to ridiculously low prices. But for large items, tents, bikes, packs, bags, the price is 50 sometimes 60% markup

I never order direct from the company and ship here. I order it to my parents/friends house. They mark on it gift or second hand and I have never had to pay an import tax.

And yeah Koreans will replace each new piece of gear cause it looks cooler than last years, or it is 30grams lighter.

Yeah shipping back from Korea would be very expensive. Still i wouldn't buy a tent for 700 $ that sells for 300 in America. I just refuse to be hosed to that degree. Worst case scenario your tent from REI sits around till you return it when you head back to home.