It’s the era of being healthy, active, and SPORTY! That means it’s the PERFECT TIME to ride on the profit wave of sportswear!
In this post, we’re gonna tell you the PROFIT MAGNETS of many sportswear businesses. In other words, the top 7 sportswear types that are GUARANTEED to sell.
Yes, even if you’re a FRESHLY OPENED BRAND!
As a top sportswear manufacturer, this is our way of helping our soon-to-be partners like you.
Keep reading to boost your business’s activities in no time!
Table of Contents
Sportswear Overview
Sportswear is exactly as its name suggests. Clothing that you wear while doing sports or intense activities.
It’s similar to activewear. But there’s a slight difference.
Activewear more or less bridges the gap between casual clothes and athleisure. Sportswear prioritizes functionality over style.
Those serious about working out or exercising often prefer sportswear. Hence, it’s a HUGE sales magnet for apparel stores worldwide! We’ve helped you list Best Private Label Activewear Manufacturers here.
Pro tip: Make sure you only contact a RELIABLE gym clothing manufacturer. Active people often stay loyal to fitness brands. Take advantage of the opportunity by contacting a reliable supplier.
Inocencia (Sensi) Espada, Head of Gymwear – Sportwear division Oysho (INDITEX) en Inditex-oysho
7 Profitable Sportswear Types
Table List of Sportswear Types
| Sportswear Type | Key Features | Customization Tips |
| Athletic Wear | Moisture-wicking, flexible, and regulates temperature | Add graphics, reflective elements, better ventilation |
| Outdoor Wear | Durable, weather-resistant, year-round demand | Use waterproof, eco-friendly fabrics, and add pockets/zippers |
| Yoga Wear | Stretchable, breathable, high comfort | Extend sizes, creative colors, flexible fabrics |
| Team Sportswear | Bulk orders, unity-focuse | Custom colors, text, and accessories like jackets/towels |
| Swimwear | Functional, year-round demand | Adjustable fit, body-inclusive, conservative options |
| Winter Sportswear | Insulated, flexible, includes gloves/footwear | Balance warmth, customize graphics, vibrant colors |
| Cycling Wear | Tight fit, wind-resistant, quick-drying | Custom-fit, matching sets, padded/non-padded options |
1. Athletic Wear
Let’s start this list with everyone’s must-have—ATHLETIC WEAR.
This sportswear category isn’t for any particular sport. Instead, you use it for ANY high-performance activity. That can include most sports, ranging from cycling and running to doing yoga.
What are the main features of athletic wear? Being functional while providing comfort. It’s moisture-wicking, flexible, and, best of all, regulates temperature.
Ways to customize:
- Add graphic design
- Include reflective elements
- Ask the supplier for better ventilation
2. Outdoor Wear
Outdoor wear encompasses various outdoor sports. Mind you, these sports are in demand all year long! I’m talking about hiking, rock climbing, and even as simple as camping.
They sound like summer crazes. But millions love doing these sports during the colder months, too.
This sportswear type is in demand because everyone does outdoor stuff. At least, every once in a while. So, you’ll have a CONSTANT stream of sales.
Just make sure you SELL durable outdoor wear. These sportswear types experience lots of sun and rain exposure.
Ways to customize:
- Choose waterproof fabrics
- Opt for eco-friendly materials (since outdoor peeps tend to worry about nature)
- Pay extra attention to add-ons like pockets and zippers
Suggested Reading: Best Types of Jacket Closures for Fashion
3. Yoga Wear
Yes—yoga is a sport. And NO, women aren’t the only ones who do yoga.
Both men and women enjoy yoga, especially when the weather’s too harsh for outdoor sports.
Some things to remember when selling yoga or pilates wear. You gotta offer flexibility. Of course, comfort should be a given, too. Above all, the material should allow for lots of movement and stretching. Here’s a guide about Top Leggings Wholesale Distributors.
Ways to customize:
- Extend the size range to accommodate customers of all sizes
- Be creative with the color palette
- Use breathable and flexible fabric
4. Team Sportswear
I could name the most popular team sportswear types individually. But I’m sure you already get the gist when I say team sportswear.
