Movement

Generally speaking woven fabrics are strong, relatively rigid and hardwearing. Woven fabrics tend to be used for outer fabrics in their natural state, treated with water repellent, coated with a breathable-water resistant material or laminated with similar products. They are also used for back-packs both for the body fabric and for webbings and trims.

A very wide range of structures may be produced by weft knitting and embellishment may be achieved by the use of colour, elastanes, insertion of sliver to produce fleece and pile effects, and many others. Weft knitted fabrics tend to be more extensible and elastic than woven fabrics; they are often used when close fitting garments are required and the elasticity may be enhanced by the use of elastanes. Weft knitted fabrics are also used for underwear/base layer, swim wear, cycling wear, team wear, open mesh garments/linings and fleeces.

Finer continuous filament flat yarn warp knitted fabrics are used for linings and the inner layer of laminates, heavier fabrics are used for insulation layers, team wear and fitness wear.