Innovations in Sports Technology
Author Béatrice Lorans
The past decade has transformed how we experience sports and outdoor adventure.
From grassroots to elite levels, technology is reshaping everything – the gear we use, how athletes train, the way we track performance, and even how we connect with nature.
Here are four innovations in sports and outdoor technology that I’m particularly excited about…
On's Cloudboom Strike
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most elegant. On Running took a fresh look at how running shoes are made and asked: what if we could create a shoe upper with just a single thread? The result is their new Cloudboom Strike, which uses a single 1.5-kilometer thread sprayed onto a mould to create the entire shoe upper.
Combined with a midsole made from 40% castor oil, this approach cuts carbon emissions by 75% and uses just seven components instead of the usual dozens. It’s a beautiful example of how simplifying something complex can lead to both better performance and environmental care.
Patagonia's Wetsuit Recycling
Patagonia has cracked the code on wetsuit recycling with an elegant solution. Working with Bolder Industries, they’ve found a way to extract and reuse carbon black – a material making up 20% of every wetsuit – through a careful vaporisation process.
This breakthrough means beloved old wetsuits can live on in new ones, creating a meaningful cycle of reuse in surf gear. More broadly, it shows how persistence in solving sustainability challenges can lead to industry-changing innovations.
Self-Healing Sports Equipment
Nature has always been our best teacher. Taking inspiration from how living tissue heals itself, engineers have created materials that can repair their own small damages and cracks. The potential feels limitless – imagine climbing gear, bike frames, or skateboards that could heal small damages before they become dangerous.
This technology is a great example of how innovations from materials science can solve critical safety challenges while creating more durable, sustainable products.
Springbok Analytics
Every athlete’s body tells a unique story. Now, Springbok Analytics has created a remarkable AI tool that reads these stories through detailed muscle analysis, turning standard MRI scans into vivid 3D maps.
From here, Springbok is building the first comprehensive muscle database for elite athletes, enabling hyper-personalised training and treatment plans. For equipment makers, these insights guide the development of gear that better serves athletes’ real needs.
These innovations share a common thread – they spring from a genuine desire to make sports and outdoor activities better for everyone. From sustainable manufacturing to AI-powered analytics, the industry is embracing technology in deeply thoughtful ways, creating gear that’s kinder to our planet, safer for athletes, and more attuned to individual needs.
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