Textile Insight

utilizing recycled materials and PFAS-free protection. With a 30 liter volume, the Veil XP 30 backpack weights only 0.545 kilograms, certainly lightening the load for the consumer. Outdoor equipment — from tents to mats and sleeping bags — have been reengineered to lighten the load. Naturehike has developed the Featherbone Yugu — an ultralight inflatable mat that is nearly 50 per cent lighter in weight, packing incredibly small and weighing 490gms. ISPO Textrends While outdoor brands showcased their wares in the main halls and atrium, over at ISPO Textrends, the awarded textile developments for Spring/Summer 2026 were on display. Sustainable credentials were notable in all of the products. Performance and creativity were the focus. Spinning innovation was a highlight. Oen ignored, it was clear to see that the textile industry has plenty of ingredients, from natural fibers, synthetics including bio and recycled near and far ocean waste, to the manmade cellulosics. Innovation in spinning is creating some interesting effects, including a single knit recycled wool/lyocell blend from the Südwolle Group, awarded Best Product in the Base Layer category. Polyester took center stage in the synthetics arena, with a wide range of variations from recycled, microencapsulated and bio-based; the use of this robust fiber is a sign of the times from a cost point of view. Polyester is like a chameleon; It can change characteristics and performance and comes from a wide range of sources. Mono fabrics emerged, bringing mechanical stretch and an easier end-of-life solution. New ingredients included apple, banana, and cherry, bringing a touch of the exotic, with cotton delivering a newly energized bid to gain more ground in the performance sector. Material Lab Parallel to the ISPO Textrends forum was the Material Lab, an innovative display of what is to come if scaled up — from mushroom to cacti and natural waste products including sunflowers. Novel bio- based, biodegradable and elastic materials made from waste products from the food industry — such as olive pits, banana or walnut shells featured from Kuori. The potential for new ingredients with a low impact on the environment is there, but it will take time to scale up to industry volume. What shouldn't be overlooked is that change takes time. e textile industry is one of the oldest industries in the world, dating back thousands of years. Even if we track it back to when it became automated, we are talking 200 years. What is clear from Outdoor by ISPO, is that the industry has already started to adapt, and must continue to do so. n Sleeping bags from Marmot An outer layer textile from Huamao (Xiamen) Special textileinsight.com Summer 2024 ~ Textile Insight • 7

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