In the fast-paced world of fashion and apparel sourcing, one synthetic fiber consistently stands out for its strength, flexibility, and adaptability: nylon. From leggings and sportswear to windbreakers and swimwear, nylon is everywhere. But not all nylon fabrics are created equal—and understanding the types used in clothing is crucial for sourcing success. The most commonly used types of nylon in clothing include Nylon 6, Nylon 6,6, tricot-knit nylon, and nylon-spandex blends. Each type offers different advantages in terms of stretch, durability, and handfeel, making them suitable for specific garment categories.

Take the example of a U.S.-based fitness brand that switched from cotton-polyester to Nylon 6,6 and spandex for their yoga leggings. The result? A 30% increase in customer satisfaction due to better stretch recovery and sweat-wicking. But they also had to navigate denier selection, breathability trade-offs, and cost implications—factors not visible at first glance.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the types of nylon fabrics most commonly used in clothing, and help you make informed sourcing decisions based on end-use, customer preferences, and manufacturing realities.

1. What are the main types of nylon fibers used in apparel manufacturing?

The two primary types of nylon used in clothing are Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6. They differ in their chemical structure, processing characteristics, and performance. In addition, tricot knit nylon, nylon-spandex blends, and recycled nylon (rPA) are widely used across specific apparel applications. Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 are the foundational fibers in garment-grade nylon. Nylon 6 is more common in soft garments, while Nylon 6,6 offers higher strength and thermal resistance for performance apparel.

Comparing Nylon Types Used in Clothing

A. Chemical Structure and Manufacturing

• Nylon 6 is produced through ring-opening polymerization, resulting in more flexible chains.
• Nylon 6,6 has interlinked chains that create tighter bonds and higher crystallinity.

B. Fiber Properties Overview

Nylon 6 is widely used in hosiery, casualwear, linings, and knitwear, while Nylon 6,6 is favored for sportswear, outerwear, compression garments, and bags or straps.

C. Use-Case Mapping

When requesting custom nylon fabric, always confirm whether you’re getting 6 or 6,6, as performance and cost vary significantly.

2. Which is better for clothing: Nylon 6 or Nylon 6,6?

The answer depends on the garment’s purpose. Nylon 6 is better for soft, lightweight, and breathable applications. Nylon 6,6 is superior for high-strength, high-abrasion, and thermally demanding applications such as outerwear and technical gear.

In short: Nylon 6 is softer and easier to dye, while Nylon 6,6 is stronger and more heat-resistant—making each ideal for different segments of the apparel industry.

Nylon 6 vs Nylon 6,6 Head-to-Head

A. Performance Metrics (Lab Data)

B. Processing and Dyeing

• Nylon 6 dyes more evenly and deeply, even with acid dyes.
• Nylon 6,6 may require longer dye fixation times but holds color better under UV and washing.

If your product requires vivid digital printing or sublimation, Nylon 6 offers better ink uptake. For outdoor wear, choose Nylon 6,6 for longer color retention.

C. Cost and MOQ Implications

A U.K. cycling brand reduced product returns by 40% after switching from nylon 6 to nylon 6,6 in the saddle area of their bib shorts—highlighting how fiber strength directly influences product lifespan.

3. How does nylon tricot compare to woven nylon in garment applications?

Tricot nylon is a type of warp-knit fabric known for its smooth face, soft texture, and 4-way stretch when blended with spandex. In contrast, woven nylon is stronger and more structured, ideal for jackets, bags, and utility wear. Each serves different purposes in garment design. Nylon tricot is best for stretch garments like lingerie and sportswear linings, while woven nylon is more suitable for outerwear and structural garments due to its durability and dimensional stability.

Knit vs Woven Nylon in Clothing

A. Structure and Feel

Tricot is often chosen for swimwear lining, bralettes, or compression wear base layers due to its comfort and flexibility.

B. Use Case & Functionality

C. Finishing and Performance

A French swimwear startup chose tricot nylon over woven fabric for its next-to-skin comfort and moisture-wicking capability—boosting reviews for softness and fit by 20%.

4. What is the role of nylon-spandex blends in activewear and intimates?

Nylon-spandex blends (typically 80–90% nylon with 10–20% spandex) are foundational to stretch-driven garments like leggings, underwear, swimwear, shapewear, and compression apparel. These blends offer excellent stretch recovery, moisture-wicking, and body-hugging support. Nylon-spandex blends dominate performance wear and intimates due to their balance of strength, elasticity, and comfort. They offer long-lasting shape retention and dynamic movement support.

Nylon-Spandex Blends in Fashion Manufacturing

A. Typical Blend Ratios

Higher spandex content = more flexibility and tighter fit. Lower content = smoother drape and easier layering.

B. Performance Testing Benchmarks

C. Benefits in Consumer Experience

• Anti-sagging: Holds shape even after multiple washes.
• Sweat-wicking: Moves moisture away from skin.
• Lightweight control: Adds flattering contour without discomfort.
• Quick dry: Ideal for hot climates and gym-to-street transitions.

Many high-end activewear brands (like Lululemon, Gymshark, and Alo Yoga) rely on nylon-spandex over polyester-spandex, citing a silkier handfeel and more natural performance stretch.

