Water Sports Apparel: Product Developments and Innovations Buoy Prospects for Growth

Water sports apparel plays a crucial role in allowing people to pursue a variety of water sports activities - including sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing and water skiing - for as long as possible, safely and comfortably. In order to perform this role, it needs to possess a broad range of performance properties, including thermal insulation, waterproofness and breathability.

A key driver of the market for water sports apparel is innovation, and there is a particular focus on the development of wetsuits which are lightweight, facilitate high levels of stretch, and incorporate advanced safety features. In the case of sailing wear, product development efforts have been focused on enhancing protection against the elements and providing comfort features such as articulated elbows and fleece linings in pockets and collars. Some innovations have focused on the development of environmentally sustainable alternatives to neoprene - a material which is used extensively in the manufacture of wetsuits. Looking to the future, sales of water sports equipment are expected to grow substantially over the next five years, and it is likely that sales of water sports apparel will follow suit.

This report provides a wealth of information on recent innovations in water sports apparel. Furthermore, it examines: the functions of water sports apparel; the development of the wetsuit industry; participation rates in water sports; markets for water sports apparel; fabrics and materials used for water sports apparel; garments and accessories worn for water sports; footwear and accessories worn for water sports; key suppliers in the water sports apparel market; and environmental sustainability in the water sports industry. Also, it provides an outlook for the future.