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KMD Brands takes home a trio of ISPO Awards
November 30, 2024
Innovations
4 min read
From carbon-capturing women’s shorts to ultra-light luggage to 3D-printed boardshorts, KMD Brands is constantly looking for new materials, design details and manufacturing methods to drive innovation in performance and circularity.
Our approach was recognised for product innovation after taking home three prestigious ISPO Awards in 2024.
The ISPO Awards are widely regarded as a global benchmark for excellence in the sporting goods industry, spotlighting the most forward-thinking designs and setting the tone for the future of outdoor gear.
Performance gear meets climate innovation
Kathmandu Women’s Seeker Lined 4” Shorts
As a certified B Corporation, Kathmandu is committed to reducing our climate impact by shifting from petrochemical to circular and bio-based materials – and the Women’s Seeker Shorts are a bold step in that direction.
The primary fabric is made using LanzaTech’s carbon capture polyester – created by turning industrial emissions from steel mills into ethanol, using fermentation by bacteria. The ethanol is converted into a chemical used to make polyester.
A second fabric, Q-CYCLE® nylon by Fulgar, gives car tyres a second life. Through advanced recycling processes, rubber waste is converted into high-quality yarn that performs under pressure.
These shorts are light, breathable and built for trail runs and outdoor training, with a citric acid-based odour control finish that skips the synthetic chemicals.
What the jury said: “The highly functional Women's Seeker Lined 4” Shorts have a deep connection to sustainable technology. They are an excellent example of how the need to protect the climate is creating new opportunities for innovation in the textile industry, even transforming emissions into new raw materials.”
Lightweight, long-haul ready
Kathmandu Feather Flight Carry On
Designed for travellers who pack light and move fast, the Feather Flight Carry On weighs just 1.6 kilograms.
This is one of the lightest carry-ons in its class – and still offers 40 litres of storage. Built with a triangular lattice hardshell, 93% recycled nylon and durable UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene), it adapts hiking pack technology to airport runways.
UHMWPE is exceptionally resistant to tearing and abrasion, giving the Feather Flight the strength to endure years of travel.
A three-length adjustable mono handle and stripped-back details keep weight down and functionality up.
Inspired by the engineering of our hiking backpacks, this carry-on is a clear expression of Kathmandu’s commitment to smart, sustainable design.
What the jury said: “Wheeled suitcases are simply extremely practical for travelling, but their weight is sometimes a hindrance. This suitcase is extremely light and well-proportioned to store everything you need.”
Boardshorts, rebooted
Rip Curl X Variloom Mirage3DP Boardshort
A bold collaboration between Rip Curl, Moon Creative Lab and Bilio, the Mirage 3DP challenges traditional surfwear construction.
The design features a 3D-printed waistband engineered for comfort and security in the heaviest of conditions, and precision-printed to cut waste by producing only what’s needed.
The shorts are made from wool, recycled polyester and bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that brings softness, stretch and strength. After more than 300 hours of testing in the surf, these boardshorts held their own against the sun, salt and swell.
Better still, they’re designed for circularity. Each component can be recycled, supporting Rip Curl’s vision for a closed-loop product future.
And it doesn’t stop at the shorts. From chemical management to packaging, every detail has been considered. FSC-certified recycled swing tags and a QR code connect wearers to the full story behind the product.
What the jury said: “By integrating 3D printed elements into a technical board short, Rip Curl is breaking new ground and demonstrating the huge potential of this technology for the production of sustainable and functional textiles.”
KMD Brands’ trio of ISPO wins reflects a shared ethos across Kathmandu and Rip Curl: to design for performance and for the planet. Whether it’s tackling textile emissions, rethinking travel, or reshaping the surfwear supply chain, KMD Brands continues to chart a bold, sustainable course.
