A recent study shows that the activewear market is booming, largely driven by the rapid growth of pickleball and a shift towards specialized sports clothing.

Interest in specialized sports is propelling the growth of the activewear market, notably with pickleball, which has emerged as the U.S.’s fastest-growing sport. A new study by Centric Market Intelligence reveals that pickleball product availability soared by 645 percent year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2024, outpacing other sports. Alongside this boom in pickleball, running apparel experienced a 12 percent increase, while tennis and golf saw more modest gains of 4 percent and declines, respectively. However, snow sports faced a downturn in demand.

The study provides a comprehensive analysis of fourth-quarter market data from a range of U.S. retailers, including Adidas, Athleta, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Lululemon, Nike, and Target. The findings indicate a robust performance in athleisure apparel, particularly with sweatpants brands like Hollister, Aritzia, and Adidas seeing notable growth, particularly in online searches. Conversely, leggings observed only minor growth or declines, suggesting consumers are leaning towards enhancing their crossover athleisure wardrobes instead of maintaining traditional activewear collections.

As pickleball’s popularity surges, brands are responding by releasing specialized “racquet wear” that merges functionality with fashion, catering to players’ on-court performance needs while remaining stylish for casual wear. The report underscores a significant shift towards sport-specific attire, aligning with the preferences of modern pickleball players.

In the sphere of tennis, luxury fashion collaborations have gained traction, with high-profile brands like Gucci and Hugo Boss launching collections that merge athleticism with haute couture. These collaborations have broadened the appeal of tennis apparel, attracting an audience that includes fashion-conscious consumers as described in the report.

Pricing trends indicate an upward trajectory in the premium segment, which has seen an 11 percent increase year-over-year, making it the fastest-growing in terms of pricing. However, early indicators in 2025 show a decline in sold-out rates for premium activewear, hinting at potential softness in demand in this price range.

The mass market appears to be experiencing challenges, with discounting notably prevalent at lower price points and an increase in sold-out rates among mass retailers at the start of the year.

In the women’s activewear category, the report highlights the top-selling brands in pants and leggings, which include Old Navy, Nike, Under Armour, Athleta, and Lululemon. In women’s shirts and tops, standout brands feature similar names with Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas leading sales.

Search data reflects consumer interest, with Lululemon tennis skirts showing a remarkable 272 percent growth, followed by Hollister sweatpants at 188 percent, Aritzia sweatpants at 110 percent, Under Armour compression shirts at 82 percent, and Adidas sweatpants at 59 percent.

The report also indicates that newer entrants such as Varley, Vuori, and Rhone are gaining traction by offering premium, performance-driven, and sustainable activewear options. Niche brands like Bandit Running and Staud Sport are also making headway in the market, focusing on community-driven and fashionable activewear. Despite their currently limited distribution compared to traditional brands, these newer brands are quickly gaining recognition and consumer interest.

Source: Noah Wire Services