Back then, clothes were mostly made out of natural fibers such as wool, silk, and cotton. While they’re still used today, their popularity has been grossly overtaken by man-made fabrics in the textile industry.
What are synthetic fabrics? Put simply, they are are created through various chemical processes.
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ToggleAre Technical Fibers the Same as Synthetic Fibers?
Synthetic fibers are essentially the same as technical fibers. Unlike natural fabrics such as cotton, they are designed for a specific purpose, as opposed to style.
What are Technical Fibers Used For?
Technical fabrics are used for a variety of purposes. For instance, they can be used for medical garments or protective clothing.
Aside from clothing, they can also be used in the agrotextiles and geotextiles sectors. At any rate, the resultant products have one thing in common—the material always provides a function for the intended purpose (e.g. bulletproof vests protect against bullets, firefighter uniforms protect against heat).
The way synthetic fabric is made, it is also great for activewear. For one thing, it minimizes perspiration by pulling them away from the skin. It also dries quickly, which makes it convenient to wash.
Types of Synthetic Technical Fibers
Activewear is typically made from synthetic material such as nylon and polyester. There are also acrylic fibers with similar properties. Let’s take a look at some of them below.
Polyester
When it comes to sportswear, polyester is one of the first ones to come to mind. Don’t be fooled by the fact that it is made out of recycled plastic; the fiber is strong and lightweight, which makes it an excellent choice for the gym. On top of that, it is durable and moisture-wicking.
Like most synthetic fibers, however, it does come with a few disadvantages. For one thing, polyester is prone to static buildup. This means that you’re more likely to get “shocked” while wearing the material (as opposed to other natural fibers).
To combat this issue, many manufacturers blend polyester with cotton. Not only does it help reduce static, but it also makes the resultant garment more breathable and wrinkle-resistant.
Nylon
Nylon is similar to polyester in that it is very resilient. Due to the fact that it is lightweight, it is often used in athletic apparel, including backpacks.
In terms of disadvantages, it tends to melt easily. In addition to that, it has low absorbency and stains easily (i.e. it picks up dyes in the wash)
Nylon is typically used in activewear pants, leggings, tights, sports bras, underwear, and base layers.
Bamboo
Bamboo fibers are made from natural bamboo. Due to the way that the cellulose is extracted, however, they are generally considered to be a semi synthetic fiber.
Nonetheless, these types of fabrics have many different benefits. For one thing, they tend to have antibacterial properties, which helps prevent odors. It’s also soft and biodegradable.
Bamboo is often used for yoga wear, leggings, t-shirts, tops, sweaters, sports bras, and more.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a man-made fiber that is known for its excellent durability. While inexpensive, it has the same benefits as other artificial fibers. For instance, it is capable of transferring moisture (as opposed to absorbing it); this allows you to stay warm, even when the fabric is wet. It’s also naturally resistant to bacteria, mold, and mildew.
Disadvantages-wise, it tends to generate a fair amount of static electricity. For this reason, it is sometimes mixed with cotton. Another thing to keep in mind is that it can be combustible (as with most man-made textile fibers). With that said, flame-retardant compounds can be added during the production process.
Polypropylene is most often used for undergarments and thermal clothing.
Spandex
Spandex is a type of man-made fabric that is known for its elasticity. Also called Lycra (the brand name of spandex), it is incredibly strong and can easily stretch up to five times its length.
When added to clothing, it offers an unrestricted range of motion. It also wicks moisture and is breathable.
Having said that, it tends to stick to your body. To prevent this, manufacturers often mix it with other fabrics such as cotton or polyester. In addition to that, spandex is sensitive to heat and tends to yellow with age.
Spandex is used in a variety of sportswear including leggings, yoga pants, tops, bottoms, and sweaters.
Company Branded Types of Technical Fabrics
Aside from the ones we’ve mentioned above, there are several other “branded” technical fibers, that are created and used by specific companies. We’ll be going over some of them below.
