Activewear Knit Fabric Manufacturers

What We Manufacture in This Category

Our activewear collection is built around circular-knit and warp-knit structures that carry moisture, return after stretch and hold shape through repeated laundering. We knit, dye and finish in-house, so construction, shade and hand feel are controlled as one process rather than assembled from separate vendors.

Typical compositions run from 100% polyester jersey through 85% cationic / 15% spandex single jersey, 83% polyester / 17% spandex interlock, 73% nylon / 27% spandex weft interlock and 75% nylon / 25% spandex rib. Weight ranges from light 155 GSM wrap knits to 280 GSM compression interlock, with cuttable widths generally between 150 cm and 170 cm.

Our Available Range and Where Each Type Fits

The collection is organised by end use so that a program can be matched to the right construction quickly. Each family below is produced on the same quality system and can be quoted with the same documentation.

Adjacent programs share the same knitting and finishing platform. Yoga wear calls for softer hand feel and higher stretch recovery, while Team Sportswear Fabrics prioritise abrasion resistance, colourfastness and printability for club and league kit.

Engineering Value: Structure-Led Performance

We build breathability into the knit geometry rather than relying only on topical chemistry. Birdseye, pin-hole and mesh patterns create physical micro-vents; 3D pique and jacquard surfaces lift fabric off the skin; double-knit constructions place a denser face on the inside and a more open structure outside to move moisture outward by capillary action.

• Air permeability targets of roughly 180-250 cm³/cm²/s for open structural knits, held across the garment life rather than washing out.
• Moisture vapour transmission above 8,000 g/m²/24h on laminated outer-layer builds, with waterproof ratings in the 5,000-10,000 mmH2O band where a membrane is specified.
• Durable water repellent finishes applied on the fibre surface so the knit pores stay open.
• Anti-static and anti-bacterial deodorising options for close-fitting and long-wear styles.

Critical Specifications We Confirm Before Bulk

Every program is defined by a written construction target. We agree the numbers below on the approved sample and hold them through production.

Configuration Options

Activewear programs rarely use a stock fabric unchanged. We adjust the construction around the garment rather than forcing the garment around a catalogue number.

• Fibre blend: polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, cationic polyester and spandex in the ratios the fit and hand feel require.
• Knit structure: jersey, interlock, rib, mesh, pique, waffle, jacquard, seersucker and wrap-knit constructions.
• Surface effect: solid, peached, brushed, printed, foil print and camouflage.
• Functional finish: moisture wicking, quick dry, water repellent, anti-static, anti-bacterial and sun protection.
• Colour: lab-dip matching to the brand reference, with bulk shade continuity across repeat orders.

Where a program needs a recycled story, we produce recycled polyester spandex qualities under our GRS chain-of-custody system, with transaction certificates following the material through processing, manufacturing and distribution. Related recycled and bio-based options sit in our Sustainability Fabrics range, including Sorona-based knits.

Quality Control and Acceptance

Our quality control system covers incoming yarn, knitting, dyeing, finishing and final inspection. Construction checks verify GSM with a circular cutter and calibrated balance, and stitch density by wales and courses per inch across the roll. Dimensional stability is checked over repeated wash cycles at the care temperature, and appearance retention is graded for pilling, snagging and colourfastness.

For functional styles we test air permeability and moisture management on the finished fabric, including under stretch, so the engineered porosity survives the conditions the garment will see. Test method, cycle count and tolerance are agreed with the customer before bulk, and the approved sample remains the reference for every subsequent lot.

Information We Use to Configure Your Solution

A usable proposal needs the working point, not just a fabric name. The following inputs let us select the construction, quote accurately and plan sampling.

• End garment and activity: training, running, team sport, yoga, swim or athleisure.
• Target GSM, width and stretch direction, with any compression requirement.
• Fibre preference, including recycled content percentage and certification needs.
• Colour reference, print artwork or repeat size, and number of colourways.
• Functional finish requirements and the care label temperature.
• Order quantity per colour, repeat order expectation and delivery window.
• Packing preference: roll length, tube or flat-fold, bagging and labelling.

Sampling, Documentation and Delivery Scope

Development starts from a swatch, a garment sample or a written specification. We issue lab dips and yardage for fit and wash trials, then lock the construction once the sample is approved. Bulk rolls are inspected against that reference, with test reports and certification documents issued with the shipment where the program requires them.

Rolls are packed to the agreed length and labelling format for the cutting room, and shipment documentation follows the customer's commercial terms. Our wider fabric range, including knitted fabric collections for yoga, swimwear, underwear and casual wear, is produced on the same knitting and finishing platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

What activewear knit fabrics does Haining Yitai manufacture?

We produce single jersey, interlock, rib, mesh, pique, waffle, jacquard, seersucker and wrap-knit fabrics in polyester, recycled polyester, nylon, cationic and spandex blends, from roughly 155 GSM to 280 GSM and 150 cm to 170 cm cuttable width.

Can you develop a custom construction for a specific sport?

Yes. Our R&D group adjusts hole size, pattern density, fibre blend and elastane content to suit the activity, from high-ventilation marathon kit to high-compression gym wear, and we confirm the construction on an approved sample before bulk.

How is breathability maintained after repeated washing?

We engineer ventilation into the knit structure through birdseye, mesh, pin-hole and 3D pique geometries, so airflow does not depend on a topical wicking agent that fades after a limited number of washes.

Do you supply recycled activewear fabric with certification?

We hold GRS certification covering processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling and distribution of products containing recycled material, and issue transaction certificates so recycled content can be traced through the supply chain.

What testing is carried out before shipment?

Construction, GSM, stitch density, dimensional change, colourfastness, pilling and snagging are checked against the agreed limits, and functional styles are tested for air permeability and moisture management on finished fabric.

What information do you need to quote an activewear program?

Send the end garment and activity, target GSM, width and stretch, fibre and recycled content preference, colour or print reference, finish requirements, order quantity per colour and delivery window, and we will return a construction recommendation and quotation.