How to Source Cooling Fabrics for Activewear? 3 Key Trends in Technical Cooling Fabrics from Perspective of Activewear Supplier
There is another observation from Arabella Clothing at MAGIC Las Vegas: Activewear brands value performance more than ever. In fact, what made our exhibition so successful was that our team kept a product-driven mind. As a professional fitness wear manufacturer, we did some research as usual before heading to MAGIC. Now that Intertextile Shanghai is our next station, which starts from tomorrow, Arabella sure will find more edgy technical fabrics and accessories as well as insights for the future activewear.
Today, Arabella would like to be back to our routine: to share more latest news and briefings on activewear market with you.
Market & Trends
(Aug 18th)
The market-leading investment firm L Catterton is negotiating with sport advertising company Infront to make an acquisition of a major stake of HYROX, which is approximately valued at €1 billion on the market so far.
It doesn't sound new since HYROX went viral years ago globally, given the workout rush is happening. Actually, sport events like HYROX and CrossFit have attracted massive gym enthusiasts and amateur athletes, building a comprehensive consuming chain that starts from community to racing gear. When sport events step closer to people's life, from our perspective, the balance of performance and lifestyle has become one of the anchors for activewear product developers.
Fabrics
(Aug 18th)
Under the background of inclement climates like El Niño, there is a revolutionary change inside the development of cooling fabrics. Here are three main directions as below:
1.Fiber Engineering
By altering the shape of fiber section or surface area, the fiber can accelerate the efficiency of perspiration and ventilation of textiles.
-Case Studies:
brrr°X Fabric Developed by brrr°: Uses patented X-shaped cross-section fiber technology to increase the surface area of each filament, accelerating moisture transfer and evaporation.
Tenjin's Four-leaf Flat Cross-section Fiber: Engineered with surface grooves that leverage capillary action to wick moisture away for rapid drying, while also providing opacity and UV protection.
2.Functional Finishing
By introducing functional, natural-based or harmless additives into apparel treatments or finishes, textiles can achieve fast ventilation.
-Case Studies:
HeiQ Synbio Dry: Developed by Swiss textile technology company HeiQ, this technology uses bio-surfactants to accelerate moisture evaporation, helping fabrics dry faster.
3.Structure Innovation
By altering the structure of textiles directly, the developers empower their fabrics with advanced perspiration capability through grooves and structures.
-Case Studies:
Inspired by plant transpiration, the study team in Donghua University invented a kind of biomimetic "Super Textile" that enables textiles to have efficient heat conduction and moisture transport, enhancing both thermal regulation and moisture management.
From Arabella Clothing's perspective, these three representative directions of cooling fabrics are advanced. However, whether these approaches are truly effective and cost-efficient should be validated by quantitative data, such as Qmax values, while also taking into account research on your target audience.
Events
(Aug 16th)
Intertextile Shanghai Autumn Edition 2026 starts tomorrow on August 25th. The exhibition this year will center around three themes:
1. Sustainability & Innovation: Focus on low-consumption dyeing and finishing, recyclable materials, traceable supply chain and ethical production
2. Functional and Quality Fabrics: Natural-based Fibers, Elastane-free stretch fabrics, high-performance wools and functional materials are listed and underline.
3. Digitalization & AI Engineering: Digital product development, smart manufacturing, supply chain improvement and applications on new apparel material and accessories
As Arabella Clothing mentioned previously, fabric performance is becoming more fundamental for activewear. Apart from that, tactility and texture are in sync.
Arabella team has prepared you another trend report for guiding your activewear fabrics choosing in SS2028. Stay tuned and we will update them soon within this week.
Spotlight on the Latest Activewear Brand Launches
Recent week's new collections from top activewear brands focus on wearing experience in diverse activities. Fabric tactility jumps on the top. Besides, color-blocks and contrast piping continue leading for retro aesthetics.
Lululemon
Theme: Running Wear
Color Preference: None
Fabric: Recycled Polyester/Lycra Blend
Product Types: Sport Tops, T-shirts, Jackets, Shorts
*Craftsmanship & Design Details: Laser-cut, Perforations, Tonal stitches
Gymshark
Theme: Indoor Low-intensity Workout/Athleisure
Color Preference: None
Fabric: Cotton-blend performance fabrics
Product Types: Sport Tops, T-shirts, Leggings, Sweatsuits
*Craftsmanship & Design Details: Color-block Collars or waistbands
NIKE
Theme 1: Trail Running Wear
Color Preference: Camouflage
Fabric: Recycled Polyester Blend, Lightweight & Sleek
Product Types: Sport Tops, T-shirts, Shorts, Jackets
*Craftsmanship & Design Details: Ribbed, Waffle-knitted
Theme 2: Tennis Wear
Color Preference: None
Fabric: Polyester Blend, Satin Finish
Product Types: Tennis dress, Tank Top, Shorts, Skorts, Jackets, T-shirts
*Craftsmanship & Design Details: Mesh panels, Color-blocking, Contrast Piping
Under Armour
Theme: High-intensity Workout
Color Preference: Neon/High-saturated Color tones
Fabric: Polyester Blend, matte finish
Product Types: Sports Tops, Shorts, Leggings, T-shirts
*Craftsmanship & Design Details: Seamless, Free-cut
Post time: Aug-25-2026