ISPO Award Winner 2025: NEDAO HexRise Active Running Long Sleeve redefines cold-weather comfort through sweat-activated design

Cold-weather running often becomes uncomfortable when sweat saturates a base layer and wind accelerates heat loss. The HexRise Active Running Long Sleeve addresses this issue with a material concept that adjusts the moment moisture appears. NEDAO designed the top to transform sweat from a source of discomfort into the trigger for increased thermal comfort. It begins as a flat, breathable 2d mesh and shifts into a raised 3d honeycomb structure once the fabric absorbs moisture. This lift reduces direct skin contact, helping runners avoid the cold, clingy sensation that typically follows exertion.  

“We’re deeply honored. Winning this award is a strong affirmation of our global direction. It proves that our runner-centric product philosophy and our dedication to innovative technical fabrics truly resonate with runners worldwide. This recognition motivates us to keep pushing the boundaries of performance apparel,” said Tommy Tang, Founder, NEDAO. By using sweat as the adjustment mechanism rather than treating it as a problem, the HexRise aims to support consistent comfort through winter training blocks. 

The HexRise is built from eco-friendly 30d+75d recycled polyester knitted on a 28-gauge jacquard machine, forming a breathable mesh that balances structure and stretch. On this base, NEDAO integrates a water-responsive component that activates the garment’s functional shift. When dry, the fabric remains smooth and lightweight; when damp, the honeycomb rises and creates ventilation channels between the lifted points. These channels allow heat and moisture to escape while reducing the skin-fabric interface, helping runners avoid rapid cooling during interval sessions, long winter miles or windy descents. Because the transformation relies on the yarn’s behavior rather than mechanical features, the system remains lightweight and consistent over repeated use. The recycled yarn selection reflects NEDAO’s broader intent to limit environmental impact without compromising the performance required by committed runners training through cold months. 

The target group for the HexRise is clear: athletes who continue structured training in winter and require a layer that adapts as intensity shifts. The sweat-activated response aligns with the needs of runners navigating variable paces, where fast efforts generate moisture and recovery segments invite wind exposure. Details such as a sleeve watch window, thumbholes and reflective elements support functionality in darker morning or evening sessions. The garment’s lightweight construction allows it to serve as a standalone layer in cool conditions or beneath a shell in colder climates.  

For retailers, the HexRise introduces a high-value technical piece that differentiates shelves by offering a demonstrably functional fabric behavior rather than incremental updates. For consumers, it provides an intuitive solution: a running top that reacts at precisely the moment comfort often drops. 

The HexRise Active Running Long Sleeve shows how material engineering can meaningfully solve a familiar winter running challenge. By uniting recycled fibers, moisture-triggered structural change and runner-made usability details, NEDAO offers a layer built for training consistency rather than ideal weather. The ISPO Award 2025 acknowledges how the design elevates a staple category through a clear, responsive mechanism that enhances comfort without complicating construction. For runners preparing through cold, windy periods, the HexRise presents a thoughtful balance of warmth, breathability and practical design. 

• Sweat-activated 3d honeycomb reduces cold, wet cling
• Recycled polyester mesh for breathable comfort
• Ventilation channels release heat and moisture
• Runner-focused design details for winter training