Choosing the best sportswear fabric can be a daunting task as there are so many things that should be taken into account. In modern times, the sportswear market is saturated with a vast range of clothing items for every type of sports activity and environment. When choosing custom sports clothing, the type of material should be one of the most important factors to consider. Read our blog as TLD Apparel will walk you through a journey of finding the best sportswear fabric for your high performance.

A Brief Overview Of The Importance Of Fabric Choice In Sportswear
Choosing the right fabric for sportswear is crucial for optimal performance, comfort, and durability. For instance, the fabric’s ability to wick moisture away from the skin and dry quickly keeps athletes dry and comfortable. Breathable fabrics allow for proper ventilation, regulating body temperature in various conditions. Flexibility and stretch in fabrics enable a full range of motion, essential for activities requiring agility. Durable materials ensure that sportswear can withstand wear and tear, maintaining its functionality over time. The right fabric choice supports an athlete’s physical performance and boosts confidence and mental focus, contributing to overall success while playing sports.
Key Factors In Selecting Sportswear Fabric
The selection of high-performance sportswear necessitates careful consideration of several key factors that significantly influence athletic performance. Here are the breakdowns of the most popular aspects.
Protection against the environmental elements
This has become a much more important feature as materials have become available that are waterproof and wind resistant. In some climates, this must be close to the top of the list as the conditions are hazardous without protection.
Design
A critical aspect of selecting embroidery materials for sportswear is their capacity to retain stitches effectively. The realization of intricate designs often hinges on this characteristic. Additionally, in today’s era of prominent sports branding, sportswear can be a visual statement. Therefore, the aesthetic and visual appeal of the chosen material hold significant value.
Comfort
Comfort is paramount when selecting high-performance sportswear. Fabrics should offer exceptional flexibility and range of motion to accommodate demanding physical activities while remaining comfortable against the skin. Breathable and moisture-wicking materials are crucial as they enhance comfort by promoting sweat evaporation and preventing discomfort during exercise.
Moisture Regulation
Effective moisture management is essential in high-performance sportswear. Fabrics that lack breathability can lead to rapid overheating or chilling, both of which can significantly impair performance and increase the risk of injuries such as muscle cramps or strains.
Price
Pricing is a relevant consideration when selecting sportswear. While cost is a factor, significant price premiums should be justified by demonstrably superior performance or features. This is particularly true in the current consumer-driven market, where value holds a significant factor for consumers to make purchase decisions.
Top 10 Sportswear Fabrics In 2024
Material selection is a cornerstone when choosing the best sportswear fabric. The chosen material has a profound impact on both the aesthetic and functional properties of the garment. TLD Apparel will show you the following ten materials offering exceptional performance characteristics in the session below.
Polyester

Polyester reigns supreme as the most ubiquitous material in sportswear due to its confluence of affordability, durability, and versatility of properties ideally suited for activewear. To further enhance garment adaptability, its adaptability is amplified through strategic blends with other textiles.
For instance, the combination of polyester and spandex yields exceptional stretch and recovery properties, making it ideal for leggings, sports bras, and compression garments. Conversely, a lightweight and breathable blend suitable for summer sportswear is achieved by combining cotton with polyester. The versatility of polyester extends across various athletic disciplines, finding application in running, and cycling.
Spandex

Spandex, also known as elastane, is a synthetic fiber developed in the 1940s. Renowned for its performance and comfort characteristics, this material boasts exceptional stretch and recovery properties. Remarkably, spandex can elongate up to five times its original length and then snap back to its original shape.
Spandex’s remarkable stretch and recovery capabilities make it the best material for sportswear. Often blended with cotton or polyester to optimize properties, spandex garments allow for a complete range of motion without compromising structural integrity. This material’s versatility is evident in its presence in popular activewear choices such as leggings and yoga pants, and its suitability for various athletic endeavors including cycling, running, yoga, and weightlifting.
Nylon

Developed in the 1930s as a silk substitute, nylon is a synthetic polymer that has become a mainstay in activewear due to its exceptional strength and durability. This material is ideally suited for sportswear that will endure rigorous wear and tear.
Nylon’s inherent support makes it a preferred choice for compression garments. Additionally, its strength allows it to be used as reinforcement in other fabrics. When incorporated into knitted materials for swimwear, nylon’s elasticity and smooth drape provide exceptional comfort and fit. However, due to the limited breathability and moisture-wicking properties, nylon is better suited for outerwear applications.
Merino Wool

