WHAT IS PERFORMANCE FABRIC? THE KEY TO ACTIVEWEAR
Activewear brands have more fabric choices for their garments than ever before. With so many options, it can be difficult to determine which fabric is best for a particular style or activity. It helps to have as much information as possible. For instance, what exactly constitutes a performance fabric?
In clothing, performance fabrics are used to create garments that enhance the wearer's intended activity. In activewear, this includes fabrics that are antimicrobial, durable, lightweight, moisture-wicking, mold-resistant, stain-resistant, thermoregulating, breathable, and stretchable.
While the most common performance fabrics used for athletic apparel are polyester, merino wool, and nylon, there are numerous synthetic and natural options on the market. Performance fabrics are vital for an activewear brand's success, so this guide will walk you through functional features and the best fabrics by scenario. Keep reading!
What Is Performance Fabric?
First, let’s begin with a definition of performance fabric.
Performance fabric in athletic apparel is a type of specialty material or textile that’s intended for use during athletic performances of any kind, from running a marathon to training at the gym or even taking a yoga class.
Although you can wear performance fabric apparel as street clothes or to lounge around the house, as is increasingly happening, the traits of this fabric work best when used for athletic endeavors.
In the athletic apparel world, understanding the consumer's intended purpose with the garment is key to creating the perfect blend of performance fabric choices for the final garment. The most distilled version of consumer needs boils down to the functional features of the performance fabric.
10 Important Features of Performance Fabric for Athletic Apparel
Per the beginning of the article, here are the 10 most important features of performance fabric in activewear:
1. Antimicrobial
Sweat happens, especially when you’re active! Where there’s sweat, there are usually body odors, which can make any athlete feel self-conscious.
The antimicrobial properties of performance fabric impede the growth of bacteria that causes strong odors. An athlete can train longer and play harder without worrying about stinking up the joint. Some fabrics are even treated with an antimicrobial finish before they’re made into apparel.
2. Durable
Athletes push their bodies to the limit, which in turn subjects their clothing to a lot of wear and tear. Performance fabric needs to be up to the challenge for those occasions. The high-quality materials that comprise this athletic fabric are built to last.
From high levels of elasticity to stressing the seams of a garment, performance fabric with high durability needs to be able to withstand intense wear, while still performing as intended.
This can either be the result of an activity, like a sporting event or during fitness or simply maintaining shape and color after many wash cycles.
3. Lightweight
Whether it’s running track, playing on a field, or out-lifting the competition, an athlete needs the freedom to move their body, and athletic apparel has to completely leave an athlete’s movements unencumbered.
Performance fabrics for this type of garment purpose should be lightweight yet never thin and flimsy. It can fit like a second skin in the case of leggings or a base layer or add to one’s layers such as a hoodie.
The remarkable lightweight properties make performance fabric an integral part of an athlete’s wardrobe.
4. Moisture-Wicking
Beyond the anti-odor technology that many performance fabrics boast, some activewear fabrics can wick moisture as well.
Moisture-wicking technology in performance fabrics has a capillary action within the fibers of the apparel that can hold sweat nearer to the surface of the shirt or pants. As the sweat rises nearer to the garment’s outer surface, air does its thing and evaporates the sweat.
Moisture wicking can prevent embarrassing sweat marks from forming and also limit that uncomfortable feeling of clothing sticking to one’s sweaty skin, the latter of which is important for competitive events in particular.
It’s a feeling that athletes know all too well, and it can certainly impede performance!
5. Mold-Resistant
When odors and sweat are unable to linger on fabric, another undeniable benefit comes to the forefront: mold resistance. This is another way that some performance fabrics add benefit to a person with intense activities.
Mold resistance might be a little-appreciated feature, but it goes a long way toward increasing the durability of athletic apparel. There’s no need to put the fabric through rigorous cleaning processes or harsh chemicals to remove mold when it’s never there in the first place.
6. Stain-Resistant
In today's culture, it's a fair guess that the majority of people wearing athletic apparel have no intention of doing any activity, they simply enjoy the comfort and feel of the clothing. Athleisure in particular has become a growing fashion trend and entails wearing athletic apparel in more casual settings as street clothes.
