Online sales of climbing apparel in the first quarter of 2026 exceeded 2.8 billion yuan, a 37% year-on-year increase. What makes this figure noteworthy is not the popularity of climbing itself, but the fact that a significant portion of the growth came from ordinary consumers with no climbing needs. This signals that the 'urbanization' of outdoor categories has moved beyond jackets and sun-protective clothing.
When the purchase motive shifts from functional necessity to style-driven consumption, the entire supply chain logic must adapt. For fabric companies, this is not just a category windfall but a strategic reorientation of technology pathways.
Scene Shift: From Rock Faces to Streets, Fabric Demands Fundamentally Change
Climbing apparel was originally designed for high-friction, high-movement scenarios, with core requirements of high elasticity, abrasion resistance, and breathability. But when entering urban daily wear, consumer demands for comfort, aesthetic texture, and multi-season usability rise sharply.
This shift directly impacts fabric makers. Traditional hard-shell fabrics, while strong in protection, are stiff and less breathable, failing to meet daily commuting comfort needs. Soft-shell fabrics, with their soft hand feel, moderate elasticity, and some wind/water resistance, are becoming the mainstream choice for urban functional wear. Industry data predicts that the market size of lifestyle soft-shell fabrics will eventually surpass that of traditional extreme-scenario hard-shell fabrics.
This explains why modular membrane technology is rapidly becoming an industry focus. Kunshan Huayang New Materials has introduced three membrane types—PU microporous, PU graphene composite, and PES biodegradable—targeting spring/summer outdoor, mid-to-high-end functional, and green product lines respectively, essentially using one technology platform to cover multiple consumption scenarios.
Technology Landing: Keqiao Industrial Cluster Sees Polymer Membrane Capacity Upgrade
Kunshan Huayang has set up its full range of membrane composite functional fabrics in Keqiao's Dongsheng Road outdoor functional fabric zone. Its subsidiary, Nantong Dongyi High-Tech Fiber, holds over 120 fabric patents, filling a technology gap in Keqiao for high-end composite climbing fabrics.
This move is significant because Keqiao, as the world's largest textile fabric distribution center, has traditionally excelled in conventional chemical fibers and woven fabrics but lacked capabilities in technology-intensive areas like polymer membrane composites. Huayang's presence means Keqiao companies can directly meet high-end demands from outdoor brands without relying on external supply chains.
Meanwhile, the AI Fabric mini-program launched by the Textile City is changing the efficiency of fabric development and selection. Through the 'fabric try-on' AI, brands can generate one-click body-effect images, comparing how high-elasticity and thermal-storage fabrics look in commuting and outdoor scenarios, significantly reducing physical sample waste. This digital tool is shortening the time-to-market for new fabrics.
Trend Convergence: Three Forces Expanding the Functional Fabric Track
The explosion of climbing apparel is not an isolated event. The rise of urban light outdoor activities, the fashion trend of functional dressing, and continuous innovation in fabric technology are creating a resonance.
From the consumer side, young people increasingly prefer 'one-piece-multiple-uses'—a jacket that works for a weekend hike and an office day. This demand forces fabric companies to abandon 'extreme-scenario-first' R&D and instead balance protective performance with daily comfort.
From the supply side, the maturity of polymer membrane technology allows 'customized performance'—for example, PU graphene composite membranes offer both antibacterial and far-infrared thermal storage, while PES biodegradable membranes meet brand sustainability commitments. These differentiators are becoming core competitive advantages for fabric companies.
From the industrial cluster perspective, Keqiao's proactive moves—attracting external technology firms and building digital selection platforms—are accelerating local supply chain upgrades. For outdoor apparel brands nationwide, this means a shorter procurement radius for high-end functional fabrics and lower barriers to customized development.