adidas presents its first period proof leggings

Despite the fact that 900 million people in the world have them and they affect a woman for almost 2400 days on average (6 and a half years!), menstruation is still a taboo topic and a parameter of gender inequality in many countries. In too many cultures, on the days of the cycle, girls suffer discrimination, are forced to skip school or removed from the family home because they are considered impure, are victims of period poverty, misogynistic attitudes and stereotypes. To change the current state of affairs, it would be enough to recognize that this is not a social stigma, but a natural function of the body and, therefore, to act accordingly. Where society and politics don't find a solution, there is the fashion world, offering functional garments that make you feel comfortable during that time of the month, as adidas has done with the new TechFit Period Proof leggings.

Courtesy of adidas

Courtesy of adidas

Courtesy of adidas

Courtesy of adidas

This is a pair of leggings, long and short, equipped with three layers designed to ensure maximum protection and comfort for those who practice physical activity during the cycle: breathable, absorbent and leak-proof. The final product is the result of two years of research and testing, as Kim Buerger, senior product manager for womenswear at the German brand, explains:

We started designing this collection from the inside out. We knew it had to be comfortable and breathable, but most importantly, it had to serve its purpose of helping to protect against leakage. Our ambition with this product is to keep more people in sport by giving them the confidence to train on their period.

Courtesy of adidas

Courtesy of adidas

Courtesy of adidas

Courtesy of adidas

During research for the new activewear item, part of the Watch Us Move project through which adidas is committed to exploring the physical, emotional and social barriers that govern the relationship between sports and the female world, the company learned that one in four women quit sports during adolescence. According to a study by St. Mary's University, the main cause is the fear of bleeding during training. 

Courtesy of adidas

Courtesy of adidas

Courtesy of adidas

Courtesy of adidas

Analyzing data from more than 14,000 athletes in the United Kingdom and the States showed that most of them had not broached the subject with their coach nor had they ever been instructed on how to manage sports activity on cycle days. To overcome this lack of information and normalize conversations about menstruation, adidas, in partnership with Dr. Georgie Bruinvels, is launching the Stay in Play campaign and has created, in addition to leggings, educational materials and practical lesson plans to help teachers, parents, and teens better understand how to deal with their periods.

In my work with elite athletes, even those going to Tokyo [Olympics], I’m often faced with the regular fears of I wear white shorts. What am I going to do?. I feel I can help athletes manage symptoms, but actually managing the bleeding is really challenging unless you give medication. - Bruinvels recounted, adding about the TechFit Period Proof leggings - It’s exciting to finally have something that I can say, actually, these are super comfy, no one’s gonna know. You’re not going to feel it, so it won’t hold you back.

The TechFit Period Proof leggings are available at adidas.com, in stores and through the adidas app.