Global elastic specialist Stretchline and materials innovator Rheon Labs have unveiled the world’s first dynamic bra strap, a breakthrough combining Rheon’s reactive super-polymer with Stretchline’s Orbiknit elastic. The collaboration brings a new era of adaptive support to intimate apparel and activewear design.

Research shows that 72% of women experience pain while exercising, often caused by excessive downward strap force. Traditional high-support designs can exert up to 2.4kg of pressure on each shoulder, leading to grooves, back pain and even nerve compression. The new Rheon-Stretchline strap eliminates this trade-off, providing targeted, responsive support that adapts instantly to movement while maintaining comfort.

Testing at Rheon Labs has shown significant performance improvements compared to standard high-support straps: breast bounce is stopped 55% faster, after-bounce motion is reduced by up to 25%, and movement absorption improves by more than 105%. These results translate into greater comfort, stability and freedom of movement for the wearer.

For apparel developers, the adaptive strap offers a plug-and-play solution compatible with existing manufacturing lines, allowing brands to integrate dynamic performance into current designs without re-engineering garment patterns.

Simon Huntsman, Commercial Director at Rheon Labs, said: “This partnership allows us to deliver dynamic elastics that fundamentally change how support and comfort can coexist. With Stretchline, we can now take this technology to scale and into the hands of the world’s leading apparel brands.”

The innovation combines Rheon’s strain-rate sensitive polymer – which stiffens instantly under force – with Stretchline’s Orbiknit elastic, engineered with a multi-directional knit structure and edge-free construction for smooth stretch and recovery. Together, the materials offer seamless comfort, adaptive support and lasting flexibility.

Emily Roberts, Group Head of Product Design & Innovation at Stretchline, added: “By combining 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 intimate and activewear markets.”

The technology was recently recognised with the Performance Days Innovation Award, highlighting its potential to redefine the relationship between comfort, movement and performance in next-generation knitwear and lingerie.

www.stretchline.com

www.rheonlabs.com