Starting a gym wear brand is no walk in the park. You need to understand the different types of materials available. That way, you will work better with gym clothing manufacturers to get what customers need.
Fortunately, today, our gym apparel manufacturers are here to guide you through this web of the best cloth material for the gym. You will understand the properties to look out for and how each material measures up.
So, you deliver exceptional quality gym wear and grow your client base. And generate more income.
Let’s get to it right away.
Table of Contents
Activewear Qualities to Consider in Choosing Best Cloth Material for Gym
Moisture-Wicking
You wanna go with gym cloth materials that absorb moisture. Any water/sweat on the fabric’s surface evaporates fast as it is moved to the outer layer of the fabric.
This property ensures people work out for longer without worrying about sweating. Moisture-wicking activewear also promotes temperature regulation and ensures no chafing.
Breathable
Gym wear fabric should be lightweight and allow air to pass through easily. Breathable fabric is essential for drying sweaty clothes. That is great for preventing bacterial infections.
Breathable fabrics also ensure a comfortable and dry fit on the wearer. Avoid extremely other fabrics that are heavy or sweater-like materials for gym clothing.
Sustainable
Sustainability is a key factor in the modern world. Sustainability is broad and encompasses the whole value chain . That includes sustainable materials, ethical production standards, and humane labor practices. Considering the use cases, sustainable gyms are extremely in demand.
Flexible and Stretchy
Extremely stiff and inflexible fabric is bad for gym apparel. The stretchier and more flexible it is the better for movement in the gym. So, people can bend, squat, stride out, or even jump comfortably.
The best fabric for gym clothes is nonrestrictive. People want to wear something that will not restrict their range of motion.
Odor-resistant
No one wants to smell like an animal, especially when you are active in the gym. That is why workout clothes should be made from materials that do not attract and retain odors.
You want to clothe with antibacterial treatments, silver ions, or activated carbon. Some fabrics are also naturally odor resistant. They work by preventing the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
Pro tip: The right fabric for workout clothes should consider washability. Sportswear gets dirty really fast. Also, confirm whether the manufacturer of your material shrinks after laundry.
Robert J. Beaulieu, Textile Expert
A Table Comparison about Best Cloth Material for Gym
| Properties | Cotton | Polyester | Polypropylene | Spandex | Nylon | Wool | Bamboo | Microfiber | Gore-Tex |
| Moisture-wicking | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✖️ |
| Breathable | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Flexible/Stretchy | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |||||
| Protective | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |||||
| Odor-Resistant | ✔️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✖️ | |||
| Durable | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Sustainable | ✔️ | ✖️ |
10 Best Cloth Material for Gym
1. Cotton: Great for mild activities & cold weather
Cotton is an old fabric that is breathable, comfortable, and lightweight. These properties make it a darling in their workout clothes scene.
A notable downside is that cotton absorbs moisture, which I do not want. Fitness clothes manufacturers do not use it for summer activewear in which people will sweat a lot.
The moisture builds up and also encourages skin irritation and discomfort. However, the saving grace is that organic cotton is odor-resistant.
Cotton fabrics are making a strong comeback as an activewear material. Despite the demand, always use it in light workout scenarios. It is great for cold weather. It is great for:
- T-Shirts
- Tops
- Sweatpants
- Hoodies
- Sweatshirts
2. Polyester: Best materials for heavy workouts
Polyester is a plastic derived fabric that comes with loads of performance properties. You get something that is breathable, durable, and lightweight.
As if that’s not enough, clothes made from this material are moisture-wicking. It will dry up pretty quickly.
This synthetic material is also UV repellent protecting wearers from harmful radiations. It’s more regulation means people remain warm even when the material is damp.
That makes it a great choice for things like:
- Jackets,
- Tracksuits,
- Sports Bras
It can certainly withstand heavy workouts both indoors and outdoors.
Get speedy prototype development with JaceApparel. Our fitness clothing manufacturer team gets back to you in a day or less for easy designs. When it comes to more complicated styles, different colors for gym clothes, we take about two weeks.
Your production enjoys a steady supply chain with vetted suppliers. Put your products to the market fast and stay ahead of the competition.
3. Polypropylene: Works well for extreme weather situations
This is one of the best materials for workout clothes due to its moisture-wicking abilities. That is complemented by being highly water resistant. That means it handles water like nothing else.
So, when designing a product, use this as a base or outer layer. That depends on the properties and use case you want. Think handling snow, rain, or sleet.
Regulating temperature Is also a breeze for Polypropylene. The material regulates body temperature and keeps people warm and dry. Its properties are similar to that of Polyester because it is related.
It is great for:
- Tights
- Leggings
- Thermal Underwear
- Sports Bras.
Recommended Reading: Coolmax Fabric: Your Go-To Choice for Performance Apparel
4. Spandex: Wonderful for mobility-based workouts
Super flexibility and stretchiness are the hallmarks of Spandex. It is known as the brand name lycra. The synthetic fabrics are snug fitting. And they easily return to their original shape.
Their unique properties allow a lot of movement. That makes them ideal for exercise clothes that need a lot of dexterity. Think of the likes of yoga, Pilates, and weightlifting.
With Spandex, you get quick-drying fabric and wicks sweat. The material has one drawback in that it is not as breathable as other fabrics.
Spandex offers flexibility and comfort. So, you can make:
- Track Shorts
- Sports Bras
- Leggings
- Yoga Pants
- Tank Tops
- Cycling Shorts.
Expert tip: You can blend Spandex with other materials to improve its performance. For example, you can mix it with Polyester or nylon. That will increase how moisture on the skin evaporates.
