LONDON, U.K.: Rheon and global elastic specialist Stretchline have partnered to develop a new generation of adaptive bra straps that combine dynamic performance with everyday comfort. Designed for seamless adoption by intimate and activewear brands, the technology unlocks new possibilities in strap support.
The problem
Research shows 72% of women around the world experience pain while exercising and competitor high support straps can exert up to 2.4kg of downward force on each side – a key contributor to shoulder grooves, neck and back pain, and even nerve compression. Now, after decades of trade-offs, the next generation of bra straps is available with seamless integration of dynamic support without compromising comfort through the reactive super-polymer, Rheon, and Stretchline’s Orbiknit elastic.
Proven performance
The partnership delivers measurable improvements compared to competitor high support bra strap performance, including:
- Breast bounce stopped 55% faster
- After-bounce motion reduced by up to 25%
- Over 105% improvement in absorbing movement and controlling bounce
For consumers, this offers versatility, reducing the need to switch between different bras throughout the day. For apparel developers, the adaptive strap offers a new route to differentiate fit and comfort without redesigning core patterns. The component is fully compatible with existing manufacturing and assembly lines, enabling scalability from concept to production.
Award winning material innovation
Rheon is a strain-rate sensitive super-polymer that remains soft and flexible at rest but instantly stiffens under movement or force. In bra elastics and trims, the faster it’s stretched, the stronger it reacts, delivering targeted support exactly when it’s needed, when it is needed.
Stretchline’s Orbiknit elastic is engineered with a unique multi-directional knit structure that delivers smooth stretch and seamless recovery. Its edge-free design eliminates the discomfort of rigid strap edges, enabling bras and sports bras to achieve lasting support without sacrificing flexibility or comfort.
Emily Roberts, Group Head of Product Design & Innovation at Stretchline, said, “Our partnership with Rheon represents a genuine leap forward in elastic innovation. By combining Stretchline’s Orbiknit with Rheon’s unique material science, we can deliver elastic solutions that truly adapt to movement – a benefit brands can now bring to consumers in both the intimate and activewear markets.”
Rheon Labs and Stretchline recently won the Performance Days Innovation Award for the bra straps, recognising the mission to redefine the way the world thinks about material innovation and performance.
