Outdoor clothing is no longer just for extreme mountain tours or multi-day trekking adventures. Today's consumers have diverse interests and lead active, spontaneous lives, so they need clothing that is as versatile as possible and can accompany them on all their adventures. The boundaries between everyday life, leisure, and the outdoors are becoming increasingly blurred, and traditional activity categories are losing their significance. Alongside clothing for demanding outdoor enthusiasts in extreme conditions, today's consumers need clothing that can adapt to any situation: functional, reliable and suitable for everyday use. Whether it's a city commute, a microadventure or a multi-day hike, function meets lifestyle!
In the Spring/Summer 2026 season, Marmot is putting this mindset at the heart of its collection, setting new standards for the brand with greater versatility and comfort. Leading the way is the evolution of the best-selling PreCip line, first launched over 25 years ago, which has undergone continuous development ever since. The previous best-selling PreCip Eco jacket has been replaced by the PreCip EVO, while the PreCip Eco Pro — one of the brand's best-selling rain jackets — has been replaced by the PreCip EVO Pro. The latter is now lighter and is made from 3-layer NanoPro™. Thanks to an additional integrated chest pocket and more comfortable, lowered hand pockets, it is also more versatile. A brand new highlight offering unbeatable value for money is the PreCip EVO Flex Jacket, which Marmot has added to its range. Combining waterproof, breathable weather protection with high wearing comfort, it is made from 2.5-layer NanoPro™ material consisting of 100% recycled polyester ripstop with mechanical stretch for maximum freedom of movement. Matching rain pants, which are also available in full-zip versions and different lengths, complete the line.
Click here for the PreCip Evo Flex Jacket from Marmot
Marmot also has innovations in store for sleeping bags and is keeping a close eye on changing customer needs. One example is the Wraptor series, which is made from 100% recycled polyester ripstop. Marmot has dispensed with zippers and used magnetic closures instead to allow for more comfort and flexibility in different sleeping positions. The sleeping bags are available in different lengths and with down or synthetic fillings. Marmot has also developed the HiberNest series, which is equally comfortable and versatile, but with a zipper. The zipper runs along the entire foot box, providing additional ventilation and allowing you to walk around in the sleeping bag. The spacious design provides ample freedom of movement while sleeping.
Marmot's new Trailfin tent, available for two or three people, is a new solution for outdoor enthusiasts who like to travel light and compact when trekking or bike packing. Short aluminum poles ensure a smaller pack size for this freestanding tent, which has two entrances and a tent packaging that features external attachment straps to secure it to a bike.
Want to find out more about what's new at Marmot? Jan Schapmann, Managing Director of Marmot, explains in an interview what the new brand direction is all about, why classic activity categories no longer make sense today, and which product highlights the brand is launching for the SS26 season.
Jan Schapmann: The brand orientation is not entirely new. We carried out a comprehensive consumer analysis for our 50th anniversary and discovered that there are very loyal Marmot consumers and that they know exactly what Marmot stands for. What is new is that we are much more focused in our product development and our consumer approach because we know which of our brand values are perfectly in line with consumer expectations. For example, the durability of our products has always been important to us - and customers as well as retailers appreciate this and rely on it. Our sub-claim “Tested. Worn. Loved.” expresses this relationship with the longstanding favorite product.
Of course, our consumers' expectations and the way they use our products have changed over time and we address this in our Brand Guide. We don't (just) develop our collections for ourselves but focus on the consumer. You can also see this in our campaigns. It's about the people and their experiences and that hasn't changed in 50 years. However, we wanted to look ahead and asked ourselves what role the Marmot brand will play in our consumers' lives in the future. 18 months ago we appointed a new Global General Manager for Marmot, Jon Graden. Jon has questioned all our “business basics”, especially around collection development and the Go-to-Market process. What do we know, and what do we only think we know because that's how it's always been? With this attitude, “Know what you don't know”, we have brought a new dynamic to the entire team and the brand.
Our consumers and customers trust Marmot and our products when it comes to functionality, performance, innovation and sustainability. Nothing has changed in this respect. However, the demand is more and more to buy a versatile and timeless product to build up a relationship over many years and many outdoor adventures. People who are active outdoors today are often much more versatile than in the past and are always open to new experiences. That's why we don't pigeonhole our consumers into activity categories, but are just as open and flexible in our product development as our consumers are in their use. We have therefore placed great emphasis on the color palette and versatility of our products. Innovation and sustainability have always been part of our brand pillars; our customers expect this and it is firmly anchored in every step of the collection development.
