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The variety in the jogger market is huge and one of the things that may influence the price is the material. Some joggers are made of material that is soft and stretchy, resembling fabric used for sweatpants. Others are made of material that is more structured and stiff. Additionally, some joggers are more flexible or more active, and some joggers are more stiffer or less active in range of motion. The biggest influence on these differences is the fabric used. The choice between knit and woven fabric determines how the joggers perform, and how the joggers feel and look. Having spent some time in the jogger manufacturing industry, I have learned a lot primarily from the the woven and knit fabric choice. Let us get into it.
Difference Between Knit and Woven
Before we get into joggers, we should clarify what knit and woven mean. Woven fabrics are created by interlacing threads in a grid, like a basket. This makes a fabric that is stable, can hold its shape, and stretch very little unless you add some spandex. Knit fabrics, however, are formed by interlocking loops of yarn. This loop structure provides some natural stretch and recovery. A jersey knit is what you would think of for a T shirt. A dress shirt would be a woven fabric. Each fabric has its own personality and that personality carries over into the design of joggers.
The Role Of Knit Fabric On The Design Of Joggers
Knit fabric promotes comfort and freedom of movement and is soft against the skin and breathes easily, which is why it is the ideal fabric for lounging and for exercising. Knit joggers are designed to feel as if you are not wearing anything at all. The ideal athleisure fabric feels like a second skin. From a design perspective, knit fabric provides the opportunity for a close fitting design without losing comfort. This allows for constructions to achieve a more streamlined, slim silhouette, the ultimate goal for almost all styles of joggers. This construction gives the wearer ability to bend and stretch without restriction. The knit of the waistband and the cuffs provides design continuity. Because of the forgiving nature of knit fabric, knit joggers are often less complicated to design and produce than joggers made of woven fabrics. The construction is ideal for the knits as the fabric will easily and aesthetically cover the construction, and the stitches.
The Versatility of Woven Fabric
Woven fabric offers various advantages for designing joggers. Unlike knit joggers which are soft and flexible, woven joggers are more structured and are better at retaining their shape. This results in a more polished and crisper look. If your goal is a more streetwear style instead of loungewear, woven joggers are more likely to be the fabric of choice. Woven fabric does not stick to the body as knitted fabrics do which means woven joggers are generally looser. Because of this, woven joggers drape in a manner which requires the designer to incorporate ease as a part of the pattern. This explains the numerous design features such as elastic waistbands, drawstrings and knitted cuffs which are used to achieve the typical jogger look without the use of stretchy woven fabric. Woven joggers also offer better overall durability and are more resistant to daily wear and tear. If the purpose of your joggers is to withstand this type of usage, woven fabric will be the more practical choice.
Fit, Comfort, and Feel
Different types of fabrics affect the fit and comfort of the joggers, and help determine the wearer's experience overall. Knit joggers, for example, can be cut closer to the leg, yet still provide full flexibility to move as desired. The body is hugged but not in a tight, constricting way to offer a slick and modern sport like look which has been fashionable for many years. The feel is soft, cozy, and forgiving. Woven joggers do not stretch in the same way as knit joggers do, which is why these pants require a more spacious cut in the design. This may mean having a wider leg to assist in movement, or the use of design elements such as pleats or darts to form the right silhouette. The differences in the fabric lead to new sensations, from body hugging to simply promoting a polished, streamlined look. Depending on the fiber used in the fabric, the feel of the material can be anywhere from crisp to soft, but woven fabrics will limit flexibility even more than knit fabrics. Neither knit nor woven fabrics are better. They simply serve different purposes.
Durability and Longevity
Woven fabric tends to withstand the test of time a little better than knit fabric. Woven styles are usually better at resisting things like abrasion and pilling. They also do not stretch out like knits can. A good quality woven jogger will retain its shape for a long time. In contrast, knit joggers, especially those made with cotton blends, will lose their shape over time. They could potentially sag at the knee and stretch at the waist. The good thing is that high quality knit blends with spandex or polyester are much better at retaining shape. Ultimately, it depends on how you want the jogger to age. Woven is a better option if you want a jogger that will look crisp and structured for a long time. If you want a jogger that will provide you with comfort, and you do not mind if it gradually relaxes over time, a knit jogger is your best bet.
Details of Design and Versatility in Style
Every fabric has its unique capabilities and projected style. With knit fabric, you have the ability to incorporate some more streamlined details, as the fabric type serves to provide structure and form. Coordinating knit fabric ribbed cuffs and waistbands further enhance the streamlined aesthetic. Leaning more casual, knit joggers are perfect from the gym to the couch, and for errands. They are best matched with sneakers and hoodies. With woven fabric, the opposite is true, as you will most likely need additional details to achieve jogger form. Think elastic waist, functional drawstring, ribbed cuffs, and perhaps front pleats. These become part of the aesthetic. Woven jogger are just right to hit the inbetween casual and smart casual. Going with a nice t shirt will do or even a casual button down. They are ideal for travel, relaxed office hours, and for outings. The choice of fabric diverges the joggers purpose in your closet. The jogger's purpose changes with the choice of fabric.
Fabric for Joggers: Choosing The Right One
When it comes to buying joggers, there is not an absolute right choice to go with between knit and woven fabrics. It is completely subjective. If you are looking for soft materials that allow for comfort and mobility, knit fabric is for you. If you are looking for tough materials that are more structured and polished, then woven is the way to go. Some companies even mix the two fabrics, perhaps knit for the main part and woven for the rest. It is important to know the pros and cons for final part of the joggers and fabric that is going to help you get your vision. The choice of fabric is going to have an impact on the direction of the rest of the parts you are going to have.
The next time you buy joggers, try and feel the fabric and design that has been used. Consider how the drape, the stretch, the feel, and the comfort have all come together as a result of a choice that has been made. That part of the design is a choice that is going to have the largest impact on your joggers.