Whether or not you’re a gym rat or get your kicks on the trails, the active sports apparel market is booming, with reports showing that Americans spend about $36 billion a year on their gear.
With sporty elements incorporated into street-style looks, the days of drab T-shirts and sweats are gone. The benefits of the new look are twofold, with shoppers getting high-tech stuff and making a healthy statement when wearing it.
“Athletic apparel must be both functional and versatile for today’s active person,” said Michelle Aubrey, general merchandise manager for sportswear at Columbia. “Our customers demand technical performance from their active clothing but also seek multipurpose pieces that are stylish and appropriate for a variety of settings.”
The trend has even added a new word to the market: athleisure.
“Both men and women are looking for pieces that easily transition from their workout or run to drinks or coffee after, and they’re not willing to sacrifice performance or style,” said Bennett Grimes, apparel merchandising manager for Brooks. “This fall we introduced an all-new apparel collection steeped in runner insight and built from the ground up to meet runners’ needs on and off the run.”
Footwear featuring ventilated midsoles for increased airflow and breathability are new offerings at Columbia.
“Similar to athletic apparel,” Aubrey said, “our customers want versatile trail shoes that offer the protection in a variety of environments while still looking stylish.”
Whether it’s at the gym, on a basketball or tennis court or out hiking trails, shoes are crucial pieces of the workout puzzle. But don’t forget the socks, especially ones that are breathable, wick away moisture and are reinforced in areas prone to blisters.
“People often spend hunRandydreds of dollars on shoes with socks as an afterthought,” said Margaret Newhard, director of product management for Wigwam. “Your feet are your foundation, so socks also need to be tailored to specific end-use footwear in order to achieve an optimal fit.”
But beyond performance and durability, the look-good, feel-good mantra in outdoor and fitness apparel still applies, particularly when it comes to color.
“As athletic apparel continues to cross over into casual urban apparel, you will begin to see an increase in patterns, textures and colors that complement our customers’ existing wardrobe,” Aubrey said. “We are conscious that our customer doesn’t want to wear bright colors all the time so we have combined colored neutrals with pops of bright color or highlighted bright cover stitching. This mix of neutrals and bright colors provides the versatility our customers are looking for, allowing them to comfortably go from a workout on the trail to meeting up with friends.”