5. Nylon: Perfect fit for all-weather workouts
Nylon brings its best performance fabrics together. The synthetic fiber boasts the breathability of cotton. Plus, it will wick sweat like Polyester, making it great for moisture management. Nylon Ripstop fabric is exceptionally strong.
Like Spandex, the material is quick-drying, soft, durable, and stretchy. The material is also super-elastic. On top of being insanely soft, it is resistant to odor.
Some come on active wear clothes you could make from it include:
- Leggings
- Tights
- Shorts
- Sports Bra
With JaceApparel, you enjoy custom branding on your gym apparel. We use all the latest custom printing methods.
That includes direct-to-government (DTG), screen printing, reflective printing, and heat transfer. You will build Successful Brands in the market with the right Sportswear Manufacturer.
6. Wool: Ideal for cold weather workout clothes
Want an all-natural fabric? Wool might be your best bet. Cool air passes through it fairly easily, and its durability is nothing to scoff at. It also comes with antimicrobial properties, ensuring great hygiene and health.
Wool’s thermal regulation is stellar. So, it is a great fit for clothes that need to keep people warm. You can use natural fiber as a base layer in such items.
If you are looking for breathable fabrics, you can go with Merino wool. It is a premium material that is all-natural and lightweight. You can use merino wool for:
- T-shirt
- Sweatpants
- long-sleeved tops
- Running Shirts
- Hoodies
- Jackets
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7. Bamboo fabrics: A fitting choice for outdoor workouts
Bamboo pulp yields one of the most comfortable fabrics in the apparel industry. Bamboo fabric allows moisture to evaporate easily and it is light with an anti-static nature.
Oh, and odors? This fitness clothes fabric is not affected at all. It also comes with superb UV protection. The breathable material also has incredible thermal regulation.
It will keep people feeling great even in the summer’s hot weather. You can use it in:
- Leggings
- T-Shirts
- Hoodies
- Sports Bra
- Yoga Pants
Recommended Reading: Top Unbranded Gym Clothing Wholesale Suppliers
8. Microfiber: Excellent for premium gym items
When you move together tiny thread fibers with a linear density of one denier, you get Microfiber. Therefore, it is a synthetic fabric Made from mixing polyamide and Polyester fabrics.
For cheap bulk production, commercially viable synthetic fiber. The mixing process can get expensive. So, it is great for premium gym products.
The material is super soft and highly absorbent. These products include
- Towels
- Tracksuits
- Gym Wear
9. Gore-Tex: Suitable for harsh conditions
Gore tex Isn’t technically a fabric on its own. Rather, it is a synthetic membrane applied to normal materials. However, it is considered as fabric for all intents and purposes.
The material is wind and waterproof. In addition to insulating the skin, it is easily breathable. It stays durable even in extreme conditions. Moreover, it keeps people aerated even in intense workouts.
That makes these synthetic materials attractive to sportswear manufacturers. Use it to make:
- Gloves
- Jackets
- Rain Coats
- Hoodies
- Socks
- Running shoes
Pro Insight: The technology behind Gore-Tex tends to be expensive. Therefore, when making If you make your clothes with this material, target a premium market. That will allow you to sell it that will allow you to sell it easily and make better margins.
Rabia Usmani, International Brand Manager
10. Performance Blends: Well-suited for custom quality combinations
Just as you’ve seen with Microfiber, you can mix and match different fibers to create new ones. Each material comes with Unique properties that you can mix with others to get what you want.
A lot of workout clothes are actually made using blends in different ratios. For example, not all fabrics are odor-resistant. But you can mix in cotton with them to add a bit of that property in addition to softness.
The same logic applies when blending synthetic fibers with wool for looser garments. Figure out what you want your brand to solve and mix these fabrics with this in mind. Gym products made from performance blends include:
- T-Shirts (Cotton-Spandex Blend)
- Sports Bras (Polyester-Spandex Blend)
- Jackets (Nylon-Spandex Blend)
- Yoga Pants (Bamboo-Spandex Blend)
At JaceApparel, You get a diverse range of premium materials. Our fitness wear manufacturers have handpicked these from all over the world based on their qualities.
They also help you blend the materials to start your gym clothing line, and produce the best results. Plus, you get exceptional craftsmanship in every item. Surpas market expectations and rack in more profits.
People Also Ask About Best Cloth Material For Gym
1. Which cloth is best for the gym?
There is no one-fits-all answer here, as different fabrics have varying properties. However, Polyester and nylon are at the top of the list because of their breathability. They also dry moisture easily. Spandex is also another rate option where comfort and flexibility are the focus.
2. What is the best fabric for Yoga clothing?
To get the best fabric for yoga clothes, you should work with Glens of bamboo Spandex Polyester and nylon. These materials have all the right properties to make attractive yoga apparel. Never use cotton in their situation.
3. Can fabrics be customized?
Yes, fabrics come with a mind-boggling range of customization options. You can choose different colors, patterns, designs and even material types. It all depends on what you want to use it for.
4. Does Polyester make you sweat?
Yes. Polyester can make you sweat way more than natural fabrics like cotton. The material is not breathable. Plus, it also does not absorb sweat, meaning that it can leave where it is drenched.
What’s Next
Breaking into the gym wear It has never been easier with JaceApparel. With them you get the right materials properly sourced and manufactured.
Their gym clothing suppliers also help you through the entire process, from design to final production. Not only do they upgrade your inventory, but you get the best stock management.
Leverage their strategically located warehouses and reliable shipping partners for fast shipping. Always deliver to the market on time and grow your revenue today.
Sources:
Linkedin – Choosing the Right Fabric for Gym Wear Brands: A Comprehensive Guide
Quora – What is the best way to find the best quality fabric? How can I tell manufacturers to show me different grade qualities of the same fabric?
Nytimes – Is Organic Cotton Really Better? A Shopper’s Guide