Spartan has named Craft Sportswear the “official performance apparel and footwear” of the Spartan obstacle races. The multi-year partnership, terms of which were not disclosed, will see the two brands developing the first high-performance technical apparel for the rising sport of Obstacle Course Racing (OCR).
Craft will be applying the same techniques and knowledge it uses in developing Olympic-caliber performance apparel for World Tour cycling teams and Olympic cross-country skiers, as well as for runners and athletes at all levels. Craft is currently available in more than 39 countries, while Spartan has more than 200 races across more than 30 countries around the world.
“The growth of Spartan has created a competitive field of elite OCR athletes who require technical apparel that allows for maximum performance,” said Craft Sportswear North America CEO Eric Schenker. “For decades, Craft has engineered ergonomically superior products for some of the best athletes in the world, and we’re excited to be the first company to apply that same sport-specific knowledge and research towards developing the first-of-its-kind performance apparel for Spartan athletes.”
The OCR-specific “Powered By” Craft line of Spartan apparel and footwear is currently under development at the company’s sports science laboratory in Sweden. Spartan athletes face elements that require full functional movement and, at times, extreme temperatures. With just milliseconds on the line between elite finishers, Craft’s team of designers and technicians pay strict attention to detail; with every stitch and seam meticulously placed to address the ergonomic and thermal needs of obstacle racers.
Having recently introduced the brand’s performance footwear in Europe, Craft’s all-terrain shoe for Spartan athletes will be its U.S. footwear debut. The first-of-its-kind shoe will be designed specifically for the obstacles and natural elements athletes face on the OCR trail. The “Powered By” line will roll out in early 2019, with co-branded apparel from Craft’s existing training line launching in summer of 2018.
“Craft has a proven track record for engineering the best functional apparel for endurance sports, and we’re excited to team up with a global brand that shares our passion for performance and competition to develop the first Olympic-caliber, OCR-specific apparel and footwear,” said Joe De Sena, Spartan founder and CEO. “With intense competition unfolding at each race, and athletes pushing themselves to the limit, the Craft ‘Powered By’ line is a much-needed addition and step forward for the sport as we continue to attract global brands developing products specifically for our race and fan community.”
Photo courtesy Spartan
