How to Choose the Right Swimwear & Boardshorts Fabric for Your Brand
Published: 2025-03-10 · Last updated: 2026-09-05
Choosing the right fabric is the single most important decision when developing a swimwear or boardshorts line. The fabric determines how your product feels, moves, lasts and performs — especially in the water. Here's a practical guide to the performance fabrics behind quality swimwear, swim trunks and boardshorts, and how to pick the right one for your collection.
What Is Activewear Made Of?
Activewear is typically made of performance fabric blends — a base fibre combined with spandex (elastane) for stretch. The most common activewear fabrics are polyester-spandex and nylon-spandex. Polyester provides durability and quick-drying, nylon gives a softer, silkier feel, and spandex provides the four-way stretch that lets the garment move with the body. Many activewear styles also add features like moisture-wicking, breathability and UPF sun protection depending on the product's use.
The Most Common Performance Fabric Blends
Almost all quality activewear and swimwear uses a stretch blend — usually a base fibre plus spandex (elastane). The two most common bases are polyester and nylon.
Polyester + Spandex
Polyester-spandex (commonly 82% polyester / 18% spandex, or 90% polyester / 10% spandex) is the workhorse of activewear. It's durable, quick-drying, holds color well and resists shrinking. It's ideal for boardshorts, swim trunks and beach shorts.
Nylon + Spandex
Nylon-spandex (e.g. 80% nylon / 20% spandex) feels softer and has a slightly silkier hand, with excellent four-way stretch and recovery. It's a great choice for premium activewear and many swimwear styles that need a smooth, body-hugging fit.
Key Performance Features to Look For
- Quick-Dry / Moisture-Wicking — essential for activewear; draws sweat away from the skin and dries fast.
- Four-Way Stretch — lets the garment move with the body in every direction, key for yoga, gym and training.
- UPF / Sun Protection — important for swimwear and outdoor activewear; many of our fabrics offer UPF50.
- Breathability — mesh panels or ventilation knit keep you cool during intense activity.
- Fade & Chlorine Resistance — critical for swimwear that sees repeated pool use.
How to Match Fabric to Product
- Boardshorts (surf) — durable, quick-dry nylon-spandex with four-way stretch and a water-repellent finish.
- Swim trunks & swim shorts — chlorine-resistant polyester or nylon with strong stretch and quick recovery.
- Beach shorts — relaxed quick-dry polyester, comfortable in and out of the water.
- 2-in-1 & volley styles — four-way stretch outer with a compression or mesh liner.
- Kids' boardshorts — soft, OEKO-TEX certified polyester with UPF50+ protection.
Customizing Fabric for Your Brand
At WSD Beachwear we help brands choose the right fabric and can customize composition, weight and finish for swimwear, swim trunks and boardshorts. We can also add features like UPF50, chlorine resistance, moisture-wicking and recycled fibers. Tell us your design and target market — we will recommend the best fabric for your boardshorts or swimwear collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Polyester is the value choice and takes sublimation print best; nylon is softer and more abrasion-resistant for premium surf styles.
A polyester or polyester-spandex base, because sublimation print only bonds properly to polyester.
4-way stretch suits surf and training styles; 2-way is enough for casual swim shorts.
Yes - we can supply GRS-certified recycled polyester and OEKO-TEX certified fabrics with test reports.
Ready to Produce Your Own Boardshorts?
Tell us your design, target market and quantity — we will help you plan production with flexible MOQ.
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