Nike Applies For Patent For 'architecturally Reinforced Denim'

Nike Inc. has submitted a patent application for an "architecturally reinforced denim" that the company describes as "a denim fabric with high tenacity and/or moisture management and/or stretch materials." Proportions of the materials may vary in order to "create different performance zones in the resulting garment." The fabric is designed with extreme sports athletes in mind, such as skateboarders and sandboarders who need specialized gear, but also want to be fashionable, the application said. Analysts at Instinet called the move "interesting" in a Tuesday note in light of the discussions they've had about the denim versus athleisure trend. Nike shares are up 9.3% for the year so far, but down 6.1% for the last 12 months. The S&P 500 index is up 6.7% in 2017.