Here we’re detailing why moisture-wicking apparel is so incredibly important for every athletic team!
Moisture-wicking apparel is an incredibly popular type of athletic fabric that helps athletes to effectively move sweat and moisture away from their skin, and ARES Sportswear offers a vast inventory of products featuring this innovative technology!
There are two main duties of any moisture-wicking fabric that both coaches and athletes should know, including:
- Instantly transferring sweat to the apparel’s outermost layer
- Quickly drying to ensure that the fabric doesn’t get soaked at all
Moisture-wicking athletic apparel has become so popular in recent years because it really does help make physical activities more comfortable and enjoyable. No one likes having damp, sticky feelings after working out, and moisture-wicking clothing helps athletes regulate their body temperature and keep grinding during intense training sessions!
How Exactly Does Moisture-Wicking Work?
Permeability and capillary pressure are two of the most important properties associated with assessing the overall performance of moisture-wicking fabrics.
Permeability refers to a fabric’s overall abilities to move moisture through itself, and this is usually determined by industry specialists through the connections between fabric spaces and how large these spaces are.
Capillary pressure refers to the moisture-wicking apparel’s ability to move sweat through these small, permeable spaces within the fabric. There are usually many molecular forces that help moisture-wicking apparel release sweat and keep athletes dry!
Why Should Coaches & Trainers Choose Moisture-Wicking Apparel For Their Team?
When you’re coaching or training any specific sport that requires running or any kind of fitness, there will inevitably be some sweating going on.
What’s great about moisture-wicking fabrics is that they keep an athlete’s skin dry, which is why these fabrics are good for both summer and winter sports. So whenever sweating is happening, moisture-wicking layers are a must!
Pros & Cons of Popular Moisture-Wicking Fabrics
Although there are several different types of moisture-wicking fabrics, below we’ll be detailing what you should know about both synthetic fabrics and merino wool:
Synthetic Fabrics
Synthetic fabrics of all types will always do a great job at resisting the overall penetration of moisture and sweat, which is why many base layers and training shirts are made from synthetic materials like polyester and nylon.
Below are some of the pros and cons associated with synthetic fibers:
Pros
- Great breathability
- Dries extremely quickly
- Affordable
- Very durable and long-lasting
Cons
- Less odor-resistant as compared to other fabric alternatives
- Isn’t the best for cold temperatures due to not retaining heat well
Merino Wool
Wool is a really unique natural fabric that’s also considered to be moisture-wicking, and this is because wool does a great job at allowing moisture to leave the fabric so your skin can be less saturated during workouts.
Below are the pros and cons associated with merino wool:
Pros
- Very versatile
- Keeps skin dry
- Odor control
- Lightweight
- Good breathability
Cons
- More pricey than synthetic fibers
- Doesn’t last as long as other alternatives
Moisture-Wicking Apparel Is Important During Both Summer & Winter
A lot of athletes think that moisture-wicking apparel is only useful during the hot summer months when they’ll be sweating the most, but the truth is that you should also be wearing this type of apparel technology during the winter months as well.
Below are some important tips to keep in mind when preparing moisture-wicking outfits in both summer and winter:
Summer
Very lightweight, moisture-wicking materials are great in summer to help athletes stay cool and dry. This can include tank tops, lightweight t-shirts and synthetic shorts.
Convertible, zip-away pants are also a good option for people who enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities in the summer, because they’ll protect you from poison ivy and insect bites while also providing the option to wear shorts when it’s really hot out!
Winter
Winter activities like skiing and snowboarding will also require moisture-wicking technology, because it’ll be incredibly important to keep your skin feeling dry when you’re exerting yourself at low temperatures.
The most important layer that should be moisture-wicking in the winter is your base layer, which is the initial layer that actually touches your skin. Base layers are supposed to provide a pretty snug fit, and its purpose is to wick sweat and moisture away as much as possible to ensure your comfort during long hours out in the cold!
Reach Out To The ARES Experts To Learn More About Our Moisture-Wicking Apparel!
ARES Sportswear is a custom apparel industry leader that has supported countless athletic programs across America for the past 30 years, so we’ve seen firsthand just how far moisture-wicking apparel has come in recent years.
Feel free to contact us online to get in touch with our apparel specialists today to learn more about our vast supply of moisture-wicking options!
