Mesh, Micro and Eyelet

Micro mesh and eyelet mesh fabrics are specialized knit textiles characterized by small, regularly spaced holes that enhance breathability. Micro mesh typically refers to a lightweight polyester mesh with tiny perforations – it’s moisture-wicking, breathable, and stretch-friendly, engineered for movement and sweat. This fabric is often 100% polyester (or a poly-spandex blend) and is used in sports clothing for its exceptional airflow and quick-dry properties. Eyelet mesh fabric, on the other hand, features slightly larger knitted holes (sometimes in a dimpled, bird’s-eye pattern) that allow even more ventilation. In true eyelet mesh, the openings are knitted as part of the construction (not merely punched out) for durability and a consistent mesh structure. Both micro mesh and eyelet mesh are lightweight yet strong, making them ideal for athletic wear where breathability and ventilation are paramount. Sportek International’s Mesh Micro & Eyelet collection encompasses both types – including micro eyelet fabric variations – offering a range of breathable sports mesh fabric options for different needs in activewear.

Key Benefits of Mesh Fabrics

Sportek’s mesh fabrics are designed to perform under pressure. Notable benefits include:

• Breathability & Ventilation: The open-knit eyelet mesh design provides excellent airflow, allowing heat and perspiration to escape. This prevents overheating and keeps athletes cool even during intense workouts.
• Lightweight Comfort: Mesh micro fabrics are extremely light, so they won’t weigh you down. The fine yarns and tiny holes create a barely-there feel that lets you move freely without restriction.
• Moisture-Wicking & Quick-Dry: Synthetic fibers like polyester repel moisture. Eyelet and micro mesh pull sweat off the skin and disperse it for rapid evaporation, keeping the wearer dry and avoiding that heavy, soaked feeling. This quick-dry performance helps maintain comfort and reduce chafing.
• Stretch & Flexibility: Many of these meshes incorporate spandex, giving them 4-way stretch and excellent recovery. A quality stretch mesh moves with your body (ideal for form-fitting activewear) and snaps back without sagging, ensuring a full range of motion during training.
• Durability: Despite their sheer appearance, sports mesh fabrics are built tough. High-grade polyester or nylon yarns provide tensile strength and abrasion resistance, and the knitted grid structure distributes stress to resist tears. These fabrics can withstand the physical contact and frequent wash cycles of athletic use without losing shape or performance. Many Sportek fabrics also offer specialty finishes – for example, anti-microbial treatments to combat odors or UV-protective coatings – further enhancing their durability and functionality.

Common Applications in Activewear

Sports Jerseys and Training Apparel

Eyelet mesh is ubiquitous in team uniforms and activewear jerseys. Eyelet mesh for sportswear provides the classic breathable texture seen in basketball jerseys, soccer shirts, and football training pinnies. The tiny eyelet holes ensure players stay cool, while the fabric’s lightweight strength stands up to competitive use. Micro poly mesh (about 80–100 GSM) is often used in soccer or football jerseys, offering a balance of lightness and coverage. These meshes are semi-opaque up close but allow ample airflow, making them ideal for full athletic tops, training T-shirts, shorts, and workout tanks. They strike a balance between ventilation and structure, keeping athletes comfortable and focused. Importantly, quality bird’s-eye or eyelet mesh jerseys hold up to repeated wear, contact, and washing, so teams can rely on them season after season.

Linings, Panels, and Layering

Beyond jerseys, micro and eyelet meshes are used as lining panels and ventilation inserts in all kinds of activewear. For instance, a lightweight bird’s-eye mesh (named for its small textured “eye” pattern) often serves as a breathable lining inside jackets or shorts, or as side panels in running shirts to enhance airflow. In training shorts, a soft tricot micro mesh might line the interior for comfort and moisture management. Eyelet mesh is also common in armpit or back panels of shirts and jackets, where extra ventilation is needed. In dancewear or fitness fashion, stretch mesh overlays add style and breathability to leggings or sleeves. From sports jerseys to training apparel and inserts, these fabrics provide cooling and comfort where solid fabrics would trap heat. Even as an outer layer, mesh can serve as a breathable shell over another fabric, creating a durable athletic uniform that still lets air circulate. In short, whenever designers need to reduce heat and weight in a garment, they turn to mesh fabrics as a solution.

