Spandex vs Lycra: A Deep Dive into Performance Fabrics

When do you use spandex? When do you use lycra? Contrary to the popular belief that spandex and lycra are similar. There’s a lot uncovered on published blog posts.

Mostly because blog writers aren’t willing to dig deeper to find the truth. Or they’ve never used these fabrics in production. 

My team and I have been using spandex and lycra interchangeably for our customers. We’ve grown brands to six figures and beyond. 

Our expertise doesn’t come from research alone. It’s built on real-world experience as a gym clothing and sportswear manufacturer. 

In this guide, we’ll uncover common applications of Spandex vs Lycra. Their common features. Distinct features. Pros, cons, and use case scenarios.

Let me save your precious time and dive right in. 

What is Spandex?

Spandex fabric is a synthetic fiber that’s loved for its elasticity and stretchability.

In fact, it can stretch up to 5X its original length and regain back shape with ease. No other fabric comes close.

Explains its popularity in apparel, where comfort and fit are the No.1 priority. You’ll see it in everything…from sportswear to everyday activewear.

So, why do Sportswear manufacturers love spandex?

Its flexibility and compression is unmatched. Spandex compression capabilities reduce muscle fatigue and improve recovery. It’s also extremely lightweight. Hence maintaining an athlete’s peak performance during intense games.

Why can’t Gym clothing manufacturers resist spandex?

Amazing moisture-wicking properties. Especially when blended with synthetic fibers like Nylon, Ripstop Nylon and Polyester. It keeps gym rats dry and comfortable during intense workouts. Thus great for leggings, tank tops, and sports bras.

Before we completely butcher Spandex properties, here’s a look at Lycra. A premium version of Spandex. 

What is Lycra?

Lycra is a trademarked version of Spandex. It offers exactly what regular spandex offers, just 100 times better.

Superior elasticity. Exceptional durability. Advanced shape retention. Outstanding comfort.

In fact, Lycra was named the top apparel innovation of the twentieth century. By the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Today, Lycra is used in making activewear, swimwear, intimate wear, and much more. Put it this way, in ANY apparel where stretch, comfort, and flexibility are desired.

Lycra is currently evolving to become an eco-friendly fabric. The use of eco-friendly fabric is becoming a “thing” in the current textile industry. This is to satisfy the growing demand of eco-conscious buyers.

So, if you are looking to stand out as an activewear brand, Lycra isn’t just a great choice! It’s the key to your financial freedom. Here’s a guide about Best Activewear Manufacturers for Startups.

DID YOU KNOW THIS: “The LYCRA Company has committed to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50 percent by 2030 from a 2021 base year.”

– Jack Rao, Outdoor Fabric Specialist

Quick Comparison Table Between Spandex vs Lycra

Spandex vs Lycra – An In-depth Comparison

1. Common Features

· Durability

Both Spandex and Lycra are EXTREMELY durable fabrics. That’s because of their innate capacity to withstand wear and tear.

Spandex

Spandex is made from a polymer called Polyurethane. This polymer features alternating rigid and flexible segments. That makes spandex stretchable by up to 500% its true length. And easy to return to its original shape.

Seamless stretching and recovery make spandex a great choice for:

• Stretchy fabrics. 
• Undergarments. 
• Swimwear. 
• Casual wear (i.e., leggings and tights) – most recommended.

Rant incoming…

Spandex’s durability greatly lies in the blend ratio and quality of the final fabric. Unfortunately, today, there are lots of low-quality spandex fibers that degrade quickly. 

You get apparel that is fragile under prolonged UV exposure. High temperatures. Or chlorine water in swimming pools. The result? Lack of customer trust and zero customer retention.

To be safe, only use spandex for general wear, where durability isn’t the main concern.

Lycra

Lycra excels where spandex fails. 

Just like spandex, lycra is made from the Polyurethane polymer. But Lycra’s own offers superior stretch and recovery properties.

This makes it more capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions. So whether exposed to long hours under the sun. Or exposed to chlorine water. Lycra fabrics won’t budge. They’ll still be as good as new.

Hence, they are common among sportswear and activewear manufacturers. You’ll make more money if you are aiming to sell performance-apparel with Lycra. Then with any other fabric out there.

