Sports clothing must have suitable materials to feel comfortable and allow the wearer to move as they wish. For example, what are basketball shorts made of?
Basketball shorts are made of polyester materials for the most part. All the big brands, such as Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour, produce shorts made of polyester. Many shorts are made of double-knit polyester mesh, but they can also be made of cotton.
Keep reading to find out more about the fabric of basketball shorts.
Best Material for Basketball Shorts
The best material for basketball shorts is polyester because it’s the perfect weight and texture for playing on the court. Below are some of the main benefits of polyester for basketball shorts:
- Durability: Polyester is highly durable and can withstand lots of activity and washing. So, you can expect most polyester basketball shorts to last a long time.
- Lightness: Since polyester is generally a durable material, you might think it would be heavy. In fact, polyester basketball shorts are lightweight, so they don’t affect a player’s performance on and off the court.
- Easy to maintain: Polyester is easy to wash and maintain because stains don’t soak into the fabric. Instead, they rest on top until they’re washed away.
Despite the upsides of polyester, there are some downsides. Below are the most important ones:
- Isn’t the best for absorbing sweat: Unfortunately, polyester can make you sweat more easily and doesn’t absorb moisture well. Of course, this isn’t ideal if you’re playing basketball for at least a couple of hours, so it’s a major disadvantage.
- Can smell bad: Since polyester is a synthetic fabric, it’s not as breathable as natural ones. If a player sweats excessively when wearing basketball shorts, the smell will likely be more pronounced.
Most Common Basketball Shorts Materials
Below is a list of some common basketball short fabrics aside from polyester.
Mesh Fabrics
If you look at basketball shorts up close, you’ll likely see the mesh fabric on the outer layer. Mesh is extremely common in basketball shorts, and it’s generally a polyester material. While the mesh is often outside of the shorts, you won’t find it on the inside (in most cases). Mesh allows the shorts to be light and easy to perform in.
Cotton
While not as common on the court, cotton is another material for basketball shorts. Generally, cotton is only worn under cold weather conditions (i.e., if a basketball match is outside during winter) because cotton is warmer than polyester.
Cotton basketball shorts are thicker than standard polyester ones, so they’re usually too warm for most players. On the other hand, cotton is natural and slightly more breathable than polyester, so it won’t smell as bad.
Can You Play Basketball in Cotton Basketball Shorts?
You can play basketball in cotton basketball shorts, particularly if playing outdoors in cold weather. However, polyester shorts are the most popular choice because they’re more lightweight, allowing the player to focus on the game.
Cotton basketball shorts are commonly worn as loungewear off the court because of their softness and comfort. They’re also a good choice for casual play or practice sessions.
Conclusion
Polyester is the most common basketball short fabric, and it’s used by all the big-name brands (like Nike and Adidas). Different mesh and cotton fabrics are also used in basketball shorts. Each fabric has its upsides and downsides, so choose the one that suits your needs best.