Nike To Release Clothing Range That Actually Breathes

What if clothes could breathe? Like, actually breathe? It seems Nike has achieved this level of biomimicry in their latest collection of running apparel, the Aerogami range.

The structure of the material uses gill-like, moisture-reactive vents that open and close autonomously upon reacting with sweat on the body, the moment your body needs cooling. And, when the body cools down and sweat dries, the vents close back up. It’s very cool!

Biomimicry is nothing new in sports clothing. In its simplest form, biomimicry is a practice in which engineers, designers or makers observe and emulate small details of nature's ingenuity. In recent times, the practice has enabled groundbreaking advancements in clothing technology.

For instance, taking inspiration from the structure of spider silk, which is renowned for its strength and flexibility, designers have developed synthetic fibres with incredible tensile strength while being lightweight, making them ideal for outdoor gear and sports clothing.

Equally, the unique makeup of sharkskin has also inspired the creation of innovative textiles. Sharkskin is known for its hydrodynamic capabilities, allowing the species to glide effortlessly through water. Borrowing from this natural adaptation, researchers have developed fabrics with textured surfaces that reduce drag and increase speed in the water, which swimmers and professional athletes now benefit from.

Nike’s nature-inspired Aerogami range is another exciting example of ways the clothing we wear can be inspired by mother nature and solve issues we face such as the thermo-regulation of our bodies, an ever-present need of runners.

Jahan Behbahany, Senior Apparel Innovation Product Manager in Nike’s Advanced Innovation Collective sums it up nicely.

“What’s great about this technology is not only can the athlete feel the benefit, but they can also see it.”

The women’s Nike Run Division Aerogami Jacket releases in July 2023 on nike.com and at select retailers. The men’s jacket releases later this autumn.