5. Do recycled nylon fabrics offer the same performance as virgin nylon?

Recycled nylon (commonly referred to as rPA or ECONYL®) offers performance that is nearly identical to virgin nylon, particularly when chemically regenerated. It retains strength, elasticity, and dyeability—but may have slightly less consistency in color uniformity, and comes at a higher cost due to complex processing. Recycled nylon performs similarly to virgin nylon in strength and stretch, especially in clothing applications, and offers a sustainable alternative that’s gaining popularity among eco-conscious brands.

Performance & Sustainability of Recycled Nylon

A. Fabric Performance Comparison

Chemically recycled nylon (depolymerization + re-polymerization) preserves the polyamide chain, which makes it structurally equivalent to virgin nylon.

B. Sustainability Advantages

ECONYL® is made from ocean waste, fishing nets, and carpet fluff, making it a great storytelling point for green marketing.

C. Cost and MOQ Factors

Ask suppliers for GRS-certified rPA with test reports for tensile and stretch to validate that performance matches your expectations for leggings, tops, or jackets.

6. Is ripstop nylon suitable for wearable fashion or only technical gear?

Ripstop nylon—originally developed for military and outdoor use—is now crossing over into wearable fashion, particularly in streetwear, techwear, and utilitarian design. Lightweight ripstops under 100 GSM are suitable for jackets, skirts, and even accessories. While ripstop nylon is best known for bags and outerwear, lightweight, soft-finish ripstop fabrics are increasingly used in fashion-forward clothing, especially in urban, outdoor-inspired styles.

Evaluating Ripstop Nylon for Apparel

A. What Is Ripstop?

Ripstop is a reinforced woven fabric with a subtle grid pattern that prevents tearing. It can be made from nylon, polyester, or blends, and is available in various thicknesses and finishes.

B. Apparel-Grade Ripstop Features

Look for silicone-washed or PU-coated variants for softer handfeel and improved drape in fashion garments.

C. Design Use Cases

D. Pros & Cons for Apparel

For fashion garments, ripstop is often used as a contrast panel, layering piece, or in oversized silhouettes where structure is desirable.

7. How is the denier (D) and GSM of nylon chosen for clothing products?

Denier (D) and GSM (grams per square meter) are critical metrics when choosing nylon for garments. Denier measures fiber thickness, affecting feel and appearance, while GSM defines the weight and durability of the finished fabric. The right balance ensures optimal performance, comfort, and aesthetics. Lower deniers (20D–70D) are used in stretch garments and linings; mid-range deniers (100D–210D) are ideal for jackets and fashion outerwear; higher GSM indicates greater durability but less drape.

Denier and GSM Guide for Nylon Apparel

A. Denier Selection by Use Case

Higher deniers don’t always mean better; in fashionwear, too high a denier can feel stiff and reduce wearability.

B. GSM Benchmarks

A fashion brand testing 210D/180 GSM ripstop for unisex jackets found it offered durability + modern structure but needed softening for drape.

C. Blending Denier and GSM

Always request lab swatches and test stretch + opacity under real garment conditions before bulk ordering.

8. What should B2B buyers consider when sourcing nylon for garments?

When sourcing nylon for clothing, B2B buyers must consider factors beyond fiber type. These include intended use, finishing (e.g., anti-pilling, moisture-wicking), compliance (OEKO-TEX®, GRS), and supplier reliability. Choosing the wrong denier, GSM, or blend can lead to fit issues, poor reviews, or costly returns. Successful nylon sourcing requires aligning performance specs with garment purpose, ensuring compliance, and working with experienced factories that can offer customization, testing, and low MOQs.

Nylon Sourcing Checklist for Buyers

A. Define Application Needs

• Is the garment next-to-skin or layered?
• Will it be exposed to sun, sweat, or chlorine?
• Does it require compression or drape?

B. Confirm Material Specs

C. Ask Suppliers for:

• Test reports: tensile strength, colorfastness, abrasion
• Custom dyeing or printing capabilities
• Finishing options: antibacterial, quick-dry, soft-touch
• Minimum order quantities and lead times

A U.S. intimates brand reduced fabric waste by 22% after switching to a supplier that could pre-cut bonded nylon-spandex fabric to spec—avoiding over-ordering and post-cutting shrinkage issues.

Nylon Selection Shapes Garment Success

From ultralight tricot to ultra-durable 6,6 ripstop, nylon continues to power innovation in fashion and performance apparel. But the “type” of nylon you choose—its fiber structure, denier, GSM, and blend—can make or break the product experience.

Clarity at the sourcing stage ensures efficiency in sampling, better fit in final garments, and stronger brand trust in a market where customers expect comfort and durability.

Source Custom Nylon Fabrics with SzoneierFabrics

As a trusted manufacturer with years of experience in custom fabric R\&D and garment-grade nylon solutions, SzoneierFabrics delivers:

• Custom-woven or knit nylon fabrics (Nylon 6, 6,6, tricot, ripstop, rPA)
• Expert blend development with spandex, modal, cotton, and more
• Free sample support, low MOQs, and fast prototyping
• Performance coating, print, and finishing customization
• Global shipping and 100% quality assurance

Contact us today to request swatches or start development on your custom nylon fabric for garments. We’ll help you build apparel that performs, feels great—and sells even better.