Nylon Yarn for
Sportswear.

GSM Range

• Compression base layers and under-shorts: 160–200 GSM • Performance match shorts and training tops: 120–160 GSM (lighter for breathability and freedom of movement) • Wind-resistant outer shells and training jackets: 40–80 GSM (woven, not knit) • Heavyweight training fleece (nylon face, polyester back): 240–300 GSM • Rugby and contact sport jerseys: 180–220 GSM (needs body and abrasion resistance simultaneously) Note: Nylon knit constructions tend to feel heavier and more compressive at equivalent GSM than polyester — this is generally desirable for compression and contact-sport applications, less so for ultra-lightweight performance tops.

Yarn Count

• Performance match and training tops (knit): 40D–70D/34–68 filaments, semi-dull or bright • Compression shorts and base layers: 40D–70D nylon, 20D–40D bare Lycra • Wind-resistant woven shells: 70D–150D plain weave or ripstop nylon (ripstop at 70D/2 x 70D typical) • Contact sport jerseys: 40D–100D, heavier constructions for abrasion zones • Spandex component: 20D–40D Lycra or equivalent — quality spandex matters more in sportswear than activewear due to more extreme mechanical stress

Knit Construction

• 4-way stretch interlock (nylon-spandex): Standard for compression and base layers — stable structure, even compression, minimal runs • Single jersey (nylon or nylon-spandex): Lightweight performance tops, training t-shirts — higher breathability, less structure • Warp knit (tricot, Raschel): High-elasticity performance panels, swimwear-crossover sports garments — requires specialist mill • Woven (plain weave, ripstop): Wind and rain shells, training jackets — different supply chain from knit fabrics entirely • Mesh inserts: Nylon mesh at 60–100 GSM for ventilation panels in jerseys and training tops

Shrinkage

• Nylon 6 knit (4-way stretch): 4–6% length, 2–3% width without heat setting; < 2% after heat setting at 175–185°C • Woven nylon (outer shells): 1–2% length, 1% width — woven structures are inherently more stable • Club laundry note: repeated washing at 60°C will cause progressive shrinkage in un-heat-set nylon. Confirm heat-setting quality if kit will be professionally laundered at elevated temperatures.

Pilling Resistance

• Nylon filament knit (40D+): 4–5 Martindale scale • Nylon-spandex interlock: 4 • Fine denier nylon (< 30D): 3–4 — finer filaments sacrifice some pilling resistance for hand feel

Colorfastness

• Wash fastness (ISO 105-C06): 4–5 — comparable to polyester with acid dyes • Light fastness (ISO 105-B02): 3–4 — genuine limitation for outdoor sports; mitigated with UV absorber finishing (pushes to 4–5) • Rubbing fastness dry: 4–5; wet: 3–4 • Chlorine resistance: Moderate (relevant for swimming and aquatic sports) — specify chlorine-resistant spandex for any aquatic-adjacent application

Tensile Strength

• Nylon 6 filament: 40–55 cN/tex • Nylon 66 filament: 50–65 cN/tex • Woven nylon shell (70D/2, ripstop): Warp 350–450 N, Weft 300–400 N (ASTM D5034) — relevant for wind layer structural integrity

MOQ Guidance

• 4-way stretch nylon-spandex knit (team kit base layers): 800–1,500 kg per colour • Woven nylon shell fabric (70D–150D): 1,500–3,000 metres per colour (woven MOQs typically quoted in metres not kg) • ECONYL recycled nylon constructions: 1,000–2,000 kg • Club kit programmes (repeat ordering across seasons): Negotiate stock programmes with key mills for sub-MOQ top-up orders at 10–15% premium