Nylon, Polyester and Spandex: What Activewear Fabric Actually Means

Fabric labels list percentages. "80% nylon, 20% elastane." But what do the numbers actually change?

This is what each fibre does in the blend.

Nylon

Nylon is valued for three things. It's strong for its weight. It dries fast. It has a smooth, slightly silky feel.

It also takes dye well. That's why nylon leggings tend to hold richer colour through repeated washes than polyester ones.

The trade-off: nylon breaks down a little faster under UV. Barely relevant for gym wear. More relevant outdoors.

Polyester

Polyester is the other common structural fibre. It resists UV damage and pilling better than nylon.

It wicks moisture differently too. Sweat moves to the surface and evaporates, rather than being absorbed.

Polyester-heavy blends suit high-sweat or frequent outdoor use.

Spandex and elastane

Spandex and elastane are the same fibre, two names. Elastane in Europe, spandex in North America.

On its own, it isn't durable enough for a garment. It's always blended in, usually 5% to 25% across the VEVAwear range.

Its job is stretch and recovery. How far the fabric stretches, and how fully it snaps back.

More elastane means more compression, a second-skin fit. Less elastane means a softer drape.

Why the ratio changes by product type

Leggings meant to hold shape through a workout need more elastane than relaxed capri pants.

Fitted pieces run higher in elastane. Looser silhouettes use less.

Not a quality difference. Just the blend matched to fit and movement.

Where cotton fits in

Cotton isn't a performance fibre in the same sense. It absorbs moisture instead of wicking it. Its stretch recovery is far weaker than nylon or polyester blends.

That's exactly why it shows up elsewhere: hoodies, jackets, loungewear. Places where softness at rest matters more than stretch in motion.

A cotton-polyester jacket trades some stretch for a softer, warmer feel.

Reading a fabric label

The pattern: the bigger number is the structural fibre, nylon or polyester. It does the strength and shape work.

The smaller number is elastane or spandex. It does the stretch work.

"51% cotton, 49% polyester" is comfort-first. "80% nylon, 20% elastane" is performance-first.

Every VEVAwear product page lists the exact breakdown. Always check before buying.

For sizing and care, see the full activewear guide, or go straight to how to wash and care for activewear.