Nike Pro clothing

Pro clothing

In the 1980s, Nike began developing technical base layers that could replace the cotton T-shirts worn to control sweat and stay warm during training. Experiments with different fabrics and fits led to the production of lightweight, supportive materials with enhanced moisture management and temperature regulation capabilities. In 2003, these innovations were used as the basis for a new collection of high-performance training apparel known as Nike Pro.

From the very beginning, the Pro series was founded upon cutting-edge materials and elite-level design. Nike Dri-FIT technology was key to its early success, ensuring that each item wicked sweat away from the body to keep the wearer cool and dry. Lightweight, stretchy, form-fitting fabrics supported the muscles while allowing full range of motion so that athletes could comfortably undertake any training routine. Building on this, Nike expanded the range with 2009’s Pro Combat base layers, which incorporated protective technologies for high-impact sports like American football, 2014’s Pro Sports Bra, whose intensively-researched design delivered vast improvements to fit, comfort and sizing, and 2018’s Pro Hijab, with its durable yet highly breathable Nike Pro cool mesh fabric.

Since then, the Pro collection has expanded to include a comprehensive selection of training garments for both men and women. There are shorts, tights and leggings made of smooth, stretchy, quick-drying fabric with flat, chafe-reducing seams to stop the material from riding up and jacquard elastic waistbands with bold Nike Pro branding for comfort, support and style. Each one contains the latest version of Dri-FIT to ensure efficient sweat removal, as do the mid-layers, tanks tops and hoodies, which incorporate elements such as breathable rear vents and mesh panels, durable ripstop overlays, warming Therm-FIT technology, silicone drawcords that hold the wearer’s earbuds and pockets with hidden compartments for secure storage.

Nike’s athletes have long been associated with the Pro series, from groundbreaking runner and mountaineer Manal Rostom, whose crucial testing and feedback informed the design of the original Pro Hijab, to NFL star Saquon Barkley, who helped promote a set of Pro garments with sweat-reactive AeroAdapt technology in 2019. This cutting-edge material epitomises the innovation of the Pro line as it contains specialised yarns that respond to sweat by opening tiny vents in the fabric to allow evaporation and cooling. These then close once the moisture is gone, keeping the heat in and stopping the wearer from becoming too cold during their cool down.

While the Nike Pro series originally focused on base layers, today it stands as a complete training collection for athletes of all kinds. Made with lightweight, breathable materials containing moisture-managing and temperature-regulating technologies, each item offers unrivalled comfort and support through any workout.