For some performance fabrics, stain resistance helps on and off the "field." For the athletic crowd, stains such as sweat won’t stand a chance against this material. As for athleisure lovers, everyday stains from food and drinks easily lift out as well.
7. Thermoregulating
Thermoregulating properties are one of the most sought-after features of apparel built for rigorous activities. Thermoregulation moves body vapors from sweat closer to or further from the body according to outdoor conditions.
For example, in the summer, when an athlete is going to sweat just starting their warmup, thermoregulation pulls body vapors away from the clothing to create a consistently cool environment. In colder conditions, the body vapors are held closer to the wearer to allow for more body heat.
This all happens in the same garment, whether it’s a lightweight shirt or a heavier hoodie. Thermoregulation allows an athlete to buy several pieces of performance fabric athleticwear that last them throughout the year.
8. Breathable
Breathability is vital for any garment intended to be used for sweat-inducing activities.
Combining a breathable performance fabric with features like moisture-wicking, thermoregulation, and odor resistance ultimately makes one garment more preferred than another, among athletes.
But even those who don’t break a sweat while wearing their athletic apparel can still enjoy the benefits of breathability. This feature allows air to circulate more freely throughout the clothing, so wearers never have to feel suffocated or uncomfortable.
9. Stretchable
While durability is an important element of certain performance fabrics, it's often confused with stretch. A garment can be durable and unable to stretch, or vice versa.
Athletes need to move in varied ways without their apparel getting in the way, and the degree of flexibility that some performance fabrics have, makes that possible.
The combination of durability with stretchability is what usually makes a performance fabric so ideal for athletes. This durable material can handle a lot of wear and tear, while still allowing you complete freedom of movement - something that is essential for any practice or competition.
It's also worth noting that stretch pertains to a performance fabric's ability to maintain its shape, wash after wash, or even during an activity.
10. Water-Resistant
Sweat, rain, or any moisture can be distracting and at times uncomfortable during competitive play or daily life. So having a garment with fast-drying properties can be particularly appealing to a certain segment of customers and athletes.
In a performance fabric, water resistance might include a coating, like DWR, so that droplets roll off the fabric without saturating through. Otherwise, it might be the construction of the fabric itself that allows for water resistance.
This degree of water resistance translates to sweat resistance as well, keeping athletes dry, comfortable, and focused.
What Performance Fabrics Are Best for Activewear?
One of the biggest decisions that a company beginning an athletic apparel brand has to make is which performance fabrics, blend or otherwise, will be used for a garment.
Among many performance fabrics available, there are 11 you should know for activewear:
Polyester: Durable, lightweight, breathable
Merino Wool: Breathable, moisture-wicking, odor-resistant
Nylon: Durable, stretchy, water-resistance
Acrylic: Lightweight, soft, warm
Olefin: Chlorine-resistant, colorfast, quick-drying
Elastane: Stretchy, soft, comfortable
SeaCell: Breathable, eco-friendly, antimicrobial
NuYarn: Air and wind resistance, friction resistance, thermal retention, and regulation
Bamboo Charcoal: Durable, UV protection, deodorizing
Seawool: Anti-static, odor-resistant, quick-drying
Repreve: More eco-friendly, recycled, polyester attributes
To get the most functional benefits per each situation, it's best to know which fabric excels in each performance fabric attribute. Let's look at all 11 of these performance fabrics in greater detail.
1. Polyester
Polyester is one of the most widely used fabrics in clothing, regardless of specific apparel vertical. Unfortunately, it's a synthetic fiber, so it's not biodegradable. But outside of its harmful effects on the planet, it's an incredible material.
Durability: Polyester is durable and resistant to shrinking, as it’s capable of handling repeated movements to a great degree, even strong, precise movements.
Insulation, Lightweight, Breathable: The natural insulating properties of polyester offer good protection in cooler temperatures, but it’s still very lightweight and breathable.
Wrinkle Resistance: Polyester also doesn’t wrinkle so athletic garments made with this performance fabric are easier to care for.
