FABRICS
FOCUS TOPIC
The category is dedicated each event to a changing FOCUS TOPIC. The JURY consists of experts from fabric technology, sports design, independent experts from universities, textile consulting managers and purchasing departments from different brands.
BASELAYER
Baselayer includes all fabrics which are suitable to be worn directly on the skin – mostly knits. They have good moisture transport, cooling or warming effects, and can have finishings like UV-protection, anti odor or quick dry. They are for use in sports underwear, base- or single-layer.
MIDLAYER
These textiles are intended for use between the outer- and base layers. They are used for warmth retention and include mainly fleece, spacer or other knitted fabrics. They can be brushed or bonded, but cannot be coated or laminated.
SOFTSHELL & OUTER MIDLAYER
These fabrics are worn as outer- or mid-layer as a softshell for example. They can be elastic and are mostly bonded knits or sometimes bonded woven. Windproof or wind-permeable, water repellent and sometimes even waterproof, the fabrics are mostly used for jackets or pants.
2.5 & 3Layer
This table shows fabrics used for the outer layer of the functional garment system. 2.5 & 3 layer fabrics are laminated, tapeable, waterproof, and breathable. These highly functional fabrics are used for jackets or pants.
2Layer
These 2-layer fabrics are used for the outer layer of the functional garment system. They are woven and either laminated or coated. They can be elastic and must be breathable and waterproof for use in jackets and pants.
LIGHTWEIGHT & DOWNPROOF
The term “Lightweight” applies if the construction is under 100g/sqm.
DOWNPROOF fabrics are for use with padding or down and for very low denier fibers. They are downproof by construction or ultralight coatings.
LIGHTWEIGHT fabrics are for highly aerobic activities. They are windproof, single layer fabrics, with or without a coating.
SHIRTS
These fabrics can be used as the second or base layer. They are mostly woven and can have either a light or heavy quality. They can be elastic but also have to have functional properties such as quick dry, water repellant or breathable. They are used in sport shirts for outdoor, hiking, climbing, biking, ski touring, fitness, and yoga.
PANTS & TIGHTS
These fabrics can be used as the second or base layer. They are mostly woven and can have either a light or heavy quality. They can be elastic but also have to have functional properties such as quick dry, water repellant or breathable. They are used in sport pants & tights for outdoor, hiking, climbing, biking, ski touring, fitness, and yoga.
FUNCTION MEETS FASHION
This table shows fabrics used for sporty-casual wear or fancies. Most have fashionable prints, patterns or jacquards. Some are of natural fibers or with a natural look - they need less functional properties. They are perfect for shirts, pants, jackets, after sports and city sports collections.
SAFETY, HEALTH & DURABILITY
These fabrics are well-suited for garments exposed to harsh/extreme conditions. Possible functionalities are: flame retardant, cut resistant, high visibility, quick dry, UV-protection, antistatic, no pilling, no snagging, and odor control, etc. They are ideal for professional wear for firemen, police, medical staff, lumberjacks, and construction workers.
BAGS & TENTS
All kind of products and fabrics used for bags, tents, back-packs and other soft-goods. Woven or knit fabrics mostly with certain durability or tension resistance properties.
INNOVATION
This platform highlights the latest developments and technologies set to shape and revolutionize the future of the sector. We are looking forward to products that have never been showed anywhere else before and present a real novelty.
INTRODUCING: WOOL
Wool stands out as a dedicated category in the TREND FORUM, valued for its natural, renewable properties and exceptional durability, making it a sustainable choice for long-lasting garments. While wool production does have a higher CO2 output, its longevity and biodegradability help off set its environmental impact, aligning it with eco-conscious textile innovations.
BASELAYER
Baselayer includes all wool fabrics which are suitable to be worn directly on the skin. They have good moisture transport, cooling or warming effects, and can have finishings like UV-protection, anti odor or quick dry. They are for use in sports underwear, base- or single-layer.
MIDLAYER
These textiles are intended for use between the outer- and base layers. They are used for warmth retention. They can be brushed or bonded, but cannot be coated or laminated.
SHIRTS
These fabrics can be used as the second or base layer. They can have either a light or heavy quality. They can be elastic but also have to have functional properties such as quick dry, water repellant or breathable. They are used in sport shirts for outdoor, hiking, climbing, biking, ski touring, fitness, and yoga.
SOFTSHELL & OUTER MIDLAYER
These fabrics are worn as outer- or mid-layer as a softshell for example. They can be elastic and are mostly bonded knits or sometimes bonded woven. Windproof or wind-permeable, water repellent and sometimes even waterproof, the fabrics are mostly used for jackets.
FASHION MEETS FUNCTION
This table shows fabrics used for sporty-casual wear or fancies. Most have fashionable prints, patterns or jacquards. Some are of natural fibers or with a natural look - they need less functional properties. They are perfect for shirts, pants, jackets, after sports and city sports collections.
FOCUS TOPIC
The FOCUS TOPIC of the upcoming fair is «Certifications: Which ones matter?» – with this special topic we want to thrive sustainability together with you. With new regulations like the EU Green Deal, the upcoming Green Claims Directive, and Textile Exchange Material Matters unified standard, the industry is moving towards greater accountability. In addition to the fiber content requirement, we now ask that the dedicated FOCUS TOPIC fabrics sent to PERFORMANCE DAYS hold sustainability certifications at fabric level. (A minimum of two certifications is needed)
FOOTWEAR
UPPER
The entire part of the shoe that covers the foot. The upper of a shoe consists of all parts or sections of the shoe above the sole. These are attached by stitches or more likely moulded to become a single unit then the insole and outsole are attached.
