Activewear trends are fickle, hot new looks cool down, seasonal color palettes shift, fun fads fade and yet despite constant change, comfort remains key. With the evolution of athleisure, street-active and the “Covid casual” wardrobes, comfort has risen in status as a critical element of how we dress. Now with skin-sensitivity awareness garnering more attention, brands are going beyond softness to achieve ultra-comfort in everything from workout basics to performance run wear.

Results from Aveeno’s recent first-ever State of Skin Sensitivity report, for example, showed that 71 percent of adults identify as having sensitive skin, a 55 percent increase in the last two decades. Itch-free, non-chafe, super-soft materials are important considerations in mitigating skin irritants, as is clothing made with fewer seams, tags and toxic chemicals. The rub, literally, is that traditional efforts to raise the bar on comfort in garments and hosiery, often lessens the functionality.

New collections for Spring ’25 address this problem with a strong focus on feel-good fabrics and fit-enhancing construction techniques for next-to-skin styles. Brands are tapping into plant-based fibers such as organic cotton, bamboo, and Tencel, and animal-based fibers like merino wool and alpaca. These fibers have inherent comfort features and performance properties that together afford soft-to-the-skin feel, breathability, efficient wicking, anti-bacterial capabilities and hypoallergenic functionality — all factors that can reduce itching, rashes, and general discomfort.

Seam-free technology is another solution activewear brands are embracing this season. Today’s seamless construction specializes in built-in, feel-good fundamentals to create smoother-feeling, non-constricting base layers that offer runners a better overall experience.

“The seamless trend is making significant strides,” says Nichole de Carle, designer and founder of London Contour Expert, who spearheaded the Bodywear Collective that debuted at the Performance Days trade show earlier this Spring. “Seamless technology offers unique advantages, such as improved fit, comfort, and aesthetic appeal, which are increasingly important to modern consumers.”

Seamless construction involves advanced machinery and innovative fiber blends to create garments without traditional seams in a process that allows for precise engineering and a custom fit. As seamless technology continues to evolve, de Carle forecasts growth in versatile hybrid garments that combine functionality with style.

Cross-category innovation is a trend to watch in 2025. The latest looks from Ciele Athletics, Feetures and Hanes are good examples of how lines are blurring in workout wear with innerwear becoming outerwear and accessories infiltrating apparel.

Comfort Conscious

For Ciele Athletics apparel designer, Catherine Langelier, the target is always, “is this good for the runner?” Her approach is to attack comfort from different directions, whether that is fabric selection, construction technique or support technology. “People are getting more conscientious about what they buy and that includes materials, chemicals and function,” states Langelier, adding, “Right now we see a shift with consumers readying to use more natural fibers and we will continue to explore natural fibers for apparel.” Langelier highlights Ciele’s tops made with a unique merino wool/silk blend that doubles down on natural fibers’ performance capabilities and negates the need for nylon. “Merino wool is really good at moisture absorption and anti-odor and silk is soft, yet strong,” Langelier shares. “This blend works super well. You can wear it for days without washing and no odor.”

Founded in 2014 with headwear for runners, Ciele launched apparel in 2022. This season brings a new addition to the brands sports bra collection. Langelier makes the point that (bra) comfort for runners is about performance; it’s not comfort for yoga, or comfort derived solely from soft fabric. The Spring ’25 FSTBra is thoughtfully designed to provide cooling comfort and medium support with wicking and anti-odor functionality.

Feetures, known for its socks, recently introduced Performance Tees, the running brand’s initial entry into apparel. Song Nguyen, VP product design, states, “The Stride Flex Performance Tee, includes minimal seams and our uncompromising approach to fit, ensuring the comfort and performance people expect from Feetures.” Described as “unbeatable comfort and quality for athletes of all types,” Joe Gaither, chief marketing officer of Feetures adds, “We’ve designed a product that we’re certain will fit the modern need for versatility, performance, and style.”

Similarly, Hanes sees potential in crossover opportunities with Hanes Moves, a new collection of athlete-inspired innerwear and apparel and a company debut in the athleisure category. Hanes Moves combines the company’s expertise in innerwear, apparel and performance technology into a single, unified collection.

Expect to see more brands step out of their comfort zones in seasons ahead with creative designs that meet the needs of today’s runners with technical, feel-good fabrics that go the distance.