The apparel market is big and constantly innovating along with the fashion trends, which is why the clothing brands and manufacturers have become more active in creating and selling custom warmups.
Manufacturers use tracksuit fabric types, including nylon, polyester, spandex, bamboo, cotton, and wool, to create customized suits for startups and clothing brands.
Brief History of Tracksuits
The concept of tracksuits came into existence around the 1930s. However, they became mainstream when Adidas, a renowned brand, created its first model in 1967. The warm-up suit became trendy and witnessed downfalls too over the years of its invention.
In the late 1970s, the velour material gained so much popularity that it turned out to be the most used fabric type to manufacture tracksuits.
Definition of Tracksuit Fabric
A tracksuit or warm-up suit is an outfit consisting of two clothing parts: trousers and jackets made of various materials. For obvious reasons, this outfit is appropriate for cardio exercises, gym workouts, sports, and nearly every fitness practice.
The entrepreneurs wondering how to start a sportswear brand should choose the ideal fabrics and get tracksuits made by an experienced tracksuit manufacturer.
Which Fabric Is Best for Tracksuits?
Choosing the best fabric for tracksuits is easy. If you want to decide on the best material, you need to understand the requirement of the body. The outfit should offer breathability, durability, extreme comfort, and style.
In this regard the blend of cotton and polyester, or spandex and polyester, can provide such qualities. Since tracksuits are a part of the sportswear family, you can also look into the types of sportswear fabric to decide which material is ideal for tracksuits.
Fabric Types for Tracksuits – Pros and Cons
1. Nylon
Nylon is considerably the most popular material in activewear and sportswear. It is entirely synthetic and made of plastic polymers. This means that nylon fabric is different from semi-synthetic or organic materials.
Pros:
- Flexibility
- Strength
- durability.
- Water Resistant
- Resistant to mildew and insects
- Easy to wash and clean
Cons:
- Not much breathable
- Stinks when absorbs sweat and moist
- Not Eco-friendly
- Non-biodegradable.
2. Polyester
Polyester fibers are not organic, as they are created in labs. The fabric is a plastic created with petroleum through polymerization, a scientific process. It is an outcome of a reaction between alcohol and acid that melts the plastic and forms polyester fibers.
Pros
- Stretchable
- Moisture-Wicking (after treatment known as “capillary action”)
- Restant to Wrinkles
- Durable and Strong
- Comfortable and soft
Cons
- Sticks to Sweaty Skin
- Not wearable in high temperatures—heat sensitivity
- Not breathable like other materials—cotton
- Commonly not sustainable
3. Spandex
Spandex is a synthetic material that falls under the common types of activewear fabrics. It is a lightweight fabric popular for its elasticity. Spandex is also known as elastane.
Pros
- Enhanced flexibility and 4-way stretch
- Moisture-wicking
- Strong and durable
- Comfortable on skin
Cons
- Tight and Minimum breathability
- Temperature sensitive—no heat resistance.
4. Bamboo
Bamboo is an alternative to synthetic materials and is naturally extracted by crushing bamboo wood fibers which are washed and spun into yarn. It is believed to be the highest quality material to use for clothing.
Pros
- Sweat-wicking
- incredibly soft and silky.
- Good insulation
- Breathability
- UV protection
- Extremely comfortable
Cons
- Very Expensive
- Shrinkable due to heat
- Not easily dried
5. Wool
Wool comes from animals, including sheep; the coat of goats, also called cashmere; alpacas; llamas; camels; musk oxen; and, at times, rabbits, which is called angora wool.
Pros
- Warm—good for winter suits
- Wrinkle-Resistant
- Moisture-Wicking
- Resistant to odors and smells
Cons
- Easily Shrinkable
- Scratchy and Uncomfortable on skin
- Requires Extreme Care
- Requires Dry Cleaning—too much effort
6. Cotton
Cotton is made of the seeds of cotton plants, which are fluffy and soft. Cotton material is among the most commonly used fabrics for clothing.
Pros
- Comfortable on skin
- Durable
- Highly Breathable
- Cheaper to buy
- Easy to carve and create clothes
- Easy Machine Washable
Cons
- Easily Shrinkable
- Not easily dried
- Becomes fragile when wet and wears quicker compared to synthetic materials
7. Silk
Silk also comes from nature like cotton and some other materials. This fabric is an organic protein fiber produced by silkworms. Silk is famous for being the most luxurious fabric due to being the smoothest. However, tracksuits are made of silk but very rarely.
Pros
- Very Soft
- High in demand
- Super Comfortable
- Long-Lasting
- Strong
Cons
- Incredibly Expensive—Not cost-effective
- Prone to dirt and stains
- Requires extreme care
- Difficult to clean—dry cleaning
Popular Brands to Sell Tracksuits
Many brands sell tracksuits to customers and are known for their revenue earning. Some brands are popular for selling the highest quality tracksuits to customers and earn their trust in the name of amazing fabric and durability. Here are the names of some brands known for their quality tracksuits.
- Adidas
- Nike
- Fred Perry
- END. x
- AMI
- Kenzo
Which Material is Suitable for Different Weather Conditions
Wool, silk, and spandex are the best to wear in colder climate conditions since they are warmer, keep the body comfortable, and are considered weather-appropriate.
Cotton, recycled polyester, and recycled nylon are more environmentally friendly and the best for warmer climate conditions due to their breathability and ventilation.
How to Choose the Right Tracksuit?
The first thing you need to ask yourself before choosing a tracksuit is how and where you want to use your tracksuit. Different tracksuits are created for different people like athletes, fitness lovers, and casual wearers. So which one are you? Here are significant points that can help you choose your tracksuit according to your needs:
- If you are into intense exercises, you need a durable, moisture-wicking, and stretchable tracksuit. Choose spandex for flexibility and polyester or nylon for moisture-wicking.
- If you like to relax or stay casual, lightweight polyester, bamboo, or cotton tracksuits are the best.
- Try fleece or wool blends if you prefer staying cozy during cold weather.
- Try cotton or bamboo tracksuits for warm weather.
- For traveling, tracksuits featuring wrinkle-resistant polyester or blends with enhanced durability are the best. They stay neat and fine-looking even after long hours of wear.
Conclusion
The origin of tracksuits goes back to the 1930s, when the concept came into existence by Adidas and became popular. The fabric types, including nylon, polyester, spandex, silk, cotton and others, are used nowadays to create good-quality tracksuits. Any brand willing to launch their tracksuit clothing lines can approach good manufacturers with great industry knowledge.
For instance, Mega Sports Apparel is a sports and fashion apparel manufacturer that caters to startups and established brands with their clothing needs. Other than that, for those who wish to gain knowledge on the best fabrics for tracksuits, this blog is the best guide to offer good knowledge about all materials appropriate for all weather conditions and apparel making.
