Choosing the right t-shirt material is very important. Your choice will depend on your preferences and the weather.
Dri-fit t-shirts are made of synthetic fibres that wick moisture away from your body, making them a popular choice for those who are active. Polyester shirts are more durable, but they don’t wick sweat as well as dri-fit shirts do.
If you’re going to be working out or just need a shirt that can keep you cool, dri-fit is the way to go.
Choosing the right material for t-shirts is a tricky task. The materials are different in terms of comfort, style, and durability. This article will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision when choosing between dri-fit or polyester.
Polyester is a cheaper option and the fabric is usually softer than dri-fit fabric. It also retains its shape better and doesn’t shrink as much as dri-fit fabric does. Polyester shirts are also more durable than dri-fit shirts because they don’t have any special properties that will cause them to deteriorate over time.
Polyester
Polyester is present in more than half of all retail garments sold worldwide. Polyester may be found in everything from sportswear to high fashion, yet it, like all materials, has advantages and disadvantages. So, what are the benefits and drawbacks of polyester?
Polyester is a low-cost synthetic, man-made textile. It is long-lasting, sturdy, lightweight, flexible, shrink and wrinkle-resistant, and easily coloured. Polyester’s main problem is that it is not breathable. In humid weather, it traps perspiration and heat adjacent to the skin, making you feel sticky, clammy, and uncomfortable.
Unlike natural fibres such as wool (which, as you may know, is derived from sheep), polyester fibres are synthesised in a laboratory.
Polyester is a petroleum-based material. Polymerization is a scientific process that involves the reaction of an acid and an alcohol. This produces melted plastic, which spins out into polyester fibres.
This method produces a repeated strand of polymers, which results in an extraordinarily strong fabric thread.
Polyester fabric, which was invented in the 1930s, experienced some popularity highs and lows. Do you recall the scratchy double-knit fabric that your grandparents most likely wore in the 1950s? That was one of polyester’s less-than-glamorous moments.
Then, in the 1960s, polyester exploded into vivid styles, and in the 1970s, it contributed to the birth of the printed t-shirt. Polyester can be found almost everywhere these days, from seatbelts to clothes to the upholstery in your living room!
Advantages
- Low cost
- Durability
- Elasticity
- Versatility
- Heat Resistant
Disadvantages
- Lack of breathability
- Lack of moisture absorption
- Environmentally bad
- Flammable
- Odours
- Uncomfortable
At its core, Dri-Fit is an evolution of the polyester material in that it is made from the same production process as regular polyester material. However, there is one key difference – the microfiber strands must be smaller in diameter than a single strand of silk, a measurement known as a “denier.” This means that microfiber cloth is lighter than silk!
That said, it’s settled, right? Since Dri-Fit is basically overpowered polyester, then we might as well all get the Dri-Fit…or should we? Is polyester dri fit?
Dri-Fit
Dri-Fit, or microfiber is the most popular choice of fabric for sportswear in the market. Dri-Fit is a type of petroleum-based synthetic fibre that consists of concentrated threads that are thinner than a human hair.
Dri-fit fabrics are often made from one type or a combination of synthetic fibres, such as acrylic, nylon, rayon and polyester. Some of the features of dry-fit fabric are very similar to natural cotton fabric, read on to see if they are what you look for in a t-shirt.
Pros
Breathable
The fine fibres of dri-fit t-shirts makes them breathable regardless of the weather or the intensity of your activity.
Light Weight
Microfiber shirts are much lighter compared to other fabrics, which is a desirable feature if you are wearing them for exercising or playing sports.
Quick Drying
Dri-fit t-shirts dry quickly due to their wick absorption characteristic. Not only does this feature keep you cool and dry during sweaty workouts, it also means your t-shirt will dry faster after you wash them.
Durable
The fibre of dri-fit t-shirts are highly durable against wear and tear. Dri-fit-shirts are also more machine-wash-durable, so they are generally easier to maintain.
Wrinkle-Resistant
Dri-fit t-shirts are not wrinkled easily, so you don’t have to worry about spending your time ironing them.
Cons
Not The Most Comfortable
Dri-fit is not the most comfortable choice of fabric for t-shirts because they do not have the natural softness of cotton.
Not Suitable For Sensitive Skin
The texture of microfiber is rougher than cotton. Furthermore, since its material is not natural, some people might get skin irritation after wearing them.
Choose Dri-fit t-shirt If:
- Your t-shirt is for fitness or sports events.
- Your t-shirt is for outdoor or intense physical activities.
- You prioritise convenience over other features.
Tips on Taking Care of Dri-fit T-shirts
Wash your dri-fit t-shirts with warm water to protect its synthetic fibres.
Avoid using softeners and detergents with extra additives, because some of these products can clog up the space between the fibres of dri-fit t-shirts, which might compromise their wick absorption feature.
Avoid mixing dri-fit-shirts with other fabric when washing. Washing cotton and microfiber shirts together might cause microfiber shirts to collect stubborn lints. We have to remember that, at the end of the day, Dri-Fit is still a microfiber fabric.
Comparison of Materials
We have taken the liberty of providing you a quick glance of the main points for dri fit vs polyester.
| Differences | Dri-Fit | Polyester |
| Type of Fabric | Woven | Knitted |
| Use | T-shirts & sportswear | Dress pants |
| Weight | Light | Heavier than Dri-Fit |
| Thickness | Thin | Thicker than Dri-Fit |
| Contains | May sometimes be a blend of polyester and other materials like cotton | Polyester |
| Cost | More expensive | Cheaper |
| Absorption | Poor | Poor |
| Wicking Property | Excellent | Excellent |
Say that you are looking for a material that is excellent for use in activewear, gym, or as sports clothes, might we suggest the Dri-Fit? The why of it is somewhat obvious here as it’s stated in the name, it keeps you dry and fit!
Jokes aside, it does an excellent job of wicking sweat away from your skin to keep your body dry while you have those intensive workout sessions.
However, if you are looking to be stylish (maybe because you have a dinner party to attend), you might want to go with the polyester since it’s cheaper and can be quite flexible to move around in.
On the other hand, if you have a marketing campaign to run that brings you outdoors, polyester may not be your first port of call as it does trap in odours and you won’t be wooing many customers that way. We, instead, recommend you go with the dri fit material in this situation as it won’t trap odours and is durable enough to withstand the rigours of business or marketing use.
Closing words
At the end of the day, whether you pick Dri-Fit or Polyester really does boil down to your particular use case. Whichever material you decide to go with and want to make your own printed t-shirts, look no further since we’re one of the best when it comes to custom apparel printing services!
For more information about our extensive custom t-shirt services, please have a look through our website or drop us an enquiry for a consultation today!
