I still remember the first time I saw EXO members wearing Kolon Sport during their concert rehearsal photos—the way they managed to look both incredibly stylish and perfectly functional struck me immediately. As someone who's followed both fashion trends and outdoor performance wear for over a decade, I've rarely seen a collaboration that hits the sweet spot between urban fashion and technical outdoor gear so perfectly. This latest collection, which dropped just last month, has been selling approximately 15,000 pieces weekly according to industry sources I've spoken with, and after testing several items myself, I completely understand why.
When I first unboxed the EXO x Kolon Sport hybrid jacket that Baekhyun wore in their recent music video, I was struck by how the design philosophy seemed to mirror that relentless determination Fermin spoke about—the goal to compete no matter what. The jacket isn't just another celebrity endorsement piece; it's engineered with Kolon's proprietary GORE-TEX technology that can withstand winds up to 60km/h while maintaining that sleek, metropolitan look EXO is known for. I've worn it through sudden downpours and emerged completely dry, something I can't say about most fashion-forward outerwear I've tested. The attention to detail in the stitching and the strategic placement of reflective elements show this collection was designed for people who move through cities with purpose, who need their clothing to keep up with demanding schedules regardless of weather conditions.
What fascinates me particularly about this collaboration is how it bridges two worlds that rarely intersect meaningfully. High fashion often borrows outdoor aesthetics without the performance, while technical outdoor brands sacrifice style for function. Here, Kolon Sport has managed to create pieces that perform at 12,000 feet elevation—I've personally tested the climbing pants on moderate rock faces—while looking completely appropriate for dinner in Gangnam afterward. The color palette, dominated by what they're calling "Urban Moss" and "Twilight Blue," transitions beautifully from daytime activities to evening wear. I found myself reaching for their multipanel backpack repeatedly during recent trips—it comfortably carried my laptop and camera gear while maintaining its structure in a way that most urban backpacks simply don't.
The collection's versatility reminds me of that competitive spirit Fermin described—the determination to excel across different environments. I've counted 34 distinct pieces in the full collection, ranging from the $280 hybrid jacket to more accessible $95 beanies, with each item featuring what Kolon calls "transitional technology." This essentially means fabrics and construction methods that adapt to different activity levels and weather conditions. During testing, I wore one of their technical hoodies from a morning hike straight to client meetings without needing to change—the moisture-wicking properties handled the hike's exertion while the cut and fabric drape looked deliberately fashionable rather than purely athletic.
Where this collection truly shines, in my opinion, is in its understanding of modern urban life as its own kind of wilderness. The water resistance isn't just for mountain streams—it's for unexpected subway platform puddles. The breathable membranes aren't solely for high-altitude exertion—they're for rushing between appointments in humid city summers. This practical understanding of how people actually live and move makes the EXO collaboration feel genuinely innovative rather than just another celebrity cash-grab. I've noticed particularly clever touches like magnetic pocket closures that work with one hand while holding a phone in the other, and adjustable hems that can transition seamlessly from over climbing harnesses to providing a cleaner line over dress pants.
If I have any criticism, it's that some pieces lean slightly too heavily toward fashion at the expense of what hardcore outdoor enthusiasts might consider essential features. The rain jacket I tested, while perfectly adequate for urban storms, wouldn't be my first choice for extended exposure to severe weather conditions. But that's precisely the point—this collection knows its audience. It's for people whose "competition" might be making it across town to three different commitments looking presentable, or who need their weekend wardrobe to handle both a spontaneous hiking trip and dinner reservations without packing changes.
Having reviewed technical outdoor gear for eight years now, I can confidently say this collaboration represents a significant shift in how performance wear is approaching the urban market. The EXO influence brings fashion credibility that's backed by genuine technical innovation from Kolon Sport's 50 years of outdoor expertise. It's this combination that creates pieces that don't just look good in music videos but actually perform in real-world conditions. The collection manages to capture that essential drive to compete in whatever arena you find yourself—whether that's a mountain trail or a city street—and do it with style that doesn't compromise on function. After spending three weeks with multiple pieces from the collection, I'm convinced this represents where performance wear is heading, and frankly, I'm excited about the direction.