From beer-league softball to elite sports camps, athletes of every age and ability need to stay cool and look great out on the field. T-shirts are an affordable way to keep your team and your campers comfortable and build team spirit. And since your athletes will be working hard out there, Shirt Werks recommends a T-shirt material that will wick away moisture and stand up to abuse: polyester
What is polyester?
Polyester is a man-made synthetic fiber. It is a blend of plastics that are more durable than natural fibers such as cotton and linen. Polyester is a very common material for activewear, including sport shirts.
Why is a polyester a good choice for athletes?
While cotton feels great on the skin, it tends to hold onto moisture. It also wrinkles easily and tends to shrink and lose its vibrancy through multiple washes. While cotton may feel great at the start of the day, after a workout, cotton t-shirts tend to feel a little clingy. By the end of the season and dozens of wash cycles, they may also look a little worse for wear.
For feel, polyester can’t beat cotton. But instead of holding onto moisture, polyester wicks it away from the body, keeping athletes dry through the day. It’s also tough enough to withstand being balled up and tossed in the back of the car. It can go through dozens of washes without losing its shape or color. That’s why polyester is a popular choice for athletes.
Can I design my own polyester T-shirts?
You sure can (though we can help, too, if you’d like)! The Shirt Werks T-shirt design tool makes it easy to create a custom look for your teammates or campers. For our polyester options, select “Activewear” from the apparel categories. From there, you can choose from short-sleeve performance tees, long-sleeve compression wear, polos, and pullovers.
Not seeing what you want on our design tool, or want some professional help designing your shirts? Contact the Shirt Werks team! We enjoy working with teams and camps to provide great-looking, comfortable activewear that will keep athletes comfortable all summer long.
