While first invented for golfers in 1991, Nike first released its Dri-FIT line of products to the general public in the early 2000s. Since, it’s gone down a hit with athletes who enjoy the performance-boosting effects of having sweat expertly wicked away from their skin, allowing it to evaporate while keeping them cool.
The short answer
Dri fit activewear is woven from microfiber polyester. Since polyester is the predominant fabric used in swimsuits for its resistance to becoming waterlogged while remaining lightweight, we can see no reason why Dri Fit shouldn’t be worn by swimmers. While not designed to be swimwear, it can still serve that purpose.
Can you use Dri Fit for Swimming? A Guide
What is Nike Dri Fit?
The idea of Dri Fit is simple: Keep athletes’ skin dry and free from sweat when worn, keeping them cool and able to push that bit harder.
To achieve this game-changing effect, Nike employs an innovative polyester microfiber designed with sweat-wicking technology. This fabric draws sweat away from the skin onto its surface, from which it evaporates. The breathable & innovative sports apparel was an instant success and has sustained its legacy decades later as one of the more prominent types of clothing for athletes and active lifestyles.
Why isn’t there a Dri Fit Swimwear Line?
Dri-Fit clothing ranges from shirts to shorts, socks, and even outerwear, but they’ve never quite applied the technology to swimwear. This makes sense as while swimmers certainly do sweat, there’s no evaporation underwater. The moisture-wicking properties of a Dri Fit swimsuit would technically suit no purpose.
Dri Fit is made out of Microfiber polyester material. This is a synthetic fabric that’s durable, lightweight, and wrinkle-resistant. Polyester is highly stain resistant, making it very easy to clean. It also dries very quickly, and it takes to dye well. However, it lacks the stretch of swimsuits.
Can Dri Fit be Used for Swimming?
Is Dri-FIT Waterproof?
If you’re wondering whether you can wear Dri Fit for swimming, asking if Dri Fit water resistant is a great place to start.
The simple answer is that though Dri-FIT fabrics are highly water-resistant, they are not completely waterproof. Their polyester fabric and lightweight makeup mean water tends to only lightly water-log before slipping away, but they’re not as good at this trick as swimsuits.
Can you wear Nike Dri Fit shirts for swimming?
Yes, you can wear Nike Dri Fit shirts for swimming. Their polyester content makes them a better swimwear alternative than general day-to-day wear, while their relatively streamlined design makes them safe to wear in water.
Can you Wear a Dri Fit Shirt in the Pool?
Yes, you can wear Dri-FIT in a pool. However, that said, it’s important to note that the fabric will absorb water just as it does sweat, so it may become uncomfortable ands saturated. Plus, if you’re wading into a chlorinated pool, you’ll have to take the potentially harmful effects of chlorine (which we delve into further below) into account.
Dri-Fit is usually light, which naturally makes them suitable for swimming. They won’t weigh you down in the water.
Short Sleeves
Most Dri Fit tops have short sleeves, meaning you’ll experience less drag in the water and be able to swim more efficiently and comfortably.
Better than a Standard Apparel
Our day-to-day wear tends to contain considerable amounts of cotton. This highly-absorbant material and water don’t tend to go hand in hand, with heavy waterlogging and fabric damage usually being the result.
Fortunately, Dri Fit is specifically designed to contain less cotton, with polyester taking centerstage – much like in swimwear. While it may not contain nylon or spandex, it still enjoys the lightweight, semi-water-resistant properties of polyester making it more similar in design to swimwear and, thus, more suitable to be worn in the water.
It Mimics a Swim Shirt (or Rashguard)
A rash guard (also sometimes called a rash vest, rashie, or swim shirt) is an athletic shirt made of spandex and nylon or polyester. It is designed to be worn in the water, either on its own or (more usually) over a bathing suit or bikini top.
Simply put, Nike did not intend for Dri-Fit to be used for swimming, meaning it’ll never be as good for swimming as a swimsuit or other types of swimwear.
Chlorine Damage
Unlike most swimsuits, Dri Fit products are not designed to be chlorine-resistant. Chlorine is a potent chemical that makes a habit of damaging and bleaching fabric fibers. Unfortunately, its effect on Dri-Fit wear is no different, meaning you’re putting your Dri Fit at risk of damage, discoloring, or bleaching if you wear it in a chlorinated pool.
Poor Performance
If you are a competitive swimmer and intent to swim for long periods of time, then wearing a Dri-fit shirt is a bad idea. The material will stretch out quickly and with each use, rendering your shirt ill-fitting.
Uncomfortable Fit & Feel
The polyester used in Dri Fit does not dry out as fast as on land, leaving your clothing feeling wet against your skin.
Can you wear Nike Dri Fit shorts for Swimming?
