Plant-Based Ski Wear and Bluetooth Powered Gadgets Set to Hit Slopes in 2020

As the 2019/20 ski season finally gets underway, winter holiday provider Club Med has teamed up with industry experts to predict future trends in skiwear. People want more from their clothing, which is why the top trends go beyond just style – extending into safety, performance and more ethical ski fashion pieces.

The latest slope wear predictions for 2020 include cruelty-free clothing and Ultra HD cameras that will help snow lovers capture Insta-worthy action shots.

Estelle Giraudeau, Managing Director UK & Northern Europe at Club Med said,

“This is an exciting time for ski fashion. Over the decades we have seen clothing brands develop exciting new products and with technology advancing at such a fast rate, we expect even more advancements to come. That’s why we put together this trends piece, to help showcase the exciting items we predict could soon be in the wardrobes of skiers around the world.”

Trend 1: Incorporating wearable tech for performance

Wearable tech is a huge upcoming trend in ski fashion, featuring heavily in the top 4 skiwear predictions list – enhancing performance, safety, and experience. The variety of ski enhancing technology will allow beginner, amateur and professional ski goers to track their performance and improve their skills on the slopes with help of a digital coach.

Snow wear will include these upcoming performance features:

• Sweatproof ski jacket: Using electrical textiles, this smart jacket will keep you dry and warm but sweat-free, thus enabling you to perform at your best for longer.
• Digital ski instructor and tracker: Carv is an ultra-thin ski boot pad that monitors ski performance and offers real-time audio coaching to help you perfect your technique.
• Ice-repellent snow boots: Designed for optimal performance in the harshest of weather, the dial, laces, and lace guides repel ice and help skiers have more balance on the snow.

Trend 2: Out with synthetics and in with sustainable fabrics

Cruelty-free ski wear is in vogue this season, with plenty of vegan and sustainable clothing and accessories designed to keep you warm on the slopes while minimizing harm to animals and the environment.  With 75% of consumers wanting to make more eco-friendly efforts to prevent climate change and more than a third of online shoppers making stricter purchases. Companies are rapidly investing in new materials to meet customer demands and help protect the planet.

• Snow wear will increasingly be made from synthetic and plant-based fabrics which are made from soybeans and hemp. These natural products will help to protect the environment, without compromising on comfort and style.
• Plant-based down ski jacket: Stylish, snug, and cruelty-free, this head-turning plant-based ski jacket will keep you warm on the chilliest piste.
• Synthetic hat and gloves: Made from 100% GOTS (global organic textile standard) certified organic wool to keep you nice and toasty.
• Non-leather boa boots: These stylish vegan boots are designed to make a statement as you hit the après ski scene.

Trend 3: Safety led clothing and accessories

From life-saving rescue systems to smart helmets and Bluetooth gloves, there’s enough state-of-the-art ski gear in the pipeline to give peace of mind when out on the slopes.

Jonathan Chippindale, CEO of Holition which specializes in humanizing technology in the fashion and beauty industry said:

“When I look at the future generations, they’re not just talking about sustainability – they’re already doing it. I can’t see Gen Z coming through who would buy non-sustainable ski products. I do a lot of work with Central Saint Martins’ Material Futures Programme, where students take on a future-facing design approach. They think strategically and look at the full spectrum of materiality in working out the requirements of the textiles of the future. These young designers look at design from a very human perspective and create fashion that is designed for the environment.”

• Recco rescue system jacket: A lifesaving gadget sown in the jacket and help rescue teams detect skiers if they’re in danger.
• Helly Hansen Life Pocket: Three times warmer than a standard ski jacket, the Life Pocket will prevent your smartphone from suffering from temporary shut down and premature battery drain caused by cold mountain temperatures.
• Power sock: These battery-powered heated socks will keep your feet extra toasty on the slopes.
• Bluetooth gloves: You’ll never lose your skiing buddies again with these Bluetooth gloves, which allow you to make and receive calls without even touching your phone.

Trend 4: Designed to enhance your experience

If you’ve not captured it in crystal-clear HD in the 21st century, did it even happen? The next generation of sports cameras steps things up a few notches, utilizing everything from machine learning and AI to 8K live streaming. The popularity of winter sports photography will continue to grow on social media as skiers and influencers will be able to post action-filled snaps onto Instagram 12.5 million ski feed.

• Machine learning and AI ski camera: It can be easy to lose members of your party on the slopes, but not with a nifty AI camera, which uses machine learning to identify individuals from distance.
• 8K live streaming: Forget those shaky images that look like VHS from the 1980s, 8K live streaming will make your audience feel like they’re right there with you.
• Voice control ski camera: Never miss a picture-perfect view again as you descend the slopes with a voice-activated, ultra-HD 8K camera.
• Smart helmet: With its built-in mic and speaker, you’ll never get bored queueing for the ski lift again with your favorite playlist blasting out.

Further information on Club Med’s skiwear trends can be found at https://www.clubmed.co.uk/blog/fuure-of-ski-fashion