Coolmax
Coolmax is a brand of polyester fabrics produced by Invista (formerly known as DuPoint Textiles and Interiors). Like regular polyester, it’s breathable and wicks away moisture.
And thanks to its hydrophobic tendencies, it also dries very quickly.
Despite its name, Coolmax is relatively flammable. Because of this, the use of these fabrics is been banned in certain situations. For instance, they are not to be used for firefighting uniforms.
Coolmax is used for a variety of clothing; however, it’s most commonly used for activewear (e.g. shirts, pants, base layers, socks).
PolarTec
Polartec was developed by Malden Mills in the late 1970s. While experimenting with polyester, he created a new type of fabric: polar fleece. Similar to wool, it offered warmth, breathability, and comfort; however, it had the added benefit of being much, much lighter.
Nowadays, Polartec is comprised of more than 300 different fabrics, all of which are designed to keep you warm and dry. Suitable for a wide range of activities, it comes in a variety of thicknesses, textures, and weights; they all have one thing in common, though; they are designed to protect you from the elements.
PolarTec has a number of brand partners including Adidas, Banana Republic, Film, J. Crew, Marmot, Patagonia, and The North Face, among many others.
Cordura
Cordura is a brand of fabrics that is known for their durability and resistance to tears and abrasions. Originally developed by DuPont in the 1920s, it now operates under Invista, whom continues to develop new materials under the banner.
Most of their fabrics are made from nylon, though, some are blended with natural fibers such as cotton and silk.
Aside from performance apparel, Cordura is used in a variety of products such as backpacks, trousers, and luggage.
Tasc
Tasc is a relatively new brand that was developed in 2006. Over the past several years, they have created many synthetic fabrics, all of which are luxuriously soft, anti-odor, moisture wicking, and breathable. On top of they, they offer UPF 50+ protection.
Designed for the modern performance lifestyle, most of their fibers contain elements of Moso timber bamboo. Some of their different fabrics include MOSOtech, MOSOluxe, MOSOpima, MOSOwoven, and MOSOdry.
Tasc offers a wide array of apparel including tops, bottoms, undergarments, and accessories for both men and women. Aside from their online store, their products are available at numerous retailers across the country.
Supplex
Supplex is very similar to natural materials such as cotton in that it’s soft and breathable. There is one major difference, though—it is made with advanced fiber technology, meaning it’s more durable, quick-drying, and crease-resistant compared to cotton. Not only that, but it is waterproof, UV protective, and anti-abrasion.
The fabric is incredibly strong and is often referred to as a mix of nylon and cotton due to being lightweight and flexible. However, it is 100% nylon.
Supplex provides freedom of movement and comfort, which makes it perfect for activewear such as those for ballet, gymnastics, and yoga.
X-Static
X-Static is unique in that the fibers contain woven elements of metallic silver. This allows the fabric to inhibit the growth of bacteria, which helps eliminate garment odors.
Not only that but it is also resistant to mildew and fungal growth. For these reasons, it is often used in athletic clothing, where sweat can be an issue. However, it is also used in the healthcare, military, and aerospace sectors.
X-Static has numerous brand partners including 3D, Med-Tex, Spyder, KCI, Athos, Oneill, Teamed, and Ansell.
Best Laundry Detergent for Technical Fibers
Technical fibers are incredibly practical compared to natural textiles. However, they can still be damaged over time, mainly in the wash.
Given how these products can be a bit pricey (especially the ones made from the branded fabrics), you want to always take proper care of them, and that means using the right type of detergent.
Seeing as how most high-performance fabrics are made out of synthetic materials (though some contain both natural and synthetic fibers), it’s best to use a laundry detergent that is designed for synthetic fabrics—such as ACTIVE Detergent, which is powered by plant-based enzymes.
By using the right kind of formula, you’ll not only be able to wash away the dirt and oils with ease, but you’ll also extend the life of your clothes.
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