With the growing number of Muslim women who work out and compete in sports, Nike has taken another step into the lucrative Islamic clothing market by unveiling a performance hijab designed for female Muslim athletes, allowing women to compete in sports while staying covered.
The head cover, called the Nike Pro Hijab, boasts a single-layer pull-on design made from lightweight polyester in dark, neutral colors. The fabric’s tiny holes will make it breathable while remaining opaque and an elongated back so it will not come untucked, a requirement for hijab-wearing women.
Nike said it began developing the hijab after some Muslim athletes complained about wearing a traditional head scarf during competition. The product, which has been in development for a year, was tested by athletes including Emirati figure skater, Zahra Lari.
“I was thrilled and a bit emotional to see Nike prototyping a Hijab,” Lari said in a statement. “I’ve tried so many different hijabs for performance, and so few of them actually work for me. But once I put it on and took it for a spin on the ice, I was blown away by the fit and the light weight.”
The Nike Pro Hijab which took 13 months to design will be available for sale together with Nike’s Spring 2018 collection.
