Last Updated on July 31, 2022 by Oscar O. Paquin
Many sports clothing fabrics are on the market today, but which ones provide optimal comfort and performance? This article compares the best fabrics in two popular brands; Nike Dri Fit, Adidas Climalite, and Adidas Climacool. It also discusses what these fabrics are made of and how they perform. Read on to learn which fabric will keep you cool, dry, and comfortable during your next workout!
Overview
When choosing the suitable fabric for your sports clothes, it is crucial to consider the climate you live in and the type of activity you will be doing. For example, if you live in a hot environment and do a lot of running, you will choose a fabric that will keep you cool and dry.
In this post, we will compare two of the most popular fabrics used in sports clothing: Nike Dri Fit and Adidas Climalite/Climacool.
We will discuss each fabric’s benefits and help you decide which one is right for you.
Nike Dri Fit
Nike Dri Fit is the way to go if you’re looking for an athletic fabric that keeps you cool and dry. It has an excellent sweat-wicking ability (meaning perspiration will evaporate faster) and wicks moisture away from the skin (which prevents chafing).
This fabric is found in different styles such as shirts, shorts, tights, and jackets. However, be warned that it has its downside; it tends to wear off when worn over time because it doesn’t provide good resistance against abrasions or light abrasion from rough surfaces like concrete or asphalt.
Adidas Climalite/Climacool
Unlike Nike Dri Fit, Adidas Climalite has both cooling and warming features. That means it protects against heat in cold climates and warm climates. What makes this fabric so great is its unique three-layer construction with an outer layer composed of nylon mesh paired with inner layers made of polyester microfibers.
Together these layers pull sweat away from the body while keeping you dry and comfortable at all times – no matter what type of weather you’re dealing with!
Unlike Nike Dri Fit, Adidas Climalite doesn’t wear off easily because it’s been engineered to resist light abrasion and abrasions – meaning you won’t need to worry about durability when wearing this fabric.
Features of Nike Dri Fit and Adidas Clialite/Climacool
Regarding fabric, there are a few key things to look for in sportswear:
- Breathability: You want a material that will wick away sweat and keep you cool and dry.
- Stretch: You want a fabric that will move with you, not constrict you.
- Durability: You don’t want your clothes falling apart after a few washes.
So, how do Nike Dri Fit, Adidas Climalite, and Climacool stack up?
Nike Dri Fit: Nike’s Dri-Fit line features four materials: polyester, cotton, nylon, and spandex. Polyester is the most breathable material available on the market today. Cotton is an excellent choice because it has natural anti-bacterial properties that inhibit odors while regulating temperature.
Additionally, nylon is strong yet soft, allowing for a more excellent range of motion than other fabrics like cotton or polyester. Spandex also provides extra give and elasticity, so clothing stays in place and is resistant to tearing or stretching- (the biggest drawback of this fabric is that it does not breathe very well and can cause heat retention leading to moisture problems).
Adidas Climalite: Many people love Adidas Climalite because they believe it is the most breathable fabric ever made! But before we blindly accept this statement, let’s look closely at what Climalite is made from.
Unlike Nike Dri Fit, Adidas doesn’t use synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon) but instead focuses exclusively on cotton mixed with elastane. Elastane is an artificial fiber commonly used in athletic wear because it offers the benefits of both synthetics and natural fibers. It stretches with movement but maintains its shape, unlike something like spandex would do.
Water Resistant Properties
When it comes to water-resistant properties, both Nike Dri Fit and Adidas Climalite are great options. They will both keep you dry and comfortable in light rain or sweat. However, if you are looking for something more heavy-duty, then Climacool might be a better option.
Climacool will keep you cool and dry in even the most intense heat and humidity. Another perk of this fabric is that it has antimicrobial properties. That means that the material won’t hold on to smells or bacteria like cotton would over time.
The disadvantage of Climacool is that it’s not very breathable, so you may feel overheated from being so bundled up. Adidas has another fabric called Techfit which also does well with moisture management but isn’t as bulky as Climacool, making it perfect for warmer weather activities where breathability is critical.
Stretchable Properties
Nike’s Dri-FIT features a technology that wicks sweat away to keep you dry and comfortable. The fabric is also stretchy so that it won’t restrict your movement. Adidas’ Climalite and Climacool fabrics also wick away sweat, but they don’t have the same stretchability as Dri-FIT. However, Climalite and Climacool are more breathable than Dri-FIT, so they’ll keep you cooler in hot weather.
Breathability (Ventilation) Properties
Nike’s Dri-FIT fabric is made of a polyester blend designed to wick sweat away from the body to keep athletes cool and dry. Adidas’ ClimaCool fabric is also made of a polyester blend but with added ventilation in the form of mesh panels.
Climacool provides maximum airflow and breathability. Both fabrics are effective at wicking away sweat and keeping athletes cool, but Nike’s Dri-FIT fabric has an edge regarding breathability. The difference between the two fabrics is subtle, so choosing one may depend on your preference.
Color Variations
- Nike’s Dri-Fit technology fabric is available in various colors, including black, white, grey, and pink.
- Adidas’ ClimaCool comes in black, white, grey, blue, and green.
- ClimaLite is another fabric offered by Adidas that is designed to keep you cool and comfortable by wicking away sweat. This fabric is available in black, white, grey, blue, pink, and green.
So which one of these fabrics is the best? It depends on your personal preferences.
Longevity of Nike Dri Fit vs. Adidas Climalite and Climacool Fabrics
When it comes to workout clothes, you want something that will last. After all, you’re going to be sweating in them, and you don’t want them to fall apart after a few washes. So, which fabric is better? Nike’s Dri Fit or Adidas’ Climalite and Climacool? The honest answer-it depends.
It depends on your budget, how much you plan to sweat, and on your geographic location. Nike Dri Fit may be the best option if you live in a warm climate with low humidity because it can dry quickly and cool down faster than other fabrics.
Suppose you live in a humid climate or work out indoors where there are no air conditioning units (or ones that can keep up with demand); Adidas’ Climalite and Climacool may offer more protection from the heat. The fabrics can wick away moisture more effectively than other fabrics (so even if it doesn’t feel as cool against your skin as Nike Dri Fit, it will still help keep you cooler).
Conclusion
Nike Dri Fit, Adidas Climalite, and Climacool boast better breathability, durability, moisture wicking abilities, and the ability to stretch excellently. The difference between these fabrics is minimal. So, choosing the ideal one depends on your environment and individual taste.
