Category
Fashion
Scaled Restraint
Trend cluster
Category
Preventative
Performance
Consumers turn to fitness garments that incorporate long-term wellness.
3.0
Trend score
Trend
What is the Preventative Performance trend?
Preventative Performance: As fitness culture becomes more extreme and competitive, consumers are looking for apparel that boosts comfort in addition to performance and style. This progression suggests not only that fitness apparel has become more of a long-term investment, but that the desire for products with built-in preventative features is continuing to grow as consumers become more proactive about their health.
Trend themes
Themes within the Preventative Performance trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Preventative apparel
Consumers are adopting apparel products that feature anti-bacterial, anti-odor and breathable materials that help prevent injuries and blisters by reducing friction and delivering comfort during long activities.
02
Personalized Comfort
Brands are incorporating ergonomic methods and materials to create athletic gear that delivers personalized comfort to athletes, improving their fitness journey.
03
Hygienic Workout Wear
Fitness brands are increasingly using materials like bamboo and woolen blends to promote breathability, hygiene and comfort in athletic wear.
Industry implications
What the Preventative Performance trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Athletic Wear Industry
Proactive and innovative companies in athletic industry can leverage new innovative materials and supportive design methods to appeal to consumers who want to invest in comfortable and long-lasting fitness apparel.
For
Footwear Industry
Manufacturers of fitness footwear can benefit from this trend by incorporating new materials and designs adapted for ventilation, moisture and bacterial resistance, blurring the line between textile and footwear production.
For
Sports Accessories Industry
Brands focused on producing sport accessories such as socks or protective pads, can leverage materials like silicone and smart algorithms to offer injury prevention personalized for each athlete and team sport.
Workshop question
What consumer worry does your brand alleviate? How could you communicate that to consumers explicitly?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Preventative Performance
Trend score 3.0 out of 10, from popularity 42%, activity 40%, freshness 8%.
Popularity42%
Activity40%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha (not a primary audience)
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Preventative Performance trend
4 featured examples from Feb 5, 2016CategoryFashion
Padded Running Socks
Lululemon's Padded Run Socks Ensure Premium Comfort
Companies in the sports apparel and accessories industry can innovate by creating products that focus on breathability, style, and performance.
CategoryLifestyle
Injury-Preventing Athletic Socks
These Sports Socks Feature a Silicone Pad That Protects the Foot
The emergence of protective sports socks highlights a need for innovation in athletic apparel, especially in terms of injury prevention.
CategoryEco
Blister-Banishing Socks
These Bamboo Socks Prevent Blisters and Nasty Odors
Opportunity for disruptive innovation: Integrate bamboo fibers and other innovative materials into textile production for enhanced product performance.
CategoryFashion
Blister-Proof Performance Socks
These Double Layer Running Socks Prevent Friction and Injuries
Disruptive innovation opportunity to improve athletic performance and comfort.
