What Every Designer Should Know About Performance Fabrics in Activewear

Selecting the right performance fabrics for activewear is a crucial choice for any designer. Today's consumers want clothing that is comfortable, durable, flexible, and sweat-wicking—highlighting the importance of fabric science beyond fashion. As athleisure, sustainable fitness wear, and global manufacturing grow, designers are looking into technical materials that go beyond simple cotton blends.

As activewear evolves with data and innovation, fashion brands are turning to advanced suppliers, fabric wholesale platforms, and global sourcing partners like Fabriclore, which is recognised for its high-quality RFD, greige, and customised performance fabrics.

This guide will help designers select the ideal textiles for their upcoming activewear collection.

Why Performance Fabrics Matter in Activewear Design

Performance fabrics show how well sportswear works in real life, like when you're running, doing yoga, training, or playing sports outside. People today want clothes that work as hard as they do, which makes choosing a fabric a science and strategic process.

Today, designers have to think about more than how fabrics look and feel. They also have to think about how they stretch, recover, breathe, regulate temperature, handle moisture, fight pilling, and last a long time. Performance fabrics are now an essential part of both high-end athletic names and high-end lifestyle brands.

Key reasons performance fabrics matter:

• They control comfort, breathability, and sweat evaporation.
• They influence silhouette, compression, and garment fit.
• They determine durability, washing performance, and lifespan.
• They help brands differentiate in a competitive market.
• They meet consumer expectations for high-performance athleisure.

Today, performance fabrics aren't just lovely to have; they're essential for any sportswear brand that wants to succeed.

Core Functional Properties Designers Must Look For

Before choosing materials, designers should know what current performance textiles are made of and how they work. These qualities tell you how clothes will behave during workouts and how long they will last.

Here is a list of the most essential features:

1. Moisture-Wicking / Quick-Dry Technology

Activewear is meant to keep you dry. Clothes are meant to keep people dry and comfortable by pulling sweat away from their skin. Synthetic fibers, such as polyester and nylon, dry the fastest. On the other hand, materials made with newer blends are softer and stretchier.

What affects wicking efficiency:

• Yarn cross-section
• Fiber shape
• Hydrophobic vs hydrophilic blends
• Fabric construction (knit vs weave)

2. Stretch & Recovery

Sports clothes should bend without getting sloppy. Lycra, which is found in Lycra and spandex, is used for this. Technical stretch is used in high-performance sportswear to make it easier to move and compact.

People who make games should think about the following stretch levels:

• 2-way stretch
• 4-way stretch (best for activewear)
• Compression blends (for leggings, sports bras)

3. Breathability & Ventilation

How well something breathes affects how much air it can move and how cool it can get. Fashion makers need to use fabrics with open-knit structures, micro-mesh zones, or engineered ventilation systems when making high-performance sportswear.

4. Durability & Abrasion Resistance

Your gear needs to be able to handle being moved around in and getting sweaty. Nylon pants and tops that fit well are great because they don't get worn down easily.

5. Odour Control & Antimicrobial Finishes

It's awful when sweat smells. Fabrics are less likely to harbour germs when treated with silver ions, zinc technologies, or bio-based finishes.

6. Thermal Regulation

The clothes you wear for winter games or activities outside should keep you warm without being too heavy. The best fabrics are thermal knits, brushed wool, and insulating composites.

7. Compression and Support

Compression fabrics strengthen muscles and improve blood flow. Makers need to know about GSM, elastane percentage, and knit structure for support zones.

Also Read: Design for Comfort: How Cotton Fabric Elevates Loungewear and Activewear

Popular Performance Fabrics in Activewear 

To help you decide, here is a list of the most popular performance materials written with designers in mind.

1. Polyester (Primary Activewear Base)

Because it is strong, flexible, and moisture-wicking, polyester is the most popular fabric for activewear worldwide.