Moisture-Wicking: The breathability and moisture-wicking properties of polyester make it ideal for use in sportswear and other garments where perspiration is common.
2. Merino Wool
Merino wool is a natural fiber that comes from the coat of a merino sheep. It's often used in base layers and other garments as it's an excellent insulator.
Thermoregulation: Merino wool can effectively regulate your body temperature. In cold weather, it will work to keep you warm by trapping heat close to your skin. Conversely, in hot weather, it will work to keep you cool by wicking away sweat and moisture.
Moisture-Wicking: Merino wool is also great at moisture-wicking, which is the process of drawing sweat and moisture away from your skin to the surface of the fabric where it can evaporate.
Odor Resistant: One of the most impressive properties of merino wool is its odor-resistant qualities. Merino sheep secrete lanolin in their fleece. This secretion is more than a natural emollient but can also inhibit bacterial growth that causes body odors. Even after multiple uses, merino wool won't hold onto smells the way that other fabrics will.
Soft: Merino wool is also incredibly soft, which makes it comfortable to wear.3. NylonNylon is a synthetic polymer that's often used in athletic apparel as it has impressive stretch and recovery qualities. It's also lightweight and easy to care for.
3. Nylon
Nylon is another notable synthetic fiber on this performance fabric list, as it's constructed of polyamides and petroleum. While it's less than ideal for the planet, it's a remarkable fabric that has a silk-like feel. If your brand is focused on sustainable fabrics, as it should be given consumer interest in the matter, then consider recycled nylon as an alternative.
Durable: Nylon is a very strong fabric that's resistant to tearing, abrasion, and damage from UV rays. Stretchy: Nylon also has impressive stretch qualities, as it can be stretched up to 40% without breaking.
Water Resistance: Nylon is a water-resistant fabric, so it'll repel light rain and snow. Keep in mind, however, that it's not waterproof so it won't hold up in a downpour or a heavy snowfall.
Stretch and Recovery: Nylon has impressive stretch and recovery qualities, meaning it can stretch easily but will always return to its original shape. This makes it a good choice for garments that need to move with you, such as leggings or athletic shorts. It’s often combined with spandex to create nylon spandex, which has incredible elasticity and abrasion resistance.
4. Acrylic
Acrylic is a synthetic fiber that's often used as a wool alternative. It shares many of the same properties as wool, but it's less expensive and easier to care for. It’s also commonly combined with polyester to fortify both materials, creating a multi-dimensional performance fabric.
Soft: Acrylic is a soft fabric that's gentle on the skin.
Warm: Acrylic is also a warm fabric, so it's often used in cold-weather garments such as sweaters and hats.
Durable: Acrylic is a durable fabric that's resistant to tearing, abrasion, and damage from UV rays. Some acrylics are tested to withstand 100,000 rubs.
Easy to Care For: Acrylic is easy to care for as it's machine-washable and dry-cleanable. It's also resistant to shrinking and stretching.
5. Olefin
Olefin is a synthetic fiber that uses polyolefin as a base, including polyethylene or polypropylene. It's often used in athletic apparel as it has many impressive benefits, including chlorine resistance, colorfastness, quick-drying capabilities, durability, and UV protection.
Chlorine Resistant: Olefin is resistant to chlorine, so it's a good choice for swimwear or activewear that might come into contact with chlorinated water.
Colorfast: Olefin holds its original color well, even after repeated washes.
Quick Drying: Olefin is a quick-drying fabric, so it's ideal for athletes or anyone who might get sweaty while wearing it.
Durability: Olefin is abrasion-resistant, and it wards off mold and mildew quite well too. It also doesn’t stain easily so the fabric will look fresher for longer.
UV Protection: It offers some protection against sunlight so the wearer doesn’t have to worry about getting sunburnt through their clothes, ideal for outdoor and sunny activities.
6. Elastane
Most people know elastane more by its common names, Lyrca, or Spandex. As a type of polyester-polyurea copolymer, elastane is one of the most widely used materials for any apparel that requires a stretch.