See for yourself:

What Does The Public REALLY Think About Lycra? | GCN Show Ep. 490

· Moisture Wicking

Here’s the thing, most moisture-wicking fabrics with spandex or lycra are moisture-wicking. But spandex and lycra aren’t inherently moisture-wicking. Yes, that’s right. Here’s why:  

Spandex

Spandex doesn’t absorb water because it’s hydrophobic. But when it comes to moisture-wicking —moving sweat away from the skin. Spandex itself does a poor job. 

It will only trap sweat between its surface and skin. The heat rush here is unbearable.

To prevent this, spandex is mixed with moisture-wicking fibers like Nylon and Polyester Mesh Fabric. This gives it a snug fit against the wearer’s skin. The close contact allows it to draw sweat to the outer surface of the fabric, keeping it dry.

Perfect for leggings, sports bras, tank tops, and yoga wear.

Entrepreneur’s Take: “Spandex has completely revolutionized how we think about fit and comfort. It allows us to create garments that shape and smooth the body without sacrificing comfort.”

Recommended Reading: Top Leggings Wholesale Distributors: Quality and Affordability

Lycra

Lycra has the same hydrophobic base as spandex. So, it does not absorb water either.

However, spandex is made specifically for high-performance apparel. Meaning DuPont thought through its wicking capabilities. It still needs Polyester blends to improve its wicking properties.

Lycra’s elasticity ensures that the fit stays in close contact with the wearer’s skin. Thus, sweat easily comes out to the outer surface and evaporates almost instantly.

Like I said, Lycra is slightly more durable. So, expect it to retain its wicking property much longer than spandex.

Great for compression garments, cycling shorts, swimwear, and athletic wear.

2. Distinct Features

· Branding

Here’s where it gets confusing. Lycra is the branded version of spandex. And spandex is a generic name for elastic synthetic fiber. But they are both the “same”. 

So, what the hell is going on? Why didn’t the company (DuPont) just brand spandex in the first place? 

Spandex

Did you know that spandex is an anagram of the word “expands”. Gives a clear picture of its highly stretchy synthetic fibers.

But why is it unbranded?

That’s because it’s produced by a lot of different companies worldwide. Not just DuPont —who pioneered its development.

This brings a disparity in spandex’s performance and durability levels. So, unless you find a spandex manufacturer that doesn’t cut corners, you are doomed!

Lycra

DuPont branded their spandex fibers to differentiate them from generic manufacturers.

Think of it as how Apple brands their phones —iPhones. To differentiate them from low-performance Android devices.

Yes, all devices perform similar functions. But the iPhone is known for better camera quality, unique features, and ultra-fast processors.

Like Apple, DuPont wanted to protect the reputation of their spandex line. It’s now perceived as having higher quality and performance than generic spandex.

That’s why top athlete brands like Nike and Adidas make their products from lycra.

Expert Take:  “The LYCRA fiber has long been the gold standard in performance fabrics. Whether it’s in activewear, swimwear, or everyday garments, it enhances the elasticity and comfort that consumers demand.”

Mehtab Siddique, Manager Fabric Development & Sourcing

· Production Standards

                                           “A factory worker inspecting lycra fibers.”

Both spandex and lycra have similar manufacturing processes. However the difference in manufacturers causes inconsistent fabric performance. 

Spandex

Generic spandex is made from synthesizing polyurethane-based polymers. These are then squeezed out into the thin elastic fibers we call spandex.

However, the quality of generic spandex relies on THREE factors:

• Quality of raw materials
• Production processes
• Quality control measures employed by the manufacturer

That’s why it’s so HARD to find consistent quality from manufacturer to manufacturer. 

To be safe, assess its elasticity, tenacity, and recovery. Good spandex stretches up to 500% of its original length and recovers back to 90%. 

Lycra

Lycra is manufactured under strict proprietary production processes to maintain its quality.

Like I said, DuPont wants to remain the superior producer of spandex. So, they’ll never compromise their production standards.

Also, they are the sole producer of lycra. So, no other wholesale gym clothing manufacturer can claim to produce it or have it for a lower price than DuPont.

