Polyamide or Polyester: What is the Difference and Which One to Choose ?

Introduction

When it comes to choosing sportswear, the dilemma between polyamide or polyester is often a challenge. Between comfort, durability, texture and maintenance, it can be difficult to choose the ideal fabric. We will break down these two textile materials to help you make an informed choice.

Polyester and Polyamide: Presentation of materials

Polyester

polyester is a synthetic fiber made from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol alcohol. Known for its wear resistance and its high melting point, it resists well to high temperatures. It is widely used in the production of clothing, from hoodies to sportswear.

Polyamide

polyamide, commonly known as nylon, is another synthetic fiber. It offers great elasticity and impressive mechanical resistance. Its rigidity and abrasion resistance make it a popular choice for sportswear.

Also read: cotton or polyester, how to choose ?

Properties and Differences

Mechanical properties

polyamide has superior mechanical strength, making it ideal for clothing that experiences regular wear. polyester, on the other hand, has a higher abrasion resistance, making it more durable against wear and tear.

Thermal properties

In terms of thermal properties, polyester resists heat better than polyamide. However, polyamide has better thermal resistance, meaning it retains heat better, which can be beneficial in winter clothing.

Optical properties

polyester has a higher shine, which can give it a more attractive appearance. polyamide, on the other hand, has a deeper coloring, meaning it can maintain brighter colors for longer.

What is the difference between polyamide and polyester ?

In summary, here are some of the main differences between polyester and polyamide:

• Durability: polyester is generally more resistant to wear than polyamide, making it more durable.

• Water absorption: polyamide absorbs more water than polyester, which can make polyamide clothing heavier when are wet.

• Heat resistance: polyester has better heat resistance than polyamide.

• UV Resistance: polyester is generally more UV resistant than polyamide, meaning it is less likely to degrade sun.

• Flexibility: polyamide is generally more flexible than polyester, which can make it more comfortable to wear.

• Mildew Resistance: polyamide has better mildew resistance than polyester, which can extend the life of clothing in humid environments.

• Appearance and texture: polyester tends to have a higher shine, while polyamide can offer a softer, more pleasant-to-the-touch texture .

Also read: what material protects from the cold ?

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of Polyester

polyester is known for its UV resistance, meaning it does not degrade with sunshine. It is also hydrophobic, meaning it does not absorb water, which can be beneficial in sportswear.

Advantages of Polyamide

polyamide has greater flexibility, which gives it a more pleasant texture. It also has better mildew and acid resistance, which can extend the life of the garment.

Disadvantages of Polyester

Although polyester has many advantages, it also has its disadvantages. One of them is that it's not as breathable as other materials, which can be a problem for those who sweat a lot. Additionally, although it is UV resistant, it can degrade over time, especially if constantly exposed to sunlight.

Disadvantages of Polyamide

polyamide, although appreciated for its flexibility and resistance to mold, also has its drawbacks. One of the main ones is that it can absorb more water than polyester, which can make polyamide clothing heavier and take longer to dry. Additionally, it is more sensitive to sunlight and may fade over time.

Also read: is polyester bad for the skin ?

Applications and Uses

Both polyester and polyamide have a wide range of applications.polyester is commonly used in sportswear or shoe soles and slippers such as lined slippers for example due to its wear resistance and its hydrophobicity.

polyamide, with its flexibility and mildew resistance, is often used in premium outerwear and sportswear. range.

The clothes we wear reflect our respect for our bodies and for the environment. Consciously choosing between polyester and polyamide is a step towards a more sustainable lifestyle.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®

Maintenance and Precautions

The care of polyester and polyamide clothing is generally simple. Both can be air washed, although polyamide may require a more delicate wash. It is always best to check the label for specific instructions.

	Polyester	Polyamide
Air wash	Polyester can be washed in the open air without specific problems.	Polyamide can also be air washed, but a more delicate wash may be necessary.
Exposure to the sun	Polyester is UV resistant and does not degrade over time due to exposure to sunlight.	Polyamide may discolor over time due to exposure to sunlight. It is therefore preferable to dry polyamide clothing in the shade.
Using mild detergents	It is recommended to use mild detergents when washing polyester clothing to preserve the quality of the fabric.	Polyamide clothing also benefits from the use of mild detergents to extend the life of the fabric.
Consultation of care labels	Care labels provide specific instructions for washing, drying and ironing polyester.	It is always best to follow the instructions on care labels to extend the life of polyamide clothing.

Also read: how to wash polyester ?

Environmental impact of Polyamide and Polyester

When we talk about polyamide and polyester, it is essential to take into account their environmental impact. These two materials are synthetic fibers derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. Their production requires a lot of energy and releases greenhouse gases, thus contributing to global warming.

Polyamide: Significant Water Consumption

polyamide, in particular, is often criticized due to its production process which uses significant amounts of water. Additionally, when washing, polyamide clothing can release microplastics into the water, which can then enter the food chain.

Polyester: A Resistant but Polluting Material

For its part, polyester is the most used material in the clothing industry. Its production consumes less water and energy than that of polyamide. However, just like polyamide, polyester can release microplastics when washing. Additionally, although durable, polyester degrades very slowly in the environment, which poses problems in terms of waste.

Towards More Ecological Alternatives

However, it is important to note that efforts are being made to minimize these impacts. For example, recycling of polyamide and polyester products is increasingly common, which helps reduce the amount of waste. In addition, more ecological alternatives are being sought, such as the use of bio-sourced materials or the improvement of production processes to reduce water and energy consumption.

Conclusion

In the world of fabrics, it is clear that the choice between polyamide and polyester depends largely on your specific needs and personal values. These materials both have their advantages and disadvantages, and choosing between the two can be difficult to make. It is essential to remember that the most important thing is to choose a product that meets your needs while respecting your principles.

In the world of textiles, there are no bad choices, only choices that meet our needs.
— Geoffrey, Founder of The Oversized Hoodie®

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At The Oversized Hoodie®, we believe that comfort should not compromise quality or ethics. We are proud of our products and we are confident that you will love them as much as we do. So why wait ? Discover our collections today and experience true high-end comfort.

FAQ

Which is warmer: polyamide or polyester ?

polyamide has better thermal resistance, meaning it retains heat better, which can be beneficial in winter clothing.

What is polyamide fabric ?

polyamide, commonly known as nylon, is a synthetic fiber offering high elasticity and impressive mechanical resistance.

Is polyamide polyester ?

No, polyamide and polyester are two different types of synthetic fibers, each with their own properties and benefits.

What are the disadvantages of polyester ?

While polyester is strong and durable, it is not as breathable as other fabrics and may not be as comfortable for extended use.

Viscose or polyester ?

viscose is a semi-synthetic fiber, often used as an alternative to silk, while polyester is a durable synthetic fiber. The choice between the two depends on the intended use. Learn more here to know if silk is a warm material.

Acrylic or polyester ?

acrylic is a synthetic fiber that imitates wool, while polyester is more durable and resistant. The choice between the two depends on the intended use.

Nylon or polyester ?

nylon (polyamide) is more flexible and has better resistance to mildew, while polyester is more wear-resistant and hydrophobic. The choice between the two depends on the intended use.

Polyamide or cotton ?

polyamide is more durable and flexible than cotton, but cotton is more breathable and may be more comfortable for prolonged use.

Polyamide or polyester sock ?

The choice depends on the specific needs. polyamide is often preferred for sports socks due to its flexibility, while polyester may be preferred for its durability and thickness like the sock sock.

Sources

[1] "Polyester vs. Polyamide: Key Fabric Differences", Green Nettle Textiles

Updated March 19, 2024