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allows wool fabrics to hold air and thereby retain heat, but wool fibers can also absorb almost one-third of their own weight in water, making wool fabrics excellent for wicking moisture. Wool fibers are also elastic, which means that wool fabrics retain their shape over the lifespan of a garment. Trend #3: Lighter Footprints Material developers struggle finding adequate eco-friendly replacements for footwear components, with glue oen cited as the biggest challenge. OrthoLite recently introduced its patented Fiber-Fusion Technology that eliminates the need for glue, mechanically bonding Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) conductive copper fibers into the OrthoLite X35 base layer. e proprietary top-cover system features in OrthoLite's new ESD Shield insole. Bio-based hot melt adhesive is another eco-friendly glue emerging. is type of adhesive uses renewable raw materials such as corn, potatoes, tapioca, and certain vegetable oils as a percentage of the adhesive recipe, explains Rob Falken, VP of Innovation for OrthoLite, adding, "It is still early days in the mass commercialization of a synthetic eco-friendly glue that can withstand the rigors of footwear manufacturing such as water resistance, exposure to high heat, and long-term use coupled with bending and flexing." CovationBio has introduced a unique midsole material that highlights Susterra, a regeneratively grown, corn-based product. "It's the first example we're aware of where this percentage of bio-based content (55 percent) is used in the midsole of an athletic shoe," said John Hurban, VP global marketing/sales, CovationBIO PDO. "We believe runners and fitness enthusiasts will benefit from increased high-performance shoe flexibility, comfort and durability." Trend #4: Steps in Sustainability Prioritizing recycled content fabrics, removing harmful substances from textile production and re-thinking recycling of textile waste is top of mind as the textile industry works collectively to meet 2030 sustainability goals and prepare for textile recycling legislation coming down the pike. The LYCRA Company's newest offering in its Coolmax portfolio is Recycled Coolmax. The product is made with a polyester specialty yarn made from pre-consumer textile waste. "Recycled Coolmax offers the same moisture management performance with a strong sustainability story," says Melissa McGlynn, The Lycra Company's senior strategic account manager. Ascend Performance Materials has just come out with a new certified bio-based nylon in its odor-fighting offering. Called Acteev FREE, the technology offers permanent anti-microbial protection built into fibers and yarns for apparel. Trend #5: Function x Fashion Two staples of the running wardrobe have never looked so good. JRC Reflex makes high-end, high-performance reflective technology. e intensity and color range achieved, via the company's innovative approach to function and fashion, elevates reflective from a standard issue safety product to statement wear. Dudley Stephens, a Connecticut-based, female-founded company, sells a repertoire of Polartec fleece fabrics in its clothing collection, including recycled fleece, that stylishly level up post-run recovery wear. A standout for fleece flair is the Palmer Puff sleeve turtleneck. n DESIGN 18 runstyle Fall 2023 runstylemag.com 1. An après run look — Palmer puffed sleeve turtleneck from Dudley Stephens. 2. Tracksmith merino wool long sleeve by Global Merino. 3. Saucony Triumph with Susterra midsole. 4. NexTex Innovations' brand new TurboWarm fabric technology. 5. Woolmark Wool running shoe from French brand Circle. 1 2 3 4 5

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