ProCool Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh: The Complete Guide to Wazoodle's Textured Athletic Wicking Fabric

What ProCool Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh Is and Why It Matters

ProCool Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh is AKAS Tex's structured, textured moisture-wicking fabric family — the heaviest construction in the ProCool line. This dual-sided pique mesh features a raised geometric texture on one face and a smooth flat surface on the reverse, delivering Dri-QWick Technology directional moisture transport through smooth/textured fiber-channel architecture. In independent AATCC 197 vertical wicking testing, Dri-QWick construction transports moisture 2.7 inches in 30 minutes — more than 4× the distance of ProCool Foundation fabrics. The textured mesh side must face the skin in finished garments for directional wicking to function properly.

The pique mesh construction delivers structured drape with a professional polo-style aesthetic — substantial enough for standalone outerwear garments while maintaining breathability through mesh perforations. Raw edges don't curl or unravel, simplifying construction and enabling raw-edge medical applications.

With 9 variants spanning three weight tiers (160 GSM, 265 GSM, and 300 GSM), five treatment types (Standard, Silver antimicrobial, Hydrophobic water-resistant, Print, FoodSAFE), and UPF ratings from 35 to 50+, this family serves athletic wear, professional sports apparel, medical textiles, and food-contact applications. All variants are manufactured in the USA, CPSIA certified, and Forever Chemicals-Free (no PFAS, BPA, phthalates).

For how Dri-QWick Technology works and how it compares to other ProCool wicking technologies, see ProCool Wicking Technologies Compared: TransWICK vs Dri-QWick vs Cooling vs Foundation Wicking.

The Complete ProCool Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh Lineup

All Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh variants share pique mesh construction with dual-sided design, verified directional wicking per independent AATCC testing, and stable raw edges. Variants differ by weight tier, treatment type, and UPF rating.

Performance Pique Mesh — 160 GSM / 0.022" Thickness (1 Variant)

W-432 — ProCool Performance Pique Mesh: 60–62" width, 30% width / 5% length stretch. The lightest pique mesh — half the weight of the Standard series with the highest crosswise stretch in the family. UPF 35 (97% UV block). Physician-recommended for chafing prevention — customers report it outperforms medical-branded alternatives at significantly lower cost. Customers describe the hand feel as "so soft" despite being a mesh performance fabric. Also validated for golf dresses.

LITE Series — 265 GSM / 0.030" Thickness (1 Variant)

W-289 — Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh LITE: 63–77" width (widest in the family), 15% width / 10% length stretch. Mid-weight option between Performance and Standard — same thickness as Standard (0.030") but lighter (265 vs 300 GSM). UPF 50+ (98% UV block). Silky hand feel with noticeable drape. Customers describe it as "very nice" on first handling.

Standard 300 GSM Series — 0.030" Thickness (7 Variants)

W-514 — Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh: 60–62" width, 25% width / 5% length stretch. The baseline 300 GSM pique mesh — structured enough for zip hoodies, joggers, and athletic pants. UPF 50+. A nurse reports using this fabric in skin folds to prevent breakdown at a fraction of medical supply costs. Also validated for sun protection sleeves and hockey jersey nameplates.
W-529 — Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh Silver: Same construction with Silver Plus antimicrobial (99.5% bacterial inhibition through 50+ wash cycles). The most medically validated variant — used for breast prosthetic cooling liners after mastectomy, incontinence pads with rapid wicking, skin fold protection in clinical settings, scrubs, and elderly care undergarments. Immunocompromised individuals specifically seek this variant for breathable face masks.
W-594 — Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh Hydrophobic Silver: Combines Silver Plus antimicrobial with HydroSHIELD water-resistant finish. Triple-function: wicks moisture from skin, resists external water penetration, and controls odor. Maximum treatment stack in the pique mesh family. For professional sports polo shirts, tennis apparel, and performance workwear requiring splash resistance.
W-620 — Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh Print: Printed pattern surface for visual appeal in cycling jerseys, team uniforms, and activewear. Customer-validated for cycling jersey construction and coordinated activewear sets.
W-621 — Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh Silver Print: Combines Silver Plus antimicrobial with printed surface. Primary application is golf shirts and athletic polo shirts — customers report garments become frequently-worn favorites that hold up through constant wash-and-wear rotation. Requires Microtex needles rather than standard knit needles for sewing.
W-336 — ProCool FoodSAFE Medium Weight Pique Mesh: FDA food-contact certified (21 CFR 177.1680 and 175.300) tested across eight conditions from −20°C frozen to 250°F heat sterilization. The only pique mesh certified for repeated-use food storage — dual-function as athletic performance fabric and food-contact material for reusable storage bags, bowl covers, and children's snack pouches.
W-452 — ProCool FoodSAFE Light-Medium Weight Pique Mesh: FDA food-contact certified pique mesh variant.