Why designers choose polyester:

• Lightweight and moisture-wicking
• Strong, durable, abrasion-resistant
• Easy to dye and print (sublimation ready)
• Affordable and available in bulk

Common uses:

T-shirts, leggings, sports bras, shorts, athleisure jackets.

2. Nylon (Premium Performance Choice)

Nylon is stronger and softer than polyester, making it perfect for high-end sportswear.

Key benefits:

• High stretch and recovery
• Excellent abrasion resistance
• Smooth, soft texture
• Ideal for compression wear

Common uses:

Leggings, yoga wear, high-performance sportswear.

3. Spandex / Elastane (Essential for Stretch)

Recycled polyester is very popular right now because it is better for the environment.

Benefits:

• Less carbon footprint
• performance about the same as fresh polyester
• Fitting in with goals for sustainability
• Eco-certifications are possible

4. Modal, Bamboo & Eco-Blends (Sustainable Options)

These fibers are naturally soft and breathable, and groups that care about the environment like to use them.

Why designers love them:

• Naturally moisture-wicking
• Softer than cotton fabric
• Antibacterial properties (bamboo)
• Sustainable production processes

Best for: Yoga wear, loungewear, low-impact activewear.

5. Recycled Polyester (rPET) — A Sustainability Must-Have

Recycled polyester is very popular right now because it is better for the environment.

Benefits:

• Less carbon footprint
• performance about the same as fresh polyester
• Fitting in with goals for sustainability
• Eco-certifications are possible

6. Performance blends of cotton

It breathes better and dries faster when you mix cotton with synthetic fibers.

Best for:

• Athleisure
• Gym wear
• Street-sport crossover products

Comparing Performance Fabrics: Designer Reference Table

Essential Fabric Testing Standards for Activewear

Designers must insist on technical tests to make sure the fabric will work.

1. Physical Performance Tests

• GSM & thickness
• Stretch & recovery
• Tensile strength
• Pilling resistance

2. Moisture & Comfort Tests

• Wicking rate
• Drying time
• Breathability (air permeability)

3. Durability Tests

• Abrasion resistance
• Wash fastness
• Colorfastness

4. Sustainability Certifications

• OEKO-TEX Standard 100
• GRS (recycled fabrics)
• Bluesign®
• ECOCERT

Testing makes sure that the fabric can handle being used in real life, which is very important for high-end workout brands.

Choosing the Right Performance Fabric for Your Collection

The right fabric depends on the activity, the brand's image, fit, and budget.

1. For Gym Training / High Impact

Choose:

• Nylon-spandex blends
• High compression
• Antimicrobial finishes

2. For Yoga & Pilates

Choose:

• Modal
• Bamboo blends
• Soft brushed nylon

3. For Running & Outdoor Sports

Choose:

• Lightweight polyester
• Mesh ventilation panels
• Thermal variants for winter

4. For Athleisure & Lifestyle

Choose:

• Cotton-poly blends
• French terry
• Soft knits

Before choosing materials, designers should consider how their target audience behaves.

Sustainability: The Future of Performance Fabrics

Activewear relies heavily on synthetic fibres, prompting the industry to seek better alternatives.

Key sustainability trends:

• Recycled polyester (rPET) is replacing virgin polyester.
• Bio-based nylons made from castor seed oil.
• Natural antimicrobial treatments.
• Low-water dyeing technologies.
• Zero-waste cutting.

Designers must include ecology without lowering the quality of the work.

Where Designers Should Source Performance Fabrics 

It is just as essential to pick the right fabric sourcing platform as it is to select the right performance fabric. Activewear needs engineered textiles, consistent quality, and the ability to be customized, so designers often choose specialized fabric sourcing platforms over traditional wholesalers or local fabric shops. Fabriclore give you access to technical materials, RFD bases, and eco-friendly blends needed to make functional, up-to-date activewear.

This is why this fabric supplier is such an excellent choice for artists worldwide.

