NY
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Cushioning taking its structure from how a trampoline stores energy.
Co-developmentIn-development
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Updated Nov 2, 2026
Performance apparel covers clothing and footwear built for what the body does in it. On Halo, the solutions cover cushioning and sole structure, thermal management in a shoe, sustainable materials for footwear, and sensing and measurement. Sign up to search the full network and post your specific need.
Cushioning and sole structure
NY
MA
University of Auckland
Fluid-filled biocompatible composite insoles, printed to fit.
Sponsored researchIn-development
WL
Michigan State University
Liquid nanofoam cushioning, for performance and comfort together.
Sponsored researchIn-development
Thermal management in a shoe
Abdon Pena-francesch
University of Michigan
Laminated metamaterials tuned for cushioning and thermal comfort at once.
Sponsored researchEarly-stage
SP
Sungkyunkwan University
Parylene C on porous plastic, controlling humidity inside a shoe.
Early-stage
CA
Nottingham Trent University
A dual-hardness midsole tuned for thermal comfort in cold running.
Sponsored researchEarly-stage
Sustainable materials for footwear
DC
JKM Technologies, LLC DBA as OESH Shoes · Startup
A recyclable biobased elastomer spring sole, injection molded.
LicensingIn-development
Stephen Hodge
Versarien · Supplier
Graphene in a thermoplastic elastomer, for damping in a shoe midsole.
Co-developmentIn-development
RN
A biodegradable biopolymer aimed at footwear cushioning.
Co-developmentIn-development
Sensing and measurement
Jason Wold
Vector Research Labs, LLC · Startup
An autonomic sensing module built into apparel.
Sponsored researchEarly-stage
XG
University of Michigan
Mechanical characterization of the soft deformable materials a wearable uses.
In-development
Fabric and fiber for apparel
Bernd Liesenfeld
Quick-Med Technologies, Inc. · Startup
Peroxide released steadily into a fabric for freshness and odor control.
Sponsored researchIn-development
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Who is working on performance apparel
Organizations in performance apparel
Universities, startups, and suppliers with solutions in performance apparel.
Performance apparel organizationsAbout performance apparel
Nearly every entry on Halo is a shoe. Ten work on cushioning, through graded lattices, liquid nanofoam, fluid-filled insoles and trampoline-inspired structures, and eight manage heat, by redirecting airflow, switching a foam thermally or refrigerating the shoe outright. On Halo it spans five groups, including cushioning and sole structure, thermal management in a shoe, and sustainable materials for footwear.
Stage of development. Work on performance apparel on Halo is split between university programs and companies. 44% of the solutions are in market. Co-development and sponsored research are the usual partnering routes, and about 50% of the solutions that state terms offer pilot engagements.
Three trends in performance apparel on Halo
The shoe is hot, and that is the brief. Eight entries manage heat in footwear: a thermally switching foam, airflow redirected through the shoe, a refrigeration cycle driven by the stride itself, laminated metamaterials, parylene controlling humidity, and a dual-hardness midsole tuned for cold running. Cushioning is a mature science and thermal comfort is where the remaining complaint sits.
Cushioning became a geometry problem. Graded lattices programmed for pronation, trampoline-inspired energy return, fluid-filled printed insoles, laminated metamaterials, and liquid nanofoam. Only a few entries change the polymer; most change the structure, because a printed or lattice geometry can be tuned per zone in a way a foam cannot.
Apparel barely appears. Of twenty-seven entries, two are garments: an autonomic sensing module built into apparel and active thermal management for athletic wear. Everything else is a shoe. Footwear brands run material innovation programs and buy from outside; apparel largely does not, and the set reflects it.
276organizations
298solutions listed
56%from university labs
44%in market
Frequently asked questions
What is performance apparel?
Performance apparel covers clothing and footwear built for what the body does in it. It spans footwear cushioning and sole structure, thermal management in a shoe or a garment, sustainable materials used for those parts, and the sensing and measurement around a wearable. Footwear and sportswear brands and their material suppliers are the buyers.
What are examples of performance apparel?
Five examples of performance apparel solutions on Halo include:
- Cushioning taking its structure from how a trampoline stores energy. (University of Nebraska, Lincoln)
- A polymer foam that switches thermally, cooling an athletic shoe. (Topologica, Incorporated)
- A recyclable biobased elastomer spring sole, injection molded. (JKM Technologies, LLC DBA as OESH Shoes)
- An autonomic sensing module built into apparel. (Vector Research Labs, LLC)
- Peroxide released steadily into a fabric for freshness and odor control. (Quick-Med Technologies, Inc.)
What are the latest performance apparel innovations?
The most recently updated performance apparel solutions on Halo include:
Which companies and suppliers are developing performance apparel?
There are 276 organizations with performance apparel solutions on Halo, 50 of them universities and research institutions. Among them are University of Nebraska, Lincoln, University of Auckland, and Michigan State University. Most offer co-development or sponsored research. Sign up to see every organization working in the area and to send them your specific need.
How do I find performance apparel research partners?
Browsing performance apparel solutions on Halo is free. Sign up to search the full network and save the ones you want. Post your specific need to get exact matches. Organizations reply directly on the platform.
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