The Woolmark Performance Challenge, in partnership with Alpinestars, have selected the 2025 winners from a global pool of talent. This year’s innovations showcased how Merino wool can drive the next chapter of intelligent sportswear.
Explore the innovative product solutions for performance that harness the unique natural properties of Merino wool.
“The level of innovation, dedication, and eagerness to explore the world of motorsports the students’ communicated in their WPC submissions this year was incredible. We are excited to see what comes next for these inspirational young students!”
- Cameron Wallace (Sustainable Materials Specialist), Alpinestars
University of Oregon, United States of America
Chloe Burchard
WINNER - Alpinestars Internship
Vaporate pushes auxetic textile engineering forward with a moisture- responsive Merino wool system built for high-intensity downhill mountain biking. Instead of relying on stretch, its engineered honeycomb structure activates through Merino wool’s natural moisture absorption, opening ventilation zones as the rider heats and sweats to improve airflow and support thermal comfort, without chemicals, membranes or electronics.
AMFI – Amsterdam Fashion Institute, Netherlands
Fabian Melvyn Korrubel
WINNER - Woolmark Research Bursary
Mycro-Armor – Australian Merino wool and fungal fibre blend, coated with plant-based flame retardants.
Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, China
Waikei Tai
WINNER - Woolmark Research Bursary
PassionShield: Safety in the Fire – Merging Merino wool’s natural fire resistance in a hybrid material that maximises protection against burns and impact.
IED Milano, India
Amogh Ganapathi
WINNER - Woolmark Research Bursary
Aetherdyne – Base-layer with precision-engineered knit structures and strategic airflow zones.
Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
Emilio Martinez
WINNER - Woolmark Research Bursary
Aeroweave – Merino wool knit using thermo-intelligent shape-memory polymers that create expandable ribbed mesh zones as temperature fluctuates.
University of Oregon, United States of America
Jacob T. Kauff
WINNER - Woolmark Research Bursary
Nattara – Thermoregulatory structure powered by heat-reactive Bacillus Subtilis Natto bacteria, bio-printed onto performance wool garments.
Accademia di Belle Arti di Macerata, Italy
Sofia Fortuna
Aerisknit-X – A multi-layer glove that combines Australian Merino wool with biomimetic design principles inspired by the structure of animal paws and human sensory systems.
Accademia di Belle Arti di Macerata, Italy
Beatrice Finucci
FLOW – A high-performance base-layer combining Merino wool with Nomex, Spandex and silver fibre, featuring graduated compression, an integrated sock and tear-away system at the ankle for emergency removal.
Professional Institute of International Fashion, Japan
Rio Matsumoto
TRUSS – Vibration dispersion using wool blended with Cordura.
University of Oregon, United States of America
Lauren Kochaver
XYLOTECH – Merino wool textile inspired by plant xylem, guiding moisture to high-airflow zones for rapid evaporation.
University of Oregon, United States of America
Lisa Ly
ArmoWool – A two-yarn Merino wool blend to create knitted or woven surfaces for outer protection.
University of Oregon, United States of America
Lulu West
Nanocell - Nanofibres wrapped in modulating buckle-like formations around individual Merino wool fibres to enhance flexibility and air directional control.