Key Concept — Mesh Orientation Is Critical: All Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh variants have a textured mesh side and a smooth flat side. The textured mesh side must face the skin in finished garments for directional moisture transport to work. The raised geometric pattern captures perspiration at the skin surface, and the pique construction channels it outward to the smooth exterior for evaporation. Reversing the orientation significantly reduces wicking performance. Mark the mesh side clearly during cutting to prevent assembly errors.

All fabric specifications may vary ±10% due to textile industry manufacturing standards.

Choosing Your Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh: Weight, Treatment, and UPF Guide

Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh selection involves two decisions: which weight tier provides the structure your project needs, and which treatment adds required functionality.

Choosing Your Weight Tier

Performance (160 GSM) — Lightest, most stretch, physician-validated for medical use: Half the weight of Standard with 30% crosswise stretch — the most flexible and lightweight option. Best for medical undergarments, chafing prevention, golf dresses, and applications where soft drape matters more than structured body. UPF 35 (97% UV block) — lower UV protection than heavier tiers.
LITE (265 GSM) — Mid-weight with balanced stretch: Same 0.030" thickness as Standard but lighter. Wider fabric (up to 77") enables efficient pattern layout. The 15% width / 10% length stretch is the most balanced in the family. Best for performance jerseys and athletic base layers where moderate structure with silky drape is preferred.
Standard (300 GSM) — Maximum structure and UV protection: The heaviest ProCool construction — substantial enough for zip hoodies, joggers, and structured athletic outerwear. UPF 50+ blocks 98% UV radiation. Some customers find this weight heavier than expected compared to other ProCool fabrics — verify 300 GSM suits your project before committing to yardage. Available in the widest treatment range (Standard, Silver, Hydrophobic Silver, Print, Silver Print, FoodSAFE).

Choosing Your Treatment

Standard — Untreated baseline: Dri-QWick directional wicking at the best value. Choose when antimicrobial, water resistance, prints, or food certification aren't needed. Available in Performance (W-432), LITE (W-289), and Standard (W-514) weight tiers.
Silver — Antimicrobial odor control: Silver Plus inhibits 99.5% bacterial growth through 50+ wash cycles. The most medically validated treatment — choose for breast prosthetic liners, incontinence products, skin fold management, scrubs, extended-wear athletic garments, and face masks for immunocompromised individuals. No bleach on Silver variants. Standard weight only (W-529).
Hydrophobic Silver — Maximum treatment stack: Silver Plus antimicrobial combined with HydroSHIELD water resistance. Choose for professional sports polo shirts, tennis apparel, and performance workwear where splash resistance matters alongside odor control. Standard weight only (W-594).
Print — Decorative surface: Printed patterns for visual appeal in cycling jerseys and team uniforms. Available with or without Silver. Standard weight only (W-620, W-621).
FoodSAFE — FDA food-contact certified: Tested from −20°C frozen to 250°F across variable pH and fat content. Choose for reusable food storage bags, bowl covers, children's snack pouches, and products requiring dual athletic + food-contact function. Standard weight only (W-336, W-452).

Weight expectations: At 300 GSM, Standard Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh is noticeably heavier than other ProCool performance fabrics. Customers familiar with ProCool Performance Interlock (105 GSM) or Performance Lightweight (65 GSM) report being surprised by the substantial weight. This is intentional — the 300 GSM construction provides UPF 50+ sun protection, structured garment body, and full opacity that lighter ProCool fabrics cannot deliver.

For Standard vs Silver across all Wazoodle fabrics, see Article 40 — Standard vs Silver: When Antimicrobial Treatment Matters. For Dri-QWick compared to other ProCool wicking technologies, see ProCool Wicking Technologies Compared: TransWICK vs Dri-QWick vs Cooling vs Foundation Wicking.

Working With Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh: Sewing and Construction Guide

Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh handles well on standard domestic machines and sergers. The pique mesh structure provides grip during handling (unlike slippery lightweight knits), and raw edges remain stable without curling or unraveling — a significant advantage for garment construction and raw-edge medical applications.

Cutting and Layout

Mesh orientation marking: Identify the textured mesh side (skin contact) and smooth flat side (exterior) before cutting. Mark clearly — once pattern pieces are cut, the two sides can be confused during assembly. Print variants have an obvious right side, but solid-color variants require attention.
Raw edge stability: Edges don't curl or unravel — no stay-stitching or edge finishing required. This eliminates finishing steps for medical applications like skin fold liners where raw edges contact skin directly.
Pattern marking: Mark on the smooth flat side for visibility. The textured mesh surface can obscure chalk lines and marker marks.
Mesh perforations: Visible during cutting — ensure pattern placement accounts for ventilation zones in functional areas of the garment.