Fabric Variations – Bird’s-Eye, Micro Eyelet & Stretch Mesh

Sports mesh comes in several variations, each with unique knit patterns and features:

• Bird’s-Eye Mesh: Also known as bird eye piqué or mock eyelet, this single-layer mesh has a subtle dimpled texture on the front (resembling tiny bird’s eyes) and a flat back. It’s a classic athletic mesh used in many jerseys and polo shirts. Bird’s-eye mesh is lightweight and very breathable, with small evenly spaced holes that provide all-over ventilation. It’s popular for activewear because it delivers a soft feel and excellent moisture-wicking, often used in team uniforms and training gear.
• Micro Eyelet Mesh: This refers to eyelet mesh fabric with especially small, fine holes. A micro eyelet mesh fabric offers a more subtle mesh look while still enhancing airflow. Often made from 100% polyester or poly/spandex, it is “seriously breathable” and perfect for high-sweat activities in warm weather. Micro eyelet fabric is commonly seen in performance t-shirts and linings where you want breathability without large visible openings. It provides a smooth, flexible texture with the same cooling benefits of larger eyelet styles.
• Stretch Mesh: This term covers any mesh (including bird’s-eye or micro mesh) knitted with spandex or Lycra to impart multi-directional stretch. Sportek’s collection includes 4-way stretch mesh fabrics that combine polyester’s strength with elastane’s elasticity. A stretch mesh maintains its mesh hole structure while allowing the fabric to extend and recover in all directions. The result is a material that moves with the body during activities like running, yoga, or dance. Stretch meshes can range from lightweight power mesh (for gentle support in leggings or bra linings) to heavier compression mesh that adds support in high-impact training wear. By blending stretch into mesh, you get breathable ventilation plus the comfort of flexible fit.

Wholesale Supply for Manufacturers (B2B)

Sportek International is not only a developer of innovative performance textiles but also a trusted sportswear fabric supplier for businesses. We cater to wholesale clients by offering bulk yardage and roll goods of our eyelet and micro mesh fabrics, ensuring consistent dye lots and quality for large production runs. As a U.S.-based wholesale supplier, Sportek delivers fabrics optimized for print, durability, and comfort, supporting manufacturers who demand technical fabrics for high-intensity use. Our wholesale performance sportswear fabric program makes it easy for apparel manufacturers, brands, and designers to source what they need: whether you require wholesale eyelet mesh fabric for a line of team jerseys or rolls of mesh micro fabric for a new activewear collection, we have you covered. We proudly stand behind our product quality – each Sportek fabric is engineered to meet rigorous industry standards for moisture management and strength. For example, we offer materials with PFP (Prepared For Print) white finishes ideal for sublimation printing of custom uniforms and logos. We can also provide specialty options like anti-microbial or UV-protective finishes upon request, tailoring the fabric to your performance requirements. Sportek International truly stands out as a sports mesh manufacturer and supplier that understands the needs of activewear producers – from athletic fabric wholesale ordering conveniences to reliable, expert customer support. When you choose a Sportek fabric for your production line, you’re investing in proven quality and trustworthy performance that will satisfy both you and your end-users.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: What is eyelet mesh used for?
A: Eyelet mesh is widely used for sports and activewear garments that require maximum breathability. You’ll commonly find it in athletic jerseys (e.g. basketball or soccer jerseys), training tops, and uniforms where its open-hole design helps keep athletes cool. Eyelet mesh is also used for ventilating panels in workout apparel (such as underarm or back sections of shirts) and as lining in items like shorts or jackets to provide airflow. Essentially, whenever a garment needs lightweight ventilation – from team uniforms to running gear – eyelet mesh is a go-to fabric for its combination of airiness and durability.

Q: What is micro mesh fabric?
A: Micro mesh fabric is a type of knit mesh with very small holes, making it one of the lightest and most breathable sports fabrics. Typically made of polyester (often with a bit of spandex), micro mesh is known for being moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and highly breathable. It’s used in all sorts of activewear, from football/soccer jerseys to the inner briefs of running shorts, because it allows air to circulate while wicking sweat away from the body. Despite its light weight, a good micro mesh is quite durable and resists frequent washing, which is why it’s so popular in sports uniforms and training apparel. In short, micro mesh offers the ventilation of a mesh with a finer, softer touch and is ideal for any application where you want to stay cool and dry.

Q: What is bird’s-eye mesh fabric?
A: Bird’s-eye mesh (sometimes simply called bird eye fabric) is a variation of eyelet mesh distinguished by its knit pattern that looks like tiny diamond or “eye” shapes. It usually has a textured, dimpled appearance on one side and a smooth back. This fabric is commonly used in activewear – for example, many classic basketball and football jerseys are made of bird’s-eye mesh – because it’s lightweight, breathable, and slightly more opaque than large-hole mesh. The term “bird’s-eye” comes from the small, repetitive pattern of openings. In practice, bird’s-eye mesh provides excellent airflow across a garment, so it keeps athletes cool, and it also wicks sweat efficiently. You’ll see it in everything from team jerseys and polo shirts to sports lining fabrics. Essentially, bird’s-eye mesh fabric is a breathable sports mesh fabric well-suited for activewear, offering a nice balance of ventilation, strength, and a subtle texture in the finished garment.