LEATHER
Leather is a durable and flexible material created by tanning animal rawhide and skins, primarily cattle hide.
OUTSOLES
The piece of hard material on the bottom of the shoe. This can be leather - which is more breathable but also more vulnerable to moisture and water damage - or rubber - which offers some protection against the elements, but is less formal.
INSOLES
Just above the outsole is the midsole. The midsole is a layer of foam that connects the upper to the outsole. The midsole provides the cushion of the shoe. Insole is a generic term for the part of the shoe that's located at the bottom of the inside of the shoe.
ADHESIVE MEMBRANES
Adhesive membranes are thin, flexible layers that have a sticky surface on one or both sides, allowing them to adhere to various substrates. They are used in a wide range of applications, from medical devices to construction materials, providing benefits such as sealing, bonding, protecting, and insulating.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
Other materials are combined to achieve the desired balance of comfort, performance, durability, style, and cost in footwear. Additional materials could be: vegan leather, textiles, mesh, microfibre, rubber, fleece and wool, hemp
COMPLETE SHOE
Complete shoe products.
LINING
The lining of a shoe surrounds the foot from all sides and its job is to keep foot warm and dry whilst optimally regulating the moisture balance inside the shoe.
INSULATION
An additional thermal insulation layer inside the shoe. Its job is to protect feet from low temperatures.
BODYWEAR
SPORTS BRAS & LEGGINS
This is the category for yummy, high performance fabrics. Focussing on Soft touch, brushed back circular knits, with squat proof high density constructions. Top performing recycled yarns like Q cycle by Fulgar, that are windproof, waterproof, breathable and odor resistant. Green dye solutions like Sodium dyed colourfast yarns, that reduce environmental impact.
SWIMWEAR
Swimwear is a category of clothing designed specifically for swimming, water sports, and other activities that involve water. Swimwear is crafted to provide comfort, support, functionality, and style, while also being durable enough to withstand exposure to water, chlorine, salt, and sunlight.
YOGA IN MOTION
Aligning with a happy balance of technology-beautified. Easy-flex yarn for soft touch and excellent elasticity. These high stretch and recovery fabrics allow for dynamic movement combined with cosmic heather yarn dye for a buttery soft double side peached finish. Dry fit @GEO 365 is a fast drying technology for all day comfort, essential for hitting a yoga class between meetings.
UNDERWEAR
It´s the combination of new naturals, mindful recycled blends and fully biodegradable fibres to drive Accelerated Circularity. There was also an extra fine carbon neutral TENCEL modal silk blend to give that sleek skin-friendly handfeel. Also nice: A biodegradable PA blend with 35.5 themo-regulation technology, which removes heat and moisture when you're hot and retains warmth when your temperature drops. The perfect combination for next to skin undergarments.
SHAPEWEAR
Shapewear is a category of undergarments designed to temporarily alter the wearer's body shape, typically to achieve a more streamlined, smooth, or toned appearance. These garments are often worn to enhance the fit and appearance of outer clothing, providing support and creating a flattering silhouette. Shapewear is usually made from elastic, stretchy materials such as spandex, nylon, and Lycra. These fabrics provide the compression needed to smooth and shape the body while remaining comfortable to wear.
ACCESSORIES
VISIBILITY ADD-ONS
All reflective elements that support the idea of visibility and are not made of cloth. This includes items like labels, patches, piping, tapes, cords, zippers, and zipper pullers. The reflective elements can be cut out, tailored, pressed, or printed.
LABELS & PATCHES
All elements added to the fabric or clothing for the purpose of rounding out the design or to highlight information or the brand. In this category you find other logo elements, size or model distinctions, design elements, hang tags, and labels. The labels and patches can be made of various materials like leather, cork, cloth, synthetics, or silicon and can be either sewn or glued.
TRANSFERS
All print products for clothing, bags, and shoes – transfer printing with the feel of textiles or applied to textile surfaces. These are high quality, fine print transfer printing techniques or 3-D prints on fabric.
TAPES
All elastic or non-elastic fabric tapes that in the context of manufacturing of textiles or accessories, are glued, bonded or sealed. Selected applications include: As a design element in sealing seams or in waistbands of snow guards or bike pants.
TRIMS
Small detail accessories on clothing, backpacks, bags, and shoes such as buttons, pressure snaps, strings, stoppers, zipper pullers, eyelets, rivets, and rubber strips. However, not for accessories that belong to one of the categories: zippers, tapes, labels, and transfers.
ZIPPERS
All kinds of zippers for use in clothing, bags, backpacks, or shoes. A most diverse range of materials can be used, all sorts and sizes of teeth and sliders. Offered with various advantages such as in waterproof designs, solutions for stretch fabrics, or even special designs like uneven zipper designs.
ADDITIONALS & GARMENTS
Various detailing solutions in textile processing and marketing. For example, special processing and printing techniques, special sewing methods, or even all sorts of packaging, like boxes, displays, or banderoles.
APPLICATIONS & LININGS
Products that cannot be used independently and require a construction with carrier material, such as fabrics, padding materials, shock absorption, or trimmings. These also include textile workmanships that combine padding with bonding or padding with quilting, and the special production methods required for such material designs.
INSULATION & FIBERS
Fillers for clothing that allows climate management, i.e., warming or cooling properties. “Insulation + Fibers” indicates synthetic fibers, natural fibers, and blended fibers.
