Moisture Wicking Mesh Fabric

Overview

Moisture Wicking Mesh Fabric is an open-structure knitted textile engineered to move perspiration away from the skin to the fabric's outer surface, where it evaporates rapidly. The fabric combines a porous mesh geometry with capillary-active polyester filaments, creating a large surface area that accelerates moisture transport and airflow. This construction delivers high breathability and fast drying performance while maintaining dimensional stability under repeated stretching and laundering, making it suitable for high-output physical activity and layered garment systems.

Key Features & Specifications

• Fabric weight: 110-180 gsm, with lightweight open-mesh variants available from 90 gsm for high-ventilation applications and denser constructions up to 220 gsm for structured panels.
• Moisture vapor transmission (breathability): 8,000-12,000 g/m2/24h, enabling rapid vapor release during sustained aerobic activity. The fabric shares the same wicking-focused engineering found across our Moisture Wicking Fabric range.
• Drying time: 20-35% faster than standard cotton-blend knits, comparable to our Quick Dry Sports Fabric under equivalent test conditions.
• Water column rating: 0 mmH2O (non-waterproof by design). This is a breathable, air-permeable mesh; buyers requiring water resistance should specify a laminated or coated construction, or pair with our Moisture Wicking Stretch Fabric for hybrid panel builds.
• UPF rating: UPF 30-50+ depending on knit density and color, with darker and denser constructions reaching the UPF 50+ threshold.
• Tensile strength: 350-500 N (warp) / 300-450 N (weft); tear strength 20-35 N, tested per ASTM D5034.
• Dimensional stability: shrinkage controlled to within 3-5% after five domestic wash cycles at 40°C.
• Operating temperature range: -20°C to 120°C, retaining elasticity and structural integrity across cold-weather and high-heat processing conditions.

Material & Construction

The base composition is 100% polyester or a 88/12 to 92/8 polyester/spandex blend, depending on the required degree of stretch. Polyester microfilament yarns (typically 75D-150D) are selected for their hydrophobic character, which prevents fiber saturation and supports rapid moisture migration through capillary channels rather than absorption. For four-way stretch requirements, elastane is knitted in to deliver 30-50% elongation with high recovery, aligning the fabric with the performance profile of our Moisture Wicking Jersey Fabric and Moisture Wicking Stretch Fabric lines.

The fabric is produced on circular or warp-knitting machines using a mesh or eyelet knit structure, which creates the characteristic open pores that drive air permeability. Knit gauge is adjustable (typically 24-40 gauge) to control pore size, hand feel, and opacity. A permanent hydrophilic finish is applied to the polyester filaments to enhance surface spreading and evaporation, the same wicking treatment used in our Moisture Wicking Polyester Fabric. An optional antibacterial finish—based on silver-ion or zinc-based agents—can be integrated for odor control, matching the specification of our Antibacterial Moisture Wicking Fabric. The mesh is not coated or laminated in its standard form to preserve air permeability; bonding, lamination, or DWR treatments are available only as custom modifications for specific end uses.

Applications

• Sportswear & Activewear: The fabric is widely specified for performance jerseys, training tops, compression liners, and ventilation panels where sweat management and airflow are critical. Its low weight and high breathability serve the core requirements of the Sportswear & Fitness Industry.

• Outdoor Apparel: Used in base layers, hiking shirts, and breathable linings within the Outdoor & Adventure Industry, the mesh supports thermoregulation during variable-intensity activity and layering systems. It is a common component in Outdoor Apparel where moisture buildup must be minimized.

• Team and club uniforms: The open-knit structure combined with sublimation-compatible polyester makes it suitable for printed team kits, football jerseys, and basketball singlets requiring durable, breathable panels.

• Athleisure and fitness wear: Yoga tops, gym tanks, and studio wear benefit from the fabric's lightweight hand and quick-dry behavior, particularly in blended constructions incorporating our Moisture Wicking Stretch Fabric.

• Footwear and accessory linings: The mesh is used as a breathable lining or upper component in athletic footwear, backpacks, and protective gear, where ventilation and abrasion tolerance are required.

• Medical and industrial ventilation panels: The fabric functions as a breathable insert in orthopedic supports, braces, and workwear that require airflow against the skin during extended wear.

Customization & Wholesale

FuncFabric supplies Moisture Wicking Mesh Fabric to global wholesale and bulk buyers under flexible OEM and ODM terms.

Minimum order quantity: Standard MOQ is 1,000 meters per color for stock constructions and 3,000 meters per color for fully customized specifications. Sampling orders of 50-100 meters are available for pre-production evaluation.

Custom widths: Standard roll widths are 150 cm and 160 cm, with custom finished widths available from 110 cm to 180 cm depending on knit structure and machine gauge.

Colors and printing: Custom color matching is supported via Pantone or physical swatch reference, with dyeing to specification. Printing options include sublimation, digital, and screen printing, suited to team kits and branded activewear. Solution-dyed and recycled polyester (rPET) options are available for buyers with sustainability requirements.

Weight and finish customization: GSM, pore size, knit gauge, stretch percentage, and functional finishes (hydrophilic wicking, antibacterial, UV-enhanced, DWR) can all be specified to order.

OEM and private label: Full private-label service is offered, including custom roll packaging, edge marking, hangtags, and technical documentation for downstream garment manufacturers and brands.

Lead time: Sampling typically requires 7-10 working days. Bulk production lead time is 20-35 days after order confirmation and approval of the pre-production sample, subject to order volume and finish complexity.

Export: FuncFabric exports worldwide with standard compliance testing available on request, including OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, moisture management testing (AATCC 195), and colorfastness reports. Shipping terms supported include FOB, CIF, and DDP, with consolidated container and LCL options for mixed-fabric orders across our full Moisture Wicking Fabric category.