Choosing fabrics that boost athletic clothing performance
In the world of athletic apparel, the right fabric can make all the difference in your performance and comfort during workouts. Here's a guide to help you select fabrics that balance flexibility, breathability, moisture-wicking, durability, style, and sustainability while avoiding harmful substances.
Fabric Types and Performance Characteristics
Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, and spandex blends are popular choices for high-performance sportswear. These materials offer excellent moisture-wicking, flexibility, durability, and quick-drying properties. Recycled polyester, in particular, is a sustainable option that maintains shape, resists odors, and supports dynamic movements due to added spandex for stretch.
On the other hand, natural fibers like organic cotton, bamboo, lyocell/TENCEL™, linen, and hemp also have their benefits. Organic cotton is breathable, absorbs moisture, soft on the skin, hypoallergenic, and sustainable because it's grown without pesticides. Bamboo lyocell, made from bamboo pulp via closed-loop processes, is breathable, has natural antibacterial properties, and is eco-friendly due to low water and pesticide use.
Blended fabrics, like cotton-polyester blends, combine the softness and biodegradability of cotton with the durability and moisture-wicking of polyester. However, these blends may be harder to recycle.
Key Fabric Properties
Flexibility
Look for fabrics with spandex or elastane added to provide stretch without restricting movement; often found in synthetic blends.
Breathability
Natural fibers like organic cotton, bamboo, and lyocell are highly breathable. Some high-quality synthetics also incorporate breathability features.
Moisture-wicking
Synthetic fabrics, especially polyester blends, excel at pulling sweat away from the skin to prevent discomfort and overheating.
Durability
Synthetic fibers generally outperform natural fibers in durability and resistance to frequent washing, abrasion, and UV exposure. However, lyocell fibers are quite durable relative to standard viscose.
Style
Smooth textures like ECOVERO™ retain colour well and drape nicely, enabling stylish and functional activewear.
Sustainability and Avoiding Harmful Substances
Prefer organic materials certified free from pesticides and harmful chemicals (organic cotton, organic alpaca, bamboo processed via closed-loop systems). Choose recycled or regenerated fibers (recycled polyester, ECONYL® nylon from waste) to reduce environmental footprint.
Avoid fabrics produced with toxic chemical processes; for example, mechanical rather than chemical processing of bamboo is preferable. Seek certifications like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for wood-based fibers, EU Ecolabel for environmental standards in production, and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) for organic textiles.
In summary, the ideal fabrics for sustainable, high-performance athletic wear are blended or layered combinations that use recycled polyester/spandex blends for moisture-wicking and flexibility complemented by organic cotton, bamboo lyocell, or TENCEL™ fibers for breathability and softness. Prioritise fabrics certified for environmental and health standards and avoid fiber types or processes involving hazardous chemicals to ensure safety and sustainability.
In the realm of fashion-and-beauty, organic cotton maintains a breathable, soft, and hypoallergenic texture, making it suitable for various stylish garments. Home-and-garden materials, like bamboo lyocell, offer eco-friendly benefits due to low water and pesticide use, contributing to a sustainable lifestyle.
Technology advances also impact the realm of home-and-garden, with some high-quality synthetics incorporating breathability features that mimic natural materials, ensuring a balance between fashion-and-beauty and functionality.
