What Is the Best Material for Activewear?

If you partake in some form of exercise, then you've probably thought about what kind of clothes to wear.

Chances are, you probably spend more time deciding what to wear to the gym than you do actually exercising in that gear. Exactly how much time is spent wondering what to wear and how it will impact your workout?

Activewear made from different materials will affect how sweaty you get, how warm or cool you feel, and how well your clothes wick sweat away.

When you're shopping for activewear, it's great to have a lot of options. However, all those options can be overwhelming. The choices are endless: fabric, color, pattern, and price.

Selecting activewear when it comes to fabric, there are two main factors you should be considering: moisture management and breathability.

1. Moisture management

Sweating is natural, and everyone sweats differently. However, you might want to keep an eye out for moisture management on any athletic clothing that you're looking at.

This is a term used to describe how fabrics manage sweat and moisture—it can be as important as comfort or fit, but it's often overlooked.

Basically, the idea is that when you work out and you begin to sweat, the right fabrics will help move the moisture away from your skin to areas where it can evaporate more quickly.

This helps you stay cooler and drier to keep going longer and harder. Wicking fabrics move moisture away from your skin and into the air so it can evaporate quickly. This keeps you more comfortable.

2. Breathability

You've probably heard that breathable fabrics are important for keeping you cool and comfortable. But what does it mean to be breathable?

Breathability refers to how easily air moves through the fabric, helping you stay cool and dry by releasing heat from your skin.

There are many different types of materials used in clothing, each with its own level of breathability. The most common is cotton, which allows water vapor through but not much air.

This makes it ideal for conditions where you don't need a lot of airflows (like cold weather). On the other hand, synthetic fibers allow both water vapor and air to pass freely through the material. This makes them ideal for warm or humid conditions since they help keep you dry.

You know you want to look good for your next workout, but what's the best material for activewear?

If you're looking for clothes that will keep you cool during a workout, look for something made from polyester. Polyester is a synthetic fabric that helps sweat evaporate. It is typically used on the outside of clothing.

It also helps if your clothes are made with a mesh material, which allows air to circulate through your clothes and wicks moisture away from your body.

• Mesh material helps wick sweat away from your body.
• If you need something to keep you warm and dry during winter, look for jackets made out of wool or fleece, which can breathe and still keep you warm when it's cold out.
• Many workout clothes will have anti-microbial properties to prevent odor-causing bacteria.

Activewear made from natural materials will keep you drier, cooler, and more comfortable for longer than activewear made from synthetic materials.

Conclusion

Sweat-wicking fabric choice will depend on what you're doing when you work out. Performance fabric for quads and cardio users, natural fibers for yoga and pilates, minimal coverage for sports that get sweaty, etc.

Study the sports you like and make a decision accordingly. It's a little bit of trial and error to see what works best for you.