{"id":84335,"date":"2026-02-10T19:20:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T22:20:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tech.einnews.com\/article\/891165851"},"modified":"2026-02-10T19:20:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T22:20:14","slug":"how-nike-is-leading-the-sport-tech-revolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/02\/10\/how-nike-is-leading-the-sport-tech-revolution\/","title":{"rendered":"How Nike is leading the sport-tech revolution"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It goes without saying that tech is advancing at an exponential rate. Every industry is implementing new ways to keep up with it, and fashion is no exception. Always ahead of the curve, for the past five decades <\/span>Nike<\/span><\/a> has been using technical innovation to separate itself from any other brand. Now, in 2026, the company has launched the most technically engineered garment of its kind: the Therma-FIT Air Milano jacket.<\/span><\/p>\n

Making its debut in Milan this week, the Therma-Fit Air Milano jacket will be worn by Team USA athletes, as well being showcased at an immersive experience located at Dropcity \u2013 an architecture and design centre inside the connected tunnels behind Milan Central Station. The Unlimited Air space will unpack Nike\u2019s latest Radical AirFlow and Air Milano products, including the Therma-Fit Air Milano jacket, which is powered using A.I.R [adapt, inflate and regulate] technology.<\/span><\/p>\n

So what exactly does that mean? Well, while all clothes are designed for the body, some pay closer attention to our bodies\u2019 needs than others, and the Therma-Fit Air Milano jacket is about as attentive as it gets. This is no regular outerwear, but a jacket which can be adapted to the athlete\u2019s temperature. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Combining industry-leading Air technology with innovative materials and computational design, athletes are able to regulate their body temperature in all conditions. By inflating or deflating air from the jacket\u2019s baffles, they can choose their preference, offering warmth levels that range from a hoodie to a mid-weight puffer. While other outerwear brands use wool or feathers to keep us warm, Nike is taking design to whole new heights, using air itself as a form of insulation. <\/span>The jacket sits within the ACG family (All Conditions Gear), a dedicated outdoor-performance branch of Nike, which was reintroduced just last week and now exists as its own brand (see <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Basically, it seems like the sky’s the limit for the future of sports and outerwear apparel. As well as Nike\u2019s new innovations, we\u2019re seeing other brands clawing to keep up and releasing their own versions of thermal-responsive apparel, not to mention more and more eyewear brands bringing in elements of AI technology. There were even micro-chips on the runways during last month\u2019s Copenhagen Fashion Week. In the next decade, it\u2019s likely that at least one element of our outfits will feature tech in some way \u2013 maybe we\u2019ll even be leaving our looks to charge overnight. Who knows, but one thing\u2019s for certain: Nike is paving the way for tech\u2019s integration into the sport and fashion industry. <\/span><\/p>\n

We spoke to Nike\u2019s Innovation team \u2013 Danielle Kayembe, Expert, Apparel Product Innovation Management and Daniel Farron, VP, Innovation Apparel Product Design \u2013 to go behind the scenes of this new design advancement. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How long has the Nike Therma-Fit <\/span>Air Milano jacket been in the works?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Danielle Kayembe:<\/strong> If you look at Nike\u2019s history, we\u2019ve been innovating in inflatable apparel for nearly 20 years, starting with the Nike ACG Airvantage jacket in 2006. Since then, we\u2019ve continued to tinker in the space, creating multiple Air jackets with different materials, aesthetics, and technical features. In many ways, this jacket builds on everything we\u2019ve learned in Air apparel, while also pulling in insights from footwear to create something entirely new.<\/span><\/p>\n

What was the starting point?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Danielle Kayembe:<\/strong> <\/span>Our innovation team had a material breakthrough that fundamentally shifted how we think about air retention. We used to assume that \u2018air-tight\u2019 required thick, waterproof materials, but we discovered a fabric that was pillow-soft and still held air. That discovery opened the door for us to experiment, explore, and push the boundaries of what air apparel could become.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you tell us about the development process, testing and research that went into it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daniel Farron:<\/strong> Air apparel’s development has relied heavily on digital 3D modeling to refine how jackets inflate and deflate. Using digital tools to analyze air performance enabled us to work more quickly and compare results more effectively than ever. We conducted extensive testing in various climates and activities, combining hundreds of hours of real-world trials with digital simulations. Material research focused on insulation and optimising baffle design to provide dynamic warmth tailored to athletes’ needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Danielle Kayembe:<\/strong> <\/span>Getting the material right was one of our biggest challenges. We developed and tested more than 100 different combinations to find the ones that optimised durability, quality, and softness. We conducted over 380 hours of wear testing across a range of outdoor conditions and activities \u2013 from hiking and biking to skiing and snowboarding. We also trialled early prototypes with Olympians and Paralympians, integrating their feedback directly into the design of the final garment.<\/span><\/p>\n

What’s something that might surprise people about the way this jacket was developed? Or surprised you in the process of making it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Danielle Kayembe: <\/strong>One of the biggest surprises \u2013 and a moment that pushed our technical design to a whole new level \u2013 was realizing that to master Air, we had to understand the physics of inflation and integrate that directly into design and aesthetics. We learned that every dot in the pattern had to be mathematically placed to withstand the force of repeated inflation and maintain the integrity of the garment. So beneath every beautiful pattern is a computational algorithm that reinforces the architecture of the jacket.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is technical wear the future of fashion?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daniel Farron:<\/strong> Fashion has long experimented with form, making fit and aesthetic essential to creating distinctive looks. Now, technology enables designers to use air inflation and deflation to showcase contrasting personalities within a single piece. While techniques like these are not new in high-end fashion, refining them for both function and athlete performance adds an innovative dimension.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are you looking forward to seeing <\/span>Air Milano worn by Team USA? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Daniel Farron:<\/strong> As innovators, it’s incredibly rewarding to see our garments at the tournament in Milan, especially when they appear on Team USA’s medal stand during one of their proudest career moments. We are honored to innovate for these athletes by outfitting them in the future of Nike Air.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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