ISPO Textrends Whitepaper 2027/28: Guidance for the Textile Industry

Louisa Smith describes the coming years as a game of pinball, uncertain times that nonetheless spark creativity and innovation. Under the guiding theme “Pinball Wizard,” she emphasizes a core strength of the sports and outdoor industry: its ability to combine functionality, performance, and sustainability more successfully than other textile segments.

Her message is clear: this is not about short-term trends, but about responsibility. Brands must increase their investment in innovation, while consumers should recognize the value of sustainable, high-performing products. Research, lab-based innovations, and new materials should not remain at the concept stage, they must reach the market.

The Whitepaper identifies three megatrends that will be crucial in the coming years:

• Bipartite: The balancing act between digitalization and humanity, between synthetic and natural materials. The future is not about “either-or,” but about “both-and.”
• Vocal: Transparency and communication become essential. With regulations such as the EU Ecodesign Directive, the need to close loops and involve consumers in clear, understandable ways is growing.
• Mobilize: Health and physical activity move into the spotlight. With 1.8 billion physically inactive people worldwide, this represents a major opportunity for the sports industry.

These megatrends are not abstract visions, they directly impact material development, design, production methods, and market strategies.

Colors always reflect social moods. For Fall/Winter 2027/28, ISPO Textrends highlights five overarching palettes:

• Core: Black, steel gray, and strong primary colors, industrial and powerful.
• Charged: Playful, energetic tones conveying optimism.
• Peripheral: Bright, luminescent contrasts enabling new combinations.
• Prized: Rich, earthy shades, durable and enduring.
• Resolute: Retro-inspired primaries referencing gaming culture and digital communities.

These palettes show how culture, consumer behavior, and technology are intertwined with textile aesthetics.

In addition to megatrends and color palettes, the Whitepaper defines five textile directions that will be decisive for designers, manufacturers, and brands. While details remain under wraps, the insights point toward a fusion of high-tech, sustainability, and multisensory textile experiences.

An example: bio-based additives in finishing or tri-lobal yarns with variable reflectivity. Developments like these make it clear that textiles are becoming smarter, more sustainable, and more emotional at the same time.

The Whitepaper is more than a resource for designers or sourcing managers, it is a tool for all decision-makers along the value chain.

• Brands gain orientation on which material worlds will resonate with consumers.
• Retailers can anticipate which products will be relevant in three years.
• Manufacturers identify where investments in processes and technologies make sense.

Anyone who wants to understand what the market will look like in 2027/28 will find a decisive head start in the Whitepaper.

The content of the Whitepaper is not theoretical, it will be brought to life at ISPO 2025.

• Upstream & Supply Arena: A showcase for manufacturers, suppliers, and innovators, spanning raw materials, components, and smart production methods. This is where designers and brands prepare their next collections.
• ISPO Textrends Award: Award-winning materials and components will be exhibited, offering the entire industry guidance on emerging developments. The Award acts as a seismograph for market movements.
• ISPO Award Ceremony: At ISPO 2025, the winners will be celebrated on stage, an opportunity for innovation to gain visibility and foster collaboration.

Networking & Matchmaking: Textrends is the meeting point where retailers, designers, and manufacturers connect, build synergies, and set standards.

The Whitepaper marks the starting point, but ISPO 2025 in Munich from November 30 to December 2 will be the defining moment when the vision becomes tangible, across exhibition spaces, in award showcases, and in conversations.

The future of sports textiles will not be decided by isolated developments, but by the interplay of innovation, market, and consumer demand. ISPO Textrends is the central hub for this.