"Exercising Alone"... Surge in 'Honrunning' Product Releases

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] The thirst for outdoor activities is growing amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As a result, the determination of the 'homebodies' who can no longer just stay at home and the pent-up running desires of confined runners have exploded, leading to a surge in interest in 'solo running' that can be enjoyed alone.

‘Untact’ and ‘sports,’ which seemed completely incompatible, have evolved into contactless sports due to the impact of COVID-19. ‘Untact running’ and ‘solo running’ have emerged as optimal sports that anyone can easily enjoy while maintaining social distancing, as they carry a low risk of contact with others. Additionally, as they are known to help overcome COVID blues along with physical health, the number of night owl and early morning runners across generations is increasing. In response, the distribution industry is continuously introducing various items for the ‘solo running tribe’ who are deeply immersed in exercising alone, including basic items such as running shoes and sportswear, as well as smartwatches and dedicated sunscreen products.

According to industry sources on the 2nd, Fila recently launched the performance running shoe ‘WAVELET ALPHA,’ focused on outdoor activities. The WAVELET ALPHA was born by integrating the technology of Fila’s own shoe research center, ‘Fila Global Lab,’ boasting optimal comfort during outdoor activities through midsole cushioning and enhanced outsole support. In particular, Fila’s self-developed ‘Energized 2.0 Alpha’ foam applied in the midsole stands out for its solid rebound and excellent elasticity.

It is also suitable for outdoor activities on hot summer days. This is because it combines translucent ‘monomesh,’ which has superior durability, breathability, and lightness compared to regular mesh, with ‘sandwich mesh’ woven by layering multiple yarns, providing excellent ventilation. A flag pattern using a seamless technique is attached to the front of the upper, firmly supporting the side of the foot when worn to enhance stability. As a ‘runner item’ designed with running activities in mind, it is also perfect for everyday walking and light outdoor activities.

LF’s sportswear brand ‘Jill Stuart Sports’ introduced the packable running wear ‘NEO-Pack’ series. The NEO-Pack series is optimized sportswear for running, made with lightweight and highly elastic materials, and features a packable design for easy portability. The windbreaker jumper can be transformed into a sling bag using a buckle belt, and 3M reflective taping is used as logo printing to enhance safety and usability, especially during night running.

Smart device specialist Garmin launched the smartwatch ‘Vivoactive 4’ series equipped with a blood oxygen saturation measurement function. It includes various activity profiles such as walking, running, golf, swimming, and yoga, tracking the wearer’s exercise patterns. Moreover, it measures blood oxygen saturation 24 hours a day just by wearing it, making it usable as a medical item in daily life.

Runners concerned about harsh sunlight are advised to use smart sun care products. Nature Republic’s ‘California Aloe Matte Sunblock (SPF50+)’ applies the highest UV protection rating of PA++++, providing powerful UV blocking effects and simultaneously blocking infrared rays that penetrate deeply into the skin and accelerate aging. It also contains California aloe ingredients, which soothe skin sensitized by UV exposure with rich moisture.

How about wearing Oakley sports sunglasses ‘Sutro Vented’ on top? The frame made of durable yet lightweight O Matter material offers excellent comfort, and the nose pads use Unobtainium rubber material to prevent slipping even with sweat. It provides clear vision with stark color contrast and uses UV-blocking prism lenses, fulfilling the primary function of sunglasses. The Sutro Vented is a limited edition with added ventilation features compared to the existing model, making it an even more stylish running item.

A Fila representative said, “In a situation where outdoor activities for long hours are difficult, the desire for active movements such as exercise has accumulated and been expressed, leading to a surge in interest in ‘solo running,’ a form of exercise enjoyed alone. Running is a sport that anyone can enjoy without burden while maintaining social distancing, and the distribution industry, centered on the fashion sector, is continuously releasing products to meet consumer needs. We expect this trend to further expand and diversify in the future.”