The sporty and casual style continues to heat up, and knitted sportswear pants have become a best-selling item that combines fashion and functionality in 2024.

Introduction

With the continuous popularity of the Athleisure trend, knitted sport pants that combine comfort and fashion have become a must-have item in the wardrobes of consumers around the world. In 2024, with the upgrading of material technology and design innovation, this category will not only take over gyms and the streets, but also become a cross-border choice in the workplace and social scenarios. Industry data shows that the global sportswear market size is expected to exceed 30 billion US dollars by 2025. Among them, knitted sportswear has become the fastest-growing segment due to its breathability, elasticity and environmental friendliness.

Consumer Demand: From "Sports-specific" to "All-scenario Dressing"

According to the "2024 Global Sportswear Trends Report", 65% of consumers pay more attention to the "compatibility for daily wear" when purchasing sportswear pants rather than just their sports performance. Knitted sportswear pants have become the first choice due to the following features:

Comfort upgrade: High-elasticity knitted fabrics (such as spandex blends) offer a sense of freedom, making them suitable for long periods of sitting at work or long-distance travel.

Design diversity: From minimalist solid colors to retro stripes, and even the "shark pants" silhouette of yoga pants, catering to different dressing styles.

The effect of celebrity endorsements: The frequent appearance of "knitted sportswear pants + suits" in domestic celebrity street snaps has pushed it to become a trend symbol.

2. Technological fabrics have become the core of competition, and the concept of environmental protection is highly sought after

Brand owners are all seizing the market through material innovation:

Moisture-wicking and sweat-absorbing technologies: such as Nike's Dri-FIT ADV and Lululemon's Everlux™, keep the exercise dry and comfortable.

Sustainable materials: The new Adidas model uses 100% recycled polyester fiber to reduce the carbon footprint. The domestic brand Jiaonei has launched a plant-based spandex series.

Temperature regulation: Under Armour's Meridian series incorporates phase change material (PCM) to adapt to temperature differences throughout the four seasons.

Industry experts point out: "In the future, the competition in sportswear will not only be about style, but also the technological barriers at the supply chain end." (Quoted from Textile Science and Technology Monthly, March 2024)

3. Explosive growth in niche markets: Women, children and the elderly become new growth points

Women's market: Demand for high-waisted and hip-lifting designs has soared. Sales of women's knitted sportswear rose by 42% year-on-year in Q1 2024 (Data source: Tmall Sportswear).

Children's style: Breathable and antibacterial fabric is favored by mothers. Brands like Balabala have launched cross-border products such as "school uniform sportswear pants".

Middle-aged and elderly groups: Loose fit + joint protection design (such as Li-Ning's "Warm Care Series") opens up the silver economy.

4. The rise of domestic brands, with equal emphasis on cost performance and design

While international big brands are dominating the high-end market, domestic brands are breaking through through differentiation strategies:

URBAN REVIVO: Launched the "Office Athleisure" series, featuring sweatpants with invisible pocket designs, targeting the workplace scene.

Maia Active: "Cloud-sensing pants" tailored specifically for Asian women, with over 100,000 notes on Xiaohongshu.

Supply chain advantage: Manufacturers in Yiwu, Zhejiang and other places have launched basic models with high cost performance ranging from 50 to 150 yuan, seizing the lower-tier market.

5. Industry Challenges and Future Trends

Despite the booming market, pain points still exist:

Severe homogenization: Small and medium-sized brands follow the trend and imitate best-selling products, lacking originality.

The cost of green transformation is high: The price of eco-friendly fabrics is 20% to 30% higher than that of ordinary fabrics, and the acceptance of consumers needs to be cultivated.

Future trend forecast

Smart wearable integration: such as sports pants with built-in heart rate monitoring sensors (Samsung has applied for relevant patents).

Customized services: 3D body measurement +AI pattern recommendation to meet personalized needs.

Conclusion

From functionality to fashion, from sports fields to social circles, the "boundaries" of knitted sportswear pants are vanishing. If a brand wants to stand out in this competition, it needs to continuously delve into technology, environmental protection and user scenario insight. As an industry analyst put it, "Whoever can turn a pair of sweatpants into a 'universal item' will win the next decade."