As temperatures rise, it's hard not to notice the increasing number of people sporting yoga pants on the streets and in office buildings. Yoga pants have transcended the confines of the gym and have become a staple in fashion-forward wardrobes.
With prices ranging from a few tens to over a thousand dollars, the question arises: how do you choose the right pair?
If you've ever glanced at the label of your yoga pants, you've likely come across these three names: Nylon, Polyester, and Spandex.
Nylon (Polyamide): Nylon, also known as Polyamide, is renowned for its durability and abrasion resistance. Lightweight, soft, and breathable, it's one of the earliest synthetic fibers developed, offering excellent ventilation.
Polyester: Polyester, or Polyethylene terephthalate, boasts exceptional wrinkle resistance and shape retention, ensuring your garment maintains its form throughout wear. It wicks moisture away effectively, keeping your skin dry, and dries quickly.
Spandex (Lycra): Spandex, a highly elastic fiber, enhances the stretch, elasticity, and snugness of the fabric. The familiar LYCRA logo you often see denotes this well-known brand of spandex. Research into commercially available yoga apparel reveals that some garments contain spandex in concentrations ranging from 25% to 40%, with yoga pants typically featuring higher levels of spandex.
In general, nylon offers superior strength, elasticity, and durability compared to polyester. Nylon also excels in moisture absorption, providing a skin-friendly touch and avoiding the clamminess associated with polyester fabrics during sweaty workouts.
Therefore, nylon-spandex blends tend to outperform polyester-spandex blends in terms of overall performance. It's worth noting that nylon-spandex blends are more commonly found in high-end yoga attire.
The Impact of Fabric on Prices
Based on market quotations from mid-January 2024, the price of Nylon DTY (DTY, a term in the textile industry referring to a type of filament yarn) is around 19,200 CNY per ton, while Polyester DTY is only 8,850 CNY per ton. This price difference at the fiber raw material end determines some variation in the prices of yoga apparel made from these two fabrics.
It's important to note that while Polyester is significantly cheaper, it doesn't imply inferior quality. Polyester is, in fact, a standout fiber with excellent comprehensive properties, being the most widely produced and used chemical fiber in China. Textile industry statistics for the period from January to November 2023 indicate that China's Polyester production totaled around 52.69 million tons, while Nylon production was about 4.23 million tons. Due to the mature production technology and large output of Polyester in China, the prices are relatively affordable.
What's the Difference Between Nylon 6 and Nylon 66?
Currently, the best-selling products in the market primarily use Nylon 6 (also known as Nylon). Nylon is a collective term that can be divided into many types based on its chemical composition. Statistics and practical observations in the textile industry show that Nylon fabrics used in consumer clothing in China are mainly Nylon 6 (PA6), with Nylon 66 (PA66) fibers being used by some high-end brands but in small proportions, contributing to the price difference.
Comparing the performance of Nylon 6 and Nylon 66, Nylon 66 outperforms Nylon 6 in terms of strength, elasticity, abrasion resistance, and overall feel. However, Nylon 66's usage is limited due to its lower production volume compared to Nylon 6, especially in civilian clothing.
Why isn't Nylon 66 Used More?
Currently, China's domestic production of Nylon 66 is less than 200,000 tons, while Polyester production in 2022 was approximately 53 million tons, showcasing a significant production gap between the two. Moreover, Nylon 66 in China is mainly used in industrial, military, and protective clothing due to limited production. The key raw material for Nylon 66 production, adiponitrile, has historically been challenging to produce domestically, with high dependence on imports. However, breakthroughs in domestic adiponitrile production technology since 2020 have led to increased production of Nylon 66 in China, promising better performance in various clothing, including yoga apparel.
Other Factors Affecting Prices
Material is just one aspect determining the final price. Design, craftsmanship, and brand premiums are also crucial factors in pricing yoga apparel.
Design: High-end yoga apparel often incorporates complex cuts, such as using structure designs like provinces and partition lines to enhance functionality and aesthetics.
Craftsmanship: Complex designs increase processing difficulty and costs, such as seamless knitting technology used in some high-end yoga apparel, improving comfort and fit.
Trends: Increasing emphasis on fashion and personalization in yoga apparel, incorporating trendy elements or techniques, adds to production costs and, subsequently, retail prices.
Buy as Needed
Despite the availability of low-priced products, many consumers still prefer branded items. When choosing yoga pants, consumers should consider their own circumstances and budget. When purchasing, it's advisable to stretch the fabric by hand in all directions to assess its stretchability and resilience, and try on for comfort and muscle support. Proper care after use is also essential, including timely washing in cold water and drying in a cool, ventilated area, avoiding prolonged exposure to sunlight.
References
[1] Zhang Xinggang. "A Glorious Moment for Domestic Nylon 66." China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Observation, 2022, (04): 22-23.
[2] Zeng Cheng, Zhao Hongyan, Sun Yaxin, et al. "Current Situation and Prospect of China's Nylon 66 Industry." High-Tech Fibers and Applications, 2022, 47 (06): 9-16.
