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Smartwool and Altra Running teamed up to bring a Merino Wool cold weather training collection exclusively to REI. Designed to keep the runner comfortable all winter long.
I conducted interviews & surveys with over 150 runners to develop a deeper understanding of their relationship & needs with cold weather running apparel.
80% of participants required adjustability with bottoms.
94% of participants prefer odor resistant materials.
76% of participants preferred sustainable blends.
87% of participants are running in low-light conditions.
84% of participants ranked moisture wicking as most important of features.
53% of participants wear a hydration pack.
Because we put Merino Wool where it matters. Next to your skin.
This collection was designed from the inside-out-meaning we focus on key areas with body-mapping and strategic placement to highlight the comfort and performance of Merino Wool. And when you wear Merino next to skin, a lot of benefits come with it.
During the market analysis phase, I found that runners have a desire for more wind protection and reflectivity within their clothes. We solved for that in this collection with windproof panelling & reflective branding elements- perfect for running in low-light, cold conditions.
Merino Wool works best as a laying system. To amplify the benefits of the fiber, we launched a head-to-toe collection including tops, midlayers, bottoms, accessories and footwear.