There is a wind- and water-proof jacket made from a special fabric 15 times stronger than steel. There's also a jacket where the wearer can control the inside temperature and humidity using a smartphone app.

These are just two of the products made by a Korean outdoor clothing maker that received praise from outdoor sports companies from around the world.


The Korean outdoor clothing maker Black Yak received a total of 11 awards at the ISPO Awards 2016 that took place in Munich, Germany, on Jan. 26. The ISPO exhibition has been held since 1970, and about 2,500 brands from 110 countries took part in this year’s trade fair.

Black Yak’s winners included products from its new “Europe Collection” that's composed of high functioning alpine products, and its IT-equipped "smart" outdoor jacket, the Yak On. This is the most awards won by a single company since 1970 when the award ceremony began.

The Europe Collection is composed of three lines, which include the Pali and Maiwa lines. The Pali line is the result of Black Yak’s three-year research and development program. The Maiwa line features useful functions that can be used in various outdoor conditions.

The “Emergency Jacket” is part of the Pali line. Designed for use in case of emergency outdoor conditions, this jacket is so light that it weighs only 71 grams and wearers can carry it with ease. It's made from Dyneema, a special fabric that's 15 times stronger than steel, and it's both water- and wind-proof. The jacket is highly flexible and wearers can wear it with a heavy down jacket.

Another prized product is the Yak On jacket that features "smart" technology. Wearers can control both the inside temperature and the inside humidity of the jacket using a smartphone app, as the jacket is made from a special fabric that provides heat and power from the smartphone through a special internal device. Users can fine tune the temperature in four stages through the smartphone app. Users don't need to separate the heating element inside the jacket, either, as it's also machine washable.



In an interview, ISPO CEO Klaus Dittrich praised Black Yak’s technology, saying that innovation allowed the company to win the most awards. He added that it's no surprise that a company like Black Yak wins awards for products that are made with record-breaking technologies in a range of fields, including design.

Black Yak has been participating in the ISPO since 2012. It began to receive attention when its BIXG1 jacket won an award in the Asian Products category in 2013 for its water-proof, warming and moisture permeable functions.

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Black Yak
arete@korea.kr