A new PE kit designed to keep teenage girls in sport has been unveiled.
It is made from comfy fabrics, has leak-proof colours and even has a secret tampon pocket.
A study of 2,000 girls aged 14 to 16 found that three-quarters would enjoy PE more if their kit was comfier.
While seven in 10 said they’d be more likely to join in.
Sports giant ASICS, together with Inclusive Sportswear and mental health charity Mind, has now created the “Undropped Kit” to tackle the problem.
Research shows 64% of UK girls ditch sport before they hit 16 – with only 12% saying they’re happy with their current PE kit.
Complaints include itchy fabrics, shapeless designs, see-through sweat patches and period worries.
The Undropped Kit, already trialled at Burnley High School, features: dark fabrics to hide leaks and hidden zip pockets for tampons or valuables.
It also has a detachable liner that doubles as a gilet, water-repellent material for all-weather play, and even an emergency hair tie in the zip, as reported by Founder Insights.
Mum-of-two and TV star Katie Piper said: “As a mum to two daughters, I know the impact PE kits can have on young girls’ willingness to take part in sport.
“I remember experiencing this first-hand myself at school – feeling uncomfortable in my kit and worrying more about how it looks than enjoying the activity.
“That’s why I’m proud to support the Undropped Kit initiative.
“It’s about more than just clothing – it’s about helping girls feel seen, supported, and empowered to stay active.
“I urge parents and schools to get involved and help create a more inclusive environment for our daughters.”
Inclusive Sportswear founder and Team GB hockey star Tess Howard added: “A PE kit is the most underrated reason girls drop out of PE, but the good news is we can fix it – and fast.
“Inclusive Sportswear is built to solve this issue by helping schools employ an inclusive PE kit policy based on enabling choice and comfort.
“We are delighted to partner with ASICS to highlight this important issue by reimagining girls’ PE kits and to work towards lasting change for all through the Inclusive Sportswear Community Platform.
“By listening to girls and evolving kits to support their needs, we can lift this barrier.”
Hayley Jarvis, Head of Physical Activity at Mind, said: “At Mind, we believe physical activity is a powerful protective factor for young people’s mental health.
“It’s deeply concerning to see so many teenage girls dropping out of PE in such big numbers.
“While the reasons are complex, simple changes like adapting PE kits could help girls feel more comfortable staying active, giving them a lifelong tool to support their mental health.”
Parents and schools are now being urged to join the Inclusive Sportswear Community Platform, which offers free toolkits and training to make PE more inclusive.
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