Technical Fabric Components
	Cotton	Soft, comfortable, and also holds moisture. A great quality in a bath towel, but not in running apparel. Cotton can absorb 25 times its weight in water, which translates to as much as 2 pounds of sweat in your t-shirt by the end of your run. Opt for cotton blends to increase moisture-wicking properties. [More info]
	Nylon	Synthetic material that is strong, elastic, lightweight, and has less than half the moisture absorption of cotton. [More info]
	Polyester	Man-made fiber that is strong, resistant to most chemicals, quick-drying, and holds its shape. In swimwear, polyester is chlorine-resistant and provides optimal durability for training suits, but has less give than nylon. In running apparel, polyester is commonly found in the form of CoolMax®, which is a DuPont brand. [More info]
	Spandex	Elastic fiber that allows fabrics to be streched but then spring back to their original shape. Most commonly known under the trade name Lycra®, which is branded by DuPont. [More info]

Most technical fabrics are made from combinations of the above fibers. Manufacturers use different trade names, but the underlying components are similar. Across the industry, companies are working to make manufactured fabrics softer and smoother in order to provide both technology and comfort.

A recent advance in the technical fabric industry is the development of microfibers. By making the filaments substantially finer than in the conventional versions, manufacturers are able to maintain the properties of each fiber type, but with lighter weight and a silkier hand. In addition, fabrics made from microfibers are naturally more breathable and water-resistant due to the spacing of the tightly-packed filaments.