Nike patents fabric with 3D bumps to reduce air drag on clothing
Nike has filed a patent for apparel featuring small, three-dimensional bumps attached to the fabric surface. These bumps are arranged in specific patterns around the shoulders and sides of the torso to guide airflow and reduce drag as the wearer moves.
In the filing’s own words
Articles of apparel include front and back portions, and a plurality of 3D nodules are positioned at or near one or more zones where the front portion transitions to the back portion. The nodules are arranged to reduce drag and promote more aerodynamic airflow over/around the article of apparel. The 3D nodules may include one or more of: (i) a right upper grouping that transitions from the front portion to the back portion over a top right shoulder region, (ii) a left upper grouping that transitions from the front portion to the back portion over a top left shoulder region; (iii) a right lower grouping that transitions from the front portion to the back portion around a right side of the torso portion; (iv) a left lower grouping that transitions from the front portion to the back portion around a left side of the torso portion.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An article of apparel comprising: a torso portion including a fabric material; a plurality of three-dimensional (3D) nodules secured to an outer surface of the fabric material and arranged in a pattern that includes: a right upper grouping of the 3D nodules, the right upper grouping having an outer perimeter with a foremost edge at a front of the torso portion and a rearmost edge either at a top right of the torso portion or at a back of the torso portion with the right upper grouping extending over the top right of the torso portion to the back of the torso portion; and a left upper grouping of the 3D nodules, the left upper grouping having an outer perimeter with a foremost edge at the front of the torso portion and a rearmost edge either at a top left of the torso portion or at the back of the torso portion with the left upper grouping extending over the top left of the torso portion to the back of the torso portion.
Facts
- Company
- Nike (NIKE, Inc.)
- Official title
- Fabric Material and Article of Apparel Including the Fabric Material
- Publication number
- US20260294020A1
- Application number
- 19635256
- Filed
- Mar 31, 2026
- Published
- Oct 1, 2026
- Inventors
- 4
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
A41D 31/14 Human necessitiesA41D 13/02 Human necessitiesA41D 2400/24 Human necessitiesA41D 2500/10 Human necessitiesMore from Nike in Clothing & sport
- Nike patents clothing that stiffens instantly to protect against impacts Sep 15, 2026
- Nike patents underwear with electric straps that adjust tightness Sep 17, 2026
- Nike patents fabric that tightens when it gets wet Oct 15, 2026
- Nike patents shoe that pumps fluid to heel for cushioning Sep 8, 2026
- Nike patents top with built-in pocket for breast pumps Oct 1, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.