The‘Pro ‘Hijab’

The head cover, called the “Nike Pro Hijab,” boasts a singlelayer pull-on design made from lightweight polyester in dark, neutral colours. According to Nike, the fabric’s tiny holes will make it breathable while remaining opaque, a requirement for hijab-wearing women.

It’s also super-stretchy for a personalized _ t that adapts to the wearer and is designed using _ uff threads to eliminate rubbing and irritation.

Nike said it began developing the hijab after some Muslim athletes complained about wearing a traditional head scarf during competition.

The Pro Hijab was designed in collaboration with several Muslim athletes including weightlifter Amna Al Haddad. Nike said the garment has been tested by Egyptian running coach Manal Rostom and is already being worn by Emirati _ gure 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 _ t and the light weight.” Response online to the hijab has been mostly positive, but some hijab wearers have questioned Nike’s decision to make branded hijabs.

Sporting hijabs have been around for several years, but Nike is the _ rst major international company to embrace the sports needs of Muslim women. Small sporting brands such as Capsters and ResportOn have previously been seen as leading brands of sporting hijabs.

Nike’s Pro Hijab will be available in three different colourways, black, vast grey and obsidian, early next year.