Merino wool comes from a breed of sheep that originated in Spain and is now distributed worldwide. It is highly valued for activewear due to its exceptional softness and excellent moisture-wicking properties. Often used in base layers and close-to-skin garments, merino wool is particularly favored for socks as it helps regulate body temperature and prevent blisters. This fabric is especially suitable for outdoor sports like hiking, running, mountain biking, and mountaineering.
Microfiber

Microfiber is made of extremely fine thread fibers, each with a maximum linear density of one denier. This synthetic material is created by blending polyester and polyamide. With this combination, microfiber is costly to produce in large quantities, resulting in higher prices for the final products. The excellent absorption and non-abrasive properties make it popular for tracksuits, gym clothing, and towels. Remarkably, microfiber is also suitable for various sports, including skiing, snowboarding, football, and soccer.
Synthetic

Originally designed as an alternative to rubber and plastic sportswear, synthetic sportswear was designed for athletes. Beyond clothing, synthetic materials are also used in sports equipment like elbow and knee pads. These materials are breathable, helping to keep you cool during exercise. However, a major drawback of synthetic sportswear is its production process, which involves chemical synthesis and generates non-renewable byproducts harmful to the environment. Synthetic fabrics are commonly used in sports such as soccer, football, basketball, and others.
Bamboo Fiber

Bamboo is an excellent choice for sportswear due to its exceptional softness and moisture-wicking properties. Fabrics made from bamboo pulp are lightweight, anti-static, and effectively wick away moisture. Additionally, bamboo offers excellent UV protection, making it suitable for outfits used in the sun for a long time. Bamboo fabric is highly breathable and can be used in numerous applications where cotton is typically used.
Due to its outstanding qualities that enhance production and manufacturing, some manufacturers even prefer bamboo over cotton. Bamboo fabric stretches more than cotton and is highly breathable. It can be easily woven into high-thread-count textiles, resulting in garments that are often more flexible than their cotton equivalents.
Gore-Tex

Gore-Tex is a composite textile used to produce running shoes and athletic items including gloves, coats, and cagools. It works well for clothing that must be both extremely resistant to harsh environments and durable. It’s still a breathable textile that works well for high-intensity sports in spite of these characteristics. In essence, it lets perspiration evaporate but keeps water and wind outside.
Hiking, biking, and jogging all demand protection from harsh weather conditions, and Gore-Tex is ideal for these scenarios. This synthetic membrane, which is not actually a fabric, is applied to traditional textiles to provide windproofing and waterproofing while allowing the skin to breathe and stay insulated during demanding activities. Gore-Tex is used in making running shoes and various athletic gear such as gloves, jackets. It is highly effective for clothing that needs to withstand harsh environments.
Cotton

Cotton is considered unsuitable for activewear because it does not absorb perspiration well. However, cotton sportswear is making a comeback due to its superior odor management compared to other fabrics. It is breathable and resists holding onto unpleasant smells and other effects of physical activity. Despite this, cotton still falls short compared to more advanced materials when it comes to the need of moisture absorption.
Cotton is now commonly used for mild intensive activities, casual sports, warm-up and cool-down sessions, and athleisure. Its application has broadened to include activities beyond traditional sports, such as cycling, yoga, and rowing. This expansion showcases the increasing diversity in activewear consumption over the past few years.
Calico

Calico is a sub-material of cotton. It’s an unprocessed version of cotton, meaning it’s made using the same process, but the production is stopped before the cotton is fully processed.
This material is highly absorbent, which makes it a good choice for activewear clothing. Also, by using Calico, you’ll be doing your bit towards the environment as it’s a great green alternative. The drawback of that is in the aesthetic aspects as you’ll need to introduce color into the material at a later stage in the process.
Conclusion
Choosing the right fabric for sportswear is a crucial step in enhancing athletic performance, comfort, and durability. Each material offers unique benefits that cater to specific needs and activities. From the moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties of polyester to the exceptional stretch and recovery of spandex, selecting the appropriate fabric can significantly impact an athlete’s experience.
Understanding the key factors allows you to make informed decisions that align with your specific requirements. Ultimately, the right fabric choice supports both physical performance and mental confidence, contributing to overall success in any sport or physical activity.
TLD Apprarel with years of experience in the textile industry will provide your brand with a wide range of fabrics for sportswear. Contact us for the best quotation!