Moisture Wicking Jersey Fabric

Overview

Moisture Wicking Jersey Fabric is a single-knit performance textile engineered to pull perspiration away from the skin to the fabric's outer surface, where it evaporates rapidly. The fabric is constructed using a fine-gauge circular knitting process that creates a smooth face and a textured or channeled back, maximizing surface area for capillary moisture transport. Its inherent stretch and soft hand make it suitable for next-to-skin garments that require both comfort and sustained dryness during physical activity.

Key Features & Specifications

• Fabric weight: available in 140–220 gsm, with 160 gsm and 180 gsm as the most requested standard weights for activewear applications
• Moisture transport rate: wicking height of 90–120 mm within 30 minutes (AATCC 197 vertical wicking test), with moisture management grade of 4–5 under AATCC 195
• Breathability: 4,500–6,000 g/m²/24h water vapor transmission rate, ensuring effective heat and humidity release during exertion
• Quick-dry performance: surface dries in 20–30 minutes under standard indoor conditions, outperforming standard cotton jersey by roughly 50%
• UV protection: UPF 40–50+ available on darker shades and higher-density constructions, meeting AS/NZS 4399 standards
• Tensile strength: 380–450 N (warp) and 300–360 N (weft); tear strength of 28–35 N, suitable for repeated stress and laundering
• Dimensional stability: shrinkage controlled to within 3–5% after five domestic wash cycles following pre-shrink finishing
• Elasticity: 4-way stretch versions offer 30–45% elongation with 90%+ recovery when blended with spandex

For buyers requiring higher airflow or open-structure ventilation, this jersey pairs well with Moisture Wicking Mesh Fabric, while those needing a flatter woven-like surface often specify Moisture Wicking Polyester Fabric within the same Moisture Wicking Fabric category.

Material & Construction

The base composition is typically 100% polyester (75D/72F or 100D microfiber yarns) or a polyester-spandex blend of 88% polyester / 12% spandex for stretch-oriented programs. The polyester filament is engineered with a cross-section profile (four-channel or micro-grooved) that drives capillary action, distinguishing it from standard round-fiber yarns. The fabric is produced on single jersey circular knitting machines at 24–28 gauge, delivering a lightweight, elastic single-knit structure with a smooth technical face.

Rather than relying on a surface coating, the wicking function is built into the fiber geometry and reinforced with a durable hydrophilic finish that withstands 30–50 wash cycles before measurable performance decline. Optional treatments include antimicrobial and anti-odor finishing—available as a dedicated Antibacterial Moisture Wicking Fabric variant—as well as moisture-management topical enhancements. For programs prioritizing rapid evaporation, the construction can be optimized as a Quick Dry Sports Fabric, and stretch-heavy specifications are served by our Moisture Wicking Stretch Fabric build with higher spandex content.

Applications

• Sportswear & Activewear: base layers, running shirts, training tees, cycling jerseys, and yoga apparel where continuous moisture control and freedom of movement are essential
• Uniforms & Corporate Apparel: polo shirts, staff performance wear, and branded team apparel that must maintain a professional appearance while managing perspiration through long shifts
• Team and club kits: football, basketball, and multi-sport jerseys requiring sublimation-ready surfaces and consistent color reproduction across large orders
• Fitness and gym wear: high-intensity training garments, compression-adjacent layers, and studio apparel produced for the Sportswear & Fitness Industry
• Outdoor and casual performance wear: lightweight summer tops and travel apparel where quick-dry and breathable properties add functional value
• Institutional and service uniforms: healthcare, hospitality, and field-service garments serving the Uniform & Corporate Apparel Industry, where durability through frequent laundering is critical

These end uses fall under two primary application areas, Sportswear & Activewear and Uniforms & Corporate Apparel, both of which benefit from the fabric's balance of comfort, stretch, and moisture performance.

Customization & Wholesale

FuncFabric supplies Moisture Wicking Jersey Fabric on a bulk wholesale and OEM/ODM basis for global buyers. Standard minimum order quantity (MOQ) is 500 meters per color for stock-based constructions and 1,000–1,500 meters per color for fully customized specifications. Roll width is available at standard 150–160 cm, with custom widths accommodated for specific cutting requirements.

Customization options include:

• Color matching to Pantone TCX/TPX references, with lab dips provided for approval before bulk dyeing
• Custom weights within the 140–220 gsm range and adjustable spandex content for targeted stretch
• Printing services including sublimation, digital, and screen printing, plus custom finishes such as antimicrobial, UV-enhanced, and hydrophilic treatments
• Private-label and OEM programs covering fabric development, finishing specification, and roll packaging to buyer requirements

Standard lead time is 15–25 days for stock-color bulk orders and 30–45 days for custom-dyed or specialty-finished production, depending on order volume and finishing complexity. Sample yardage and hanger samples are available prior to bulk commitment.

For export, FuncFabric ships worldwide under FOB, CIF, and EXW terms from major Chinese ports, with full documentation support including test reports (OEKO-TEX Standard 100 available on request), commercial invoices, and packing lists. Buyers building a broader performance-fabric program can combine this jersey with related items in the Moisture Wicking Fabric category to consolidate shipments and reduce per-unit freight costs.