Water Sports Apparel: Innovation Keeps Brands Afloat
Water sports apparel is designed to keep the wearer warm while he or she participates in underwater and surface water sports and recreational activities -- such as diving, snorkelling, sailing and surfing. These activities require apparel with one or more of several high performance properties, including thermal insulation, waterproofness and breathability. In general, manufacturers of water sports apparel have suffered in recent years as a result of the global economic crisis, declining participation rates in many water sports and changing consumer tastes. Many manufacturers have reacted positively by introducing product innovations such as inflatable wetsuits, boardshorts incorporating compression technology and garments made from environmentally friendly materials, in order to increase sales. This report provides a wealth of information on: the development of the water sports industry; participation in water sports; the market for water sports apparel; and key suppliers in the water sports apparel market. The report also features information on: the different types of apparel for underwater sports and surface water sports; footwear and accessories worn for water sports; the role of fashion in the water sports apparel market; and innovations in water sports apparel. Also, it provides an outlook for the future of the market.
SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
Types of water sports
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WATER SPORTS APPAREL INDUSTRY
PARTICIPATION IN WATER SPORTS
MARKETS FOR WATER SPORTS APPAREL
TYPES OF APPAREL FOR UNDERWATER SPORTS
Wetsuits
Wetsuit styles
Materials used in wetsuit construction
Features which enhance thermal insulation
Wetsuit seams
Wetsuit entry systems
Semi-dry suits
Drysuits
Body suits
Rash vests and insulated vests
TYPES OF APPAREL FOR SURFACE WATER SPORTS
Boardshorts
T-shirts
Spray tops
Hard wearing sailing jackets
FOOTWEAR AND ACCESSORIES WORN FOR WATER SPORTS
Footwear
Accessories
ROLE OF FASHION IN THE WATER SPORTS APPAREL MARKET
KEY SUPPLIERS IN THE WATER SPORTS APPAREL MARKET
INNOVATIONS IN WATER SPORTS APPAREL
Billabong International: V1
De Soto Sports: GreenGoma wetsuit
Diving Unlimited International: ECODiveWear
O’Neill: Technobutter
Patagonia: no chafing boardshorts
Patagonia and Yulex Corporation: wetsuit made from biomaterials
Quiksilver: Reactor Xplosive Boardshort
Rip Curl: Flash Bomb
University of Western Australia and University of Queensland: shark repellent wetsuits
Waterproof: W30
OUTLOOK
INTRODUCTION
Types of water sports
DEVELOPMENT OF THE WATER SPORTS APPAREL INDUSTRY
PARTICIPATION IN WATER SPORTS
MARKETS FOR WATER SPORTS APPAREL
TYPES OF APPAREL FOR UNDERWATER SPORTS
Wetsuits
Wetsuit styles
Materials used in wetsuit construction
Features which enhance thermal insulation
Wetsuit seams
Wetsuit entry systems
Semi-dry suits
Drysuits
Body suits
Rash vests and insulated vests
TYPES OF APPAREL FOR SURFACE WATER SPORTS
Boardshorts
T-shirts
Spray tops
Hard wearing sailing jackets
FOOTWEAR AND ACCESSORIES WORN FOR WATER SPORTS
Footwear
Accessories
ROLE OF FASHION IN THE WATER SPORTS APPAREL MARKET
KEY SUPPLIERS IN THE WATER SPORTS APPAREL MARKET
INNOVATIONS IN WATER SPORTS APPAREL
Billabong International: V1
De Soto Sports: GreenGoma wetsuit
Diving Unlimited International: ECODiveWear
O’Neill: Technobutter
Patagonia: no chafing boardshorts
Patagonia and Yulex Corporation: wetsuit made from biomaterials
Quiksilver: Reactor Xplosive Boardshort
Rip Curl: Flash Bomb
University of Western Australia and University of Queensland: shark repellent wetsuits
Waterproof: W30
OUTLOOK
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Sports and leisure activities pursued on or under the surface of water
Table 2: USA: participation in selected water sports, 2001 and 2011
Table 3: USA: participation in selected water sports, 2000-10
Table 4: UK: participation in selected water sports, 2009 and 2010
Table 5: USA: spending on outdoor activities, 2011
Table 6: Key suppliers of water sports apparel and accessories
Table 1: Sports and leisure activities pursued on or under the surface of water
Table 2: USA: participation in selected water sports, 2001 and 2011
Table 3: USA: participation in selected water sports, 2000-10
Table 4: UK: participation in selected water sports, 2009 and 2010
Table 5: USA: spending on outdoor activities, 2011
Table 6: Key suppliers of water sports apparel and accessories
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Fullsuit
Figure 2: Semi-dry suit
Figure 3: Drysuit
Figure 4: Body suit
Figure 5: Rash vest
Figure 1: Fullsuit
Figure 2: Semi-dry suit
Figure 3: Drysuit
Figure 4: Body suit
Figure 5: Rash vest
