Practicality Becomes a Key Trend Among Consumers in Their 20s and 30s
"Gorpcore" Craze Drives Demand for Lightweight, Functional Padded Jackets
Lightweight padded jackets are rapidly emerging as the key item for this year's fall and winter season. This trend is driven by the growing emphasis on practicality among consumers in their 20s and 30s, which is spreading across the entire fashion industry.
According to the fashion industry on October 26, LF Mall reported a 30% year-on-year increase in searches for "lightweight" and a 109% increase for "lightweight padded jacket." Analysts attribute this surge in demand to the rapidly changing seasons, which have shortened the transitional period between summer and winter.
While lightweight padded jackets were previously considered mainly as inner layers for outdoor activities, they are now being worn as urban daily outerwear. As the "Gorpcore" (a combination of Gore-Tex and Normcore) style-popular among running and hiking enthusiasts-gains traction in everyday life, so-called "light outerwear" that is lightweight and easy to move in has become an essential item.
Lightweight padded jackets hanging at a clothing store in Myeongdong, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Lightweight padded jackets are particularly appealing to consumers in their 20s and 30s because they are more affordable and easier to care for than heavy padded jackets, and they can be layered under coats and jackets. Their versatility for use as inner or standalone outerwear across multiple seasons is another strong advantage.
In response, Musinsa Standard expanded its lightweight padded jacket lineup from two to eight styles for this fall/winter season. Reebok also introduced a new "lightweight padded jacket category" between its existing windbreakers and heavy padded jackets. Teton Bros. increased its supply by more than 20 times compared to last year, while major brands such as Hazzys, New Balance, and Uniqlo have launched a wide range of products with diverse fillings, fits, and colors.
For popular items, the resale market is also expanding, particularly for collaborations and limited editions, with some products fetching premium prices on resale platforms. The North Face's "Ventus Jacket" sold out within 40 minutes of its release, and on the limited edition trading platform KREAM, the silver color version traded for 588,000 won-about 2.7 times its retail price of 218,000 won. The North Face has more than doubled its production of lightweight padded jackets in response to demand.
Industry experts predict that this trend will not be a short-lived fad but will continue for the foreseeable future. This is due to shorter winters caused by abnormal weather patterns and a shift in consumer behavior toward prioritizing practicality over conspicuous consumption.
An industry insider commented, "As the boundaries between running, commuting, and everyday fashion become increasingly blurred, the lightweight padded jacket market is likely to continue its strong growth."
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