Our PreCip collection has been setting standards for 25 years when it comes to the waterproof/breathable category in the sub €200 price range. To further improve the collection, we have perfectly combined the two basic requirements of functionality and comfort.
We have developed the material of the EVO Jacket so that it is significantly softer, making it more comfortable to wear without compromising performance. New is the 2.5-layer EVO Flex Jacket, which offers a high degree of mechanical stretch. In addition to comfort, this also contributes to the versatility of the jacket and pant.
In the 3-layer PreCip EVO Pro, we have revised the feature set with additional pockets. In addition to the versatility of the construction, the focus here is on the durability of our 3-layer material, which is also very comfortable and not as crunchy as other 3-layer laminates.
First and foremost, we used our consumer insights to see how the activities and expectations of outdoor users have developed. While our raw materials team evaluated all materials in terms of functionality and ecologically sustainable alternatives, the design team scrutinized each feature to determine whether it offers real added value to the user or whether there are better alternatives.
In doing so, we worked with global teams with diverse backgrounds and expertise and questioned “old beliefs”. A good example is the new PreCip EVO collection. We have made bold decisions, such as leaving out the underarm zippers on the EVO Jacket. In combination with the new material, this offers much better comfort. For this target group, the breathability and climate regulation without the additional zippers is completely sufficient. With the EVO Flex and EVO Pro, however, ventilation is a feature that is useful and important for the target group.
Our target group makes conscious, long-term purchasing decisions. Since all of our products already offer a high level of functionality, it was mainly about creating colors and color combinations that are interesting but not limited to one or two seasons. In doing so, we have addressed a consumer need that is also very important for our retail partners.
Colors like Thunderhead, discreetly combined with Honey Glaze, stimulate consumers to buy because the colors are new. However, the combinations are neutral and timeless and are not perceived as an old collection at the end of the season.
We offer our retail partners continuity and stability in the development of the collection and can therefore react very flexibly to changes in demand. PreCip has always been and will continue to be a reliable product range component for our retailers. In addition, our AirExchange collection with sun protection is developing into a core runner for the summer season because customer needs and collection development also fit together very well here.
Finally, sleeping bags are very important to us. We have expanded our successful down and synthetic portfolio in the backpacking range with two innovative series. The Wraptor and Hibernest models are aimed at consumers who value versatility and a little more comfort and perfectly complement the Gas Bag and Mad River series.
Today's retailers must have a range of sleeping bags that meets a wide variety of consumer needs. In addition, cash-flow and stock rotation are particularly important in this category. We have geared our range and our entire order and inventory management to these requirements of our retail partners so that the retailer can shine with competence and product selection and at the same time work highly profitably.
What does the future of hiking look like – and how can we actively shape it?
This is a question outdoor footwear brand Merrell has been exploring through consumer research in recent years. Their latest answer: the Merrell SpeedARC Matis, a hybrid hiking sneaker combining innovative performance and futuristic design. With its disruptive style and advanced features, it speaks to a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts: young, urban, fashion-forward, and eager to live their passion for the outdoors in everyday city life.
But how does the new model resonate with these consumers? The answer: through real-world feedback from the ISPO Collaborators Club community.
In the ISPO Collaborators Club, sports brands work closely with passionate athletes to test their latest products, gather direct feedback, and integrate it into future product development. This ensures a deeper understanding of what consumers truly value.
For the Merrell SpeedARC Matis, a dedicated test was carried out with handpicked collaborators – selected from over 30,000 members of the Merrell and ISPO community.
This shoe is designed to make hiking possible anywhere – not just in the mountains or countryside but also on urban trails and city streets. Accordingly, testers were chosen across a variety of European cities and environments: from the urban jungle of Berlin to the coastal cities of Portugal and the Dolomites of South Tyrol.
Thanks to this direct connection with the target audience, Merrell gathered detailed insights not only on performance and terrain compatibility but also on design and urban style.
