In this article, we show how thermography has transformed the design of sportswear and footwear, enabling the assessment of the interaction between skin, fabric, and temperature. Discover how recent studies are guiding brands like Decathlon and Adidas, among others, in creating more comfortable, breathable, and efficient gear..
Infrared thermography is an imaging technology that allows visualization of the heat radiation emitted by bodies, generating a thermal map of the observed surface. In the sports industry, this technique has gained increasing relevance due to its ability to non-invasively and in real-time assess how the human body exchanges heat with clothing (SATRA, 2018).
Unlike contact sensors, infrared thermography analyzes temperature without interrupting the athlete’s activity. This feature is especially useful for investigating the interaction between clothing, footwear, and skin during various activities. Thermal images can provide relevant information about areas of heat accumulation, cooling due to sweating, or heat loss to the environment—key aspects for improving sportswear design (Raccuglia et al., 2018).
In a context where brands have developed advanced technologies such as breathability, active cooling, and even adaptive thermal regulation, thermography has become an essential tool to evaluate, quantify, and optimize the performance of these innovations. We see examples from companies like Adidas, Uniqlo, and Decathlon, as well as research centers such as Loughborough University. For these organizations, thermography has enabled the design of clothing and footwear that maximize thermal comfort, improve sweat evaporation, and optimize performance.
This article offers a comprehensive overview of how thermography is being used in sportswear design, citing scientific studies and notable industry examples.
Over the years, numerous researchers have used thermography to study the interaction between the human body and sports equipment, evaluating both fabric responses and the physiological reactions of users. Below are some relevant concepts and studies that illustrate these applications.
Professor George Havenith, from Loughborough University, is an international reference in thermal ergonomics and clothing science. Throughout his career, he has used infrared thermography to map temperature and sweat distribution on the human body during exercise, providing key insights for optimizing sports garments. Moreover, various studies have used this technique to assess skin temperature and sweat retention in different fabrics, consolidating thermography as a fundamental tool in sportswear design (Aylwin et al., 2021; Fournet et al., 2012; Havenith & Lloyd, 2020; Raccuglia et al., 2019).
In a 2019 study, Havenith and his team correlated sweat maps obtained via gravimetric methods with thermal images, showing that thermography can qualitatively identify fabric zones where moisture accumulates without damaging the garment. They observed that areas with higher sweat absorption show lower surface temperatures due to evaporative cooling, which can be captured by a thermal camera (Raccuglia et al., 2019).
Additionally, Havenith contributed to the development of "body thermal maps" that have allowed brands to strategically place breathable or insulating fabrics on garments (Raccuglia et al., 2018). For example, Adidas used thermal maps to develop its Olympic ClimaCool® apparel, optimizing ventilation and heat dissipation in the body's most active zones.
Another relevant application of thermography in the textile industry is footwear analysis, especially sports shoes, given their impact on ergonomics, biomechanics, thermal comfort, and even physical performance (such as mountain-specific footwear).
In this field, Dr. Alfonso Martínez Nova from the University of Extremadura has applied infrared thermography to study the foot and sports footwear. His research has shown how plantar temperature varies depending on the type of shoe and sock used during physical activity, providing essential information for designing more efficient and comfortable equipment.
In a recent study, Sánchez-Rodríguez et al. (2022) analyzed the impact of two 3D-textile sports sock models on plantar temperature after a 10 km run to evaluate their thermoregulatory effects. Key findings included:
This study demonstrates how thermography allows for precise, non-invasive evaluation of footwear's thermal behavior and its interaction with foot physiology, providing crucial data for designing more efficient and comfortable sports equipment.
In the field of specific product development, various companies have integrated thermography as a key tool within their R&D departments. In this context, the work of Dr. Damien Fournet, a researcher at Decathlon SportsLab, stands out. He has applied thermography to the design of customized sports garments.
