The Story of the Race Bib

We associate them with victory and great emotions. Today, race bibs (also known as racing jerseys or "bibs") are a staple of every competition, from the downhill slopes of Kitzbühel to wild water rapids. But have you ever wondered when they first appeared and why they look the way they do today?

In the very early days of modern sport at the end of the 19th century, starting numbers were practically non-existent. Spectators had to recognize competitors by the color of their caps or jerseys. The first attempts at systematic marking came with cycling and athletics – simple paper or fabric squares pinned to the back.

The turning point came with sports where speed and movement are so dynamic that a paper tag stood no chance of survival. Skiing and water sports needed something more.

In skiing, race bibs evolved from heavy linen "capes" that became stiff and soaked with moisture in the freezing cold. In the 1930s and 40s, they looked more like aprons. With the advent of synthetic fibers, flexible knitted bibs began to be produced, adapting to the body's movement. The race bib was no longer just a "tag"; it became a part of the garment.

For canoeing or rafting, the history was even more dramatic. Traditional cotton numbers increased in weight by hundreds of grams when wet, restricting the athlete's movement. The modern history of water sports bibs is a story of sublimation and hydrophobic materials. Today, we manufacture bibs from knitted fabrics that literally repel water and remain light even after passing through the biggest rapids.

Today, a race bib is no longer just a piece of fabric with a digit. In our workshop, we treat them as high-end functional accessories. The color becomes part of the fiber. The print never peels, cracks, or fades, even in extreme conditions. We use a specific weave that ensures 4-way stretch elasticity. The athlete shouldn't even feel the bib – it must fit like a second skin.

When an athlete puts on a race bib today, they are continuing a tradition over a hundred years old.