MEET THE WILSON X BYBORRE VOLLEYBALL

Learn how Wilson LABS and revolutionary textile company BYBORRE teamed up to totally reimagine the volleyball.

WHO IS BYBORRE?

BYBORRE is a leader in the textile industry committed to democratizing the supply chain through a transparent ecosystem of responsible suppliers. After founder Borre Akkersdjik spent a decade consulting in the textile industry—where irresponsible manufacturing practices, massive overproduction and waste were rampant—he knew there was a better way, and he set out to prove it. BYBORRE is that proof.

“Our mission is to inspire and enable an entire generation of creators to make [fewer] but more meaningful and responsible products," said Borre.

Since 2015, BYBORRE has partnered with brands like Lululemon, BMW and AppleTV+, using their game-changing system to create conscious bespoke textiles. Collaborating with partners across multiple industries is critical for BYBORRE, as the ultimate goal isn't solely to make products; it is to shift the entire consumer mindset to demand better. The Wilson x BYBORRE collab marks the textile brand’s first entree into sporting goods, and Borre is excited to reach a new audience.

“You can have the best mission in the world to do better, but if you don’t get it in front of people, you can’t change the world,” said Borre. “Let’s use our supply chain and innovation for the better, then work with brands to tell the story.” And that’s where Wilson comes in.

ABOUT THE VOLLEYBALL

Trust us, you've never seen a volleyball like this before. “We wanted to offer something new and fun for the player, while still maintaining high performance standards,” said Jared Webster, Global Industrial Engineer for Wilson Team Sports, who has led the BYBORRE collaboration. The first-of-its-kind volleyball is constructed using BYBORRE’s signature knitted textile in place of traditional OPTX cover material. Thanks to BYBORRE's vast in-house yarn supply and digital design capabilities, the team was even able to replicate the Visual Spin Tech of the OPTX game ball without using any additional dyes or materials to create the signature color scheme. All-in, the ball is one of the most sustainable products Wilson has ever made.

There are some key differences between this new ball and traditional volleyballs, including:

• A soft feel. The knitted cover provides a unique feel against the skin which reduces sting upon impact. This could be perfect for young players who are just getting into the sport, or for players that want to play all day.
• Taped seams. The taped seams can mitigate potential grip loss due to a majority of the surface material being knitted, and they contribute to the ball's structure and durability. The tape also offers some abrasion resistance from the hand-sewn seams.

“It’s unlike anything else out there," said Webster. "It’s a totally different feel than what players are used to and I think they will love it.”

The ball will make its first public appearances at the 2023 AVP Manhattan Beach Open and Chicago Open, where Wilson LABS engineers will collect player feedback that will inform the next iteration of the ball. Beyond that, the Wilson LABS team feels confident that the ball's unique characteristics will lead to further explorations in areas that can help maintain ball quality and performance in an environmentally responsible way. Since the ball is still a prototype being playtested, it is not available for purchase. But don't worry, you can still own a part of this collab.

ABOUT THE BEACH BLANKET

In addition to the volleyball, the team designed a beach blanket using BYBORRE’s high-performance recycled polyester yarn made from post-consumption plastic bottles collected in Italy. It features premium textile composition for high quality feel and performance. The blanket design gives a modern twist to the sport's legacy, featuring images knitted into the fabrics that commemorate historical Wilson moments and the foundation of the sport. Plus, the blanket is sand resistant and durable--both musts for beach volley enthusiasts. You can purchase one of these limited edition blankets HERE.

THE BIG PICTURE

Perhaps the world was not clamoring for a volleyball with a knitted cover. But this collab is about so much more than creating a cool new ball. What the partnership has really created is a conversation.

“It is about reaching people and starting a dialogue," said Borre."There needs to be something that clicks for people so they want to know who is responsible for the raw materials. Those conversations only happen when you have products like this volleyball in the spotlight.”