During his Ph.D. at Loughborough University, Fournet collaborated with Professor George Havenith in creating thermal and sweat maps, which have enabled the development of garments made with differentiated materials depending on body zones, thereby optimizing thermal regulation and user comfort. Moreover, Dr. Fournet shared his expertise and knowledge in one of the episodes of the ThermoHuman podcast, which can be listened to in full from here.
One of the key aspects highlighted by Dr. Damien Fournet in our podcast is the implementation of thermographic tests under real-use conditions at Decathlon, which has made it possible to develop sportswear with strategically placed ventilation zones and footwear with enhanced breathability and thermal insulation properties. Additionally, Fournet explained that they have incorporated reflective technologies into some garments, such as jackets, capable of reflecting part of the infrared radiation emitted by the body, thus improving thermal management.
He also pointed out that thermography is used to assess new technologies, such as inflatable fabrics (textile systems that adjust their thickness or structure through air or gas injection to regulate insulation), always taking into account athletes' performance in various types of exercise as well as protection against extreme heat, among other applications.
It is also important to highlight that thermal patterns vary depending on the environment, the activity performed, and the individual characteristics of the user, aspects that have been quantified thanks to thermography. Although we have previously mentioned its application in athletic populations, it is important to note that thermography also provides valuable information for other groups, such as the military population.
In this regard, some studies have explored key factors such as the impact of combat gear on skin temperature, using thermography as an evaluation tool. For example, Mello et al. (2022) analyzed the thermal response of Brazilian soldiers, comparing two types of combat jackets: the Traditional Combat Jacket and the Lightweight Combat Jacket, revealing differences in skin temperature associated with the type of clothing.
As we can see, the application of thermography not only varies according to the population but also according to age. In this sense, Arlegui et al. (2021) demonstrated that children exhibit different patterns of sweat and body heat distribution compared to adults — for instance, less sweating on the torso and more on the head and limbs. This finding highlights the importance of considering the thermal characteristics of each age group, as a garment designed solely with adult data may not be suitable for children. Thanks to these studies, it is now possible to develop more personalized clothing adapted to the specific needs of each age or gender group.
Thanks to these studies, thermography has become fundamental for developing clothing, footwear, and sports equipment. Here are some of its key applications:
Thermography allows for the visualization of areas where heat and moisture accumulate in garments and footwear during physical activity, providing key information to optimize design and material selection. This tool makes it easier to identify specific areas where ventilation needs improvement or where breathability should be adjusted, helping in the selection of more suitable technical fabrics (with greater evaporation, absorption, or sweat-wicking capacity) and in the incorporation of strategically placed ventilation panels in shirts, jackets, or sneakers.
Additionally, thermography makes it possible to objectively compare the effectiveness of different materials or designs before they are launched on the market, accelerating innovation processes in R&D. Leading brands like Under Armour and Gore-Tex have employed thermography to evaluate prototypes of highly breathable garments under extreme thermal stress conditions.
One of the main challenges in designing sportswear is linking objective measurements with users’ subjective perceptions. Several studies have addressed this issue, correlating thermal images with comfort surveys to better understand how users' thermal sensations might correspond with objective data (Ricote-López et al., 2019).
In this context, thermography emerges as an effective tool for assessing thermal comfort, especially when combined with other physiological metrics, and offers a distinct advantage by allowing direct visualization of the causes of thermal comfort or discomfort. For example, it is possible to identify hot spots caused by insufficient insulation or areas of excessive cooling due to intense sweat evaporation, all clearly reflected in thermal images (Raccuglia et al., 2019).
Through body thermal maps, manufacturers can design clothing and footwear by distributing different materials according to the thermal needs of each body area, achieving optimal thermal regulation. Thanks to this approach — already adopted by brands such as Adidas and Nike — it is possible to develop garments with an evidence-based thermal architecture. For example, high-ventilation zones in areas where heat accumulates the most, thermal reinforcements in body areas more sensitive to cold, and moisture-management materials in regions with higher sweating.
