4 Months After Launch: Nelson Sports’ Climbing Shoe Recommendation Service Delivers 4X Conversions and Zero Size Inquiries
Introduction
In April 2025, Nelson Sports partnered with Perfitt to launch the world’s first AI-powered climbing shoe recommendation service.
Now, just four months after launch, the results are undeniable—conversions surged, size inquiries disappeared, and usage grew at triple-digit rates. These outcomes reflect not only advanced AI Fit Tech but also a rigorous, months-long co-development program between the Nelson Sports e-commerce team and Perfitt’s engineers: precise interior measurements of models carried by Nelson Sports (including Mad Rock and SCARPA), repeated fit tests, and real climbing trials to validate recommendations for performance in the wild.
Korea’s Climbing Trend: MZ-Led Momentum
Bouldering is trending among people in their 20s–30s in Korea, fueling demand for accessible indoor gyms and entry-friendly experiences.
A national industry snapshot already showed 142 gym owners organized under a formal association—evidence of rapid adoption and infrastructure growth in Korea’s climbing scene.
Globally, the indoor climbing gym market was estimated at USD 3.32B (2024) and is projected to reach USD 5.67B by 2030 (CAGR 9.3%), underscoring sustained category expansion.
As more MZ-generation beginners enter the sport, accurate, confidence-building digital fit becomes essential—especially for climbing shoes, where toe-shape precision can make or break performance.
Explosive Results Four Months After Launch
(Nelson Sports admin data, Apr–Aug 2025)
Add-to-Cart Conversion: Perfitt users 16.0% vs non-users 4.4% → ≈3.6X higher
Buy-Now Conversion: Perfitt users 26.1% vs non-users 8.7% → ≈3.0X higher
Size Recommendations: +163% growth (Jan–Aug 2025)
Foot Measurements: +211% growth (Jan–May 2025)
Size Inquiries: Dropped from “very high” to almost zero
These metrics show the service is driving not only 3–4X stronger purchase actions but also fast, sticky adoption and trust.
From Endless Questions to Zero Inquiries (Testimonial)
“We used to receive an overwhelming number of size-related inquiries for climbing shoes. After implementing Perfitt’s solution, that number has dropped to almost zero.”
— Managing Director, Online Business Team, Nelson Sports
This shift dramatically reduced service burden and reinforced shopper confidence across the journey.
Client Feedback
Nelson Sports’ team shared their perspective on the collaboration:
“At first, we weren’t sure if creating such a specialized climbing shoe service was even possible. But Perfitt implemented it faster than expected — and the results were incredible. I’m thankful that Perfitt Team delivered something this powerful so quickly.”
What Drove the Impact: Collaboration & Field Testing
This was not a plug-and-play rollout. Results came from:
Long-term R&D collaboration between Nelson Sports and Perfitt
Shoe interior measurement at high fidelity (last shape, volume, toe box) on carried brands like Mad Rock and SCARPA, plus fit tests and real climbing trials to validate performance alignment
Domain expertise fusion: Nelson Sports’ e-commerce and climbing know-how + Perfitt’s AI fit engine (toe-shape, width, volume matching to inner shoe geometry)
The outcome: fewer questions, faster decisions, higher conversions—even in one of footwear’s most demanding categories.
Why This Matters
At just four months post-launch, Perfitt’s Fit-Tech is proving to be a growth engine for performance footwear:
Higher conversions → real revenue impact
Zero size inquiries → leaner operations
Rapid usage growth → repeatable, sticky engagement
Accuracy → greater trust & loyalty
This is what happens when AI precision meets on-the-ground product expertise.
Looking Ahead
Building on this momentum, Perfitt and Nelson Sports are expanding for intermediate and advanced climbers—introducing flows personalized by climbing grade, frequency, and brand history, and deepening analytics to guide assortment and CX.
Conclusion
Only four months after launch, Nelson Sports achieved transformational outcomes: 3–4X conversions, near-zero size inquiries, and triple-digit adoption growth. With rigorous validation and collaboration, even the toughest footwear categories can thrive online.
About Nelson Sports
Nelson Sports Co., Ltd. is Korea’s leading premium outdoor and performance footwear distributor. The company manages globally renowned brands such as Arc’teryx, SCARPA, and Mad Rock, and has built a strong presence in the Korean outdoor market with consistent growth. Leveraging a deep understanding of outdoor enthusiasts and the rising influence of MZ-generation consumers, Nelson Sports continues to expand its e-commerce business while delivering innovative digital shopping experiences.