Why Summer Sportwear matters? 

As temperatures climb, demand for light, breathable, and customisable sportswear rises. Whether you're supplying teams, organising events, or kitting out casual participants, we've got the high-performance blanks to keep your customers cool and comfortable.  

What to look for in summer Sportswear? 

Materials: 

When choosing blank sportswear for the warmer months, the type of fabric becomes especially important, as it differs significantly from materials used in other blank garments. Polyester is a go-to for summer activewear, thanks to its lightweight feel and built-in moisture-wicking properties. It dries quickly and holds its shape — ideal for sports teams, outdoor events, and casual wearers alike. Using a lightweight fabric such as polyester ensures the garment dries quickly and retains a flexible and relaxed fit. You will find this material in a lot of sportwear apparel, especially t-shirts and vests.  

Nylon is used heavily in sports shorts due to its lightweight, durable and flexible properties. This material acts as an elastane to offer a tight and flexible fit for the wearer. This combination ensures that the garment remains comfortable and non-restrictive during various physical activities, making it ideal for exercise. The stretchiness of nylon-elastane fabrics allows for freedom of movement while maintaining shape retention and reducing friction against the skin, enhancing both comfort and functionality. 

Elastane, also known as spandex or Lycra can be found in a lot of activewear, usually blended with other fabrics to create stretchy garments. It is commonly blended with other materials like cotton, polyester, or nylon to produce fabrics that offer a high degree of stretch and recovery. This makes it a staple in activewear, where flexibility, comfort, and freedom of movement are essential.  

Key features: 

Stay ahead of seasonal demand this summer by understanding what matters most when selecting summer sportswear. Look for garments made from polyester or cotton blends, especially those featuring moisture-wicking properties. Why? The combination of both cotton and polyester allow for a comfortable and cooling fabric that absorbs sweat, offering a breathable and lightweight garment.  

Your customers will also be interested in garment UV protection. The JC001 lightweight t-shirt from Just Cool has UPF 300+ UV protection to keep the wearer protected from the sun whilst doing outdoor activities. When looking for activewear clothes you want to ensure the garments have a relaxed fit, so the wearer is not compromised by lack of movement when playing sport or other activities.  

When it comes to sports shorts, functionality matters. Look for zipped pockets to keep essentials secure and lightweight lining that allows for ease of movement—ideal for active days on the go. 

Customisation tips for Sportwear materials:

Wicking materials perform best under DTF, sublimation and screen printing. When printing on wicking garments such as t-shirts and wicking polo shirts, it is important to be mindful of dye migration and use low-temp cure inks or barrier under bases for a clean customisation result. You should have your heat press temperature at a lower temperature of around 150-160 degrees Celsius. When printing on wicking fabrics, advise customers to choose contrast-friendly colours — light inks may not show well on darker garments. Always let garments cool fully before stacking to avoid transfer issues. 

Heat transfer, DTF and embroidery work well with Nylon fabrics. Keep the temperature low when printing to prevent scorching and melting. Use Teflon sheets or cover sheets when pressing to ensure the garment doesn’t stick together. If your using vinyl, make sure it is explicitly for nylon as regular vinyl will not work well with the material.