Canadian running brand Ciele Athletics is best known for its cult-favourite caps, but its latest launch suggests it has bigger ambitions.
The new Icon collection leans heavily into fabric innovation to solve one of warm-weather running’s biggest frustrations: overheating.
While most performance apparel, including Nike’s widely used Dri-FIT system, focuses on moisture-wicking to keep sweat under control, Ciele is taking a slightly different approach.
Instead of dealing with heat after it builds up, the brand is trying to stop it from becoming a problem in the first place.
The Icon collection is built on two new material systems designed to regulate temperature in real time.
The first, RAYaway ceramic ripstop, is used primarily across the brand’s headwear range and works by reflecting solar radiation away from the fabric's surface to reduce heat buildup under direct sun exposure.
Alongside this, Ciele introduces its COOLmatic | EXP fabrics, which incorporate carbon or graphene-infused yarns.
These are engineered to dissipate heat generated by the body during high-intensity efforts, while also supporting moisture management and odour control during longer sessions.
From daily miles to race day
The collection itself is designed to cover a range of use cases, from easy training runs to race-day efforts.
Key pieces include the GOCap Solar and FSTCap Ethereal, both built with breathability and sun protection in mind, as well as the ICNSinglet and ICNShort 3” Brief, which focus on lightweight construction and unrestricted movement.
The singlet uses an ultra-light COOLmatic | EXP HOLLOWmesh with carbon for temperature regulation and comfort, while welded construction helps reduce chafing and overall weight.
The shorts, meanwhile, feature a graphene-infused stretch woven fabric and an internal pocket system designed to keep race-day fuel organised and accessible.
Across the range, the emphasis is on minimising bulk while maximising airflow and thermoregulation, making the pieces particularly suited to summer running and high-output sessions.
If the promise of ceramic and graphene-backed cooling holds up in real-world use, bigger brands may need to start thinking beyond sweat-wicking alone.
The Icon Collection is now available at Ciele US, with prices starting at $80 (~£60 / €69 / AU$115).