Stretchy: Elasticity is the greatest trait of elastane, hence the name. Since flexibility is such a big component of performance fabric, most athletic apparel will include at least some elastane for stretch.
Soft and Comfortable: Despite its stretchy nature, because of how it's form-fitting and ideal for finding a size between sizes, this soft material provides a gentle touch and non-constrictive fit.
7. SeaCell
SeaCell is a trending eco-friendly performance fabric that is gaining rapid popularity and usage in the activewear space. This seaweed-based fabric is completely organic and sustainable, as it’s made from cellulose fibers and seaweed.
Breathable and Moisture-Wicking: SeaCell is a highly breathable fabric that wicks moisture away from the skin. It includes ECE technology (Evaporative Cooling Effect) which provides a cooling sensation when the fabric is wet. Combined with moisture-wicking properties, SeaCell effectively helps a wearer regulate their body temperature.
Skin-Sensitive: The fabric is also good for those with skin sensitivities as it’s naturally anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic.
Sun Protective: SeaCell also has UPF 50+ sun protection, making it a great choice for outdoor activities.
Nutrient-Rich: Further, SeaCell has the unique distinction of imparting amino acids, minerals, and vitamins when the wearer sweats due to the seaweed.
8. Nuyarn
A type of eco-friendly performance wool sourced from merino wool, Nuyarn undergoes a unique spinning process that allows the fabric to retain more movement, remain airy, and lack tension points. The resulting performance fabric is far more elastic than standard merino wool.
Air and Wind Resistance: Although you might think that air pockets would let in more air, the loftiness of Nuyarn's fabric actually prevents both wind and cold from coming through.
Elasticity: Since traditional wool fibers are flattened when twisted, they lack elasticity - and this is commonly why most people don't think of wool as an elastic fabric. Nuyarn, on the other hand, promises 85 percent more stretch compared to conventional wool, and athletes or anyone doing an activity that requires flexible garments can now use wool via NuYarn.
Thermal Retention and Regulation: Nuyarn is 35% more effective at heat retention than other types of merino wool. Thermal regulation refers to how air reacts to changes in temperature, and Nuyarn excels in this area while remaining light and manageable - meaning athletes can dress comfortably without sacrificing movement.
NuYarn has so many benefits for the activewear space, that this list could go on for quite a while. Some additional callouts include that it's soft and not itchy, holds its shape extremely well, absorbs water, and wicks water efficiently.
9. Bamboo Charcoal
Bamboo charcoal fabric is a treatment that can be applied to a number of different fabrics, in fact, it may be the only fabric treatment on this list. It's made by taking bamboo that has been burned in a kiln and grinding it into a powder, which is then added to the fabric.
Making bamboo charcoal is a highly sustainable process that manages to transfer new and shared material benefits found in bamboo to a wide variety of fabrics, creating a performance fabric. Here are a few noteworthy features of bamboo charcoal:
Durable: By Infusing bamboo charcoal deep into a fabric, it can become even more durable than standard bamboo fabrics, plus, this infusion process allows the bamboo charcoal to remain in place even after being washed multiple times.
UV Protection: Bamboo charcoal provides UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) protection, meaning it can block or absorb the sun’s harmful rays. As a treatment for fabrics, adding UV protection to athletic apparel that wouldn't typically have it provides an extra layer of safety for athletes.
Deodorizing: Bamboo charcoal is extremely absorbent and because of this, it's great at absorbing odor. This makes it a popular treatment for sportswear and other types of performance apparel that are typically used in sweaty or dirty conditions.
10. Seawool
Seawool is an upcycled and recycled performance fabric that’s part oyster shells and part recycled polyester. This eco-friendly material might not seem like the most comfortable performance fabric, given its use of post-consumer oyster shells and plastic water bottles, but Seawool is surprisingly soft. It’s just as soft as merino wool if not more so!
Anti-Static: Seawool is a fabric that is recommended to be worn in cold weather, and one of its best features is that it doesn't create static. Since cold weather is the perfect condition for static shock, this is a great feature to have in a performance fabric.
