Activewear Clothing Made From Different Kinds of Functional Textile
100623-N-1688B-190 NORFOLK, VA (June 23, 2010) - Instructors from Moral Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Fitness motivated Sailors from the USS Monterey (CG 61) who participated in the commissioning of the Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling System (NOFFS), the Navy's new physical fitness program. NOFFS is designed to give an all around work out while reducing injuries during PT in the Navy. (Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Bookwalter/Released)
Functional Textile for Active Wear Clothing mainly consists of fabrics that can meet specific performance requirements. These traits can also be applied to regular clothing, creating a niche between technical textiles and the apparel industry.
The primary function of fabric is to wick sweat and moisture away from the body, helping the user feel relaxed, comfortable, and dry. This can be achieved through different finishes on the fabric.
Elastane
The general term used to describe branded textiles is elastane. The top quality of this kind of fabric, also known as spandex, is its extraordinary elasticity. In continental Europe, regional variations of the word “elastane” are most frequently used to describe this type of fabric, even though elastane and spandex are all the same substance. Technically speaking, this fabric is a polyether-polyurea copolymer made of the long-chain polymer polyurethane, which makes athletic wear fabrics.
Cotton
The most versatile fabric on the market is cotton. It makes a wide range of products, including sheets, T-shirts, and true blue jeans. The material is durable, water-repellent, and comfortable to wear. It is also machine washable and can be ironed at high temperatures.
Cotton fibers consist mainly of cellulose, nature’s most abundant polymer. The fibers contain 5% noncellulosic substances, including wax, pectic substances, organic acids, sugars, and ash-producing organic salts. After chemical processing, these materials are removed, and the cellulose content increases to more than 99%.
The length and quantity of cotton fibers depend on several factors, such as plant variety, weather conditions, cultural practices, harvesting and storage conditions, and ginning processes (the fibers are broken down into strands). The best cotton is grown in latitudes between 45deg north and 30deg south.
In the first stage of development, cotton seeds are surrounded by a fibrous casing called a boll. The boll develops into a white ball of three to five cells containing 7 to 10 grains, surrounded by a mass of cotton fibers known as seed hair and lint. Lint is considerably shorter than the seed hair but more closely connected to the seeds.
Calico
Calico is an unprocessed version of cotton that is essentially a closely woven cloth in solid colors on a white or contrasting background. It is famous for garments like aprons, dresses, crazy quilts, and sportswear.
While calico is an eco-friendly material for its organic origination, it has drawbacks. One is that the fabric could be more absorbent, which makes it a poor choice for sweaty athletic apparel.
Another is that it is not breathable enough to transport moisture away from the body, so anyone wearing it will quickly become overheated or overcooled, leading to blisters, muscle strain, and even achy joints.
Finally, the calico could be better at managing odor than its more modern and technologically advanced counterparts. It is a breathable material that does not hold on to foul smells or odors, but it still has some way to go in quickening the pace of sweat absorption.
Functional fabrics have various features that make them perfect for active clothing, including weight and durability, moisture regulation, and even odor management. Some materials, such as microfiber, are designed to be breathable, while others feature anti-odor properties that keep sweat from lingering in the fabric. Many fabrics can produce various styles and cuts of activewear, each with unique advantages and disadvantages.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a functional textile that can be used in virtually any type of garment. It is soft, comfortable and breathable, with excellent durability. The material also dries quickly and is hypoallergenic, making it an ideal choice for activewear.
It is also highly sustainable. For example, bamboo grows up to three feet per day and only requires one-third of the water consumption of cotton. This makes it a much more eco-friendly option than cotton.
The fabric is also very lightweight and has excellent wicking properties, which means it absorbs sweat faster than any other fabric to keep you cool and dry while exercising. This helps you to stay cooler during hot weather and to feel less sweaty while wearing it during the colder months of the year.
Because of its antimicrobial properties, the bamboo fabric also resists odors from sweat and bacteria. This makes it an excellent alternative for those with trouble with synthetic materials that can trap odors and smell after being washed.
Several bamboo fabrics are on the market, including viscose, lyocell and fine bamboo fiber. The latter is considered the best quality as it is mechanically produced and maintains many positive attributes in naturally generated bamboo fabric. However, it is more expensive and takes longer to make than other options on the market.
Technical Fabrics
Technical fabrics are designed to perform well in a specific task and to be durable. They can be made of a wide range of materials, including cotton and wool. They can also be woven or knitted to make clothing.
These fabric types are often suited to sports like running and yoga. They are lightweight, breathable, and wick moisture away from the skin. They can also be waterproof, essential if you’re heading out into the wilderness.
They are also straightforward to care for. You can wash them inside-out with cold water, and you can avoid tumble drying if possible. However, you should be aware that some technical fabrics are prone to absorbing dirt and body oils, which can cause unpleasant smells.
To combat this, you can pre-soak your clothes in vinegar or use a special antimicrobial detergent. You should also never use a fabric softener on your technical fabrics, as they can damage the coatings that repel water.
The activewear market is increasing in most regions of the world, and it is expected to reach a global value of $ 200 billion by 2020. This trend is partly due to increasing fitness consciousness and greater adaptability towards casual workwear.
