Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1523540
Product Design Emerges as Paramount at OutDoor by ISPO. By Louisa Smith IN THE MARKET/EURO REPORT W h ether for exploration, a weekend escape or a country hike, consumers are downing their smart screens and connecting with the outdoors. OutDoor by ISPO, which took place June 3-5 at Messe Munich, confirmed that the market continues to grow. Apparel and equipment collections for Spring/Summer 2025 showed a narrowed focus on product design. Packability plays a key role, as lightweight performance items protect, but without bulk. Less is best in terms of weight, as camping and exploration from hiking to hitting the trail on a mountain bike becomes more prevalent. Lightweight and durable products, from cooking equipment to coverage manage to deliver the same level, if not a higher level, of performance and protection, with more sustainable ingredients compared to their previous counterparts. Sustainability is core, but it is no longer the "raison d'être" of a product. Brand developers and designers have put their skill back into product design and how it benefits the consumer in terms of fit, performance and efficiency. Adjustability, women-centric design, versatility and responsibility are considered in the design process. Modular designs offer consumers a value- based option, with 3-in-1 modular outer shell designs appealing for their adaptability. e efficiency and diversity consumers want was clear in apparel brands at OutDoor by ISPO, with products perfectly suited for the great outdoors, but easily crossing over to the urban arena. Both Vaude and Rab highlighted their repair capabilities, reassuring retail and the consumer, that they are manufacturing product built to last. Both brands kept communication simple to ensure consumers aren't overloaded with data. Brands are opting for a sprinkle of common sense, more so than an abundance of hangtags and data. ISPO Award Winners e ISPO Award, the jury-based com- petition for the sports and outdoors sector, earmarked some of the latest innovations. British-based Ventete received an award for its groundbreaking inflatable, micro collaps- ible bicycle helmet, that once deflated can easily slip into a backpack or bag, perfect for urban mobility. e Keen Hyperport sandal, a combination of shock absorbing PFAS-free foam and eco anti-odor technology, offered amazing comfort and versatility for the end-consumer. It's a product that looks just as good on the urban sidewalk as it does on a mountain slope. Other outstanding outdoor products included G-Form's chest and back protector, incorporating RE ZRO technology, fully biodegradable pads that offer the same level of protection as conventional pads. Rab's pioneering backpack combined comfort and functionality in an eco-conscious design 6 • Textile Insight ~ Summer 2024 textileinsight.com OUTSIDE INSPIRATION ISPO Textrends forum A Trail Running Test Track at the show