Moisture Wicking Fabric: Specs Buyers Should Request (B2B)
Direct Answer
Moisture wicking fabric is a fabric system (fiber + knit construction + finishing) designed to move sweat away from the skin and spread it across a larger surface area so it evaporates faster.
For B2B sourcing, the most reliable approach is to buy moisture wicking by specification:
- name the test method you will accept
- define approval criteria
- test durability after washing
If you do only three things, do these:
- ask for the test method and request the lab report
- specify wash durability for the finish (if a finish is used)
- approve using a sample plan (swatch -> yardage -> wash test -> bulk)
TL;DR - Key Sourcing Takeaways
- Wicking can come from fiber shape, knit structure, and/or chemical finish; each has different cost and durability risk.
- If performance depends on a finish, request wash durability guidance and re-test after laundering.
- Approve with a spec sheet attached to your RFQ and purchase order.
- Treat moisture management as a system: drying time + breathability + stretch recovery.
Table of Contents
- What moisture wicking means in production
- Spec sheet template (copy/paste)
- Buyer checklist for comparing suppliers
- Sample plan: approve before bulk
- Supplier questions (copy/paste)
- Common mistakes
- Related resources
What moisture wicking means in production
Buyers often confuse three different things:
- absorbency (how much water the fabric can hold)
- wicking/spreading (how quickly liquid moves and spreads)
- drying time (how quickly it becomes dry again)
You can have a fabric that absorbs a lot but dries slowly (bad for performance), or a fabric that spreads quickly and dries quickly (good), or a fabric that feels dry but traps heat (bad in hot conditions).
For most performance tops and training wear, you usually want:
- moderate absorbency
- fast spreading
- fast drying
- breathable construction
Spec sheet template (copy/paste)
Base construction
| Item | What to specify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric type | jersey / interlock / mesh / pique | construction drives breathability and feel |
| Composition | example: polyester/spandex % | affects stretch, recovery, dye behavior |
| Weight | GSM target + GSM tolerance | controls consistency and opacity |
| Width | cuttable width requirement | controls yield and marker efficiency |
| Color | stock vs custom | drives MOQ, lead time, risk |
Moisture management requirements
| Item | What to specify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Test method | name your accepted method | prevents mismatched claims |
| Approval criteria | pass/fail or minimum grade | makes approvals objective |
| Wash durability | after X home launderings | finishes can degrade |
| Care label | supplier recommended care | protects performance |
If you have no baseline yet, define one: pick one fabric you already use and measure it. Use that as your internal reference.
Buyer checklist for comparing suppliers
| Question | Supplier A | Supplier B | Notes | |---|---|---| | Wicking via finish or structure? | | | finishes can have durability risk | | Can they provide lab data? | | | request the test report | | Do they name the test method? | | | must match your acceptance method | | MOQ (stock vs custom)? | | | inventory risk | | Sampling lead time? | | | affects launch schedule | | Bulk lead time? | | | affects production schedule | | GSM tolerance? | | | quality consistency |
Sample plan: approve before bulk
- Request swatches for fast screening
- Request yardage sample for patterning and wear tests
- Wash test (especially if a chemical finish is used)
- Approve one final spec sheet attached to the PO
If you are doing custom colors, add lab dips before yardage.
Supplier questions (copy/paste)
- What test method supports your moisture wicking claims?
- Is performance achieved by knit structure, fiber, or a chemical finish?
- If a finish is used, what is expected performance after 10 and 20 washes?
- What is your recommended care label to maintain performance?
- What are your GSM tolerance and shrinkage expectations?
- What is MOQ for stock colors vs custom colors?
- What are sampling lead times (swatch, yardage, lab dip)?
- Can you share a spec sheet and test reports for the quoted fabric?
Common mistakes
Mistake 1: Buying moisture wicking without naming a test method
If the supplier tests differently than you do, you will argue later.
Mistake 2: Not checking wash durability
Many finishes decline over time; buyers should test after laundering.
Mistake 3: Treating moisture management as the only metric
Comfort depends on breathability, stretch recovery, and drying time together.