Fabrics, without any doubt, are a point of focus when designing activewear clothing; they dictate the final feel and performance of clothes. But the question is, “How do we make the right decision selecting sportswear fabrics”?
Well, there are multiple factors that can align you towards informed choice. Be very attentive to the concerned activity levels of garments along with their inherent features such as:
- Comfort
- Fitting
- Sweat management
- Longevity
Today, the aim of this article is to grant readers knowledge about different athletic wear fabrics out there and why each variation is so unique.
Introduction: Importance & Evaluation of Sportswear Material
Sportswear materials are not just limited to sports but rather have expanded into daily wardrobes as well, all thanks to the rise of “Athleisure“. Many people are now wearing athletic attires on the streets or for casual gatherings; this alone should tell you how significant sportswear has become in current times.
Historically, Sportswear was made with regular materials like Cotton & Wool, but due to lower performing levels and quick tearing, in the 20th century, manufacturers started using rugged materials, including polyester, Nylon and Spandex, for greater serviceability.
Owing to these choices, currently, there are incomprehensible amounts of fabrics for athletics, and each of these types is, although similar, equipped with high specificity to meet the demands of various differentiated sports such as swimming contests, gyming, and even running.
Interesting fact: Cotton was believed to be extremely unfit due to its non-absorbency of sweat, but in recent times, many brands have opted for it once again owing to its unique odour management.
Characteristics of Activewear Fabric
Activewear fabrics are categorized due to their unique set of properties, which are highly required whenever these high activity levels are associated. You can’t just use any material in Fitness wear. It always has to be about these specialized fabrics.
Suppose you design tracksuits with polyester alone, then yes, you would end up with a garment that is both moisture-wicking and strong, but what if the wearer has to wear it for hours? Do you think such garments would be able to provide a pleasant wearing experience?
Take a look below at the must-have characteristics of fitness wear fabrics:
Breathability:
Back in the early days, it was not that important, but now if you want to design premium quality activewear, then having a porous fabric for airflow is a must!
Quick-drying:
Having tracksuits or even sports bras equipped with a quick-drying feature ensures longer workout hours without profusely sweating or odour.
Elasticity:
Every gym wear fabric should have a sizable stretch to it along with adaptable flexing to overcome the problem of displacing muscles.
Support:
Athletic wear fabric should also be supportive enough to prevent muscle cramping and tearing. A good material will provide a snug fit for athletic activities.
Lightweightness:
Having highly functional sportswear means nothing if it is not light enough to facilitate free movement. Thus, no matter if you are a regular person or business owner, your chosen fabric should be lightweight.
- Resilience: Fabrics centred around high activities should be tough and tear-free.
Temperature regulation:
Modern athleisure textiles should adapt to environmental temperatures to provide a balanced experience (“not too warm & not too cold”).
Performance Wear Fabric Types in 2025
Have you understood what attributes constitute sportswear materials? If not, then we highly suggest you go back to the previous section of the blog to understand “What are fitness wear fabrics?“.However, if you have already gone through that part, then we can move on to discussing multiple popular fabric types in the market.
Cotton-blends:
As mentioned before, Cotton is not substantially used in activewear manufacturing, but over the years, with countless experiments, it has been blended with stretchable materials like Spandex or Lycra to make a unique composition garnering not just the factors from Spandex but also takes away the airyness of cotton. This Iteration proves best for those who enjoy casual workouts.
Other Options: Poly-cotton is a very popular choice for custom tracksuits and gym wear, and many designers and manufacturers celebrate its high functionality of being breathable and stretchy.
Polyester & Blends:
It is the most common training wear fabric out there, conferring not just durability and sizable stretch but also affordability, which often compels designers/manufacturers to make custom high-quality activewear. Although polyester is a great exercise clothing fabric on its own, when blended right with Spandex or lycra, it becomes the top choice for athletic clothes.
Some poly-spandex features are listed below:
- Excellent Elasticity.
- Durable & Shape conserving.
- Quick drying & Abrasion resistance.
- Easy care routine & Colorfastness for prolonged prints.
Nylon-Spandex:
Nylon is a synthetic polymer and is prized due to its exceptional strength and longevity. It also holds its structural integrity when subjected to wear and tear, which are some of the least happening with athleisure wear.
Given such outstanding attributes, Nylon is regularly blended with Spandex to bring together an even greater composition of Workout clothing fabric to make cutting-edge swimwears for summer and olympics.
Other garments made from nylon-spandex blends:
- Top-tier Leggings
- Sports Bras
- Compression Gear
- Cycling shorts
- Custom tailored Swimwear
Bamboo fabric:
If you’ve been wanting extremely soft and breathable sportswear, then opting for the one made from bamboo might just prove to be a wonderful experience. Bamboo is a natural lightweight fabric with inert UV-protection qualities, and being “natural” means eco-friendly sourcing and production.
Why is bamboo getting so popular?
