Image credit:
Messe München
ISPO Award Jury Meeting
Image credit:
Messe München
Sports Business/06/02/2025

Product Trends, Partnerships, Perspectives – The First ISPO Award Jury Meeting of 2025

We need your consent to enable the rating function!

This feature is only available when corresponding consent is given. Please read the details and accept the service to enable rating function.

Rate
Bookmark

Classic mountain weather – rain, light snowfall, and dense fog that only hints at the alpine landscape surrounding Schröcken, Vorarlberg. Tough conditions for anyone looking to hike, trail run, or explore the rugged terrain by mountain bike. But for the ISPO Award jury, it was the perfect setting to dive deep into the latest innovations from the sports and outdoor industry – inside the seminar rooms of the partner hotel, Berghaus Schröcken.

At ISPO 2025 from 30 NOV. - 02. DEC. the winners will be honored with the ISPO Award for outstanding innovation and quality. Be there when the trends, innovations and pioneering solutions that will shape the sports market of tomorrow are revealed.

ISPO 2025
The sports and outdoor industry is on the move - and we are moving with it. ISPO Munich will move closer to the needs of the international sports business community. More space for exchange, clear structures and real encounters - that's what awaits you from 30. NOV. - 02. DEC. 2025.
Be there - we look forward to exchanging ideas with you!

It’s late May when the first ISPO Award jury meeting of 2025 takes place. Brands from around the globe have submitted their new products for the first half of the year. A total of 32 items – spanning apparel, footwear, gear, and camping equipment – are lined up for critical review. The jury was deliberately composed with diversity in mind: three permanent members, three engaged consumers from the ISPO Collaborators Club, and the organizing team from ISPO all contribute to a wide-ranging view of what innovation in sports means today. 

The panel brings together expertise in journalism, textile and hardware development, design, and real-world outdoor experience – a cross-section of the industry where product knowledge, hands-on use, and consumer insight carry equal weight. The process is dynamic: products are discussed, compared, and challenged in an open, constructive environment that does justice to every submission.

Trailrunning beim ersten ISPO Award Jurymeeting 2025
Activities provide balance during the jury meetings. To kick off the awards season, the group split into hiking and trail running.
Image credit:
Messe München

Decathlon Surprises, Ingredient Brands Drive Innovation

One brand that sparked a lot of conversation was Decathlon. The global sporting goods giant entered three products into the race, including a running shoe made without adhesives and a tent featuring a smart solution for condensation. Far from generic mass-market gear, these entries showcased technical finesse and a clear commitment to sustainable innovation – all at a consumer-friendly price point. It was a surprising performance, showing that even high-volume brands are ready to break new ground. “I find Decathlon quite remarkable – especially in terms of sustainability, they’re now among the frontrunners in the industry,” said jury member Dr. Regina Henkel. “It’s even more encouraging to see one of the world’s largest sporting goods retailers investing so actively in this space.” Fellow juror Prof. Dr. Martina Wengenmeir shares that view: “They’re not just copying – they’re putting serious work into real product development.” 

A recurring theme across many entries: versatility. Whether for travel, everyday use, or outdoor adventure, products today are expected to meet a wide range of demands. The Tropicfeel shoe, for example, performs on the road, on a hike, and even in water – all while keeping a clean, stylish look. Multifunctionality and good design are no longer at odds. The jury also gave generally positive feedback on how brands approached sustainability.  Journalist Martina explained:

Sustainability is now a baseline. PFAS-free treatments, new membranes, alternative fibers – that’s no longer a differentiator, it’s expected.

Another strong signal: collaborations and ingredient brands are playing a more central role than ever. Outdoor expert Martina said:

A lot of real innovation starts through close partnerships with suppliers. Ingredient brands often lead the way in development. There’s a huge amount of expertise there – and these are real partnerships that result in truly strong products.

Kids ’gear is also gaining traction. In the past, children’s versions were often just scaled-down adult products. Today, they’re showing up as thoughtfully developed items with tailored cuts, weight, and functionality. The 3-in-1 layering jacket from Bosideng and the Quik-Go shoes by Viking are prime examples – functional, durable, age-appropriate. And this trend is clearly growing. 

