CreatripTeam

Global outdoor brand The North Face will launch a new road running shoe line worldwide, including South Korea, starting next S/S season as it expands beyond trail gear. The move targets a booming running market driven by a post-COVID “running boom” and fashion-conscious MZ generation; South Korea’s sneaker market topped about ₩4 trillion last year, with running shoes estimated over ₩1 trillion. Competition is intense — established giants (Nike, Adidas, Asics, New Balance) face challengers like On and Hoka, and high-performance carbon shoes (20–30만원) often sell out and resell at double prices. Retailers are beefing up running categories with dedicated stores, rental services, community runs, and experiential hubs to capture runners’ demand.