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Two people with bikes by the river, carrying a white shoulder bag and a green mesh tote

Brand Portrait · Korea

CAYL: climb as you love

A Seoul label that grew out of climbing, not fashion, and still ended up shaping how a city dresses for the mountains.

Live from Seoul

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From Zurich
8'768 km

The name is the whole idea: Climb As You Love. CAYL started in Seoul in 2011 and came from people who climb, boulder and hike, not from the fashion world. That origin still shows in every seam.

Grey CAYL Baekdu 2 roll-top backpack with mesh pockets
Image: CAYL

01 / 03

From the crag to the city

According to Field Mag and Tatler Asia, CAYL was founded by Euijae Lee, who had no background in fashion and first made gear for himself, then for friends. The company is now based in Seoul's Yangcheon district.

What made CAYL famous outside Korea is how naturally its climbing clothes moved into everyday life. Its trousers have a cult following, and the look has become a reference for city dwellers who spend their weekends on the rock.

Black CAYL Cordura Shield hardshell jacket
Image: CAYL

02 / 03

More than the summit

For CAYL, climbing is an attitude rather than a technique: the effort, patience and growth you bring to everything you do. The brand describes outdoor gear as a keeper of memories, something that holds on to the moments you lived in it.

CAYL also wants to help local outdoor culture grow from within. It works with partners such as Brompton and stocks other outdoor brands next to its own.

Detail of black CAYL Cover Hiking Pants
Image: CAYL

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Built for Korean mountains

Korea's mountains are steep, rocky and close to the city, and CAYL's range reflects that: tough stretch trousers, a hardshell in CORDURA fabric, and the Baekdu 2, a roll-top pack named after the highest mountain on the Korean peninsula.

Your turn: how do CAYL trousers hold up on Swiss limestone? Add your own impressions here.

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The Kit

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  • CAYL

    Cover Hiking Pants

    ₩208,000

    Winter hiking trousers in stretch nylon with a brushed lining, water-repellent finish, side vents and six pockets.

    View at CAYL
  • CAYL

    Cordura Shield Jacket

    ₩378,000

    A three-layer waterproof hardshell in CORDURA fabric with pit zips, an adjustable hood and a reflective logo, at around 460 grams.

    View at CAYL
  • CAYL

    Baekdu 2

    ₩280,000

    A 55 to 57 litre roll-top pack with an aluminium frame for winter and long-distance trips. Named after Baekdu mountain and made in Korea.

    View at CAYL

Prices as listed on the brand's own website, November 2026.

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