Yes, you can wear Nike Dry Fit shorts for swimming. While not specifically designed to be worn in the water, Dry Fit shorts conveniently host some design features that make them a great swim shorts alternative.
Pros of Wearing Dri Fit Shorts for Swimming
Lightweight Design
The Dri-Fit shirts tend to be lightweight, meaning they won’t add to your overall bulk and drag while swimming. Plus, the shirts don’t absorb water instantly, so you are sure to get a couple of swims in before you feel it starts feeling heavy.
Water-friendly Features
But the Dri-FIT material, mesh pocket bags, and perforated accents allow for water drainage and breathability, making Dri Fit shorts great for water activities.
Similar Material to Classic Swim Shorts
When it comes to the question of what materials are swimming trunks made out of, a blend of polyester and spandex is the most common answer. While Dri-fit shorts don’t contain spandex, they do have high levels of polyester, meaning they can accomplish the same lightweight and water-resistant feel as swimming trunks.
Nike Dri Fit shorts are looser than traditional swimwear and will “catch “the water, slowing competitive swimmers down.
Uncomfortable Fit & Feel
The polyester used to make the shorts will hold on to moisture longer if waterlogged, meaning it will not dry out as quickly as expected while sticking to the skin.
Conclusion: Can You Wear Dri-Fit For Swimming?
The verdict says yes. While not ideal swimwear, Nike’s Dri Fit shirts, and shorts are an excellent alternative. That said, if you have the option, choose to buy a swim shirt or rash guard instead, as they’re specifically designed for water use and will not deteriorate as Dri Fit when used for swimming.
Swimsuits are an essensionl part of ones summer outfit. Swimsuits can be bought for a variety of prices. How much one should spend on a swimsuit depends on how often the swimsuit will be worn and how long it will last. The ability to spend and slurge on a swimsuit is very individual. Some people …
When shopping for swimsuits, we firmly believe you should pick something you love that makes you feel as fabulous as you are. With several exciting swimsuit styles to choose from offering plenty of coverage, material, style, and size options – there’s never been a better time to shop for a swimsuit! More important still, as the …
While complex in design and style, swimsuits tend to be interestingly simple in material makeup. Still, to stretch but not get stretched out while allowing water to wash over their surface – there must be an innovative blend beneath their beach-ready surface. So, what materials are swimsuits made of? Most swimsuits are made from polyester, nylon, …
Key Takeaway The best way to take chlorine out of your swimsuit is by rinsing it with cold water immediately, or soaking it for about 30 minutes with baking soda/white vinegar. You could also use chlorine removal or regular non-toxic detergents that also eliminate the smell. How to get Chlorine out of a Swimsuit After …
Dri Fit for Swimming
While first invented for golfers in 1991, Nike first released its Dri-FIT line of products to the general public in the early 2000s. Since, it’s gone down a hit with athletes who enjoy the performance-boosting effects of having sweat expertly wicked away from their skin, allowing it to evaporate while keeping them cool.
The short answer
Dri fit activewear is woven from microfiber polyester. Since polyester is the predominant fabric used in swimsuits for its resistance to becoming waterlogged while remaining lightweight, we can see no reason why Dri Fit shouldn’t be worn by swimmers. While not designed to be swimwear, it can still serve that purpose.
Can you use Dri Fit for Swimming? A Guide
What is Nike Dri Fit?
The idea of Dri Fit is simple: Keep athletes’ skin dry and free from sweat when worn, keeping them cool and able to push that bit harder.
To achieve this game-changing effect, Nike employs an innovative polyester microfiber designed with sweat-wicking technology. This fabric draws sweat away from the skin onto its surface, from which it evaporates. The breathable & innovative sports apparel was an instant success and has sustained its legacy decades later as one of the more prominent types of clothing for athletes and active lifestyles.
Why isn’t there a Dri Fit Swimwear Line?
Dri-Fit clothing ranges from shirts to shorts, socks, and even outerwear, but they’ve never quite applied the technology to swimwear. This makes sense as while swimmers certainly do sweat, there’s no evaporation underwater. The moisture-wicking properties of a Dri Fit swimsuit would technically suit no purpose.
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$49What is Dri Fit Made out of?
Dri Fit is made out of Microfiber polyester material. This is a synthetic fabric that’s durable, lightweight, and wrinkle-resistant. Polyester is highly stain resistant, making it very easy to clean. It also dries very quickly, and it takes to dye well. However, it lacks the stretch of swimsuits.
Can Dri Fit be Used for Swimming?
Is Dri-FIT Waterproof?
If you’re wondering whether you can wear Dri Fit for swimming, asking if Dri Fit water resistant is a great place to start.
The simple answer is that though Dri-FIT fabrics are highly water-resistant, they are not completely waterproof. Their polyester fabric and lightweight makeup mean water tends to only lightly water-log before slipping away, but they’re not as good at this trick as swimsuits.
