• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.565-576
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• 2013

This study investigated 1) the effects of mountain climbing motivation on the desired mountain climbing wear benefits, and 2) the desired effects of mountain climbing wear benefits on clothing usage behavior. Data were collected via a questionnaire administered to 498 consumers who make at least one mountain climbing wear purchase for personal use. All items were evaluated on a 5-point Likert scale, and SPSS 20.0 and Amos 7.0 were used for data analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis for the research variables were performed and three factors of mountain climbing motivation (social interaction, health improvement, and mental rejuvenation), four factors of mountain climbing wear benefits sought (ostentation, ideal healthy figure, conformity, and functions), and two factors regarding clothing usage behavior (sportswear usage and daily wear usage) were identified. The results from the model test were as follows: 1) Mountain climbing motivation was found to vary depending on the mountain climbing wear benefits sought. Social interaction had a positive effect on all 4 factors of mountain climbing wear benefits sought. Health improvement was the only motivating factor for consumers who sought the benefit of functions; however, the functions benefit was not found to be a consideration for consumers who climbed for mental rejuvenation. 2) Mountain climbing wear usage was affected by mountain climbing wear benefits sought. The benefits for conformity and functions had a positive effect on sportswear usage and daily wear usage; however, the ideal healthy figure only affected daily wear usage. The twofold usage of mountain climbing wear reflects a cultural trend toward the usage of mountain climbing wear as daily wear; however, consumers show this twofold usage to conform successfully to mainstream society and not to pursue the ideal healthy figure.