Pickleball Power: Sports-Specific Apparel Drives Athleisure Market Growth
Get out your pickleball racquets.
Specialized sports are driving demand in the activewear market, with interest in tennis, running, golf and pickleball continuing to rise. Pickleball saw a 645 percent year-over-year growth in product availability in the fourth quarter of 2024. Running apparel also saw a 12 percent year-over-year growth, tennis showed a 4 percent gain, while golf and snow sports experienced declines.
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That’s according to a study by Centric Market Intelligence, which took a deep dive into the activewear market. The report focused on fourth-quarter market data from such U.S. retailers as Adidas, Alo Yoga, Asics, Athleta, Bandier, Bloomingdale’s, Carbon38, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Fabletics, Finish Line, Foot Locker, H&M, Hoka, JD Sports, Kohl’s, Lululemon, Macy’s, New Balance, Nike, Nordstrom, Old Navy, Puma, Reebok, Sweaty Betty, Target and Under Armour.
Overall, athleisure apparel is showing strength, with sweatpants, particularly from brands such as Hollister, Aritzia and Adidas, having a strong year. They are seeing growth in online searches. By comparison, leggings saw only modest growth or declines in searches, showing that consumers may be looking to augment their crossover athleisure wardrobes versus traditional active ones, according to Centric Market Intelligence.
Recognized as the U.S.’s fastest-growing sport, pickleball has seen a surge in popularity, leading to a demand for specialized apparel. Brands are introducing “racquet-wear” that combines functionality with style, suitable for both on-court performance and casualwear, according to Centric’s report. This trend reflects a shift from traditional athleisure to sport-specific clothing that meets the needs of the pickleball player, the report said.
The report pointed out that tennis has become a focal point for luxury fashion collaborations. Brands such as Gucci and Hugo Boss have launched tennis-inspired collections, blending athletic performance with high fashion. These collaborations have expanded the appeal of tennis apparel beyond the court, attracting fashion-conscious consumers, said Centric.
Prices appear to be on the rise. The premium segment saw an 11 percent year-over-year price increase, making it the fastest-growing category in terms of pricing. However, at the start of this year, sold-out rates for premium activewear have declined, indicating potential weakness in demand at the higher price points, according to Centric’s report.
The report showed weakness in the mass market with discounting highest at the lowest price points. Mass retailers saw an uptick in sold-out rates at the start of 2025.
In women’s activewear for the fourth quarter, the top sold-out brands in women’s pants and leggings were Old Navy, Nike, Under Armour, Athleta, Adidas, Lululemon, Reebok, Sweaty Betty, Carbon38 and Concept Sport. In women’s shirts and tops, the top sold-out brands in women’s were Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, Antigua, Old Navy, Fanatics, Sweaty Betty, Athleta, Reebok, and Colosseum.
In terms of search data, Lululemom tennis skirts showed a 272 percent growth, while Hollister sweatpants had a 188 percent growth. That was followed by Aritzia sweatpants, up 110 percent, Under Armor compression shirts, up 82 percent, and Adidas sweatpants, up 59 percent.
The report also noted that newer brands such as Varley, Vuori and Rhone are carving out space in the market — giving traditional brands a run for their money — with premium, performance-driven and sustainable activewear and athleisure. Niche brands such as Bandit Running and Staud Sport are also gaining attention, focusing on community-driven and fashion-forward activewear. While they might not have the broader distribution of traditional brands, these niche brands are catching up, according to the report.
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