[Hipple Hip Item] K2 Shinbal Research Lab Manager "The Secret to Shoe Innovation Is Data Collected on Foot"

The Only Domestic Footwear Research Lab Manager Lee Jeongho
Focused on Data Processing from Tens of Thousands of Test Results
20% of K2 Brand Sales Generated from Footwear

"Just as the taste of food varies depending on who makes it even when using the same ingredients, hiking boots (shoes) are the same. I want to find the optimal shoe composition tailored to the shape of Korean feet so that people feel comfort and safety no matter where they go in Korea."

Lee Jeong-ho, head of the K2 Footwear Research Lab, recently said this during an interview with Asia Economy at the K2 headquarters located in Jagok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, introducing the lab filled with shoe components.

Mr. Lee has devoted over 20 years of his career to shoe research. After completing his doctoral program, he was in charge of biomechanical performance evaluation of shoes at the Busan Footwear Industry Promotion Center. His work involved understanding shoes that fit the shape and movement of Korean feet. Thanks to this, he registered numerous patents related to shoe outsoles. Later, Mr. Lee, who was responsible for shoe research at LS Networks, joined the K2 Korea Footwear Research Lab in 2016.

Lee Jeong-ho, Head of the R&D Team at K2 Korea, is explaining about the Shoe Research Institute.
[Photo by Minji Lee]

K2 Korea is the company that first made the hiking boot 'Lowa' using domestic technology. It is the only domestic outdoor company operating a footwear research lab. Starting with two staff members including Mr. Lee in 2016, the team has grown to nine members. Recently, they have also been conducting research on materials related to footwear and apparel for other outdoor brands within the K2 group.

When one thinks of a research lab, it is easy to imagine sitting at desks studying materials, designs, and sole functions. However, the atmosphere at the K2 Korea Footwear Research Lab is different. Instead of desks, there are exercise machines and large equipment bigger than an adult male. On one side, a noisy machine was operating. It is a device that inserts denim fabric onto white cloth and rubs it to check how much friction causes color transfer.

There is also a machine covered with granite. Since 80% of Korea’s mountainous terrain is made of granite, this machine was brought in to personally verify how well shoe outsoles can withstand granite terrain and how much support they provide. Mr. Lee said, “It is important to create shoes by combining good materials and technology, but it is even more important to connect this to consumer satisfaction. By conducting tens of thousands of tests inside and outside the company, we quantify the results to identify areas for improvement and aspects that can be applied to other products.”

Testing the grip of hiking boots on granite tiles.
[Photo by K2 Korea]

Outside the company, the role of the 'Field Test Team' is crucial. The field test team receives shoes before production to evaluate the products. The team consists of about 30 students enrolled in the Sports Outdoor Department at Eulji University. Evaluators must walk and run up to 250 km over about 20 days, with shorter distances around 100 km.

The research lab has also developed a dedicated application (app) to monitor real-time feedback. The test team must take photos in various environments and write detailed notes on changes in comfort and sole feel. Since starting tests in 2018, the lab has collected foot data from over 2,000 people. This data is also reflected in planning future products. In fact, they recently released wide-fit shoes after determining that women’s foot shapes have changed to have wider forefeet.

A test application (app) created by K2 Shoe Laboratory. You can receive field test results in real time.
[Photo by Minji Lee]

It took a considerable amount of time for the footwear research lab to become established. Many within the company viewed the lab as inconvenient because it inserted itself into the planning, production, distribution, and marketing processes. Production must go through the lab. The lab returns data to the planning team based on public reactions and strict performance test results. Employees who receive harsh feedback or low scores reportedly found this uncomfortable.

K2’s shoe sales are overwhelmingly high in the outdoor industry. The annual sales of the K2 brand are about 450 billion KRW, with shoe sales accounting for nearly 20% (about 90 billion KRW). Considering that shoe sales typically make up 5-8% of total sales for outdoor brands, K2’s shoe sales lead competitors. This is thanks to strong demand for the 'X-grip' outsole developed by K2 itself.

The proportion of shoe sales is on an upward trend. Recently, interest in outdoor products has expanded across all age groups due to COVID-19, and hiking boots are now recognized not only as shoes for mountain climbing but also as comfortable footwear for everyday use. The 'Flyhike' series launched by K2 has sold over one million pairs since 2018, and recently, a lighter new model was added.

Mr. Lee’s goal is to develop a shoe brand that can compete in overseas markets as well. He believes that by combining K2 Korea’s current shoe technology with the data they will accumulate, they can create a brand like 'Arc'teryx.' Mr. Lee emphasized, "In the past, outdoor events were places where advanced countries like the U.S. and Japan showcased their technology, but now, looking at domestic technology, we are not far behind these advanced countries. I want to enhance shoe competitiveness and grow K2 into a company with sales in the 2 trillion KRW range."