Why Dri Fit Material Is Better Than Cotton!

You’ve likely seen the Nike Swoosh on basketball players, football players, and people working out at the gym. And it’s not just Nike; brands like Adidas, Under Armour, and others have developed their own versions of moisture-wicking materials for performance apparel. But what exactly is this fabric, and why is it so popular? In this blog post, we’ll explore the advantages of choosing Dri-Fit material over cotton for your next custom printing project.

Anyone who has ever exercised knows the discomfort of being so sweaty that your clothes stick to you. It’s unpleasant and can even be a bit gross. That’s where Dri-Fit material comes in. Dri-Fit is a type of fabric engineered to wick away sweat, keeping you dry and comfortable no matter how intense your workout gets. But how is Dri-Fit material made? Here’s a brief look at the science behind this impressive fabric.

 

What Are Dri-Fit Shirts Made Of?

You’ve probably seen them everywhere: those moisture-wicking "Dri-Fit" shirts that promise to keep you cool and dry even during the most strenuous activities. But what exactly are they made of, and how do they work? Let’s take a closer look at the science behind Dri-Fit shirts.

Dri-Fit is a fabric made from a polyester blend designed to wick moisture away from your skin and move it to the surface of the fabric, where it can evaporate more quickly. In other words, it helps you stay cool and dry even when you're sweating profusely.

 

How It’s Made?

The first step in making Dri-Fit material is creating yarn from a polyester and nylon blend. Polyester adds strength, while nylon provides flexibility.

The yarn is then knitted into a tight interlock fabric, known for its stretchiness and breathability, ideal for athletic wear.

After knitting, a hydrophobic treatment is applied to repel water and help the fabric dry quickly. An antimicrobial finish is also added to prevent bacteria growth and extend the fabric's lifespan.

 

How does Dri-Fit work?

The secret to Dri-Fit's sweat-wicking ability lies in its rapid moisture transport through the fabric and away from the skin. This is due to a special polyester blend with a high percentage of hydrophobic (water-repellent) fibers. These fibers, combined with the fabric's open and porous structure, create channels that quickly move moisture to the surface for evaporation.

Is Dri-Fit better than other fabrics?

Is Dri-Fit better than other fabrics?

When it comes to moisture management, dri-fit fabrics definitely have an edge over traditional fabrics like cotton. However, there are some tradeoffs that you should be aware of before you choose a dri-fit shirt over another type of shirt. For one thing, dri-fit fabrics are typically more expensive than traditional fabrics. Additionally, they tend to be less breathable than traditional fabrics, which means they may not be ideal for use in hot, humid conditions. This brings us neatly onto our topic today – the benefits.

Dri-Fit Is More Comfortable

Whether you’re an athlete or just someone who likes to stay active, you know how important it is to be comfortable when you’re working up a sweat. Cotton shirts tend to get heavy and clingy when they’re wet, which can be both uncomfortable and inconvenient. Dri-Fit shirts, on the other hand, are designed to wick away moisture from your skin to keep you feeling dry and comfortable.

Dri-Fit Is More Breathable

In addition to being more comfortable, Dri-Fit material is also more breathable than cotton. This means that it will allow your skin to breathe better, which can help regulate your body temperature. If you tend to get hot and sweaty easily, then a shirt made of Dri-Fit material is a great choice for you.

Dri-Fit Helps Keep You Cooler in Hot Weather conditions 

If you live in a hot climate or if you play sports outdoors in the summer heat, then you know how important it is to stay cool. Cotton shirts can actually make you even hotter because they absorb sweat instead of wicking it away. But shirts made of Dri-Fit material will help keep your body temperature regulated so you don’t have to worry about overheating.

Dri-fit Dries Quicker Than Cotton 

Not only does Dri-fit Wick sweat away from your body, but it also dries much faster than cotton. So if you get caught in the rain or if you happen to spill something on your shirt, don’t worry – it will dry in no time! This quick-drying feature is also great for athletes who need to change into clean, dry clothes after a competition.