'Wear This and Feel Better': Recovery Fashion Sparks Frenzy, Market Poised for 1.5 Trillion Won Boom
Creatrip Team
20 days ago
Fashion tech is evolving toward wellness as brands introduce "recovery wear"—clothing and footwear made with special materials that help blood flow and aid physical recovery simply by wearing them. South Korea’s Musinsa (musinsa) is planning to launch a recovery line as soon as next month, and 3–4 local brands including outdoor labels like NEPA (nepa) are reviewing entries into the market. The technology uses yarns that absorb body heat and re-emit it as far-infrared radiation to locally activate circulation. Material makers such as Hyosung TNC developed these specialty fibers years ago, but consumer interest surged only recently with global wellness trends.
Japan’s market is growing fastest: research projects expansion from about ¥18.9 billion in 2024 to ¥170 billion by 2030 (roughly 1.5 trillion won). Leading Japanese firm Tenshal (BAKUNE brand) has posted rapid sales and is expanding into bedding, sandals and collaborations like Pokémon. In Korea, recovery shoes with special midsoles and ergonomic design have already seen strong growth—some imported brands reported sales rises of dozens to hundreds of percent after launch. Interest in wearable health devices, such as the Oura Ring, is also boosting demand. Industry watchers say the success of Musinsa Standard’s recovery line will be a key barometer for wider industry adoption.
