Adidas Creates Inclusive Basketball Uniforms For People In Wheelchairs

Image via Adidas

Adidas has rolled forward in the courts of accessibility by introducing a first-of-its-kind adaptive wheelchair basketball uniform. Developed in partnership with nonprofit Adaptive Sports Northwest (ASNW), this innovative kit is tailored specifically for the PNW Reign women’s wheelchair basketball team. The team debuted the look at the NWBA Tournament.

The journey to this release began in Portland, where the Adidas Innovation team, fueled by input from wheelchair athletes, designed these specialized kits. The process was deeply collaborative, involving players in feedback sessions and ergometer testing to refine the speed mechanics and overall performance of the uniforms.

Image via Adidas

Jennifer Armbruster, executive director of ASNW and a seven-time Paralympian, praised the direct involvement of athletes in the design and called it a “game-changer.”

“For the first time athletes have been part of the entire process—they got to see the people behind the work, their passion through every interaction, their commitment to finding the best product for wheelchair basketball players,” said Armbruster.

Image via Adidas

The move aligns with Adidas’ efforts to make clothing more accessible for athletes of all forms. When unveiling its Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games kits in April, it shared that 86% of the apparel for the 2024 Games had been crafted using design principles accommodating athletes with and without disabilities.

Image via Adidas

The new, ergonomic uniforms are created to reduce bulk and enhance comfort while seated. They are made from lightweight woven materials for durability, and are paired with full mesh back panels to maximize breathability.

Image via Adidas

This focus on material and fit was shaped by extensive consultations with athletes, aiming to address the longstanding issue of ill-fitting apparel that was not originally designed for wheelchair athletes.

Image via Adidas

Beatrice Fuller, director of concepts apparel innovation at Adidas, highlighted the athlete-centric approach: “From the very first conversations and open discussions that we had with almost 200 athletes with disabilities, it was clear that the main challenge had been the same for years: wheelchair basketball players wear ‘stand-up’ uniforms that are not designed for them and do not meet their needs.”

Wheelchair basketball outfits have been “ill-fitting, long… [with] too much volume, resulting in excess fabric, heat buildup, and discomfort,” Fuller elaborates. “Simply put, they were not designed to help athletes perform at their best. With the creation of these uniforms, we delivered a solution that will help wearers feel more comfortable and confident on court.”

This isn’t a one-off win either. Adidas plans to expand the availability of these adaptive uniforms throughout 2024. With over 100,000 wheelchair basketball players worldwide, this is a major step towards a more inclusive sporting landscape, reinforcing the idea that sportswear can, and should, cater to all.

[via Adidas]