Collaborators tested the Merrell SpeedARC Matis thoroughly on walks, hikes, and short runs through the city, as well as in everyday life. The immediate comfort and fit stood out. "I would 100% recommend the shoe – and I already have," said collaborator Pedro. "Overall, the experience was very positive. The shoes are super light and very comfortable, at least for the shape of my feet." Combined with innovative upper materials, they provide an optimally fitting shoe with the lightness of the ultimate running feeling underfoot. Testers of the Merrell SpeedARC Matis appreciated this. "For occasional hikes, they are by far the best shoes I have ever tried, and daily walking is incomparable," reported collaborator Fabian. The shoe's quick lace system, which allows for easy on and off and quick adjustment of the fit, was also highlighted.
"The shoes feel really great, and even on hikes with over 1,000 meters of elevation gain, I felt super comfortable. Normally, I feel my hips a bit after my short favourite hike near home, but with the SpeedARC Matis, there was no pain, and I even set a new personal best." The high energy return from the SpeedARC sole construction, where the foam in the midsole provides improved rebound and the flex plate in the midsole platform adds extra stability, was also positively evaluated during the tests. "The shoe was super comfortable to wear, and the sole really helped push me forward," said tester Lea. "The sole is excellent in my local terrain, which is mostly muddy or sandy and crosscountry. And that without feeling fatigue," added Pedro. The sole grip of the shoe was also rated as exceptional in rain and wet conditions.
“Extremely comfortable and stylish. Great to wear in urban environments, like for a walk – finally a hiking shoe that doesn’t look like a hiking shoe,” says triathlete and collaborator Maria.
Lea agrees: “I could definitely see myself wearing them not just for hiking – and I probably will.” She and collaborator Sebastian praised the cushioning and comfort, especially for long days on your feet – like during travel or in everyday life. The versatility of the shoe was also praised:
“I love that I can wear them while traveling. That means I don’t need to pack a heavy extra pair of hiking boots – and when I arrive, I still have a solid pair for hikes.”
Maria adds: “The up-to-date style is perfect for a walk in the city or park. I might even use them for my daily commute.”
For those intending to wear the shoe primarily for hiking, there was one practical tip:
“If you’re planning to use them only for hiking and not as lifestyle shoes, I wouldn’t recommend the white color – they get dirty quickly. But I do love the white design for daily wear,” says Lea.
Since the shoe comes in different colourways, personal preferences can easily be accommodated.
The shoe’s progressive look also played a big role:
“As I said – they’re super practical for travel and cover a lot of ground. Style-wise too – they go great with a technical or gorpcore outfit,” adds Lea.
With the SpeedARC Matis, Merrell has delivered a progressive shoe packed with style and technology – one that brings hiking into the city and shapes the future of outdoor footwear. And among the active testers of the ISPO Collaborators Club, it clearly found its place between urban adventure and everyday life.
Do you want to become part of our sports-enthusiastic community and be involved in future product tests and campaigns? Then join the ISPO Collaborators Club.
Recognizing the importance of sustainable material alternatives, Bosideng actively researches and develops materials that reduce environmental impact while meeting the highest performance standards. Bosideng has received several prestigious ISPO Textrends Awards in recognition of its commitment to this cause. For example, Bosideng developed 100% bio-based nylon fabrics that won the Global Selection Award in the Film and Coating category. Other bio-based fabrics received the Top 10 Product Award in the Functional Finishing category, and new high-elastic fabrics won the Top 10 Product Award in the Film and Coating category.
These innovations have been proven to reduce the environmental impact of products. Fabrics made from Bosideng's 100 percent bio-based nylon and bio-based spandex have been shown to reduce the carbon footprint by 23 percent, demonstrating the company's commitment to sustainable development and carbon reduction.
In collaboration with GORE-TEX, Bosideng has taken another significant step towards sustainability by launching down jackets laminated with the new, more sustainable GORE-TEX ePE membrane. ePE stands for expanded polyethylene, which has been proven to reduce the carbon footprint of even highly technical materials. These advanced fabrics are lightweight, durable, and free from harmful perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). By using innovative fabrics, Bosideng is able to reduce the carbon footprint of its products while ensuring durability and performance.
According to ISO14067 and PAS2050 standards, Bosideng has confirmed the carbon footprint of several key products, obtained the China Quality Certification (CQC) Center’s CO2 certification and successfully made them zero-carbon products. These include the Polar Down Jacket, the Light Warm Goose Down Jacket, the Mountaineering Down Jacket, the Ski Down Jacket and the Urban Light Outdoor 1.0 Anti-Sun Wear Apparel.
