Nike reveals how it plans to reinvent your cold weather wardrobe
We went to Nike's exclusive Manhattan event, Heat Rises, where the brand launched the new gear.
Nike outlined the specifics of why it chose to focus on thermoregulation: to permit athletes to have optimal performance. "What we want to do is make apparel that allows you to go outside 365 [days a year, and] really empower you to defy the elements," Barry Spiering, Nike Sports Research Lab's director of applied apparel research told Business Insider.
![Nike outlined the specifics of why it chose to focus on thermoregulation: to permit athletes to have optimal performance. "What we want to do is make apparel that allows you to go outside 365 [days a year, and] really empower you to defy the elements," Barry Spiering, Nike Sports Research Lab](https://staticbiassets.in/thumb/msid-48792329,width-700,height-525,imgsize-6674535/nike-outlined-the-specifics-of-why-it-chose-to-focus-on-thermoregulation-to-permit-athletes-to-have-optimal-performance-what-we-want-to-do-is-make-apparel-that-allows-you-to-go-outside-365-days-a-year-and-really-empower-you-to-defy-the-elements-barry-spiering-nike-sports-research-labs-director-of-applied-apparel-research-told-business-insider-.jpg)
Nike's research lab works with elite athletes in high tech thermal-regulated spaces to determine exactly how athlete's body's work when they're exercising. Nike considers everyone with a body an athlete, though — it's not just about the top tier folks.
Nike had people try out the Thermo-Sphere Max gear to see how it worked. That room those people are in? It's 32 degrees! (It definitely keeps you insulated.)
Spiering explained how when you're running and it's cold outside, it takes awhile to warm up. But with this technologically adept attire, athletes "can focus on performance," rather than trying to stay warm.
Nike goes so far during its research process to utilize a mannequin named Hal that sweats (but he doesn't smell) in regulated temperatures to test apparel.
It took years of research to design this product.
AeroReact (the pullover pictured below) was a product that was three years in the making. The fabric adapts to the runner's temperature as her body heats up, thereby eliminating the need for layers. It reacts moisture vapor on the body to know when a body needs to truly cool the body down during a run.
The adaptive apparel works best in the "sweet spot" of 40 to 60 degrees, Peter Harrison, innovation project director of Nike's explore team apparel, said to Business Insider. He also said how when you wash the material, it becomes 40% more breathable. This isn't true for other sportswear, which can easily deteriorate after washing.
Harrison described how AeroREACT utilizes "active cooling," meaning that it truly removes heat from the body — as opposed to "perceived cooling," which is the sensation you get when you touch something and you feel cooler. It's truly responsive.
Spiering talked about Ashton Eaton who wore a revolutionary cooling hood. Nike has plenty of more unique thermoregulated projects up its sleeves — but what's most important, Spiering said, is "this kind of holy grail of athlete performance, perception, and protection." "We're always innovating," he added.
While Nike won't divulge specifics, the brand is certainly getting ready to create top tier apparel for the Rio Olympics. But Nike's nowhere near done with revolutionizing athletic apparel. As Harrison said, "we don't see a finish line."
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