Berghaus partners with university on legwear

A North East brand is creating innovative clothing tailored for women’s bodies.

Berghaus, the outdoor performance company, has teamed up with Newcastle University to develop ZonalAdapt leggings and trousers, engineered to respond to the way women move and adapt to natural body changes. 

Over 100 women, alongside anatomists and scientists, have tested and shaped the designs to address comfort, fit and performance.

The 18-month collaboration was informed by extensive research, including quantitative studies revealing that more than half of women avoid wearing certain clothes due to bloating, while seven in ten feel restricted in leggings during body fluctuations. 

Dr Iain Spears, from the school of biomedical, nutritional and sport sciences at Newcastle University, said: “This project allowed us to apply advanced biomechanical modelling to a real-world challenge. 

“By analysing how the body responds to movement and pressure, we were able to help shape a product that supports women’s comfort and performance in the outdoors.

“We were also able to involve some of our undergraduate students in the project with Berghaus giving them practical experience at the leading-edge of design and testing for performance products.”

Berghaus’ MtnHaus innovation team worked with the university’s sport and exercise research facilities to carry out biomechanical modelling and physiological analysis, validating and refining product design.

Central to ZonalAdapt is the concept of ‘The Zone’ – the mid-torso to upper-thigh area where women most commonly experience discomfort. 

The leggings and trousers feature responsive waistbands that redirect pressure during bloating, targeted compression zones that support leg muscles and reduce fatigue, while lumbar panels provide lower back support without constricting the stomach.

Rosie O’Sullivan, head of new product innovation at Berghaus, added: “Most gear isn’t designed to support the ergonomic, physiological or the anatomical needs of the female body. 

“To tackle these issues, we wanted to work with a partner that could underpin the whole process with science, critically analyse the product, and help us make an informed, validated decision at the end.

“There is such a wealth of expertise in the Newcastle University team around biomechanics and sports science that they really helped us to focus and refine our designs and testing. 

“Like the university, Berghaus is rooted in the North East. 

“It has been great to collaborate on a pioneering project that has global relevance for our industry, here in this region.”

Margot Gandelin, senior designer for apparel at Berghaus, added: “I think designing for women is really important because historically most products have been developed for men. 

“Women’s products have just been an adaptation of men’s products. 

“As a designer, the collaborative working on this project has been a fantastic experience.”

The Farren leggings and trousers are the first products to launch under ZonalAdapt, combining scientific research with real-world testing to offer high-performance outdoor wear that adapts to women’s bodies. 

With Newcastle University’s expertise and insights from the test squad, Berghaus is pioneering performance wear designed to deliver comfort, support and freedom of movement.

Dr Bethan Sayers, business development manager at Newcastle University, added: “This project is a great example of the broad range of work we’re able to undertake with businesses, bringing academic rigour and advanced technical facilities to real world problems. 

“We collaborate with innovative companies like Berghaus to help answer their research questions and deliver meaningful insights that inform product development. 

“Ultimately, we aim to create real-world impact for both the company and its consumers.”

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