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

• Decathlon Surprises, Ingredient Brands Drive Innovation
• Gold Winners as a Mark of Excellence
• Global Reach, Diversity, and What’s Ahead

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.

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.

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.

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!