Berghaus Revolutionizes Women's Outdoor Gear with Body-Adapting ZonalAdapt Technology
Berghaus has unveiled its groundbreaking new ZonalAdapt legwear technology, the result of an exhaustive 18-month project and extensive research involving 100 women, anatomists, and scientists. This innovative line promises to deliver gear engineered to adapt seamlessly to the natural movements and changes of women’s bodies, marking the triumphant return of MtnHaus, Berghaus's pioneering innovation initiative. The core mission behind ZonalAdapt is to address significant comfort issues reported by women, with Berghaus's research revealing that over 50% avoid wearing their favorite clothes due to bloating, and 70% feel restricted in leggings when their bodies fluctuate. Furthermore, the research highlighted that women report feeling self-conscious when bloated two-and-a-half times more frequently than men.
Led by Head of Innovation Rosie O’Sullivan, the MtnHaus team embarked on this ambitious journey to engineer leggings and trousers that offer genuine support for the natural shifts women’s bodies undergo, without ever compromising on performance. The initial research phase meticulously focused on 'The Zone' – the area from mid-torso to upper thigh – identified as where discomfort for women is most acutely felt. This user-centric approach was crucial, ensuring that every design decision was rooted in real-world experiences and frustrations rather than theoretical assumptions. O’Sullivan emphasized this, stating, "Every decision we made can be traced back to real conversations with real people... we tried to get under the skin of people's frustrations; what makes them feel less confident, more self-conscious, and impacts their likelihood to get outside and enjoy it."
To translate these invaluable user insights into tangible biomedical and physiological data, MtnHaus forged a critical partnership with Dr. Yasmin Carter, a globally recognized specialist in translational female anatomy, and researchers at Newcastle University. Dr. Carter lauded Berghaus's unique methodology, remarking, "I've never seen anyone do that before -- come back to the very foundation and say, ‘what if everything we thought was wrong, and how do we get back to listening to the people who are actually living in these bodies?’" This collaboration underscores Berghaus's commitment to a holistic approach, combining deep empathy for user experience with rigorous scientific validation to create truly meaningful solutions.
The culmination of this extensive research and development is the launch of two ZonalAdapt products for AW25: the Farren leggings and Farren trousers. Both products integrate three distinct, performance-enhancing features. First, the Responsive waistband is strategically designed to map the abdominal muscles, incorporating a front panel that cleverly redirects pressure away from the stomach, particularly during periods of bloating. Second, targeted Compression Zones are integrated to activate leg muscles and stimulate lymphatic drainage, thereby reducing puffiness and fatigue, all while keeping the leggings securely in place without the need for a restrictive waistband. Finally, a supportive Lumbar panel grips the lower back, providing essential support at the base of the spine and further securing the legwear, crucially without adding any pressure to the stomach area.
The Berghaus Farren range is crafted using advanced Lycra Adaptiv fibre, a blend of 78% polyamide and 22% elastane. This innovative material is specifically chosen for its ability to adapt fluidly to the body’s shape, delivering unparalleled stretch, support, and comfort that responds dynamically to every movement. Sarah Nyikos, Berghaus’s senior product developer, highlighted the brand's overarching philosophy, stating, "We’ve championed female empowerment every step of the way and felt it ourselves, creating solutions that work in the real world, not just on paper." This commitment ensures that the ZonalAdapt products not only perform technically but also empower women to feel confident and unrestricted.
The new ZonalAdapt legwear is available exclusively through berghaus.com. The Farren leggings retail at £100 and are offered in sizes from XS (6-8) to XXL (18-20), while the Farren trousers are priced at £135 and come in sizes from 8-20. Both products are available in classic black and a contemporary green, providing stylish and functional options for women seeking ultimate comfort and performance in their outdoor activities.
