Domestic Outdoor Brand's Down Jacket Wins Top Prize at International Design Competition for the First Time

Kolon FnC announced on April 28 that the "Eclipse Pack Down Jacket" by Helinox Wear, a brand under its umbrella, has won the highest honor, "Best of the Best," in the Product Design category at the prestigious international design competition, the Red Dot Design Award 2026. This marks the first time that a Korean outdoor apparel brand has received the top prize in this category.

The Red Dot Design Award is an international design competition hosted by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Germany. Along with iF and IDEA, it is recognized as one of the world's top three design awards.

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"Best of the Best" is the highest level of recognition, awarded to only a select few entries among all submissions. This winning product scored 98 out of 100 points.

The award-winning "Eclipse Pack Down Jacket" is the debut model of the "Edition" series, which is offered regardless of season. It was planned based on a design that bridges the gap between outdoor and everyday wear, as well as between gear and apparel. The market response was proven when the initial stock sold out within a month of its launch.

From a design perspective, its three-dimensional panel structure is tailored to the movements of the human body. Its curved-based design expands the range of motion and creates a natural silhouette when worn. The structure, composed of a total of 30 panels, reflects an approach that balances both functionality and form.

Material and weight-reduction technologies have also been incorporated. By using 7-denier nylon and 800-fill-power goose down, the jacket achieves a weight of approximately 320g, while a segmented panel structure helps reduce down leakage. Additionally, a packable system that allows for compression and portability enhances practical usability.

A Helinox Wear spokesperson stated, "Winning the highest award at Red Dot proves the identity of Helinox Wear as a 'wearable gear' brand, which goes beyond simple apparel to encompass precision engineering," and added, "As a 'collectible garment' with value for various consumers, we will continue to demonstrate unrivaled design competitiveness in the global outdoor market."

Meanwhile, Helinox Wear's Red Dot Design Award win will be officially announced on April 29, followed by an awards ceremony scheduled to take place at the Aalto Theater in Essen, Germany, on July 7.

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