Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1497119
textileinsight.com Spring 2023 ~ Textile Insight • 17 M aybe it's the cross-category appeal, or that the concept is easily relatable on a personal as well as product level, but "longevity" is this year's "it" word. Training for longevity is trending in fitness with low-intensity and mobility- focused workouts on the rise. is style of exercise is outpacing cardio by prioritizing prevention with strength building and improving balance. And products designed for this emerging category are trending too. H&M debuted a Movement Gear collection, with Jane Fonda as spokesperson, and hardgoods such as under-desk treadmills and walking pads for standing desks are strong sellers with a younger crowd looking to walk a marathon while "at work." Walking is a natural fit for low-impact, longevity seekers. According to a 2022 poll by Statista, the number of people who walked for fitness in the U.S. increased for the fih consecutive year in 2021, reaching 115.8M. Likewise, hiking participation is also on an upswing. Recent surveys reveal that 74 percent of Americans hike on a trail and 19 percent of Americans hike on a trail regularly (more than once per month). Another factor giving longevity a boost is sustainability. Companies from a range of industries have recently latched on to "longevity" as a more relatable substitute for sustainability, a term oen cited as lacking clarity. Within the textile sector, and this season especially, longevity not only goes hand in hand with eco-made but also calls to mind LONG LIVE FOOTWEAR HOW BRANDS & FABRICS ARE IN STEP WITH TODAY'S LONGEVITY TREND. IN THE MARKET / TRENDING NNORMAL/TOMIR SAND TRAIL: This waterproof shoe is lightweight, responsive and grips the foot in a natural, yet cushioned way. Now available in a new color, called Sand, the shoe is named for Puig Tomir, a 1,103-meter-high mountain in Serra de Tramuntana in Mallorca.