THE BEST FABRICS FOR A COMFORTABLE RUN
Using technical fabrics to keep dry and comfortable can make all the difference to your run - whether running your first 5k or 10th marathon. That's why you must invest in technical clothing that is both sweat-wicking and breathable. Instead of trapping the moisture next to your skin, these fabrics move it away, moving it to the outside of the fabric to evaporate, minimising chafing and maximising your comfort.
What Fabrics Are Best For Running?
Synthetic fabrics have taken the lead in activewear in recent years for their superior ability to keep you dry and comfortable, whatever the weather. However, as people turn to becoming more eco-conscious, there are also some brilliant natural alternatives:
Nylon - Nylon is one of the most popular fabrics in running tops and running legwear as it's sweat-wicking, breathable, and super stretchy, so it’ll move with you for a comfortable ride.
Polyester- Polyester is a plastic-based fabric, making it durable, lightweight, breathable, and non-absorbent. It also repels UV rays and keeps you warm when wet, ideal for running jackets. On the downside, it does not hold the anti-bacterial qualities of natural fibres.
Polypropylene - Popular in running gear, this fabric is water-resistant and temperature regulating - able to stay dry and cool, no matter how sweaty you get on the road. It's ideal for running base layers.
Spandex - Also known as LYCRA, spandex is super stretchy and flexible, able to expand for unrestricted movement before snapping back and retaining its shape. It's ideal for running socks, sports bras, and running leggings. Shop Hilly to discover more.
Bamboo - Bamboo is a great eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fibres and is naturally sweat-wicking, anti-bacterial, and incredibly soft.
Wool - Merino wool is ideal for hot and cold climates as it is temperature-regulating, extremely breathable, sweat-wicking, and anti-bacterial. Incredibly lightweight, wool is often combined with synthetic fibres such as spandex to give it a more fitted shape to a whole host of runwear. Shop Icebreaker to discover more.
What Fabrics Should I Avoid When Running?
Be aware of wearing cotton. It is not the optimum fabric for running. It absorbs moisture, traps it against your skin, and leaves you feeling damp and hot as you sweat.
Most Popular Fabrics for a Comfortable Run
Ronhill's high performance Vapourlite fabric is a lightweight polyester fabric which transports sweat, heat, and moisture away from the skin to the outside of the clothing, where it can evaporate to keep you dry and comfortable.
Lightweight, breathable, and lovely and soft aginst the skin, it has Ronhill quality stitched in. Ideal for long runs and trail running, Vapourlite is the reliable fabric that will be there for you run after run.
New Balance ICE keeps you cool and dry while running. The fabric is 'sweat-activated' and has moisture-wicking properties, meaning sweat will be wicked away from the skin, ensuring you don't get cold during your run or workout.
New Balance DRY is a quick-drying recycled polyester and spandex technology that actively wicks away moisture, allowing you to stay dry and focused on dominating your workout.
Icebreaker's Cool-Lite™ fabric uses incredible soft, comfortable, and versatile Merino Wool to create the perfect all-rounder tops and tees for warm weather adventures.
Inspired by nature, Icebreaker harnesses the performance qualities of Merino Wool to offer an alternative to petrochemical synthetics. Merino Wool is an annually renewable fiber that naturally resists odour, keeps you cool and warm, and lets your skin breathe for comfort all day, every day.
Adidas AEROREADY absorbs sweat to keep you dry and help you cool down to focus on the extra miles ahead. No matter the conditions, Explore Adidas' HEAT.RDY, COOL.RDY, RAIN.RDY, and WIND.DRY collections to discover the incredible performance techology of AEROREADY in their tees, leggings, shorts, jackets, and more.
Find all the gear you need for your next run all in one place here at Runners Need. Click below to shop our incredible men's and women's runwear collections...
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