Women-specific design also remains in focus. The shift away from unisex solutions toward more tailored, functional, and aesthetic choices continues – and is clearly being welcomed by consumers.

Judging beim ersten ISPO Award Jurymeeting 2025
Active discussion: Every product is reviewed in depth. Dr. Regina Henkel (center) in conversation with ISPO Collaborators Club guest jurors – ultrarunner Sigrid Eder (right) and designer Arianna Fritz.
Image credit:
Messe München

Gold Winners as a Mark of Excellence

The ISPO Award’s evaluation model underwent a major redesign for 2025, aiming to bring more structure, fairness, and comparability to the recognition process. Instead of a large, loosely defined group of winners, products will now be assigned to clearly defined, homogeneous categories. These roughly ten categories will be created after the Q4 jury meeting and are based on the actual product landscape submitted throughout the year. 

Within each category, the five highest-scoring entries will be named the Top 5. These products will receive special visibility at the ISPO Munich trade show and serve as benchmarks within their respective categories. From these Top 5, one category winner will be selected – the Gold Winner. 

For long-standing jury members Martina and Regina, this is a welcome and meaningful change:

The quality of the award is elevated when standout projects are given targeted recognition.

The new concept is designed to make the ISPO Awards clearer and more transparent while still honoring a broad range of innovative products. It places them in a fair and comprehensible context that helps both the industry and end consumers better understand which products truly matter – not only technically, but also strategically, going forward.

Juryprozess beim ersten ISPO Award Jurymeeting 2025
At the beginning of each decision-making process, a short video from the respective brand presents the key USPs of the submitted product in a clear and concise way.
Image credit:
Messe München

Global Reach, Diversity, and What’s Ahead

International participation was clearly visible again this year – many of the submitted products came from Asian brands, particularly from China. Pelliot entered four different products, while Bosideng impressed with a circular-designed commuting jacket. Quality and innovation were high across the board. “China has clearly recognized that circular economy is the way forward – and they’re acting accordingly,” explains journalist Regina.

What we in Europe are mainly pushing through regulation and legislation is increasingly driven by independent initiatives in Asia.

In contrast, development in the United States is far less consistent. “There’s often a lack of political support. While some brands remain committed to their sustainability goals, others are clearly pulling back.” 

Despite growing international involvement, the ISPO Award still reflects only part of the industry's full momentum. “For this jury meeting, entries in swimwear or surf gear would have been very appropriate. The industry is much broader than what was submitted,” notes textile expert Regina, encouraging brands from all segments to consider entering their products in the future. 

The award continues to evolve – both in content and structure. With a more diverse jury, a sharpened evaluation process, and clearly defined categories, the ISPO Award is set to remain a powerful signal for innovation and relevance in the years ahead.

The ISPO Award - one of the most prestigious awards for innovation and quality in the sports industry - will once again be presented at ISPO 2025 in Munich. Outstanding products from areas such as health, lifestyle and running will be honored. The expert jury evaluates according to innovation, functionality, sustainability and design. The ISPO Award showcases the latest trends and provides important impetus for the industry. Winners receive special visibility at ISPO and strengthen their market position. Don't miss the chance to network with industry professionals and actively shape the future of sport. Be there from 30. NOV. - 02. DEZ. in Munich!

Gruppenbild vom ersten ISPO Award Jurymeeting 2025
Not even rough weather could dampen the jury’s spirit during the award meeting in Schröcken.
Image credit:
Messe München

Partner Hotel for Jury Meetings Q1 & Q2

For the Q1 & Q2 jury meeting, Berghaus Schröcken served as the official partner hotel, providing its inviting spaces for the event. Opened in July 2022, the property features spacious apartments styled like American condos, blending alpine charm with modern comfort. With a spa area, heated outdoor pool, and flexible seminar rooms, it offers an ideal setting for productive meetings in the mountains. 

Hotels and destinations interested in hosting future jury meetings are welcome to contact Florian von Stuckrad (fvs@mpm-ag.de

Topics in this article