Brand becomes sole label worldwide to accumulate 38 ISPO wins

Chairman Kang Tae-sun vows to expand partnerships in Europe

Black Yak President Kim Ik-tae (third from left) poses for a photo after receiving the grand prize at ISPO Amsterdam 2026. [BYN Black Yak]
Black Yak President Kim Ik-tae (third from left) poses for a photo after receiving the grand prize at ISPO Amsterdam 2026. [BYN Black Yak]

Black Yak announced Thursday that it won the grand prize and the Gold Winner award at ISPO Amsterdam 2026, the world's largest sports and outdoor trade fair, which opened Tuesday (local time) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Founded in Munich, Germany, in 1970, ISPO is a globally recognized trade fair where leading sports and outdoor brands showcase innovative technologies and products.

Black Yak entered products from its top-tier, high-performance DNS line, developed at its German research and development center, and swept both awards in the hiking and climbing category. The grand prize is the highest honor at the fair, awarded to just one product per category. Black Yak has now accumulated 38 ISPO awards — a record unmatched by any other brand in the world.

"This recognition reflects Black Yak's relentless research and advancement in functionality demanded by real mountain environments — from materials to structural design," Chairman Kang Tae-sun said. "We will continue to focus on developing products for mountaineers, drawing on the experience accumulated during Himalayan expeditions and the technological innovation of our German R&D center."

The award-winning products were built around the functional demands of high-altitude expeditions and professional mountaineering, using advanced materials and precise engineering to perform across a range of mountain conditions.

The grand prize went to the DNS Tulagi Stretch Gore-Tex Pro 3L Jacket, which uses top-grade Gore-Tex Pro three-layer stretch fabric to deliver outstanding waterproofing, windproofing, breathability and abrasion resistance. The Gold Winner award went to the Mazeno Ultra Light Insulated Shell Jacket, an ultralight shell jacket that combines the lightweight construction needed for high-intensity activity with thermal regulation.

Black Yak also operated a booth at ISPO themed "Himalaya to Amsterdam," recreating a Himalayan base camp. The company installed a geodome tent at the center of an open-plan space to evoke the atmosphere of a real high-altitude expedition base camp and displayed more than 40 key products.

Black Yak plans to accelerate the expansion of its retail network in major European markets — including the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and the Benelux countries — following its ISPO participation. "In step with the global campaign we have been running since earlier this year, we will also expand partnerships with those who can share our brand philosophy and vision in key European markets," Kang said.


soho0902@heraldcorp.com