Imagine heading out for a run wearing a garment that can accurately predict and fulfill your individual warmth needs and activity levels. If it’s chilly you stay warm, and likewise if temps soar you stay comfortable. This may sound futuristic, but “smart fabric” solutions are just around the corner. Aided by AI and wearable technologies, new materials will become more personalized and adaptive to user experiences in the years ahead.

Now imagine instead of tossing your old footwear in the trash, or a donation box, you can plant your worn-out running shoes in the backyard where they will  break down naturally with the soil. Actually, that’s not quite possible. But big strides are being made in development of bio-based foams, plant-based membranes and sustainable fabrications that foresee fully compostable sneakers on the horizon.

Fabrics that meet today’s requirements of “durable, versatile and sustainable” are driving innovation because they benefit runners’ personal performance while also catering to the needs of the planet. New developments in thermal technology bring flexible heating components that can be integrated into active apparel without sacrificing style and fit. Similarly, the latest eco-alternative textiles are gaining ground when it comes to top-tier functionality with tradeoffs in durability becoming a thing of the past.

Highly-efficient temperature regulation is a trend to watch. For example, coming to market soon from Flytec Textiles is iWarm insulation. The material features modern sensors to adapt to runners’ micro-climates. Another company, Graphene X, recently debuted a “weather adaptive,” water-repellent insulation that takes advantage of graphene and aerogel, two extremely effective multi-functional material ingredients. The Graphene X Aerogel Puffer is designed for everyday lifestyle applications but the technology signals what’s next for run wear. The garment allows users to remain comfortable in temps ranging from -4 degrees F up to 60 and above, according to the company.  

In an interview featured in a Performance Days report, experts at Flytec Textiles assert that, “In the future, a single piece of clothing will adapt to various scenarios and climates, aligning with the philosophy of ‘use more, use longer,’ and that reducing waste is the ultimate form of sustainability.”  

Advances like these are happening in footwear, too. Canadian brand Norda uses G+ graphene in its laceless 003 model. Designed as an approach shoe, the 003 crosses over between running, hiking and scrambling offering waterproof, breathable, and temperature regulated properties.

Adapting to Today’s Trends Sustainably

Bridging the gap between sustainability and performance running is at the core of Hylo Athletics product development. The UK-based footwear brand combines responsible materials and design with technical attributes in shoes made to go the distance comfortably. The emerging brand, which just signed a vendor partnership with Fleet Feet, is aiming to evolve a category for enhancing individual experience using biomaterials and circular systems without compromising on functionality. Hylo’s newest style  is the Hylo Impact, a daily mileage shoe made with nature-based materials.

At Scarpa, VP of sales Mark Mathews explains that the brand’s Ribelle Run 2 GTX manages runners’ needs with a trim fit, aggressive grip and a novel construction adapted from climbing and approach shoes. A band wraps around the entire shoe and covers the midsole, providing precise  protection from the elements.

As a long-time brand partner of W. L. Gore, Scarpa has been actively working for the last 18 months toward transitioning its current Gore-Tex application to a new Gore-Tex technology. Called  ePE, the expanded Polyethylene (ePE) membrane is free of harmful PFAS chemicals, is light, thin yet strong and has a reduced carbon footprint. All Scarpa run, trail and hike footwear will feature Gore-Tex ePE in 2025.  

Meanwhile, Noble Biomaterials’ latest smart technology offers a fresh take on textile finishing treatments that add performance properties. The product, Ionic+ Botanical Antimicrobial, recently took home top honors for Material Innovation at the WiTN Innovate Textile Awards 2024 ceremony. Noble uses citric acid, a natural ingredient, to fight microbes that accumulate on fabric to eliminate odor, caused by bacteria build up on fabric.  As material science evolves, and the pace of innovation continues to speed up, look for future fabrics to be even more biometric-sensitive, climate-consciously aware and fully recyclable, too. Imagine that.

The 003 from Norda has an️ upper featuring elasticized Bio-Dyneema for a fit that remains unchanged over time. The sole features Vibram’s Litebase Megagrip.

Mount to Coast’s new H1 road to trail running shoe is made for all-terrain distance running with sustainability showcased in its CircleCell midsole technology developed with renewable raw material.  

This KOR Airshell Hybrid from Mountain Hardwear is a go-to piece with clever design features including venting under the chest pockets for easy access cooling, and packability into its own pocket that converts with two straps to hook onto a garment or a belt if needed.

Satisfy Ghost Fleece AD Beanie with soft, moisture wicking, thermal insulation is an all-around topper for a range of activity levels and weather conditions.

Ryzon’s technical, lightweight Phantom Series Running Insulated Vest, provides a slim athletic fit with a versatile Polartec Alpha lining for a garment that works over a t-shirt in late summer as well as an extra layer in winter.

Inspired by Scarpa technical mountain products, the brand’s versatile, durable Ribelle Run 2 GTX has been updated to boost comfort and fit with a new knit sock construction and heel padding and lower carbon footprint Gore-Tex ePE technology.

The Hylo Impact is a daily performance running shoe that is technical and sustainable. The upper is 100 percent  bio-based nylon derived from castor beans and a midsole built with HyperBolt technology with added bio-EVA to increase responsiveness and reduce weight.