Why Fabriclore Is a Reliable Source for Performance Fabrics

Fabriclore makes it easier for designers to find high-performance materials by providing access to a carefully curated collection of engineered fabrics and the ability to customise them fully. Designers don't have to look through a limited number of local sources; instead, they can use an integrated platform that has everything they need to make activewear.

Fabriclore Offers:

• RFD, Greige & Dyed fabrics suitable for performance wear
• Technical polyester, nylon & elastane blends
• Moisture-wicking & quick-dry fabrics
• High-stretch knits for yoga, gymwear & athleisure
• Recycled performance fabrics (rPET)
• Bulk fabric ordering + fabric wholesale pricing
• Ability to buy fabric swatches before bulk order
• Custom dyeing, printing & engineered knits
• Low-MOQ garment manufacturing for small brands & startups

Designers can start with small amounts, try out new materials, ask for specific performance features, and then increase the quantities as the business grows.  It takes the guesswork out of things by giving you constant quality, eco-friendly options, and full fabric transparency.

Conclusion

Performance fabric affects every part of modern activewear, from how comfortable and breathable it is to how long it lasts and how environmentally friendly it is. To make high-performance clothes that stand out in a crowded market, designers need to understand fibre science, blends, construction, testing standards, and the right way to source fibres. Sourcing has become more strategic than ever as demand for eco-friendly, highly advanced fabrics grows.

This is why more and more designers are using global buying platforms like Fabriclore, which offer wholesale fabric, custom development, low minimum-order garment manufacturing, and environmentally friendly production, all in a safe environment. Fabriclore helps activewear makers create collections that are high-quality, scalable, and ready for the future, from developing new materials to delivering finished clothes.

FAQ’s

1. What Is The Best Performance Fabric For Activewear?

Different activities call for various types of performance fabrics, but nylon-spandex blends and polyester performance knits are the most popular in the business. Polyester is excellent at wicking away wetness and drying quickly, while nylon is better at stretching and being soft. Many brands also use recycled polyester (rPET) to be environmentally friendly without compromising product quality.

2. What Makes A Fabric Moisture-Wicking In Activewear?

When fibers in a cloth pull sweat away from the skin and spread it out across the surface, the sweat can evaporate quickly. The fabrics that dry the most rapidly are technical polyester, nylon, and tailored knits with hydrophobic fibers, micro-mesh structures, and specialized yarn cross-sections. For working out at the gym, running, and doing high-intensity workouts, you need these materials.

3. How Much Elastane (Spandex) Should Activewear Have?

Depending on what the clothes are meant to be used for, high-performance sportswear usually has 10–30% elastane.

• 10–15% elastane → yoga, low-impact wear.
• 20–30% elastane → High-impact workouts, compression pants, and sports bras. More elastane makes clothes stretchier, keeps their shape better, and supports muscles better, which is why it's a key ingredient in high-end exercise gear.

4. Are Sustainable Performance Fabrics Suitable For Activewear?

Eco-friendly performance fabrics like bio-nylons, recycled polyester (rPET) and bamboo blends outperform synthetic fabrics. They provide moisture-wicking, breathability, and durability while reducing brands' carbon footprint. Designers are increasingly using platforms like Fabriclore, which offers eco-certified, customizable activewear fabrics, to align sustainability goals with performance standards.

5. Where Can Designers Source High-Quality Performance Fabrics For Activewear?

In most cases, designers get their fabrics from specialized fabric suppliers, but sites like Fabriclore are better because they:

• Engineered mixes of polyester, nylon, and elastane.
• Thermal, moisture-wicking, and quick-dry fabrics.
• Wholesale fabric and buying in bulk.
• Being able to buy fabric swatches before bulk order.
• Repurposed and eco-friendly performance fabrics.
• Activewear brands can use low-MOQ custom manufacturing.

This makes Fabriclore a reliable partner for developing professional-quality activewear collections.

We also happen to be a magnet for suggestions, and would love to catch yours….throw us yours on hello@fabriclore.com

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