From football and basketball to baseball… Lots of teams need UNIFORMS to keep their team united. Please check the guide about Best Baseball Apparel Brands.
Welcome them with high-quality sportswear. You’ll have repeat customers ordering in bulk in no time.
Customization tips:
- Allow teams to customize the color, text, and graphics of their uniforms
- Offer a wide range of sizes
- Familiarize your business with various sports
Pro tip: Offer jackets, towels, and team water bottles on the side, too! Be a one-stop shop for sports teams. So they’ll never need to search for another store to buy from!
5. Swimwear
Swimwear has also evolved to be in demand all year long. And the BEST news? People of all genders and ages need swimwear. It’s not just for sports. People swim to have fun on the beach during summer.
You’ll be attracting not just the people with an active lifestyle. You’ll sell to BEACHGOERS or just summer enthusiasts, too!
Is your target market customers with an active lifestyle? Be sure to prioritize function. Make sure customers can SWIM and MOVE freely. Design and style can come as a secondary priority.
Customization tips:
- Offer items with adjustable features to encourage proper fit
- Accommodate all kinds of body types
- Ensure you also have conservative swimwear
6. Winter Sportswear
It’s now incredibly popular to remain active outdoors, even in the cold!
Enter winter sportswear. A golden cash cow for apparel businesses during cold months.
This category includes a sports-friendly thermal base and outer layers. Ones that can keep players warm, flexible, and active. And of course, we can’t forget the accessories like gloves. Plus, specialized non-slip footwear!
Customization tips:
- Play around with the materials you use to balance warmth and flexibility
- Customize the logo and graphics
- Go beyond the usual neutral winter colors
7. Cycling
Cycling requires very specific clothes for players to EXCEL in the sport. The clothes should be tight-fitting to avoid wind resistance. But of course, the cyclers should still COMFORTABLY move around.
Spandex Fabric is the most popular fabric used for cycling wear. But it’s blended with materials. Such as nylon or polyester to adapt properties like quickly drying.
Customization tips:
- Let customers customize their fit for the best results
- Design tops and bottoms together for a uniform look
- Offer padded and non-padded options
Most Common Fabrics Used in Sportswear
Sportswear can’t just use ANY fabric. Every fabric choice must serve its purpose: to help players have the best performance.
Here are the five fabrics that best achieve this goal. They’re used by brands like North Face so rest assured that they’ll excel in sports!
Polyester
Unless you’ve been living under a rock… Chances are you own an item of clothing made of polyester.
It’s everywhere. And for all good reasons. It’s incredibly CHEAP (compared to natural fabrics). As for sportswear, here are the qualities it offers:
- Durability
- Stretchability
- Lightweight
- Breathability
Talk about all the properties you need in good sportswear types, right?
Pro tip: You gotta make sure that your supplier uses SUSTAINABLE polyester. Many polyester production facilities destroy the environment. Customers can be turned off if you do not prove that you’re using recycled or more eco-friendly polyester.
Rick Zhang, Mingda Textile
Spandex/Elastane
When STRETCHABILITY is the goal, spandex is the KING. Here’s the deal about elastane (also its name)—it can stretch up to five times its OG size. And yes—it’ll always return to its original shape. Except when we’re talking about your usual wear & tear problems. Here you can read the post about Elastane Vs Spandex Explained.
Apart from being oh-so-stretch, spandex is also:
- Moisture-wicking
- Lightweight and breathable
- Durable
Hence, it’s one of the best cloth materials for the gym!
Nylon
Nylon’s also a Synthetic Fabric. It’s not as stretchy as spandex or as cheap as polyester. But it sure is DURABLE. It’s perfect for garments that see a LOT of action or wear and tear.
On top of being durable, it provides:
- Quick-drying properties
- Relatively good stretchability
- Smooth texture
It’s a must-use fabric if you ever want to enter the sportswear industry!
Cotton
Cotton is a classic for all kinds of garments. Sportswear is NO exception. But here’s the deal—cotton is rarely used by itself.
