Dermal Integrity: A Comparative Analysis of Activewear Textiles

Activewear fabric matters more than you think. Most people judge activewear by how it looks or feels — but rarely stop to ask: what is this actually made of?
From plastic-based synthetics to water-wasting natural fibers, every fabric tells a story. Some are breathable, biodegradable, and skin-safe. Others are quietly polluting our air, water, and bodies.

At EveryRep, we believe education leads to better choices — so here’s a breakdown of the most common activewear fabrics, what they’re made of, and why it matters.

🧵 Polyester

• Made from plastic and petroleum — it’s one of the cheapest and most commonly used synthetic fibers in the world
• Production involves chemicals like formaldehyde, PFOAs, and PFCs — all toxic to humans and wildlife
• Sheds microplastics every time it’s worn or washed
• Non-breathable and often a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria

🧵 Polyamide

Another plastic-based fabric, often made from petroleum or coal

• Highly energy-intensive to produce, with a major toll on the environment and human health
• Sheds microplastics that end up in fish, birds, drinking water — and eventually, us
• Takes hundreds of years to decompose while releasing toxic gases and greenhouse emissions

🧵 Traditional Nylon

• A synthetic fiber made from petrochemicals and crude oil
• Non-breathable and poor at absorbing moisture
• Non-biodegradable — it persists in the environment indefinitely and contributes to long-term microplastic pollution

🧵 Rayon

• A semi-synthetic fiber made from wood pulp
• Requires heavy chemical processing to convert natural cellulose into wearable fiber
• Production often uses carbon disulfide, a neurotoxic chemical that can impact workers, surrounding communities, and ecosystems

🧵 Viscose (including Bamboo Viscose)

• Derived from plant-based sources like bamboo or wood pulp
• However, the manufacturing process is chemically intensive and damaging to both workers and the environment
• Requires high water and energy usage
• Rated D or E for sustainability by global benchmarking standards (e.g. Made-By Environmental Tool)

🧵 Conventional Cotton

• Often considered “natural,” but cotton is far from clean
• Uses 6% of the world’s pesticides and 16% of all insecticides — more than any other crop
• Harms soil, pollutes water, and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions
• Water-intensive: it takes over 700 gallons of water to make a single cotton T-shirt

✅ So… What’s the Better Option?

At EveryRep, we don’t believe in perfection — but we believe in progress. That’s why we use fabrics like:

• TENCEL™ Modal – a plant-based, biodegradable fabric made from sustainably harvested beechwood, processed in a closed-loop system that recycles 99% of solvents
• BioLuxe™ Nylon – a performance-driven synthetic with CICLO® technology, designed to reduce microplastic pollution and biodegrade in landfill conditions

These aren’t just buzzwords — they’re real innovations that put performance, health, and sustainability on the same team. Your clothes are in constant contact with your body. Shouldn’t they be clean, breathable, and made with purpose?

Choosing the Right Fabric for Your Body and Lifestyle

When choosing activewear fabric, don’t just focus on price or style. Pay attention to how it breathes, how it’s made, and how long it lasts — both in your wardrobe and in the environment. A well-made garment should support your training and your values.