Application

Sportswear Fabrics: Choosing Performance Knits

On a sweating athlete, fabric has two jobs: keep the skin dry and follow the movement. This page gathers the knit structures that cover the jersey–training–legging–athleisure range.

Polyester is the default fibre of sportswear: it absorbs almost no moisture, wicks sweat to the surface through capillary channels and dries fast. Knit architecture is the second lever — mesh and birdseye structures open pores for airflow, while elastane variants stretch and recover in four directions.

Fersan builds this chain under one roof: from its own polyester filament to knitting, dyeing and heat-setting. Each card below carries the application rationale, the catalogue weight window and a link to the technical data sheet.

Recommended fabrics

Moisture-Wicking Performance Knit

Moisture-wicking performance knit

130–220 g/m²

In this application: The default for training tees and running tops: capillary texture spreads sweat, stays light, dries fast.
Composition: Mostly 100% polyester; often ~80–90% PES / 10–20% elastane (with-spandex) for stretch and fit.

Spec sheet

Polyester Single Jersey with Elastane

Single jersey + elastane

160–250 g/m²

In this application: Single-jersey stretch for body-following cuts; smooth face suited to printing.
Composition: ~92–95% polyester / 5–8% elastane (spandex); commonly 95/5 and 92/8.

Spec sheet

Sports Net / Eyelet Mesh

Sports net / eyelet mesh

110–160 g/m²

In this application: The classic for jerseys and shorts: open pores, low weight, high airflow.
Composition: 100% polyester (mechanical give) or, for real stretch, a ~88–92% PES / 8–12% elastane variant.

Spec sheet

Bird’s-eye Mesh (mock mesh)

Bird’s-eye mesh (mock mesh)

135–200 g/m²

In this application: Micro-pore balance for performance polos and team tops: more open than piqué, more closed than mesh.
Composition: 100% polyester (typical); a ~90–92% PES / 8–10% elastane version exists for stretch.

Spec sheet

Polyester Stretch Interlock with Elastane

Stretch interlock + elastane

180–300 g/m²

In this application: Leggings, sports bras and yoga tops: double-face smoothness plus four-way stretch and recovery.
Composition: Polyester base + elastane; typically 5–12% (from comfort to high recovery). Higher levels belong to warp-knit power nets, not interlock.

Spec sheet

Polyester French Terry with Elastane

Stretch French terry + elastane

210–320 g/m²

In this application: Athleisure sweats and slim hoodies: structured hand with shape-following stretch.
Composition: ~93–97% polyester / 3–7% elastane (spandex); most often ~95/5. Cotton-PES-elastane tri-blends also exist.

Spec sheet

Weight windows come from catalogue data; final specs are confirmed on a sample.

Engineering window

Weight window	110–320 g/m² (3.2–9.4 oz/yd²)
Breathability	Mesh · birdseye · perforated structures — pore architecture drives airflow
Stretch / recovery	Elastane variants stretch four ways; fit tracking is balanced by elastane share
Moisture management	Fast-drying polyester filament plus optional hydrophilic (wicking) finish

Ordering & Sampling

Minimum order (MOQ)	500–1,000 kg per colour — varies by fabric
Lead time	Typically 3–4 weeks from order confirmation to dispatch
Sampling	Sampling begins after a short technical consultation
Response time	Quotation requests answered within 2 business days
Delivery terms	EXW · FOB · DAP — shipping plan confirmed with your quotation
Capacity	~750 t/month knitting + dyeing at the Çorlu mill (since 1982)

Figures are typical ranges; exact terms are confirmed with your quotation.

Request samples of the fabrics on this page Full fabric catalogue

The link pre-fills the quote form with the fabrics on this page.

Frequently asked questions

Which weight suits a sports jersey?

Jerseys and shorts typically use 110–160 g/m² mesh structures; training tees run 130–220 g/m², and leggings sit in the 180–300 g/m² elastane-interlock window. The final value is confirmed on a sample against pattern and print technique.

Why is polyester preferred over cotton in sportswear?

Cotton absorbs sweat and holds it; polyester absorbs almost none, wicking it to the surface where it dries quickly. Dimensional stability in washing and print colour fastness are further advantages for team wear.

Which fabrics suit sublimation printing?

Sublimation wants 100% polyester and preferably a light ground; interlock, dry-fit and birdseye mesh give the sharpest print result thanks to their smooth surfaces.