# Adaptive Gear Brands are launching sports tech solutions that address environmental factors. By [Kalin Ned](https://www.trendhunter.com/knedelch), Research Writer | Published Aug 21, 2020 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-gear ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.9/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Adaptive Gear trend? **Adaptive Gear:** Brands are elevating the experiences of athletes with the introduction of high-performance tech gear that can address the demands of different environmental factors. Popular amongst fabrics, adaptive technology is now increasingly being incorporated into hardware. ## The consumer insight behind the Adaptive Gear trend Environmental factors can prove to be hard to overcome, especially for athletes and active consumers who are trying to reach the next level of their training journey. As individuals are looking for solutions that will help them seamlessly adapt to their ever-changing surroundings, many are turning to technology, creating a demand for high-performance products. In this space, consumers feel supported and protected, regardless of the climate or the geographical location they are in, making them more confident and determined during sports activities. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 15, 2019 to Oct 1, 2020 - Published: Aug 21, 2020 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Adaptive Gear trend ### Adaptive Technology Athletes and active consumers demanding for high-performance products are turning to technology which creates a market for adaptive technology fabrics and hardware. ### Environmental Adaptation Environmental factors provide a challenge for athletes and active consumers, increasing their need for products that adapt to different surroundings, creating disruption opportunities for brands in the sports industry. ### Multifunctional Wearables The need for wearables that can support different activities and provide various functionalities emerge as a trend, spurring innovation opportunities for businesses to incorporate different abilities and features into their products. ## What the Adaptive Gear trend means for industry ### For Sports Technology / Wearables The trend of adaptive technology and multifunctional wearables presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the sports technology and wearables industry. ### For Outdoor and Adventure Gear The trend of environmental adaptation through the use of high-performance products presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the outdoor and adventure gear industry. ### For Smart Eyewear and Headphones The emerging trends of adaptive technology and environmental adaptation also create innovation opportunities for the smart eyewear and headphones industry, with the need for products that can adjust to different conditions. ## Workshop question Conceptualize a product/service that will help consumers adapt to a given situation. ## Trend signals for Adaptive Gear Trend score 3.9 out of 10, from popularity 53%, activity 54%, freshness 9%. - Popularity: 53% - Activity: 54% - Freshness: 9% ## Examples of the Adaptive Gear trend 5 featured examples from Jan 15, 2019 to Oct 1, 2020. - [Adaptive Photosensitive Eyewear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colorchanging-polarized-sunglasses): The 'Changee' Color-Changing Polarized Sunglasses are Automated (Category: Tech) Implication: Potential for improved eyewear solutions for athletes in outdoor sports. - [Bone Conduction Swimmer Headphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aftershokz-xtrainerz): The Aftershokz Xtrainerz Headphones Have 4GB of Storage (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The bone conduction swimmer headphones present disruptive innovation opportunities for audio accessory brands, fitness equipment manufacturers, and wellness tech startups. - [Moisture-Dissipating Sunglass Lenses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calmtech-lens): District Vision Calm-Tech Lens Technology is Advanced (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The development of moisture-dissipating sunglass lenses creates room for innovation within the eyewear industry, leading to new product offerings. - [Tough Multi-Sport Smartwatches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/suunto-9-red-bull-xalps): The Suunto 9 Red Bull X-Alps Offers 120 Hours of GPS Use Per Charge (Category: Fashion) Implication: The Suunto 9 Red Bull X-Alps is tailored for athletes, indicating an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the sports and fitness industry. - [Outdoor Fitness Smartwatches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xiaomi-mi-smartwatch): Xiaomi Unveiled a New Fitness Smartwatch Called the 'Mi Watch' (Category: Tech) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Improve wearable technology by integrating advanced fitness tracking features and durable designs for active lifestyles. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)