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Korean long padding
- What
- A knee-length puffer, called 롱패딩 (long padding)
- Where to buy
- Musinsa Standard: Myeongdong, Hongdae, Seongsu
- Sale
- Musinsa Standard Super Sale, up to 80% off, until Nov 1, 2026
- Bring
- Your passport for the instant tax refund
The knee-length "long padding" (롱패딩) is Seoul's winter uniform. Where it came from, why it's almost always black, and where a visitor can pick one up in Myeongdong, Hongdae or Seongsu, with the passport tax refund.
Seoul in Jan 2018 · Photo: hyolee2 (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons
What is a long padding?
- WHATNeck-to-knee puffer
A padded jacket that runs from your neck to your knees. Koreans call it 롱패딩 (rong-pae-ding), and describe it as a survival item more than a fashion statement (Musinsa, via Korea JoongAng Daily).
- ORIGINFrom the sports bench
It began as the long bench coat athletes wear on the sidelines, which is why it's also called a bench parka (벤치파카).
- 2017The Olympic boom
A ₩149,000 PyeongChang Olympics long padding sold out across Lotte Department Store branches in November 2017; some shoppers queued from 7pm the night before.
- BLACKWhy it's almost always black
First-time buyers pick the safe colour, so the streets end up matching. Locals joke that bundled-up people look like gimbap.
Where to buy one in Seoul
- MYEONGDONGMusinsa Standard Myeongdong
The most tourist-heavy store; a newer Myeongdong Central store opened on Myeongdong 8-gil in Sept 2026.
- HONGDAEMusinsa Standard Hongdae
On the Hongdae shopping streets.
- SEONGSUMusinsa Standard Seongsu
Pair it with Seongsu's pop-ups.
How it works (sale + tax refund)
- 1Go before Nov 1
The Musinsa Standard Super Sale runs Oct 23 – Nov 1, 2026, up to 80% off selected items, online and in stores. In-store and online deals differ.
- 2Try it on
Our tip: try the size with a sweater underneath; you'll wear it over layers.
- 3Show your passport
Musinsa says its stores give an instant tax refund at the counter. Keep the receipt in case customs asks when you leave.
Say it in Korean (show this screen)
- SAYDo you have a long padding?
rong-pae-ding i-sseo-yo?
롱패딩 있어요? - SAYCan I try this on?
i-geo i-beo bwa-do dwae-yo?
이거 입어 봐도 돼요? - SAYCan I get a tax refund?
taek-seu ri-peon dwae-yo?
택스 리펀 돼요?
Local tips
- Our tip: indoor heating in subways and shops is strong, so wear a light layer under it, not a heavy sweater.
- Sale prices and stock change by store and by day (Musinsa).
FAQ
What is a Korean long padding?
A knee-length padded jacket (롱패딩) that is Korea's most common winter coat; it started as the bench coat athletes wear on the sidelines.
Why do Koreans wear black long padding?
Black is the safe first buy, so most people pick it; locals joke that a street full of them looks like gimbap.
Where can tourists buy a long padding in Seoul?
Musinsa Standard has stores in Myeongdong, Hongdae and Seongsu, with an instant tax refund at the counter when you show your passport.
Sources: Korea JoongAng Daily: Why Koreans can't let go of the long padded jacket (Nov 30, 2024) · Korea Herald: Is Korea's black puffer era coming to an end? (Oct 24, 2026) · Kyunghyang Shinmun: PyeongChang long padding sold out (Nov 22, 2017) · Dailian: long padding colours, 'gimbap padding' (Sep 26, 2018) · Newspim: Musinsa Standard Super Sale (Oct 23, 2026) · ZDNet Korea: Musinsa Standard Super Sale (Oct 23, 2026)