Uncomfortable clothing during workouts can detract from a positive experience and lead to injuries like chaffing. To minimize discomfort, look for fabrics that are breathable and malleable.
A synthetic material that coats regular fabrics to make them waterproof and wind-resistant, gore-tex is ideal for outdoor sportswear. The fabric also wicks moisture away from the skin for comfort and temperature control.
Knitted Jacquard
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Jacquard is a type of textile fabric that has woven patterns. Typically, these fabrics have raised pattern designs such as flowers or damask. Jacquard fabrics are woven on a weaving machine that utilizes a series of punched cards to control individual warp threads. Textile manufacturers have replaced these old cards with computer programs, reducing the amount of human intervention needed for manufacturing jacquard.
Most jacquard fabrics are cotton or wool, though synthetic fibers are available. The most popular choice is polyester jacquard, which is inexpensive and durable. This material is ideal for athletic wear because it wicks sweat away from the body.
Natural and organic cotton jacquards are also available, but these tend to be more expensive. In addition, raw silk is a luxurious alternative that can be environmentally friendly, depending on the source of the fibers. For example, silk produced from mulberry trees is often certified as sustainable. Wool is another eco-friendly choice, requiring no fertilizers or pesticides to grow. It is also a good thermal insulator, keeping the wearer warm and dry during cold-weather sports or mountaineering activities.
Mesh
A popular choice for sports uniforms and activewear, mesh fabrics are breathable, lightweight, and flexible. Textile manufacturers know what fabrics are athletic clothing made of, such as mesh fabrics. They are also available in various colors and styles, making them versatile and easy to work with. In addition to being incredibly durable, mesh fabric can be embroidered or screen printed and is highly resistant to moisture.
Mesh is a light woven fabric with a distinctive net-like look, thanks to the open spaces between the yarns that comprise the material’s structure. Mere is known for its breathability, originally designed by textile mill owner Lewis Haslam to withstand temperature changes. It gained popularity in the 1980s when Adidas began using it for their sportswear and later became a staple of popular culture when celebrities wore it on MTV.
Several types of mesh fabrics are used for sportswear, including polyester and nylon. They may seem similar at face value, but there are significant differences. Polyester is made from synthetic materials, while nylon is often made from plant materials and can be more comparable to silk in feel.
Tricot
Tricot is a highly stretchable textile that conforms to the body. It’s known for its breathable, water-absorbing, quick-drying, antibacterial properties and ability to keep the wearer warm or cool during exercise. It’s often used in sportswear and fitness clothing. The fabric’s shape, stability and versatility allow it to be easily combined with other materials, such as jersey knits, to create athletic apparel that can move with the body while still feeling comfortable.
The most common tricots are polyester and nylon, but they can be made with various fibers to provide different properties and benefits. Depending on the threads and yarns used, tricot can have a range of characteristics, such as thickness, color, run resistance, bulk density, and elasticity. The texture, feel, pattern, and unevenness of the tricot fabric can also be adjusted depending on its structure, yarn use, and knitting density. This flexibility makes creating garments with the latest styles and trends easy. Tricot is commonly used as a lining in workout and performance apparel, swimwear, and lingerie.
Jersey Knits
A quality jersey fabric is soft to the touch and increases and stretches to hug the body. It is naturally breathable and absorbent, too. It can be made from natural plant-based textile fibers, such as cotton and wool, or synthetic fabrics, like polyester and polyamide. If it contains elastane or other elastic fibers, it becomes especially stretchy and is used for all types of sportswear for men and women.
There are many different jersey knit fabrics available to choose from. You can find jersey fabric in solid colors and patterned jersey knits. Some popular patterns include floral, geometric, abstract, ornamental, dotted and striped jersey fabrics.
There is also a double jersey, a reversible fabric with knit stitching on both sides of the material. It is thicker than a single jersey and has a more constructed look, making it ideal for blazers and classic trousers. Another type of jersey knit is cloque, which is woven with yarn that has a puckered appearance. Lastly, there’s a slub jersey with a textured appearance from irregular slub yarn.
Microfiber
Microfiber is a popular fabric that can be found in athletic wear. It’s typically made of synthetic materials, like polyester and polyamides, but cellulose from wood pulp can also be used in certain applications. It’s very lightweight, breathable and can wick moisture away from the skin. The fabric is also durable and resists pilling.
Breathable fabrics are essential in athletic clothing, as they allow air to easily pass through the material and keep athletes cool and dry during strenuous workouts. The fabric must have stretch and elasticity, too, so it can conform to the body’s natural curves and fit snugly.
Synthetic fabrics are often made with spandex, which provides a good amount of flexibility to the garment. Another popular synthetic material is modal, which features soft, fine fibers and is similar to cotton in texture and feel. It’s also more delicate and flexible than polyester and polyester-polyamide microfibres. It’s commonly used to make sportswear, upholstery fabrics and bed sheets. Unlike cotton, which requires pesticides to grow, it’s an eco-friendly option that doesn’t use any water during production.