Understanding how moisture moves through fabric is essential for any sportswear brand looking to deliver true high-performance garments. Sweat is an unavoidable part of exercise, yet the discomfort associated with it doesn’t have to be. The key lies in using the right materials—specifically, fabrics designed to manage moisture efficiently and keep the wearer dry.
This blog explores the science behind sweat-wicking materials, the difference between sweat-wicking and breathable fabrics, the strengths of both natural fibres and synthetic fibres, the emerging world of bio-based innovations, and the fabrics to avoid when performance matters. It also includes our own experience working with these materials, highlighting what works well and what can still be improved.
How Sweat-Wicking Fabrics Actually Work
Sweat-wicking fabrics operate through capillary action, a process that pulls moisture away from the skin and spreads it throughout the fabric so it can evaporate more easily. Rather than soaking up sweat like a heavy sponge, these materials transport moisture across the surface, helping the wearer stay dry and comfortable.
Sweat-wicking typically involves three stages: the fabric collects moisture from the skin, spreads it across a wider area, and encourages quick evaporation. When these fabrics are combined with smart garment construction—like mesh ventilation, body mapping or laser-cut panels—the effect becomes even stronger. This is why moisture management remains a core consideration for any high performance sportswear product.
Sweat-Wicking vs Breathable Fabrics: What’s the Difference?
Although “sweat-wicking” and “breathable” are often used to describe the same product, they perform different functions. Sweat-wicking fabrics are designed to move liquid moisture, while breathability relates to the fabric’s ability to allow air and moisture vapour to pass through.
A garment can be breathable without being sweat-wicking, meaning heat may escape but sweat can still cling to the skin. However, a fabric might wick well but trap warm air, leading to overheating and even more sweating. The best performance materials balance both qualities, helping the body regulate temperature while ensuring moisture is quickly dispersed.
Natural Sweat-Wicking Fabrics
Although synthetic fibres tend to dominate the performance market, several natural fibres offer impressive moisture management in their own right to help athletes improve their performance.
Merino wool is a widely respected natural performance fibre because it absorbs moisture vapour and moves it away from the skin, while still feeling dry to the touch. Its natural temperature regulation and odour resistance make it popular among endurance athletes and outdoor enthusiasts for sports such as Hiking.
Bamboo fibre, usually processed into a viscose, also offers soft, breathable comfort with gentle moisture-wicking properties. It works particularly well for yoga, low-intensity training and lifestyle sportswear.
Another standout is Tencel™ (Lyocell), a wood-pulp-based material known for its silky feel, breathability and ability to disperse moisture effectively. It has become a favourite among brands prioritising sustainability without sacrificing performance.
Newer innovations, such as Agraloop BioFibre™, made from agricultural waste, offer an additional layer of environmental responsibility. Its natural structure provides breathable and moisture-managing qualities suitable for activewear.
Natural fibres provide comfort and sustainability, although they can be slower to dry and sometimes less durable under demanding sports conditions. They tend to excel in softer, more lifestyle-driven activewear ranges such as athleisure wear.
Synthetic Sweat-Wicking Fabrics
Synthetic fibres, especially polyester and nylon, are engineered specifically for sweat management and high performance. Polyester is hydrophobic, so it repels water and encourages moisture to move along the surface of each filament. Nylon, often softer and stronger than polyester, offers excellent comfort alongside its moisture management capabilities.
More technical options, such as polypropylene, take this even further by repelling moisture almost completely, making it ideal for base layers were keeping the skin dry is crucial.
In recent years, recycled polyester (rPET), from fibre companies such as Repreve, has become increasingly popular as brands seek more sustainable solutions without sacrificing performance. Because its properties are almost identical to virgin polyester, it offers reliable moisture management while reducing environmental impact.
Synthetic fibres typically deliver the fastest drying times, the highest durability and the most predictable performance in tough athletic environments. This is why they remain the backbone of most performance sportswear.
Fabrics to Avoid in High Performance Sportswear
Not all fabrics are suitable for active use. Cotton, for example, is comfortable and breathable, but it absorbs and holds onto sweat, becoming heavy and uncomfortable during exercise. Thick wool blends can also trap moisture, creating a hot and clammy experience. Low-grade polyester that lacks engineered channels can cling to the skin or trap heat, resulting in a sticky, unpleasant feel on the body when working out.
Non-stretch woven fabrics can also limit mobility and ventilation, making them unsuitable for sports where freedom of movement and moisture management are essential.
Futuristic Sweat-Wicking Fabrics and New Textile Technology
Sportswear is becoming increasingly innovative, blending performance and sustainability in exciting ways. Two developments in particular stand out as the future of moisture management.
Phase-Change Materials (PCMs)
Originally developed for NASA, Phase-Change Materials actively regulate temperature by absorbing, storing and releasing heat. Outlast®, a leader in PCM technology, embeds tiny capsules of natural waxes into fabrics. These capsules melt as the body warms up, absorbing excess heat, then solidify again as the wearer cools, releasing warmth back.
This proactive approach to temperature control can reduce sweat production by up to 48%, helping the body maintain a more stable microclimate.
Sustainable Bio-Fibres and Recycled Materials
The future of sweat-wicking performance is increasingly eco-conscious. Recycled polyester, bamboo fibres, Tencel™, mycelium-based materials and fibres like Agraloop are reshaping what sustainable performance can look like.
This shift is beneficial to the sportswear market and according to Business Waste, the fashion industry is responsible for around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and produces 92 million tonnes of textile waste every year. These statistics highlight how crucial sustainable innovation has become for the future of sportswear.
A Practical Perspective: What Works and What Doesn’t
Working with sweat-wicking fabrics across many sportswear applications has revealed a few clear strengths and limitations.
Synthetic sweat-wicking materials consistently provide the best performance during high-intensity exercise. Their ability to stay light, dry and quick-drying gives athletes a noticeable advantage, especially in endurance sports or hot environments. Garments made with these fibres remain reliable and durable, even after repeated washing and intense use.
Natural fibres, on the other hand, offer unbeatable comfort and sustainability. Fabrics like Merino and Tencel™ feel smooth, soft and breathable, making them ideal for everyday activewear or lower-impact sport. However, they can retain more moisture and may struggle to match the durability or rapid drying times of the advanced synthetics such as recycled polyester materials.
The most effective sportswear ranges often combine these fibre families, using natural materials for comfort-focused styles and synthetic fibres where performance is non-negotiable. As sustainability becomes increasingly central to consumer expectations, balancing these qualities will play a key role in shaping the sportswear of the future, especially for start-up brands.
If you’re ready to build a sportswear brand, we’d love to help. Visit Blue Associates Sportswear or contact us to discuss how we can support your journey toward a smarter, greener future.