What fabric specs matter most for sports bra support?
- Share
- Issue Time
- Jan 14,2026
The three most important fabric specs for sports bra support are fabric power (modulus), controlled stretch percentage, and recovery rate. These directly determine bounce control, on-body comfort, and whether the support structure stays stable after repeated wear and washing.
Key Fabric Specs Explained
Fabric Power (Modulus)
Measured at specific elongation points (e.g., 30–50% stretch), modulus indicates how much force is needed to stretch the fabric. Higher modulus = greater resistance = more bounce control. This is critical for high-support designs.
Controlled Stretch
Support fabrics should stretch just enough for comfort and movement, but not beyond what the structure can control. Typical ideal stretch ranges vary by garment zone and are validated during sampling.
Recovery Rate
After stretching to a defined limit (e.g., 50,000 cycles), the fabric should return to near its original dimensions. Poor recovery leads to bagging, band creep, and lost support over time.
Elastic Fatigue Resistance
Repeated stretch-and-release cycling simulates real wear. Elastic fatigue testing reveals how much support a fabric will retain after weeks or months of use and washing.
How These Specs Affect Performance
| Spec | Low Impact | Medium Impact | High Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modulus @ 30% | Sofft, flexible | Moderate resistance | Firm, high resistance |
| Stretch % | Higher stretch | Moderate stretch | Controlled, lower stretch |
| Recovery | > 90% | > 93% | > 95% |
Need help selecting support fabric for your sports bra? Tell us your target support level and we will recommend the right specs.