The right workout clothes material will help you stay comfortable and cool. The material should be made of a moisture-wicking fabric. Some of the most popular workout clothes are made from nylon and polypropylene, which work to wick away sweat and dry you off. Also, these materials are lightweight and eco-friendly. If you are on a budget, it might make sense to choose clothes made of bamboo. If you want to make a conscious effort to reduce your environmental impact, bamboo is a great option.
A lot of companies now offer eco-friendly activewear. One of them, Girlfriend, uses recycled plastic bottles and fishing nets for its activewear. Its fabrics are also certified Oeko-Tex. They offer a sustainability report for each item, highlighting the number of plastic bottles diverted from landfills and the pounds of CO2 that were prevented by each style. They’ve even gone so far as to use recycled plastic to create workout clothes.
In addition to cotton, another popular material for workout clothes is polyester. This fabric is highly durable, wicks away moisture and allows you to breath, allowing you to stay cool and dry during your workout. Polyester is lightweight and breathable, and it also provides 50 UPF sun protection. Its antimicrobial properties mean that you won’t have to worry about sweat-filled clothes sitting in your hamper. Furthermore, polypropylene is another option. It is thin, flexible, and is almost completely waterproof. Hence, it’s often used in rain jackets and skin-tight base layers.
A recent study at Ghent University found that synthetic fabrics encourage the growth of bacteria, which are responsible for the smell of perspiration. The researchers tested participants in a spin cycling class and wore either cotton or polyester shirts. After the class, the scientists stored the synthetic shirts in the dark for 28 hours. The scientists found that synthetic shirts had more Micrococci bacteria, which are responsible for causing the odor. Natural fibers, on the other hand, absorb moisture and prevent the growth of bacteria.
Besides being lightweight, cotton is also very breathable. However, you should avoid wearing 100% cotton workout clothes if you want to avoid sweaty and uncomfortable clothing during your workout. Furthermore, cotton doesn’t wick away moisture as well as synthetic fabrics, which is why it’s better to use other materials. These materials are durable and do not shrink as quickly. However, a good quality cotton workout shirt will not last as long as a synthetic one.
When choosing the material of your workout clothes, consider how much sweat you tend to produce during a workout. Cotton doesn’t wick away moisture as well as polyester does, so it will feel wet and heavy after a few minutes. This material also takes longer to dry, which makes it more uncomfortable and less comfortable. It’s also affordable, so it might be worth considering cotton as a workout clothes material. You can buy clothes made of this material at your local sports store.