Categories
Fashion Lookbook

Thanks Nike, but athletic hijabs are nothing new

nike hijab
Image Source

By now you have probably heard that Nike will be releasing the Pro Hijab–a headscarf for female Muslim athletes–during the Spring of next year. The decision by Nike has been met with both criticism and applause.

While some people are thrilled about Nike expanding its horizons and appealing to marginalized athletes, others are outraged and have promised to boycott Nike.

[bctt tweet=”Nike is not the first to create an athlete friendly hijab for women.” username=”wearethetempest”]

The Pro Hijab is made from a breathable, lightweight polyester material and took Nike over a year to develop. While it’s tremendous that a corporation as large as Nike will begin selling the Pro Hijab, athletic hijabs are nothing new. Women who wear hijab have been competing in The Olympic Games since 2004.

It’s neat that women can now sport the iconic Nike “swoosh” on their hijabs, but Nike is not the first to create an athlete friendly hijab for women.

Image Source

Here are a few companies that have already been catering to the needs of hijabi athletes:

1. Sukoon Active

Arshiya Kherani started Sukoon Active to provide hijab wearing women with comfortable and modest active wear. Unlike the Pro Hijab, Sukoon Active hijabs are tailored for all women who enjoy working out and not just professional athletes.

The hijabs are durable, breathable, and lightweight and the company was started by a hijabi woman who struggled finding comfortable workout clothes.

2. Capsters

Image Source

Capsters is another company that has been making hijabs for athletic purposes. The sports hijabs can be used for different purposes as well as different sports activities. Capsters is dedicated to the empowerment of women through sports and delivers the sports hijabs all over the world.

3. Veil Garments

Veil Garments is another company committed to creating athletic wear for hijabi women. They developed the first ever climate adapting hijab which has water repelling technologies.

Veil Garments also sells the “Halo Running Hoodie” which has a hijab attached to the hood of a sweatshirt and allows for comfortable workouts in which hijabis don’t have to worry about their headscarf slipping off.

4. ASIYA

ASIYA was created in order to empower more Muslim girls and women to become physically active and participate in sports. In addition to making sports hijabs and caps, ASIYA also customizes hijabs for sports teams. Fifty percent of profits the company makes are directed towards providing sports hijabs and modest activewear to Muslim athletes in need.

5. Modanisa

Image Source

Modanisa makes not just athletic hijabs, but also modest and Islamic tracksuits and swimwear. They have a plethora of different activewear styles, colors and designs. They also sell dresses, pajamas and other everyday clothing items.

6. East Essence

Image Source

East Essence sells sports hijabs and caps for athletic purposes as well as regular hijabs. They also sell sports tunics, athletic jilbabs and activewear. East Essence has some spring deals and sales going on so you might want to head to their website!

There’s no doubt that Nike has been making tremendous strides towards appealing to minority populations and Muslim women, but they are certainly not the first to develop a sports hijab.

By Ayah Galal

Ayah is double majoring in journalism and political science at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. She loves coffee, books and traveling. Ayah is passionate about combating Islamophobia through the media.