Odor-Resistance: Seawool's signature oyster shell construction not only helps control body odor but also eliminates bacteria that cause smells in the first place. This means your Seawool garment will smell better for a longer period.
Quick-Drying: Seawool-made garments are quick-drying, so you'll never have to feel uncomfortable again whether from sweating during a run or being caught in the rain. And because it starts drying immediately, athletes won't have to endure that line between wet and dry where clothing sticks uncomfortably to their skin.
Seawool is also moisture-wicking and includes thermoregulating properties as well.
11. Repreve
Polyester, although terrible for the planet, has a more sustainable alternative than recycled polyester. Repreve is a branded recycled polyester that is widely used by various well-known fashion companies and activewear brands, including Nike, The North Face, Asics, Patagonia, and many more.
More Eco-Friendly: While Repreve and recycled polyester are not the most sustainable material out there, they are certainly a better option compared to virgin polyester. Since nearly 60% of all apparel items use polyester, using more sustainable material in its wake has a tremendous impact. This smaller eco-impact stretches from raw material to a 32% reduction in energy use during the production process, in other words, Repreve is more eco-friendly in all measures compared to conventional polyester.
Recycled: Repreve is created in a closed-loop production process entirely from discarded single-use plastic water bottles. To date, the parent company of Repreve has recycled an astounding number of post-consumer water bottles, well over 30 billion as of 2022.
Polyester Attributes: One of the best things about recycled polyester, including Repreve, is that the performance qualities between recycled polyester and virgin polyester are the same. That means recycled polyester is just as quick-drying, lightweight, durable, and abrasion resistant as virgin polyester.
So the real deciding factor from an attribute standpoint is the lower environmental impact of Repreve vs creating polyester from virgin materials.
Consumers Demand 3 Features of Performance Apparel
While textile technology continues to evolve, one thing is for sure – consumers want fabrics that perform. In a world where we’re always on the go, we need our clothes to work as hard as we do, whether that's during a game or in the middle of traffic.
There's certainly a recipe for taking fibers with inherent features and blending them into a fabric that works for a consumer's wide range of activities. This is ultimately determined by the importance of features like moisture-wicking or thermoregulation for the consumer, and pairing those features to materials.
And while that is entirely a case-by-case situation, there are three universal features that consumers demand of their performance fabrics today; comfort, eco-friendliness, and lasting quality.
1. Comfortable Performance Apparel
Activewear shouldn’t sacrifice comfort for features like breathability and moisture wicking. Even the best moisture-wicking garment won't last long on the market if it's uncomfortable to wear.
Thankfully, with the wide variety of performance fabrics and capabilities on the market today, consumers expect the best of both worlds.
Fabrics can be luxe and soft, carry all the traits needed for sport or activity, yet are completely comfortable to wear for long periods or short gym sessions.
Features like thermoregulation, antibacterial properties, and moisture-wicking allow an athlete to wear the same performance fabric apparel all day without looking or smelling like a mess. They’ll also feel comfortable and fresh.
2. Performance Apparel That's Better for Our Planet
While not every performance fabric that goes into making activewear benefits our planet, many do, especially eco-friendly materials like Nuyarn, Seawool, and Repreve.
Consumers want greener options today more so than ever before, so it behooves anyone brand-side in the clothing industry to meet this consumer demand even if their end user is not a consumer.
3. Performance Apparel With Lasting Quality
The average consumer is willing to pay more money for athletic and athleisure apparel because of the quality, which is one of the main reasons a pair of leggings can sell for $80, even though the consumer may know it costs less than $5 to land the product.
Consumers know that when they choose performance fabric they’re investing in a material that’s going to move and breathe with them and last for a long time to come.
That’s why athletic apparel and especially athleisure have seen such a large boon into the 2020s.
For Athletic Apparel, the Right Performance Fabric Is Everything
At Sports Casual, our agile end-to-end supply chain services can help you no matter what step you’re in when it comes to starting your athletic apparel brand, be that design, manufacturing, or distribution.
So if you're navigating performance fabrics, let us know, we'd love to work through the options with you, helping you reach your brand's goals throughout your garment journey.