Stretchline, the global leader in elastic innovation, has joined forces with materials science pioneer Rheon Labs to introduce the world’s first dynamic bra strap—a game-changing advancement in adaptive support for women’s activewear and lingerie. This revolutionary development merges Rheon’s reactive super-polymer with Stretchline’s Orbiknit® elastic, bringing a new era of intelligent, movement-responsive design to performance apparel.
The new dynamic bra strap directly addresses a long-standing issue in women’s sportswear: discomfort and pain caused by excessive shoulder pressure. Studies show that nearly 72% of women experience pain during exercise, often due to traditional high-support straps that can exert as much as 2.4 kilograms of downward force on each shoulder. Such strain can lead to grooves, back pain, and even nerve compression. Stretchline and Rheon’s innovation eliminates this trade-off by offering adaptive support that automatically adjusts to motion, providing both stability and comfort without sacrificing either.
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At the core of this breakthrough is Rheon’s strain-rate sensitive super-polymer—a material that remains soft and flexible during rest but stiffens instantly when subjected to force or rapid movement. This technology has been seamlessly integrated with Stretchline’s Orbiknit® elastic, a multi-directional knit with edge-free construction that enhances comfort, flexibility, and recovery. Together, they create a bra strap that intelligently adapts to movement, absorbing shock while maintaining a smooth, supportive fit throughout high-impact activity.
Testing at Rheon Labs has delivered impressive results. Compared to standard high-support straps, the dynamic strap stops breast bounce up to 55% faster, reduces after-bounce motion by 25%, and improves movement absorption by more than 105%. These performance gains translate to better stability, reduced strain, and greater freedom of movement. For apparel developers, the innovation offers a plug-and-play solution compatible with existing manufacturing lines—making it easy for brands to integrate adaptive performance into current designs without redesigning their entire garment structure.
Simon Huntsman, Commercial Director at Rheon Labs, explained that this collaboration marks a fundamental shift in how support and comfort can coexist. “With Stretchline, we can now scale dynamic elastics that completely change the way bras support movement. This partnership enables us to bring advanced material science directly into the hands of the world’s leading apparel brands.” Emily Roberts, Group Head of Product Design and Innovation at Stretchline, added, “By combining Orbiknit with Rheon’s unique polymer technology, we are creating elastic solutions that truly move with the body—offering brands and consumers a new level of adaptive comfort in both intimate and activewear.”
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The partnership’s innovation has already gained international recognition, earning the prestigious Performance Days Innovation Award for redefining the relationship between comfort, movement, and performance in next-generation knitwear and lingerie. This award highlights the product’s potential to set new standards in functional design, positioning it at the forefront of performance apparel technology.
For consumers, the Rheon-Stretchline dynamic strap promises a transformative experience—lightweight, supportive, and responsive. For brands, it opens the door to a new category of adaptive apparel where form, function, and flexibility work in perfect harmony. By leveraging advanced material science and precision knitting technology, this collaboration represents the future of high-performance underwear and sportswear—where comfort no longer comes at the expense of support.
The Stretchline-Rheon Labs dynamic bra strap isn’t just an incremental upgrade—it’s a redefining moment in the evolution of activewear. As this innovation moves into commercial production, it signals a major shift in how women’s apparel can respond to movement, pressure, and performance, ensuring that the next generation of bras are as dynamic as the women who wear them.
