HYROX running shoes tried at the Pangyo pop-up: DARIMATI BR-001

I visited the DARIMATI pop-up store held at Hyundai Department Store Pangyo Branch. DARIMATI is a performance footwear brand I only just discovered — one that focuses on the structure and function of the shoe rather than flashy technology. What stuck with me most was the brand story, which draws inspiration from the Han River and its bridges. So let me get into my review of trying on the DARIMATI BR-001 HYROX shoe at the Hyundai Department Store pop-up.

Who makes these HYROX shoes? The DARIMATI brand, named after Han River bridges

DARIMATI is a Korean performance footwear brand inspired by the Han River and bridge structures. Looking at the brand story displayed at the Hyundai Department Store Pangyo pop-up, even the name itself comes from that structure.

The name DARIMATI felt a little unusual to me at first. But looking at the brand story on display at the pop-up, it turns out the brand is inspired by the Han River and bridge structures. Under the philosophy 'Quiet Performance,' the direction is to focus on structure and function rather than over-displaying technology.

The explanation of 'Bridge Mechanics' — applying the principle of how legs efficiently distribute load to the shoe's structure — was interesting. The outsole even has the Korean text '양화대교' (Yanghwa Bridge) engraved on it. It felt like a distinct identity for DARIMATI, separate from overseas sports brands.

Inside the BR-001: one shoe for running and training

The DARIMATI BR-001 uses an A-TPU midsole, designed to bring together the responsiveness needed for running and the stability needed for training movements.

The BR-001 uses an A-TPU midsole. It's designed to consider the responsiveness needed for running while also delivering stability for training movements. In external testing, heel energy return of 67.5% and forefoot energy return of 68.7% were measured, they say. A stable core and wide platform are also applied to reduce foot wobble on landing. It's a structure that considers not just running but also exercises like lunges or sled pushes that require pushing hard against the floor, which is something people looking for HYROX shoes would find relevant.

I also took my time looking through the brochure at the pop-up. The BR-001 is officially introduced for HYBRID, GYM, FITNESS, and COURT use. It's a hybrid training shoe designed with running, jumping, lunges, direction changes, and even sled pushes and pulls in mind. 'ONE SHOE, EVERY MOVE.' — a phrase that captures the BR-001's identity as a single shoe for many different movements.

How the DARIMATI BR-001 feels and fits: cushioning and sizing

Trying on the DARIMATI BR-001 in person at the pop-up, the cushioning felt different from a purely soft running shoe. I chose the same size as my usual sneakers and it fit comfortably.

I tried on the BR-001 that was on display. The first thing I noticed was that the cushioning felt a little distinctive.

It definitely felt different from a purely soft running shoe. It had cushioning while also giving a sense of underfoot support, which made the description of it as a shoe designed with training in mind feel more convincing.

I also tried on and chose my size in person. I picked the same size I usually wear for sneakers, and it fit comfortably. It wrapped my foot appropriately without any uncomfortable tightness, and overall it felt like it held my foot steadily.

Accessories and apparel on display at the DARIMATI pop-up

The pop-up displayed not just the BR-001 but also accessories like running belts and pouches.

Apparel including striped T-shirts was also on display, showing that the brand isn't focused solely on exercise but also on styles that can naturally be worn in everyday life.

Trying the rowing machine race at the Pangyo pop-up

A rowing machine race was underway at the DARIMATI pop-up at Hyundai Department Store Pangyo Branch. I joined in wearing the BR-001.

A rowing machine race was also going on at the pop-up. I joined in myself, moving around while wearing the BR-001. Unlike just briefly trying the shoes on in the store, actually working out in them let me check the fit and support around my foot a bit more.

Riding the rowing machine, I repeated strong pulling and pushing motions. Being able to actually work out on-site like this made it a good way to experience what the BR-001 aims for as a hybrid training shoe. They're running a lucky draw event too, so give it a try!

DARIMATI BR-001 packaging and design details

The DARIMATI BR-001 packaging was neat from the box, and the finishing on the shoe itself felt well put together when I touched it.

I opened up the product box and took a closer look at the BR-001. The box itself was neatly designed, and touching the shoe directly, the overall finishing felt well put together. The brand mood I saw at the pop-up carried through naturally into the packaging and the product itself.

I also looked at the shoe's texture and the details of each part. Rather than just looking like a running shoe, I could see a structure designed with various types of exercise in mind, along with DARIMATI's own design identity.

Easing instep pressure with the dual lacing system

The BR-001's dual lacing system lets you adjust the forefoot and midfoot tightness separately, making it easy to fine-tune instep pressure to fit my foot.

One thing that caught my eye on the BR-001 was the dual lacing system. It lets you adjust the forefoot and midfoot tightness separately, so it was easy to adjust instep pressure to fit my own foot.

When I actually adjusted the laces and put them on, the feeling of my foot being held steadily became noticeably clearer.

Verdict after wearing the DARIMATI BR-001

Trying on the BR-001 myself, I felt it clearly aims to bring running shoes and training shoes together into one. From DARIMATI's brand story rooted in the Han River and its bridges, to the Korean-text detail reading '양화대교' (Yanghwa Bridge), to the structure built for hybrid workouts, the brand's identity came through clearly. I'm planning to keep wearing the BR-001 for running and various other workouts going forward, to experience its fit and feel during exercise a bit more.