In the 90’s, most windbreaks were made of nylon. These days, however, there are many different types of fabrics to choose from when purchasing a windbreaker or warm-up suit. Depending on various factors, choosing the right windbreaker fabric can be a very important decision, especially if you are going to have your custom windbreaker. The different types of common windbreaker fabric are nylon, micro polyester, polyester, and tricot.
Nylon is the old classic material that is very resistant to water and wind. It also has a harder shell and makes a “swishy” noise when you walk on it. Now, while nylon became popular due to its great resistance to water and wind, the noise it generates when people walk in it has led many consumers to choose other types of fabrics that are quieter.
Micro polyester is a softer and quieter fabric. It doesn’t make that “swishy” noise when you walk in it. It is a soft and lightweight fabric, and windbreakers made from it usually come with a cotton or mesh lining. The micro polyester also does a great job of being wind and water resistant and is ideal for people who live in warmer geographic areas due to its light weight.
Polyester is similar to micro polyester in that it is a quieter fabric than nylon, but it is slightly heavier. These warm-ups also generally come with a cotton or mesh lining, with the cotton lining being the warmer of the two. This fabric is one that can be used in most types of weather as it has quite a bit of weight and you can choose from different linings to determine how warm you want them to keep you.
Tricot is a heavy brushed polyester material. It is very soft to the touch and even has a bit of shine to it. Since it is the heaviest fabric, warm-ups that are made from tricot generally have no lining included. These windbreaks are not very resistant to water and tend to be less wind resistant than other materials. These windbreaks would be best suited for those in colder climates, given the heavy weight of the material. However, they are very comfortable due to their softness.
Therefore, depending on certain factors, one warming fabric is most likely more suitable than another. With this information, it will be much easier to determine which windbreaker fabric is right for you.