Bigger and better
One outdoor specialty store scales upwards to cater to the growing Malaysian appetite for adventure.
THE renowned outdoor gear shop Corezone has been delighting outdoor enthusiasts since May 2005.
They have also been collaborating with The Star for many years to provide information on how to enjoy the outdoors both in Malaysia and overseas safely.
Recently, they celebrated their move from SS2 Petaling Jaya to a new, bigger store at Sungai Buloh, Selangor.
Being an adventure-themed shop, of course their opening ceremony had to be dramatic – four people abseiling down the sheer walls of the Lightbox, a multi-storey building which is their new home.
To add spice to this, they had to negotiate their way past a whitewater kayak and a mountain bike, both of which had been hung up along the wall earlier.
This was followed by boisterous Chinese New Year lion dance in the building’s basement, where the prancing creatures “blessed” every corner of the new store with throbbing drums and clashing cymbals.
Leong Dee Lu, the founder and Managing Director of Corezone, was one of those who abseiled down the wall to cut the ribbon to officially open the new store.
She calls it their “playground”, an experience zone for outdoor enthusiasts to have a feel of specialised gear before buying.
Sharon Tan, the General Manager said, “After 12 years going on 13, we need a new and bigger space for more gear and brands and also for talks and demos on products.”
The place is equipped with facilities like a climbing wall for testing rock climbing shoes and hardware, and an indoor space to test boots and trekking poles.
They have a comprehensive collection of top international brands, recognised for superior performance, be it for mountaineering, rock climbing, hiking, adventure racing, bike touring, kayaking, canyoneering, trail running, and any other outdoor pursuits.
Datuk Radha Krishnan, Managing Director of the outdoor goods company UFL was also at the opening. He said, “I’ve followed the progress of Sharon and Dee Lu over 12 years. Both of them are embedded in the outdoor scene, they are not just selling gear but also organising activities for enthusiasts.”
Educational talks
Corezone has reintroduced their popular educational Sunday Adventure Talks, delivered by their brand ambassadors. Every weekend features talks to guide outdoor enthusiasts for various activities.
Anyone can stroll in and be part of the event. Novices may direct questions to experts and/or experienced veterans in their respective fields during the Q&A sessions.
These weekly sessions, slotted for Sunday 1.30-4.00pm are lined up from January till June 2018. Sessions which have been done include: preparing for hikes in Malaysia preparing for sport fishing competitions, ultra trail running and adventure racing
Slotted later in the year are sessions on climbing ice-capped mountains in China, rock climbing in Malaysia and principles of “leave no trace” while hiking. Besides the weekly talks, look out for their Buff Trail Run on April 15, 2018.
While brands such as Millet, Lafuma, Eider, Original Buff, Sea To Summit, La Sportiva, and Komperdell may sound strange to the uninitiated, outdoor enthusiasts with an eye for quality would recognise them.
For example, La Sportiva, an Italian brand with a long tradition of making mountaineering and rock climbing shoes, is the top choice for those who want to scale Mount Everest. It is also known for its outstanding trail running shoes worldwide.
With the added space in Corezone’s new concept store, they have Kuhl outdoor apparel and hiking pants. In addition, there are specialised brands such as Igloo (cooler boxes), Camelback (hydration systems) and Suunto (mountaineering watches).
According to Leong, the watches not only have heart-rate monitors, barometers, altimeters and GPS, but also moon phase trackers, which make it ideal for fishing enthusiasts and yoga practitioners.
Another product is the personal water filter system Lifestraw, which enables one to drink from mudholes. Best of all the “pump” in the system is very rugged – it is one’s own mouth, sucking through a large “straw” attached to a light-weight water filter.
“Lifestraw is what UNHCR will distribute to refugees, workers, and volunteers; and what the army carries to conflict zones, where there is no access to clean water,” said Leong.
Last but not least, there is also stuff for adventurous animals in the form of Ruffwear pet accessories.
The new store is at the Lightbox, on the way in to the hospital and flower nurseries at Sungai Buloh, Selangor. It’s on the first feeder bus stop from the MRT station.
For more info, check out www.facebook.com/mycorezone or www.mycorezone.com.