Today, many high-performance sports garments incorporate up to ten different fabrics in a single design, strategically distributed according to these thermal maps. Likewise, in sports footwear, companies place breathable meshes, padding, or coatings based on plantar heat maps recorded under different conditions.
The result is "body-mapped" products that maximize the athlete's comfort and thermal efficiency, while also helping to prevent injuries associated with overheating or localized hypothermia.
Thermography has also been implemented to detect thermal changes in the skin that may indicate fatigue, dehydration, or risk of heatstroke. During sports practice, thermal monitoring allows the identification of body areas showing overheating or abnormal cooling, serving as an early indicator to prevent physiological issues.
This application is especially relevant in high-intensity or long-duration sports —such as marathons, triathlons, or cycling— where thermal control can guide hydration strategies, clothing choices, or rest breaks during competition. In fact, professional soccer teams and Olympic squads already use thermography during training and competitions to avoid thermal overload and to personalize equipment according to each athlete’s needs.
Additionally, thermography has been used to analyze the thermal impact of compression garments or protective gear (such as shin guards, helmets, or vests), assessing their effect on skin temperature, and therefore, on user comfort and safety.
Another crucial application of thermography is within R&D and quality control processes in the sports industry. This technology allows rapid testing of prototypes in the lab, both on real athletes and thermal mannequins, visually and immediately evaluating whether garments meet the expected thermal objectives.
Moreover, thermography is essential for the validation of emerging textile technologies, such as smart fabrics, reflective materials, or inflatable thermal regulation systems. For instance, thermography can verify a material's capacity to reflect the body's infrared radiation, or assess the effectiveness of 3D structures that promote sweat dissipation and airflow.
These evaluations optimize design and reduce trial-and-error cycles, making the product development process more efficient. Brands like The North Face and Columbia already apply this type of analysis to validate active and passive insulation technologies.
Finally, thermography has become a valuable tool for communication and technical marketing, as it generates striking and easily understandable images that visually show how a product works. This resource enables brands to convey to consumers the added value of a garment or footwear, improving customer perception and confidence before or during purchase.
Notable examples of this strategy can be found in campaigns by companies such as adidas and Uniqlo, which have incorporated thermal images into their advertising materials to demonstrate the real behavior of their products.
Infrared thermography has established itself as a key tool for the design, development, and improvement of clothing and footwear, providing objective and visual data on the interaction between the human body and materials. Its ability to identify heat accumulation zones, evaluate breathability, and analyze the thermal response of different fabrics and designs has enabled brands to develop more efficient, comfortable, and better-adapted products that meet the real needs of users.
Furthermore, the integration of thermal maps has driven the creation of body-mapped equipment, distributing materials according to the thermal requirements of each body zone, and has facilitated the validation of new technologies, thereby accelerating innovation processes.
Beyond the sports field, thermography shows growing potential in other populations, such as children, military personnel, and others, allowing for the design of specific garments tailored to age, gender, environment, and context of use. It also offers new opportunities for the optimization and development of materials, garments, and integrated technologies.
Additionally, the use of thermography in textile design is beginning to expand beyond sports, reaching into occupational, military, and healthcare apparel, where the specific thermal demands of each population make this tool a key ally for innovation.
Therefore, the use of thermography not only contributes to optimizing comfort and performance but also opens new possibilities for the development of safer, more personalized equipment adapted both to individual needs and to the demands of today’s context.
ThermoHuman has had the support of the Funds of the European Union and the Community of Madrid through the Operational Programme on Youth Employment. Likewise, ThermoHuman within the framework of the Export Initiation Program of ICEX NEXT, had the support of ICEX and the co-financing of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Thermohuman has received funding from the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), in participation with the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), for the R+D activities involved in creating a new tool, based on thermography, for the prediction and prevention of rheumatoid arthritis. See project detail.
