Shoes for HYROX tested on sled and rowing: DARIMATI BR-001 Beige

My companion's been saying we need a shoe for daily wear and workouts — and that's exactly what popped into my head when I heard DARIMATI, the brand that sold out in the US, was finally opening its first pop-up in Korea!! Dragged my companion along and we zipped over to check it out!

The vibe on site was super lively, and I made the most of it — snagged the Chuseok special set at a ridiculous discount and jumped into a fun rowing machine event too. Here's my honest review!!

Where the DARIMATI pop-up store is, and how long it runs

The DARIMATI pop-up store runs from Monday, September 7 to Sunday, September 20, 2026, on the 4th floor U-PLEX of Hyundai Department Store Pangyo Branch (20 Pangyoyeok-ro 146beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, South Korea). Hours follow the department store's regular hours.

• Korea's first DARIMATI pop-up, with pop-up-exclusive Chuseok pricing
• Try on the BR-001 and pre-order the newly revealed model
• 30-second rowing machine challenge & lucky draw

Inside the Pangyo store known for shoes for HYROX

Arrived at the DARIMATI pop-up on the 4th floor of Hyundai Department Store Pangyo Branch!! You could feel the energetic, upbeat atmosphere right away!!! Seems like it's gotten super popular lately as a "shoe for HYROX" among people training for the November HYROX competition, and among gym, CrossFit and F45 folks — the store was packed with people trying on shoes!!! It sold out first in the US, and apparently the No. 1 CrossFit athlete Hasu Hyeon picked it too, so — say no more!!

There wasn't just shoes — there was also a cute lineup of t-shirts perfect for working out, so it was fun to browse together haha.

We also got a good look at the new BR-001 CORE BLACK unveiled at this pop-up (now up to size 300!) and pre-order info for the lighter, more comfortable lace-up new model VT-001 that was revealed for the first time!!

How the DARIMATI BR-001 felt: fit and grip in sled pushes and lunges

I tried on DARIMATI's flagship model, the BR-001, right there at the pop-up, and wow... the grip is genuinely insane haha. Not just for running — during sled pushes, lunges, and rowing, all those moves where you're pushing hard against the ground, my feet didn't slide at all, it held me firmly in place!

It's a hybrid product that combines grip with the stabilizing performance of a running shoe, so I immediately understood why people on site were saying "it doesn't slip at all" when pushing a sled haha.

Gray or Beige? Choosing a BR-001 color

While trying it on, I genuinely agonized over the color!! Between the clean-looking 'Gray' that launched first, and 'Beige,' which was added later after customer demand poured in... both were pretty, but seeing them in person, Beige looked more attractive and more luxurious!! In the end, our final pick was Beige! Haha.

Pop-up-only Chuseok deal: shoes alone or the full set?

Right now the DARIMATI pop-up store is running an exclusive Chuseok special, only on site!! The BR-001 alone is 22% off, down from ₩179,000 to ₩139,000, and the set (BR-001 + running cap + shoe laces/insoles) is 32% off, down from ₩216,000 to ₩149,000.

The price gap between the single pair and the set wasn't that big, and the cap was honestly so pretty!! I tried it on and the fit was great and stylish, so I couldn't resist and just went with the set haha. FYI, the shoes are my companion's, the cap is mine haha.

What the name DARIMATI means: the 'dari' bridges of the Han River

There were magazines displayed on one side of the store, and curious, I asked a staff member about it haha. Turns out 'DARI' in DARIMATI actually refers to the bridges (다리, 'dari') over Seoul's Han River!!!

They said the magazine was made to introduce Han River running culture and the beautiful bridge scenery to foreign and global runners haha. Ohh, hearing that explanation made me want one!! And then I actually got one. HOW????????

The 30-second rowing machine challenge and lucky draw goods

An event running at the DARIMATI pop-up store!! It's the 30-second rowing machine challenge haha. I can never walk past something like this haha, so I jumped right in!! Pulling for dear life for 30 seconds, you really do go "that's a workout, that's a workout!!" haha. Even while rowing, the DARIMATI shoes held my feet steady, so I could pull comfortably and powerfully!

And thanks to all that enthusiastic pulling!! I won a spot in the lucky draw and scored both the DARIMATI magazine I'd been dying to get and a foldable water bottle to use while working out haha. Hehe, so happy!!

Unboxing the BR-001 Beige set: what comes in the box

As soon as I got home, I excitedly started unboxing the shoe box!! The box design alone is so clean!!

The moment I lifted the lid, the gorgeous BR-001 in Beige revealed itself!! It looked pretty under the store lights too, but seeing it at home with the actual packaging, it's even more subtle and full of character haha. Seeing the set contents — the snug-fitting running cap and the thoughtful extra shoe laces/insoles — all neatly packed in, satisfaction level 200%!! My companion tried it on too and kept smiling, saying how good it felt having the whole foot held securely.

Who the DARIMATI BR-001 is for

Shopping, a fun experience, and a haul of goodies too!! It's been a while since I got this much energy from a store visit — the DARIMATI pop-up store! Snagged an ultimate-grip shoe and a snug running cap at Chuseok discount prices, pulled full power in the rowing challenge, and even scored a magazine worth keeping — perfect haha.

If you've been looking for shoes for HYROX, or CrossFit shoes with strong grip for weight training, running, or gym workouts in general, I think you'll be totally satisfied! Works great for everyday stability too!! This pop-up only runs until Sunday, September 20, short but intense, so if you're in Pangyo this weekend for a date or an outing, or on your way home from work, swing by Hyundai Department Store Pangyo, try on the shoes, and definitely give the rowing challenge a shot!! Highly, highly recommend!!!