Sportswear is generally made from a multitude of materials and blends. The most popular are polyester, nylon and elastane. These synthetic fibers are lightweight, durable and moisture-wicking, which is ideal for active wear.
Sportswear is generally made from a wide variety of synthetic fabrics – the three most popular materials for sportswear are :
1，POLYESTER – IT’S EVERYWHERE
Polyester is the most popular material for sports and leisurewear for a number of reasons: it’s inexpensive, durable and has many properties that make it ideal for sportswear. Polyester is often blended with other fabrics to create more versatile garments.
For instance, polyester is often blended with elastane to create a fabric with good elasticity and recovery capacity. This blend is often used for leggings, sports bras and other compression garments. Polyester is also blended with cotton to create a lightweight, breathable fabric, ideal for summer sportswear.
In addition, manufacturers like Repreve have forged relationships with many factory to use recycled polyester in place of virgin polyester. These efforts are a step in the right direction towards making polyester a more sustainable fabric.
2，SPANDEX/ELASTANE – STRETCH FABRIC
Spandex, also known as elastane, is a synthetic fiber first developed in the 1940s. Known for its comfort and high performance, this fabric has amazing stretch and recovery – it can stretch up to five times its original length and return to its original shape when released.
This makes elastane an ideal fabric for sportswear, often blended with polyester or cotton, as it allows total freedom of movement without compromising the integrity of the garment. Elastane is commonly used to make leggings, yoga pants, compression garments and swimwear.
Toxic chemicals are used in the production of spandex. However, some spandex fabrics can be RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) certified, meaning they are made from at least 5% recycled materials.
3，NYLON – STRONG AND DURABLE
Nylon is a synthetic polymer first developed in the 1930s as a substitute for silk. The fabric is strong and durable, making it ideal for sportswear.
Nylon is commonly used to make sports bras, cycling shorts and other compression garments, because it offers a high level of support. Nylon is also often used to reinforce other fabrics – for example, many sports bras have an outer layer of nylon and an inner layer of cotton or polyester.
When used in knit fabrics, nylon is ideal for swimwear due to its elasticity and smooth fit. It is ideal for outerwear because of its moderate moisture wicking ability and poor breathability.
Some nylon can be recycled, and several manufacturers convert nylon mesh to recycled nylon, but it’s not as popular as recycled polyester.
We can offer a wide range of sportswear fabric, including mesh fabrics, tricot fabrics, jersey fabrics, interlock fabrics, jacquard fabrics, and mélange fabrics, which made from polyester, nylon and spandex. If you are interested in, welcome to contact us. Fuzhou Huasheng Textile., Ltd is committed to providing the high quality fabric and best service to the customer worldwide.
Post time: May-24-2024