Due to their high efficacy, bamboo is basically like cotton but with one step further and can be used where traditional cotton can not be used.
| Feature | Bamboo Fabric | Cotton Fabric |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Highly Durable | Moderately Durable |
| Breathability | Highly Breathable | Highly Breathable |
| Allergen Friendly | Hypoallergenic | Hypoallergenic |
| Stretchability | Stretchable | Not Stretchable |
| Pilling Resistance | Resistant to Pilling | Prone to Pilling |
Gore-tex:
Sportswear fabrics are great, but what about those scenarios when you need extra protection from harsher weather? Introducing Gore-tex is a type of synthetic membrane which covers conventional textiles to provide the same functionality as different hydrophobic and DWR coatings. It is either used as an outer lining or to make athletic products ranging from gloves to cagoules.
Microfiber:
Microfiber is a gym wear fabric mostly used to fabricate towels and other gym accessories, although it can be used in activewear garments due to it having perhaps thousands of fine fibres interlaced, it is quite costly and would definitely break banks if used in garments.
Why is microfiber considered excellent for high-end gym wear?
Garments made from microfiber fabric are lightweight and breathable and come with high resiliency, a gentle feel on the body and an easy care regime. When all of these abilities are condensed down into one place, then without a doubt, such clothes are considered high-end.
Other Garment Types Made with Microfiber: Shorts, T-shirts and even Jackets. If you can’t find skilful manufacturers to make your microfiber clothing dream come true, then consider getting in touch with a private label clothing manufacturer.
By reading about different fabric styles available for athleisure, you may be wondering that each type can be used for any activewear solution, but by thinking so, you would be only half right. Yes, you can essentially use any material, but some garments or accessories are best made with certain materials.
Tether down below to see various materials best suited for different garment types.
| Fabric for Sportswear | Most Suited Garments |
|---|---|
| Cotton-Spandex (95:05) | Leggings, T-shirts, Hoodies and Lounge Wear (Great for everyday wear) |
| Poly-Cotton (50:50) | T-shirts, Hoodies, Sweatpants and Team Uniforms (Viable option for general activewear) |
| Poly-Spandex (85:15) | Leggings, Tops and Shorts for Muscle Support (A perfect blend for serious activewear) |
| Nylon-Spandex (80:20) | Swimsuits, Performance-Centric Underwear and Compression Wears (A considerable option for longer workout hours) |
| Bamboo Fabric | T-shirts, Light Leggings and T-Shirts (A gentle option for low-impact activities) |
| Gore-Tex | Hats, Gloves & Cagoules (Excellent against environmental changes) |
| Microfiber | Cleaning Rags, Towels & Lining Fabrics (Luxurious if implemented in garments) |
For detailed information on different athletic clothes, you can check our recently posted blog.
Click Here: Discover Your Potential: Different Types of Sportswear
Factors to Consider When Selecting Sportswear Fabric
There are some guidelines you should always keep in your mind when choosing fabric for sportswear.
Activity levels
- For low-level intensities like yoga, opting for cheaper and more comfortable material will prove to be best in this scenario. Such types are cotton spandex and poly-cotton.
- For high-level intensities like running, you need fabrics that can manage sweat effectively. Poly-spandex and nylon spandex are great choices.
- For extreme outdoor sports, Specialized fabrics like gore-tex are expensive but will be much better than other fabrics available.
Envisioned Garments
- The selection of fabric also correlates to the sportswear garments you are trying to make. Poly-cotton and simple polyester are very viable for t-shirts, whereas cotton spandex and poly Spandex are budget-friendly options for high-end leggings.
- For outerwear accessories, you can opt for water-resistant coated polyester and nylon.
Budget & availability
Despite every other aspect, you should also be aware of your budget; if your budget is not marginally high, then you can go for polyester and poly-cotton fabric for your gym wear, and similarly, you can opt for high-service fabrics like nylon-spandex and Gore-tex if your budget is no issue for you.
You might want to see what redditors are talking about different gym clothes fabrics.
What fabric do you prefer your gym clothes to be made of?
byu/OompaLoompaGodzilla innaturalbodybuilding
Conclusion
There are multiple fabrics out there in the market, and although possible, it is not ideal for making just about any sports-centred garment with any material of your choice. Different clothing materials have distinct operability, and owing to these properties, it is best if only specific athleisure is made from them.
Lastly, whenever you are selecting fabric for your activewear, always prioritize your budget limitations.
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Related Article: Unveiling the Best Apparel Fabrics in 2025
FAQs
Which fabric material is best for printed athleisure?
Polyester and its blends are generally the top choices for printed athleisure due to the latent ability of polyester to hold colours and designs without fading, even after many washes.
What are compressional wears?
Compressional wear is an athletic garment designed to fit properly and provide an even amount of pressure to body muscles to reduce muscle oscillation. Compressional wear also increases blood circulation and is made using highly elastic fabrics like nylon-spandex or polyester-spandex blends.
Which sportswear fabric is most long-lasting?
When talking about long-lasting materials for sportswear, nylon and polyester are automatically considered before anything else. It is because of their exceptional strength and structural integrity.
