Activewear qualifies as the perfect everyday and workout clothing since this type of apparel gives a sense of expression, magnifies the body’s physique, and portrays you as a fashion icon.
In short, activewear is ideal for you to gain ultimate performance during a workout and to look good. Fabric is what makes activewear products worthy of wearing and spending money on.
However, there are so many fabric types that choosing the right ones is a difficult thing to do. So how do you know which material to choose? Don’t worry, I have some special tips to pinpoint the perfect activewear materials for you.
Let’s dig into the important tip.
The Best Activewear Fabrics and Their Benefits
Every fabric out there has multiple benefits. Some are good at providing temperature regulation, which is very important to have in sportswear. Some offer breathability. Many can dry quickly or wick moisture.
Although the best ones offer all of it, Here are some materials with good qualities.
Polyester
We can say that polyester is among the most commonly used and available at every store. If you are looking for synthetic sportswear, activewear, casualwear, or any sort of highly qualified fitness-fashion combo, polyester is the fabric you can trust with your everyday wearing habits. This material has some benefits to help you stay fit and look good.
Benefits of Polyester
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Wicks moisture
- Breathable
Nylon
Nylon is another perfect choice for activewear and sportswear clothes due to its outstanding qualities. The texture is good; it doesn’t hold a person back while working out.
The best thing, besides the performance factor, is the feel it gives in the form of texture and appearance. It is usually used as a cold-weather performance material.
Sports bras, t-shirts, leggings, and shorts are the most common clothing products made with nylon. The sweat doesn’t stay inside as heat evaporates from the outer layer of the clothes.
Benefits of Nylon
- Soft
- Temperature control
- Mildew resistant
- Stretchable
- Shape retention
Spandex
Spandex also goes by the name Lycra. It is famous for its flexibility. Whether you are weightlifting or doing yoga, Lycra offers optimal support and complete control over movement. Spandex is also a synthetic material with many uses.
For example, clothes like shorts, leggings, sports bras, and boxer briefs are made with spandex.
Benefits of Spandex
- Breathability
- Moisture Wicking
- High Stretch Capacity
Tricot
If you want a knitted material with high stretchability and durable structure, tricot fabric is the one for you. This material is commonly used in activewear, lingerie, swimwear, outer linings, and sportswear due to its amazing qualities.
Tricot gives you performance and freedom of movement.
Benefits of Tricots
- Good elasticity
- Moisture-wicking
- Comfort
- Smooth texture
- Ribbed Appearance
- Lightweight
Bamboo
Bamboo fabric is used in many items, but activewear has become its new identity due to being a lightweight and organic material. It is blended with many other fabrics to become a material useful for various clothing items.
Benefits of Bamboo
- Moisture-wicking
- Temperature-regulating
- Odor-resistant
- Soft texture
Mesh
Mesh is considered an ideal summer-activewear fabric since it offers coolness. Interestingly, mesh is a mixture of nylon and polyester, so it offers almost every quality of polyester and nylon. Leggings, t-shirts, boxers, shorts, and several other products used for workouts are made with mesh fabric.
Benefits of Mesh
- Breathability
- Durability
- Good texture
- Stretch
- Moisture wicking
How to Choose Activewear Fabrics: Properties and Functionality
Choosing the right fabrics requires some attention to their practical and functional attributes. So I have gathered a few traits that you should check before choosing the fabric. In short, check for the properties mentioned below before picking the right material.
Comfort
Workout routines are tough since they involve exertion, sweat, and a lot of effort. Therefore, it is very important that the products you are wearing offer extreme comfort.
Make sure you opt for fabrics that keep you comfortable during your intense workout routines.
Durability
Durability is very important in activewear products because the clothing items are used roughly during sports or exercises.
So, you don’t want to have clothes that are torn easily or lose their shape. Get products with high durability. Spandex is long-lasting due to its flexibility.
Design
If you are into fitness and fashion, choose the fabrics with which you can create stylish activewear products. For example, stylish body-fit shirts are amazing in appearance.
Weight
Lightweight fabrics are usually preferred for fitness routines as they can offer breathability. Choosing lightweight materials can boost your performance by keeping you active all the time.
Cost
If you are a brand starting your own activewear business, costing is a great concern to you. Hence, choose fabrics that are not expensive. As far as activewear products are concerned, quality fabrics can be slightly costly, but not too expensive to become a deal-breaker.
Protection
Sports or exercises can be rough at times and harm you while performing. Quality clothes offering protection against irritation, overheating, and sweat can be perfect. So, choose the ones with soft texture and medical properties, which leads us to the next property below.
Anti-bacterial
Your activewear fabrics should have antibacterial properties to prevent skin allergies or irritation caused by sweating. Sensitive people usually opt for certain materials equipped with such qualities.
Moisture-wicking
Your materials are supposed to repel moisture to keep you dry and active. Mesh, spandex, nylon, bamboo, and other fabrics mentioned above have moisture-wicking properties. These materials enhance the functionality and practicality of the products.
Breathability
Breathability in warm weather or during workouts is very important since this trait allows you to cool off and stay dry during your sports activities and exercises.
Shape retention
Workouts, gym routines, daily washing, or sports games test your clothes to their limits. You stretch them or use them very roughly during your active performances in the fields or gyms. Thus, shape retention properties can keep your clothes in their original shape. In other words, shape retention increases the durability of the clothes.
Stretch
Stretch of flexibility in the activewear products is a must component to have. Stretching gives you complete movement control.
Final Words
Activewear is a part of the fashion world too, as the clothes offer a sense of expression. Your activewear clothing grooms your fitness as well as your casual lifestyle. Everything I have mentioned above is to help you choose the activewear fabric without getting confused.Just ensure that you consider every factor before making any decision.
