What is Moisture Wicking Fabric?

Index:

• What is moisture wicking fabric? How does moisture wicking fabric work?
• Why moisture wicking fabric is important for active wear?
• How to care for moisture wicking sports clothes?

What is moisture wicking fabric?

First things first, what is moisture wicking fabric? As its name indicates, moisture wicking is used to describe fabric that with the ability to pull moisture away from your skin using small, built-in capillaries. Moisture wicking relies on capillary action. While moving sweats away so it can evaporate and your skin stays dry, capillary action allowing air to pass through it freely, that is why some fabrics give you the feeling that your skin can breathe freely when wearing them on.

Some fabric is good at both evaporating sweats and breathability, while others might just be breathable, such as cotton and linen. If you have ever hiking in a cotton tee or even worse, wearing jeans for sports, I bet you remember how hot and sticky you feel during exercise.

Most synthetics fabric like nylon, spandex, chiffon, Lycra are good moisture wicking fabrics, natural fabric like Merino wool, bamboo also makes good moisture wicking fabrics.

What about cotton?

Cotton is often deemed to be a very comfortable fabric. However, it is not the case in sportswear. It absorbs sweats and will become heavier than usual during sports time, that is why you feel uncomfortable wearing cotton tee for exercise. Some cotton blend fabric might be suitable for low impact sports or low sweat sports, like mild yoga and else. Overall, active wear made from cotton of partly made from cotton is not a good option, you should think twice before make a decision.

Why moisture wicking fabric is important for active wear?

To answer this question is not difficult – because moisture wicking fabric keep your skin dry and comfortable during sweaty sports time. Then, this raise another question, should I choose active wear that made from moisture wicking fabric? My advice is YES. You should pick moisture wicking fabric like chiffon, spandex, nylon and else.

Moisture wicking fabric is in dominant position when it comes to active wear manufacture. No one wants to endure a sweat-soaked tee or pants during exercise time, this is very uncomfortable and how can one performance well with inappropriate sports clothes on?

For yoga practice, the case varies from one type to another. Say, flow yoga or hot yoga, you must pick moisture wicking yoga apparel such as yoga sports bra, capri yoga leggings. They have intense poses that require a lot of attention and energy. Wearing moisture wicking yoga apparel will ensure comfortability and necessary supports during such activities.

Say, mild yoga classes, especially those for beginners, it is acceptable to wear not so moisture wicking yoga clothes. Sometimes, cotton tee would be a good option too.

How to care for moisture wicking sports clothes?

If you treat your active wear well, they will last longer and help you performance better during sports time. In my opinion, learn a few simple tips on how to care moisture wicking sports clothes can not hurt and it will cost you too much money or time. Now I am going to share a few tips with you so that you can follow them and do better in sports clothes care.

First, avoid almost any softeners when washing your moisture wicking active clothes. Fabric softeners will create a waxy residue after soaking. They will blend in with most moisture wicking synthetic fabrics. If you are positive that you existing fabric softener product will not cause such issue, give it a try. I just do not want to be very assertive.

Second, wash sports bra by hands and hang them to dry instead of using washing machine and dryer machine. I used to write an article on how to care for yoga sports bra, you may refer to it by clicking the link.

Third, if possible, wash your sports wear after every time you wear them. For moisture wicking fabric, capillary action remains stable after every wash, and washing them will help remove batteries generated during sweating.

OK, that is all I want to share about care tips for moisture wicking sportswear. If you have further question, you are welcome to comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I notice your message :）