Which kinds of activities do you plan on wearing your activewear for?

The clothing you wear while exercising will endure as much or little time as the material it’s made of will allow, which is why it’s imperative to choose the best clothing materials for the garment’s intended use when shopping for athletic apparel. If you’re doing a high intensity workout while wearing clothing made from materials meant for low intensity training, it will inevitably wear out far quicker than clothing that was made with material intended for high intensity training. Consequently, it’s important to note the kinds of activities you intend to use the athletic apparel for to help you decide which materials will best suit your needs in order to get the most wear out of your clothes.

Light to medium intensity activities

When it comes to low and medium-intensity training, you still want to prioritize comfort and breathability in your clothing choices. However, you will likely require less moisture-wicking and durability from your clothing than you would for high-intensity training. Some materials to look for when browsing for low to medium-intensity training apparel are:

• Bamboo

• Cotton

• Modal

• Rayon

• Spandex

• Synthetic blends

Vigorous and high intensity activities

When it comes to high-intensity workouts, it’s important to choose athletic apparel that can keep up with your level of activity. Choose clothing made from lightweight, breathable, and moisture wicking materials that will keep you dry and comfortable during your workout such as:

• Bamboo

• Merino wool

• Nylon

• Polyester

• Spandex

Ultimately, the best materials will depend on your personal preferences and the type of exercise you're doing. Look for materials that are comfortable, breathable, and allow for a full range of motion. By prioritizing durability, moisture-wicking properties, and a comfortable fit, you can find high-quality athletic apparel that can support you through any workout. Extensive guides can also be found online to help you decide if the garment you are looking at is good-quality, which is beneficial information to know when trying on apparel as well.

Do your due diligence and see what others have to say

Check the product reviews when you see something that seems to be of interest to you. See what people say about the product’s feel when initially trying on the clothing and what people say about its durability after multiple wears. Also pay attention to the 1-star and 2-star reviews to see why the product was rated so low and if the reason could apply to you. For example, if a cotton t-shirt received a 1-star review from an upset customer because the shirt was drenched in sweat after running a half-marathon, you might not take that review into consideration if you plan on wearing the shirt for running day-to-day errands. On the contrary, a 1-star review from a customer claiming the cotton t-shirt was extremely thin and ripped after one wash in the laundry might encourage you to read additional reviews to see if this claim is a trend amongst other customers too.

Researching a brand before making a purchase will give you insight to the brand’s reputation, which will be extremely telling of the quality, durability, and reliability of their clothing. Look for reviews from past customers to see if the brand has a reputation for selling high-quality athletic apparel and having satisfied, repeat-customers because a well-respected brand is more likely to produce high-quality clothing.

Identifying low-quality athletic apparel

In order to be able to identify high-quality athletic apparel, it’s important to also be able to identify the characteristics of low-quality athletic apparel.

Thin Fabric

Low-quality athletic apparel often uses thin, flimsy fabrics that don’t hold up well to repeated wear and washing. This can cause the fabric to tear and stretch out of shape over time. To identify the loose weaving that causes fabric to be thin, you can hold the garment up to light to see if the material appears see through. This will be a good indication that your clothing is constructed from low-quality fabric and won’t endure much time in your closet.

Poor quality fibers

Not all materials are made equally, even if they bear the same name. For example, not all cottons retain the same quality—some are more durable than others due to the fiber treatments used during their manufacturing process. Low-quality fibers will result in fraying at the ends of the material on your clothing, causing the garment to fall apart. Generally, organic cotton or organic fibers will allow your athletic apparel to endure more than generic cotton or fibers.

Poorly constructed patterns

Poorly constructed and inaccurately measured clothing patterns will likely result in clothing that does not fit as it’s intended to. This will ultimately lead to discomfort, restricted movement, and a lack of support. Poorly constructed apparel also occurs when the pattern is not cut correctly because the fabric won’t align properly or has uneven hems, causing the end product to appear uneven. Poorly constructed patterns can also lead to issues with placement of design elements such as pockets or zippers, making them difficult to use or causing them to fall off easily. An example of a poorly constructed pattern could be a jacket with a center back seam. A quality jacket will have seams in other areas like the shoulders, elbows, and waist.

Sizing chart

Pay attention to the size chart when shopping from a brand you’re unfamiliar with to be sure the measurments align with how their respective garments should fit. When the sizing chart does not align with the clothing’s intended fit, then it’s likely going to be low-quality. For example, joggers that are extremely tight around your thighs and extremely loose around your calves do not align with how that garment is intended to fit, making it a low-quality piece of athletic apparel.

Sewing and stitching

Make sure to check the inside of clothing garments to see how well the materials were sewn together. If the stitching on the inside seams doesn’t look clean, cohesive, or of high-quality, then that is an obvious sign of low-quality workout apparel. If seams are not properly constructed, they may not hold up under stress and can cause the clothing to pucker or pull in unflattering ways.

Weaves going in different directions

Low-quality athletic apparel is also apparent when garment pieces are all sewn together vertically, but certain pieces like the sleeves are sewn together at a 45° angle. The seams will end up having defects due to the different directions that the garment has been sewn together in. The tension in the final product can also cause holes to form in the clothing after extended use.

In conclusion, it's important to prioritize quality and price when shopping for athletic apparel. By paying attention to the fabric, stitching, fit, moisture-wicking properties, and brand reputation, you can identify high-quality athletic apparel that will stand up to the rigors of your workouts and provide you with the comfort and performance you need to succeed. With these tips in mind, you'll be able to make informed purchasing decisions and build a wardrobe of durable and reliable athletic apparel that will serve you well for years to come.