Can you wear Nike Dri Fit shirts for swimming?
Yes, you can wear Nike Dri Fit shirts for swimming. Their polyester content makes them a better swimwear alternative than general day-to-day wear, while their relatively streamlined design makes them safe to wear in water.
Can you Wear a Dri Fit Shirt in the Pool?
Yes, you can wear Dri-FIT in a pool. However, that said, it’s important to note that the fabric will absorb water just as it does sweat, so it may become uncomfortable ands saturated. Plus, if you’re wading into a chlorinated pool, you’ll have to take the potentially harmful effects of chlorine (which we delve into further below) into account.
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$65Mint Striped Swim Shorts
$55$33
Pros of Using Dri Fit Shirts for Swimming
Lightweight Design
Dri-Fit is usually light, which naturally makes them suitable for swimming. They won’t weigh you down in the water.
Short Sleeves
Most Dri Fit tops have short sleeves, meaning you’ll experience less drag in the water and be able to swim more efficiently and comfortably.
Better than a Standard Apparel
Our day-to-day wear tends to contain considerable amounts of cotton. This highly-absorbant material and water don’t tend to go hand in hand, with heavy waterlogging and fabric damage usually being the result.
Fortunately, Dri Fit is specifically designed to contain less cotton, with polyester taking centerstage – much like in swimwear. While it may not contain nylon or spandex, it still enjoys the lightweight, semi-water-resistant properties of polyester making it more similar in design to swimwear and, thus, more suitable to be worn in the water.
It Mimics a Swim Shirt (or Rashguard)
A rash guard (also sometimes called a rash vest, rashie, or swim shirt) is an athletic shirt made of spandex and nylon or polyester. It is designed to be worn in the water, either on its own or (more usually) over a bathing suit or bikini top.
Pineapple Swimsuit
$49Pineapple Palm – Father and Son
$68Ducks Swim Shorts
$65Pink Striped Matching Couples Swimwear
$77Cons of Wearing Dri Fit for Swimming
Not Designed to be Worn in Water
Simply put, Nike did not intend for Dri-Fit to be used for swimming, meaning it’ll never be as good for swimming as a swimsuit or other types of swimwear.
Chlorine Damage
Unlike most swimsuits, Dri Fit products are not designed to be chlorine-resistant. Chlorine is a potent chemical that makes a habit of damaging and bleaching fabric fibers. Unfortunately, its effect on Dri-Fit wear is no different, meaning you’re putting your Dri Fit at risk of damage, discoloring, or bleaching if you wear it in a chlorinated pool.
Poor Performance
If you are a competitive swimmer and intent to swim for long periods of time, then wearing a Dri-fit shirt is a bad idea. The material will stretch out quickly and with each use, rendering your shirt ill-fitting.
Uncomfortable Fit & Feel
The polyester used in Dri Fit does not dry out as fast as on land, leaving your clothing feeling wet against your skin.
Can you wear Nike Dri Fit shorts for Swimming?
Yes, you can wear Nike Dry Fit shorts for swimming. While not specifically designed to be worn in the water, Dry Fit shorts conveniently host some design features that make them a great swim shorts alternative.
Pros of Wearing Dri Fit Shorts for Swimming
Lightweight Design
The Dri-Fit shirts tend to be lightweight, meaning they won’t add to your overall bulk and drag while swimming. Plus, the shirts don’t absorb water instantly, so you are sure to get a couple of swims in before you feel it starts feeling heavy.
Water-friendly Features
But the Dri-FIT material, mesh pocket bags, and perforated accents allow for water drainage and breathability, making Dri Fit shorts great for water activities.
Similar Material to Classic Swim Shorts
When it comes to the question of what materials are swimming trunks made out of, a blend of polyester and spandex is the most common answer. While Dri-fit shorts don’t contain spandex, they do have high levels of polyester, meaning they can accomplish the same lightweight and water-resistant feel as swimming trunks.
Lounge Pack
$129Party Pack
$129Turtle Palm Swim Shorts
$65Mint Striped Swim Shorts
$55$33
Cons of Wearing Dri Fit Shorts for Swimming
Not Ideal for Competitive Swimming
Nike Dri Fit shorts are looser than traditional swimwear and will “catch “the water, slowing competitive swimmers down.
Uncomfortable Fit & Feel
The polyester used to make the shorts will hold on to moisture longer if waterlogged, meaning it will not dry out as quickly as expected while sticking to the skin.
Conclusion: Can You Wear Dri-Fit For Swimming?
The verdict says yes. While not ideal swimwear, Nike’s Dri Fit shirts, and shorts are an excellent alternative. That said, if you have the option, choose to buy a swim shirt or rash guard instead, as they’re specifically designed for water use and will not deteriorate as Dri Fit when used for swimming.
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