Bosideng's commitment to sustainability extends beyond material innovation to encompass the entire design process. The company took the lead in drafting the group standard T/CNGA 33-2021, which defines the “Technical Specification for the Assessment of Products with an Environmentally Friendly Design in Down Clothing”. This standard is incorporated into Bosideng's standard operating procedures (SOPs) for product design and ensures that the use of chemicals is carefully managed from the start of the design phase. By considering the use of chemicals at an early stage, Bosideng ensures that hazardous substances are eliminated at source, minimizing their environmental and health impacts.
In addition, Bosideng has created a “Supplier Chemical Control Manual” that requires suppliers to comply with Bosideng's Restricted Substances List Requirements (RSL) for Chemicals. By adhering to these strict requirements, Bosideng ensures that raw materials, semi-finished products and finished products meet high environmental and safety standards. The company is also a member of the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) initiative, which works to eliminate toxic and hazardous chemicals from the supply chain. Through careful management and analysis of suppliers' sustainability reports, Bosideng is on track to eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals throughout its supply chain by 2030.
Bosideng aims to engage with consumers to inform them about the benefits of innovative materials and strict regulations on chemical management. The company is using or plans to use various channels – including its official website, WeChat account, e-commerce platform and product labels – to educate people about the importance of chemical safety in textiles.
By providing relevant product certifications and clear information about the chemicals used in its products, Bosideng empowers consumers to make informed decisions and raises awareness of chemical safety in the fashion industry. This commitment to transparency and consumer education is a key element of Bosideng's broader social responsibility efforts.
The Global Inventory Management System (GIMS) is an advanced platform that integrates seamlessly with the company's existing systems, including the Purchase Order System (POS) and the Extended Warehouse Management (EWM). This integration enables Bosideng to efficiently monitor the entire procurement and utilization progress of raw materials, while minimizing unnecessary warehousing and wasting resources. The system is specifically tailored to the company's needs and supports efficient, resource-saving production planning.
A central component of GIMS is real-time stock tracking. By accurately and continuously monitoring the stock status of every raw material – from fabrics to trimmings – the system facilitates optimal inventory management and ensures that materials are available on time, without the need for excessive warehousing. This feature not only helps to reduce costs, but also to reduce waste and resource consumption, which is crucial in terms of sustainability.
GIMS includes a comprehensive directory of all supplier information, providing a detailed and transparent view of the entire supply chain. This transparency is crucial for upholding ethical and environmental standards throughout the supply chain. Quality assurance is further strengthened by linking GIMS to raw materials quality test reports and results. The system makes it possible to verify the suitability of raw materials for production and ensures that only high-quality materials are used, promoting a consistent standard of quality in production. Fabrics and trims are also subjected to the same rigorous monitoring. This comprehensive coverage enables the company to track all relevant materials in the supply chain in real time and to efficiently manage their use, whether they are fabrics, trimmings, or other production elements.
By exceeding national standards, Bosideng is not only improving the quality and safety of its products, but also demonstrating its commitment to customer satisfaction and excellence in the marketplace. “For Bosideng, investing in supply chain transparency and traceability is not only a strategic business decision that can enhance our overall sustainability performance, including increased consumer trust, improved risk management, better quality control, and a stronger brand image, but also a moral obligation,” explains Bosideng.
A particularly important focus for the company is the responsible handling of down – a key material in the production of outdoor clothing. By setting standards that are stricter than national requirements and demonstrating a clear commitment to animal welfare, Bosideng ensures that all raw materials used meet the highest standards of quality and ethics.
These standards include three main categories: customer-oriented key guidelines, national standard requirements, and safety indicators. The goal of these comprehensive guidelines is to ensure the quality and sustainability of the product from the outset.
A key component of Bosideng's down quality control is the utilization of the SAP system to inspect each batch of down jackets before they are stored. Before storage, each batch is checked and tested for quality by qualified laboratory personnel. This double safeguard ensures that only down of the highest quality and with the required certificates enters the production process, thereby enhancing both product safety and brand integrity.
Animal welfare is a central component of responsible procurement practices at Bosideng. The company prefers suppliers that are certified according to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) – a globally recognized certification program that ensures that the down is obtained under ethical and animal-friendly conditions. Bosideng is actively committed to continuously increasing the RDS certification rates in order to further promote animal welfare and increase transparency in the supply chain.
