Best of Running & Biking
Engineered for Motion – Smart materials for running & biking
From high-performance trail adventures to daily road routines – modern runners and cyclists expect more than just comfort and speed. They look for gear that is light, breathable, sustainable, and designed for unrestricted movement. This Material Story puts the spotlight on precisely these qualities, presenting a carefully selected range of innovative fabrics that unite advanced functionality with a strong sense of responsibility.
Spring is the perfect season for running and biking – with longer days, mild temperatures, and nature in motion, it's the ideal time to get outside. That’s why clothing needs to deliver on three key points: lightweight comfort, weather protection, and optimal moisture management.
Highlights include a bluesign® approved 3-layer from eVent, offering a high-performance alternative to traditional membranes. With a biobased PES membrane and both face and lining made from recycled PES, it brings true mono-material circularity – plus a 20K/20K performance rating for serious weather protection. For next-to-skin softness and ultra-light packability, a 10D recycled nylon from Shin Han (Korea) stands out with just 27g/m². It’s featherlight yet surprisingly strong – ideal for wind shells or minimalist packable pieces.
Stretch and durability go hand in hand in a biobased nylon/elastane knit from Miti, combining a smooth touch with athletic resilience. And for woven options without elastane, a stretchable double weave from Carol uses 100% recycled PES for comfort, breathability, and structure – minus the spandex. Moisture management is redefined by a clever polypropylene/recycled PES blend, designed to wick, dry, and regulate with impressive efficiency – perfect for high-intensity activity.
All selected materials are bluesign® approved, ensuring traceable, responsible production across the board. The future of functional sportswear is light, smart, and circular – and this is where it begins.
Material Section
The following material highlights are tailored to meet the dynamic demands of spring running and biking. Each fabric combines performance-driven innovation with responsible sourcing – proving that high function and sustainability can go hand in hand.
M.i.t.i. Spa GA4150IF
GEO SKIN
Bodywear Underwear
82% biob.Nylon, 18% EA
Circular knitted fabric made with Q-GEO® by Fulgar, a bio-based polyamide yarn obtained from renewable sources: 46% of the fibre coming from non-edible corn. Breathable and quick-drying with unique characteristics such as superior moisture management, capable of ensuring high comfort. Lightweight and soft handfeel. Exceptional abrasion resistance and durability, giving consumers a sustainable, long-lasting choice. Perfect for base layers, jerseys and technical sweatshirts.
Carol Textile Co., Ltd. K113703-1
Flex Stretch
Pants & Tights
100% rec. PES
Double-weave,2-way stretch fabric without elastane, featuring a unique textured back. It provides excellent shape elongation, combined with a lightweight design that minimizes the burden of wear. The non-sticky and soft texture ensures a light, comfortable feel and ease of movement, making it an ideal choice for outdoor and casual wear.
Expert Talk on Demand: Sports Bra Tech for Runners & Cyclists
A well-designed sports bra is essential for high-impact activities like running and biking – not only for comfort, but also to support better performance. With its dynamic, non-compressive support technology, Rheon is redefining what a sports bra can do – reducing breast movement through intelligent, non-Newtonian materials and unlocking new levels of freedom and efficiency.
Listen to our panel from last Autumn show with experts like Nichole de Carle, curator of The Bodywear Collective, Simon Huntsman from Rheon Labs, Benji Peters, Senior Product Manager and Flora Zangue from Hohenstein. Find out more about best practice of how to engineer Sports Bra Technology to enhance design, fit and function here!
Finding the perfect color – PERFORMANCE COLORS by Nora Kühner
Join Nora Kühner for an inspiring journey into the color worlds of the upcoming seasons. Taking off with a detailed update on summer 2027 tracking down the multi-faceted spirit of the seasonal keyword ‘DICHOTOMY’.
The journey continues with the first color impressions for summer 2027. Nora will present the trend team’s trailblazing findings and insights that reflect the season’s focus on color moods that stimulate optimistic narratives and emotional connections. Providing an up-to-date overview of the latest trends, Nora depicts a detailed and rich image of the upcoming seasons’ color spirit. Get inspired here.
About the Author
Astrid Schlüchter
PERFORMANCE DAYS
Starting February 2024, Astrid Schlüchter is taking on the role of Senior Communication Manager at PERFORMANCE DAYS. To drive further growth with innovative communication strategies, PERFORMANCE DAYS is bringing Astrid Schlüchter on board not only as a seasoned industry expert but also as a renowned specialist journalist. Before joining PERFORMANCE DAYS, the trained fashion designer led the editorial team of the print and online medium SAZsport as Editor-in-Chief and was instrumental in the development of the Sports Retail Congress. Prior to that, Schlüchter worked for a long time as a freelance writer for various media in the sports, fashion, and lifestyle segments.
