Climalite
Trademark — one of 16 in the glossary
An adidas trademark for moisture-management fabrics that move sweat away from the skin to the surface of the garment where it can evaporate. It describes a performance standard the brand applies across many fabrics rather than one specific material, and adidas has since consolidated its moisture-management branding under AEROREADY, so Climalite mostly appears on older stock and on blanks still carrying the earlier name.
A standard, not a fabric
Climalite is a brand promise about behaviour: the fabric should move sweat off the skin and spread it where it can evaporate. Several different knits and blends have carried the name over the years.
That is worth knowing because two Climalite garments can be quite different cloths. The name tells you what the fabric is meant to do, not what it is made of.
Check the fibre content on the label rather than relying on the trademark. Almost all of it is polyester, which is the fibre that wicks by not absorbing.
Climalite and Climacool
Climalite is about moisture: pulling sweat to the surface. Climacool is about airflow: ventilation zones, mesh panels and construction that moves air through the garment.
They were often used together on the same product, which is part of why people treat them as synonyms.
adidas has since folded both into AEROREADY, so a blank labelled Climalite is generally from the earlier naming rather than a different technology.
Buying and decorating it
Treat it as a polyester performance garment, because that is what it is. That means the usual three risks at the press: dye migration into the ink, scorching at temperatures cotton tolerates, and finishes that interfere with adhesion.
Low-bleed ink and a lower cure are the standard answers, and a test print from the actual lot is the only way to be sure.
Sizing is the other thing to check. Performance cuts are often slimmer than the same brand's cotton styles.
Common questions
- What does Climalite mean?
- It is an adidas trademark for fabrics that move sweat away from the skin to the surface where it can evaporate. It describes how the fabric should behave rather than naming a single material.
- What is the difference between Climalite and Climacool?
- Climalite is about moisture management — moving sweat off the skin. Climacool is about airflow, using mesh and ventilation zones. They were often combined on one garment.
- Is Climalite still used?
- Mostly on older stock. adidas has consolidated its moisture-management branding under AEROREADY, so newer garments carry that name instead.
- Can you print on Climalite fabric?
- Yes, treating it as polyester — low-bleed ink, a lower cure temperature, and a test from the actual dye lot. The risks are dye migration, scorching and finishes that stop ink bonding.
See also
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