Supercapacitor in Sports E-Textiles for Sustainable Gym and Running Apparel

Sports e-textiles have emerged as a key component of wearable technology, enabling real-time physiological monitoring and enhanced athletic performance. However, the integration of conventional batteries into sportswear is constrained by their rigidity, weight, limited flexibility, and safety concerns. Textile-integrated supercapacitors have therefore attracted considerable attention as a promising energy storage solution owing to their lightweight design, rapid charge–discharge capability, long cycle life, and excellent mechanical flexibility. This review critically examines recent advances in supercapacitor-based energy storage for sports e-textiles, with emphasis on electrode materials, textile substrates, fabrication and integration strategies, electrochemical performance, and practical applications in sportswear. Particular attention is given to the effects of textile architecture, flexibility, washability, mechanical durability, sweat resistance, and long-term operational stability on device performance. The review also discusses the major challenges limiting commercial adoption, including durability, scalable manufacturing, user comfort, and environmental sustainability. Finally, future research directions are proposed to accelerate the development of high-performance, sustainable, and commercially viable textile energy storage systems for next-generation intelligent sportswear. This review provides a comprehensive reference for researchers, textile engineers, and wearable technology developers working on advanced energy storage solutions for smart sports apparel.