The Korea Consumer Agency announced on November 5 the results of a quality and safety assessment of eight popular running jacket models during a press briefing at the Fair Trade Commission’s press room in the Government Complex Sejong. The photo shows an agency official examining the tested products. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 6 (Korea Bizwire) — Nearly half of running jackets tested in South Korea lost their water-repellent performance after several washes, a government consumer watchdog said Wednesday.
The Korea Consumer Agency tested eight popular running jacket brands and found that four of them showed weakened water repellency after five washes. The test rated water repellency on a scale from zero to five, with five being the highest.
Before washing, all eight products were rated at level five. After five washes, however, the water repellency of four models—New Balance UNI Sports Essential Windbreaker, Descente Running Warm-Up Windbreaker, Adidas Adizero Essential Running Jacket, and Under Armour UA Launch Hooded Jacket—fell to level three.
The other four products—Nike Repel Miler, Andar Clear Feather Men’s Wind Jacket, Xexymix RX Air Light Jacket, and Fila PERTEX Lightweight Windbreaker—maintained the top rating.
The test also assessed body heat retention and air permeability, two features that often trade off against each other. Nike, Descente, Andar, and Under Armour products showed strong thermal retention, while New Balance, Adidas, and Xexymix performed better in ventilation, allowing sweat to escape efficiently during running.
The jackets’ prices ranged from 89,000 won (Adidas Adizero Essential) to 199,000 won (Descente Warm-Up Windbreaker), a difference of more than twofold.
The agency cited Nike’s 115,000-won Repel Miler as offering the best value for money, maintaining its top water-repellent rating while scoring well in both warmth and breathability.
The Korea Consumer Agency advised consumers to choose running jackets based on “the right balance of functionality, design, durability, and price according to personal needs and running conditions.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