It’s often blended with other fabrics on this list. This strategy combines other fabrics’ properties with cotton’s softness and comfort.
Oh, and of course, it’s also:
- Resistant to odor
- Highly breathable
- Sustainable
No wonder it’s one of the best hoodie materials. Plus, it’s always a mainstay in various sportswear attire!
Bamboo Textile
Bamboo textiles aren’t as popular as other fabrics on this list. But it’s my preferred fabric.
Why? Well, it’s incredibly gentle to nature. At the same time, it creates very soft and breathable sportswear. If YOGA was a fabric, it would be a bamboo textile.
Many Wholesale Gym Clothing Suppliers directly compare this to cotton. The two offer similar qualities. But bamboo textiles are more stretchy. Plus, it creates thinner clothing than cotton. So, it’s easy to see why it’s still popular.
3 Factors to Look Out for When Choosing a Sportswear Manufacturer
I’m a PRO when it comes to finding sportswear and activewear manufacturers for startups. But you yourself can be an expert at choosing the best manufacturer for this business.
The trick? Pay attention to these three factors!
Product Quality
The BIGGEST factor to look out for when buying sportswear is product quality. I usually mention the price or the MOQ first. Because let’s be real—businesses run best with high profits.
But when dealing with sportswear… You MUST ensure that your products will last.
It’s all about being a reliable sportswear brand. Active people are always buying new clothes, accessories, and undergarments. If you can be the BRAND that provides value, you’re guaranteed to have loyal customers. Here’s a Lululemon Similar Brands list.
Customization Options
It’s best to CHOOSE a manufacturer that lets you have control.
Control over the design, fabric, and even the fit. This helps establish your branding. Not to mention, you can only STAND OUT once you can customize your products.
Customization tips: Always focus on what’s trendy. Follow lots of active influencers. Conduct customer surveys. Keep track of the news.
Not too creative yourself? Don’t be afraid to HIRE clothing designers and even branding agencies. They’ll guide you into finding the perfect image for your business.
Price
And, of course, the factor that’ll always matter—price.
You can’t run a business without caring about the price. The cheaper your products are, the higher your profits can be (or the cheaper you can sell your goods).
Plus, cheaper manufacturers will allow you to SOURCE MORE FOR LESS.
Pro tip: Find manufacturers in China for the best prices. The country has cheap materials and labor. Making it extra easy to produce cheap sportswear.
People Also Ask About Sportswear Types
1. Is sportswear the same as activewear?
Sportswear can fall under activewear. But the two aren’t the same. Activewear refers to clothes that you can use for being active and even just for everyday wear. Sportswear, on the other hand, refers to clothes you wear for athletic activities.
2. How profitable is sportswear?
It can be very profitable. Why? Because millions (if not billions) of people want to stay fit and healthy. If you sell through eCommerce, you can cast the customer net across the globe. Imagine this: the industry’s expected to reach USD 350.45 billion!
3. Will customers trust a new sportswear brand?
Absolutely! Gymshark, now one of the biggest brands, started as a nobody-knows-what business. You don’t need millions to start a brand. Just focus on the basics. Offer high-quality sportswear at a good price and prioritize customer satisfaction.
4. Which country offers the best sportswear?
China offers some of the best sportswear. Chinese manufacturers offer LOW MOQ and incredibly low wholesale prices. You can easily mark up the goods to retain a healthy profit margin. And best of all, there’s no need to order thousands of pieces at a time.
Conclusion
Sportswear is by NO MEANS a complicated industry. We’ve mentioned the top 7 profitable sportswear types already. Even offering those alone can help you establish (or strengthen) your apparel brand.
But of course, as we mentioned, make sure to be a WISE business owner. Be wary about the product quality, customization options, and price of your supplier. Best of all, know the ins and outs of the fabrics you use.
Need a stress-free way to start a sportswear line from scratch?
Contact JaceApparel. We’re literally a one-stop shop. From design, manufacturing, and management—we’ll be here to guide you. Consultations are free, so feel free to contact us!
Source
Properties of synthetic fabrics: www.fibre2fashion.com
Sportswear’s profitability: www.fortunebusinessinsights.com