Smart clothing: how it monitors your health

Smart clothing is no longer science fiction. Shirts that measure your heart rate directly from your chest and socks that analyse every running stride are already available in Estonia. We take an honest look at what these clothes do, what they don’t, and whether it’s worth ordering one pair of socks for 200 euros.

What is smart clothing?

Smart clothing looks like ordinary clothing, but has thin sensors woven into the fabric. These sensors take measurements directly from your skin, tracking heart rate, breathing rate, muscle tension, posture and how your foot lands when you run. Unlike a smartwatch or chest strap, there’s no extra device to wear. You put on your shirt in the morning, and it quietly collects data in the background.

In most models, the sensors are sewn into washable fabric, and the only removable part is a small module that sends data to your phone. You can safely put the shirt in the washing machine — just remove the module first.

How smart clothing works in practice

The best-known examples come from elsewhere in the world, but ordering them for delivery to Estonia is straightforward.

• Hexoskin shirts measure heart rate, breathing and sleep quality simultaneously. Developed in Canada, they are also used in research projects.
• Sensoria smart socks analyse cadence, foot strike angle and load distribution. They are particularly useful if you’ve experienced recurring shin pain as a runner.
• Protex, a company with Dutch roots operating in Estonia, makes smart workwear that detects falls and helps monitor workers’ safety on construction sites. It’s a good example of how smart clothing isn’t just for athletes.

A locally developed smart fabric that tracks movement patterns and provides information about stress levels has also been tested in Estonia. It isn’t quite a commercial product yet, but the direction is clear.

What smart clothing offers recreational athletes

Most of us aren’t heading to the Olympics. The usual goals are to feel better, sleep better and avoid injuries. So how can smart clothing help with all this?

• More accurate heart rate readings than at the wrist. Watches quite often get readings wrong during intervals and strength training. A sensor against your chest or upper body captures your actual heart rhythm.
• Feedback on running technique. Landing too heavily on your heel or running with a low cadence is a direct risk factor for knee and shin pain. The socks reveal these issues without an expensive lab test.
• A picture of your sleep and recovery. Your breathing rate during sleep is a good indicator of recovery. A shirt measures it throughout the night without you having to attach anything cumbersome.
• Posture throughout the day. This may be of more interest to office workers than athletes — slouching during the day is a direct cause of back pain.

Smart clothing today and tomorrow

The honest picture: a smart shirt currently costs 250–500 euros, and a pair of socks 150–250. That’s clearly more than ordinary sports gear. Looking after them takes care, too — you need to remove the module before washing, and most manufacturers prohibit tumble drying.

Still, it’s worth remembering where smartwatches were ten years ago. The first models were expensive and bulky, and the battery barely lasted a day. Today, every other Estonian at the bus stop wears a smartwatch. The same will probably happen with clothing — sensors will become cheaper, textile manufacturers will add them to their regular clothing lines, and in five years we may no longer even think about the fact that our T-shirt is tracking our heart rate.

Is it worth buying now? If you’re a more serious runner or recovering from an injury, socks like Sensoria’s may be worth the price. For everyday use, a smartwatch is still the more sensible choice. But keep an eye on developments — the first smart clothing on Maxima’s shelves isn’t far off.

Frequently asked questions

Can you wash smart clothing in a regular washing machine?

Yes, you can with most manufacturers’ products. Remove the small electronic module before washing, and wash at 30–40 degrees. As a rule, avoid tumble drying.

How accurate are these sensors really?

For heart rate measurements, a fabric sensor positioned against your chest is often as accurate as a conventional chest strap — meaning several times more accurate than a watch. The accuracy of running gait analysis depends on the model.

Can you buy smart clothing in Estonia?

There isn’t a retail chain selling it directly yet, but you can order Hexoskin and Sensoria products from their websites for delivery to Estonia. Delivery takes a few weeks, and customs charges add to the price.

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