The Lycra Company offers branding for garments with their fabric. You’ll gain more trust with customers. And destroy your competition if you start using lycra for your product line today.

Recommended Reading:

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Pros and Cons of Spandex and Lycra

Here’s the good and bad of Spandex and Lycra:

Spandex (Generic Elastane)

Pros

• Very affordable. Generic spandex fibers are lower priced compared to branded lycra. This makes it a great choice for small brands or cash-strapped entrepreneurs. Your brand won’t be missing out on lycra if you get a reliable spandex manufacturer.
• Lightweight. Spandex adds little to no weight to fabrics. It’s great for garments like leggings and sports bras where comfort is a priority. Customers won’t stop coming back for more.
• Global availability. Spandex is manufactured by many manufacturers around the world. This makes it easy to source regardless of your location. 

Cons

• Quality variability. The quality of spandex fibers varies between different manufacturers. You might get spandex that degrades faster if you go for a cheaper manufacturer. This hurts your brand credibility in the long run.
• Limited durability in harsh environmental conditions. Most generic spandex breaks when exposed to chlorine and UV light. Thus, make sure you use high-quality spandex for production. Else you risk your product line dying in its first year.

Recommended Reading: Best Private Label Activewear Manufacturers

Lycra

Pros

• Premium quality. Lycra’s consistent fabric texture makes it superior to generic spandex. It doesn’t fade easily and can’t withstand harsh environmental conditions. I recommend it if your product line targets high-performance athletes.
• Brand trust. Lycra is adored by millions of customers around the world. They’ve already done the heavy lifting for you. It’s now up to you to make killer designs that make you stand out in the market.
• Enhanced durability. Lycra performs well when exposed to chlorine. This makes it perfect for custom swimwear. Also, it maintains quality after frequent washes. Hence, great for activewear.

Cons

• Crazy high prices. Because of lycra’s perceived value, it’s more expensive than spandex. I don’t recommend it if you are just starting out with limited finances.
• Heavy reliance on lycra’s brand name by competitors makes the market saturated. You’ll have to get creative to make a killing in your niche.

When to Choose Spandex vs. Lycra?

Choose Spandex:

1. If you operate in a price-sensitive market. Regular gym goers/athletes won’t pay premium prices for basic stretch qualities. They just want a basic fabric that gets the job done. Definitely pick spandex if you want to start a gym clothing brand. 

2. If you want to bulk apparel without spending a fortune. Spandex is readily available and low-priced compared to Lycra. You’ll save on sourcing time. And have more money to invest in other important areas of your business.

3. If you just want to test the waters of activewear production and don’t have a huge budget. No need to go all in if you are a newbie. Use spandex, test your target audience reception, and scale to lycra if the need arises.

Choose Lycra:

1. If you are into high-performance and technical garments. Swimwear, compression garments, and cycling shorts require quality spandex fibers. Don’t go for anything else than lycra if you want to cash in big.

2. If you want to market yourself as a premium activewear brand. I assume your target audience is seasoned athletes or athletes. You’ll appeal more to them using lycra than generic spandex. 

Suggested Reading: Twill Fabric for Durable and Versatile Apparel

People Also Ask About Spandex vs Lycra

What’s Next

Hope this detailed overview answers your burning question about spandex and lycra.

If you still have any questions, be sure to drop a comment below. 

Before I leave, lemme reiterate the following:

• Spandex is not a trademark. It’s just a fabric that has elastic fibers that are great for stretchy garments.
• Lycra is the branded version of spandex. It has consistent quality and enhanced durability than generic spandex.
• You need to be careful when choosing spandex fabric. A lot of manufacturers cut corners during production, leading to low-grade spandex.

If you are hell-bent on making a high-income product line using spandex. You are in the right place.

Here at JaceApparel, we help you source industry-standard spandex for your brand. We manufacture gym clothing and sportswear at affordable prices. So you can kick start your business in no time and start making profits.

Ready to take your apparel business to the next level? Contact us now for a free consultation or a custom quote. Your gateway to success starts here!

Source:

1. lycra.com – Get to Know the World’s Original Spandex Fiber.

2. workwear.org – Spandex – Explained and Demystified.