The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Are Almost Here! A Look at ASICS' Technology in the Team Japan Uniforms

The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games are set to kick off on February 6. To support TEAM JAPAN as they take on the world, ASICS is providing the official sportswear.

This official sportswear for the Japanese national team is packed with the expertise and cutting-edge technology that ASICS has cultivated over many years. We spoke with Makoto Ohori, who led the development, to learn about the technology packed into each garment.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics will mark the first time in eight years, since the PyeongChang 2018 Games, that ASICS has been in charge of the official sportswear for TEAM JAPAN. However, the company has a long history of creating uniforms for the Summer Olympics, where it has consistently researched and developed ways to maintain a comfortable microclimate within clothing.

Bringing Summer Olympic Insights to Winter: Body Thermo-Mapping to Enhance Athlete Comfort

This accumulation of knowledge led to the creation of "body thermo-mapping." This technology analyzes and visualizes body temperature changes and sweat levels across different parts of the body, feeding that data into the design process to better maintain comfortable temperature and humidity levels inside the garment. For the upcoming games, ASICS has adapted this body thermo-mapping for the Winter Olympics, an environment with conditions completely opposite to those of the Summer Games.

"At our research hub, the ASICS Institute of Sport Science (ISS), we've been continuously studying which parts of the body generate the most heat and where people tend to sweat," Ohori explains. "We believed that by applying these analytical findings, we could maintain a comfortable in-garment environment even during the winter."

In recent years, rising global temperatures have made heat management the biggest challenge for apparel at the Summer Games. The Winter Games, however, present a different scenario. While insulation is the top priority in freezing environments, sweat produced during competition and warm-ups poses the risk of a post-sweat chill.

"In winter sports, humidity control is just as important as insulation. The key points for this development were how to protect the parts of the body that get cold easily and how to effectively manage moisture from sweat."

If a garment is too warm, it increases perspiration and the risk of a post-sweat chill; if it's too cold, it can negatively impact an athlete's conditioning. The challenge lies in striking the right balance between these competing functions. The solution that was developed is the "Podium Jacket (Outdoor)" for outdoor events.

A New Approach: Arranging Down in a Tubular Structure

A key feature is how the down is used, primarily around the body's core. Recycled down is placed on the front and back of the torso, areas prone to feeling cold. However, there was a problem: "If you add too much down, it gets warm, but it also becomes bulky and restricts movement."

The solution was to sew tubular down packs onto the body of the jacket. This tube structure prevents the down from shifting and allows for the precise placement of just the right amount of down where it's needed most.

"With a traditional quilted structure, the down inside inevitably shifts during movement, making it difficult to effectively warm the targeted areas. By using a tubular design secured with stitching, we not only prevent the down from shifting but also reduce the total amount of down needed. This contributes to a comfortable fit that is lightweight and easy to move in."

While it may look heavy, the jacket is surprisingly lightweight when you put it on. At the same time, you can immediately feel an enveloping warmth.

This pleasant warmth is also thanks to the space between the tubes. Warm air radiated from the body, known as dead air, becomes trapped in these spaces, creating an air layer that provides additional insulation.

Meanwhile, the center of the back, an area prone to sweating, features fine ventilation holes that release excess moisture to ensure comfort.

"People often ask if it isn't cold," Ohori notes, "but we've run extensive tests in the artificial climate chamber at ISS, and the results show that no wind or cold air gets through. We don't just rely on the numbers, either. We also verify the data with sensory feedback by having people exercise on a treadmill while wearing the jacket."

A Combination of Materials Ensures Warmth, Even in Damp Conditions

During the Winter Olympics, apparel often gets damp from snow and ice.

"When down gets wet, it loses its loft and becomes less insulating. When you think about situations like snowfall or sitting down on the snow, it becomes crucial to also use synthetic materials whose performance doesn't degrade when damp."

For this reason, the lower torso, sleeves, and hood feature synthetic padding made from recycled polyester. The pants follow the same principle, using synthetic insulation. A layered construction around the waist, an area susceptible to cold, ensures efficient warmth.

This design approach also ties into sustainability. 'Balancing performance and sustainability' was one of the key themes for developing this team wear. The tubular down construction not only enhances lightness and mobility but also contributes to reducing resource consumption and decreasing reliance on natural materials.

"Almost all the materials used are from recycled sources. But beyond that, we believe the principle of using only the necessary amount of the right material in the right place is also key to reducing our environmental footprint.

In terms of carbon footprint, we're also boosting transparency by printing the CO2 emissions right on the tag. We intend to push this initiative forward across both our footwear and apparel lines.

A New Kind of Fleece with Encapsulated Microfibers

The Winter Olympics also include many indoor sports like figure skating and curling. These sports demand a different set of functionalities.

"For indoor sports, it's not as cold as outdoors, but athletes in on-ice events are still often exposed to cold air."

That's why a special fleece material was chosen, characterized by its smooth, non-brushed texture and a fine grid pattern on its surface.

"Encapsulated microfibers are sealed within each square of this grid. Each capsule traps warm air, so it provides excellent heat retention despite being thin. At the same time, the looser knit between the grid lines allows moisture to be released easily."

This encapsulation offers another benefit. It reduces microfiber shedding—a common issue with fleece—by approximately 80% compared to standard materials. This, in turn, lowers the environmental impact that occurs during wear and washing.

It's not just about the materials; meticulous attention to detail is evident throughout the design, all aimed at keeping athletes comfortable. Features include pocket straps that are easy to operate with gloves on or for para-athletes, high-capacity pockets large enough to store gloves, and an intuitive stretch cord for adjusting the hem. The care taken to eliminate as much stress as possible for the athletes is visible in every aspect.

"The official sportswear for Team Japan isn't something the athletes and staff get to choose for themselves. That's exactly why we consider it our mission to create products that are comfortable and flawless."

The insights gained from these Games and the technologies honed on the world's most prestigious stage will surely, in time, be adapted and integrated into the winter clothing we wear every day. We can't wait for that day to come.