“Responsibly sourced down is an indispensable part of our sustainability strategy. We are proud that 100 percent of the down raw materials we source are RDS-certified and 75 percent of them are OEKO-TEX®-certified. In addition, we source 58 percent of our down from suppliers that are also bluesign® certified,” explains Bosideng. These certifications not only ensure the ethical sourcing of down but also guarantee compliance with strict environmental and health standards.
In addition to down, Bosideng also has a clear strategy for the responsible sourcing of other materials such as cotton and leather. The company has introduced a comprehensive policy to ensure that these raw materials are also procured ethically and sustainably. Bosideng is committed to continuously monitoring its entire supply chain for environmental and social responsibility.
The world is full of challenges: Climate crisis, social tensions, geopolitical uncertainties. Right now, we need personalities who are encouraging, take responsibility and show what is possible - on and off the sporting stage. One of these personalities is Laura Philipp. With her outstanding successes and social commitment, she embodies the spirit of the ISPO Cup in an impressive way.
The world is full of challenges: Climate crisis, social tensions, geopolitical uncertainties. Right now, we need personalities who are encouraging, take responsibility and show what is possible - on and off the sporting stage. One of these personalities is Laura Philipp. With her outstanding successes and social commitment, she embodies the spirit of the ISPO Cup in an impressive way.
The world is full of challenges: Climate crisis, social tensions, geopolitical uncertainties. Right now, we need personalities who are encouraging, take responsibility and show what is possible - on and off the sporting stage. One of these personalities is Laura Philipp. With her outstanding successes and social commitment, she embodies the spirit of the ISPO Cup in an impressive way.
Laura Philipp is one of the most influential figures in international triathlon. Yet her career began comparatively late: it was not until 2011, at the age of 24, that she took the plunge from running and fitness into the triathlon world - without ever having learned to crawl properly beforehand. What followed is a success story rarely seen in endurance sports.
With uncompromising discipline, an astonishing eagerness to learn and a keen eye for detail, she worked her way to the top of the world rankings in record time. The support of her husband and coach Philipp Seipp and their training life together in Neckargemünd near Heidelberg formed the stable foundation for this path.
But Laura Philipp is far more than just an athlete with an impressive record. She stands for sustainability, a conscious lifestyle and a commitment to women in competitive sport. Her attitude shows that top performance and social responsibility are not mutually exclusive - on the contrary, they complement each other.
Laura Philipp has firmly established herself among the global triathlon elite - and made history:
Her athletic record is not just about performance - it is an expression of continuity, resilience and a deep understanding of her sport.
Her social commitment is at least as impressive as her sporting success. One outstanding example: in 2020, Laura Philipp auctioned off all of her Hawaii equipment for the benefit of the Haus Emmaus hospice in Wetzlar. The proceeds were used to finance an extension that houses the "Charly and Lotte" project - an initiative to provide bereavement support for children and young people.
This campaign shows what Laura Philipp stands for: Athletes* not only have the opportunity, but also the responsibility to use their reach in a meaningful way. She proves that sport can give hope and have a social impact.
At the same time, she is committed to female empowerment and a healthy, self-determined training culture through her KickAss Sports project. Her training plans take cycle health into account; her workshops combine neuroscientific findings with sporting practice. She creates access, breaks down barriers and inspires women worldwide to go their own way in endurance sports.
On Sunday, November 30, 2025, Laura Philipp was ceremoniously presented with the ISPO Cup at ISPO 2025. Stefan Rummel honored her as part of the "ISPO Executive Night 2025: Celebrating Excellence in Sports and Business", where the extraordinary importance of her sporting and social commitment was highlighted.
Laura Philipp shows that sport is more than just competition. It is a force that can inspire, connect and change. With her attitude, her commitment and her vision, she is a role model - and a reminder of what is possible if you have the courage to get the world moving.
Since 1971, the ISPO Cup has been honoring icons of sport - not just for their achievements, but for their visions and the courage to think outside the box. From soccer legend Fritz Walter to Eddy Merckx and Franz Beckenbauer: the award goes to personalities who use sport as a platform for social change.
Verena Bentele adds another highlight to this tradition. She shows how sport can not only change lives, but entire societies. Her story inspires - far beyond medals.