Sewing Recommendations

Needles — Microtex recommended for Silver Print (W-621): Customer experience confirms standard knit needles wear out quickly on the dense Silver Print variant. Microtex (sharp) needles provide better results. For other variants, ballpoint or stretch needles (75/11 or 80/12) work well. Step up to 90/14 for the 300 GSM Standard series.
Presser foot pressure: Reduce pressure to prevent flattening the raised pique texture during sewing. Test on a scrap piece before committing to final construction.
Seam construction: Straight stitch or narrow zigzag accommodates the moderate 25% width stretch. Flatlock or coverstitch seams recommended for athletic wear comfort against skin.
Thread: Polyester thread throughout for stretch compatibility and strength.

Pairing Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh With Other Wazoodle Fabrics

Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh functions primarily as a standalone garment fabric — the 160–300 GSM weight provides enough body for complete garments without additional layers. Medical and absorbent applications are the main multi-layer use cases.

Standalone Use — Athletic, Professional, and Medical Garments

Primary use mode: Pique Mesh works as a single-layer fabric for athletic tops, zip hoodies, joggers, polo shirts, sun protection sleeves, scrubs, golf dresses, and medical undergarments. Mesh perforations provide breathability while the structured weight delivers full opacity and professional appearance.

Medical and Absorbent Applications (Multi-Layer)

Incontinence products: Silver Pique Mesh (W-529) as the wicking top layer paired with Zorb absorbent core and ProSoft waterproof backing. Customers report remarkably fast moisture wicking that outperforms expectations in this configuration.
Skin fold liners: Single-layer raw-edge strips of Pique Mesh (W-514 or W-529) placed in skin folds for moisture management and breakdown prevention. No partner layers needed — the raw edge stability and directional wicking function independently.
Breast prosthetic liners: Single-layer Silver Pique Mesh (W-529) as cooling interface between prosthetics and skin after mastectomy. The antimicrobial treatment and breathable mesh manage both moisture and odor in this enclosed application.

FoodSAFE Applications

Food storage systems: FoodSAFE Pique Mesh (W-336) paired with ProSoft FoodSAFE PUL (W-396) for reusable food storage bags. Both layers FDA food-contact certified for complete food-safe system construction.

Your results may vary based on product design, construction method, and end-use requirements.

Common Applications for Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh

Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh serves a uniquely broad application range — from structured athletic outerwear to medical skin management — driven by the combination of substantial body, breathable mesh construction, professional pique aesthetic, and raw edge stability.

Athletic Tops, Hoodies, and Outerwear — Zip hoodies with matching joggers, athletic pants with contrast panels, sport shorts, and structured activewear. The 300 GSM weight provides body for standalone outerwear that lighter ProCool fabrics cannot deliver. Customers create coordinated athletic wardrobe sets, noting the moderate stretch ("not too stretchy") maintains garment structure during wear.
Professional Sports Apparel — Golf shirts, tennis wear, athletic polo shirts, and team uniforms where professional pique appearance matters alongside technical performance. Silver Print variant (W-621) specifically validated for golf shirts that become frequently-worn favorites through constant wash-and-wear rotation.
Sun Protection Garments — Arm sleeves for outdoor yard work, occupational sun protection wear, and extended outdoor activity garments. UPF 50+ in Standard/LITE variants (UPF 35 in Performance) provides up to 98% UV radiation blocking for all-day outdoor protection.
Medical Skin Management — A nurse reports using Pique Mesh in skin folds to prevent breakdown at significantly lower cost than specialized medical textiles. Raw edges remain stable without finishing, simplifying clinical preparation. Physician-recommended for chafing prevention in the Performance weight (W-432) — customers report it outperforms medical-branded alternatives.
Breast Prosthetic Comfort — Silver variant (W-529) validated as a cooling barrier between prosthetics and skin after mastectomy, managing heat and moisture with few commercial alternatives.
Incontinence Products — Silver Pique Mesh as rapid-wicking top layer in reusable incontinence pads and elderly care undergarments. Customers report remarkably fast wicking that outperforms expectations.
Face Masks — Silver variant (W-529) sought by immunocompromised individuals for breathable masks. Recipients consistently compliment the breathability over solid-construction mask fabrics.
Scrubs — Selected for scrubs where breathability and durability through long shifts are priorities.
Food Storage (FoodSAFE variants) — Reusable food storage bags, bowl covers, and children's snack pouches combining breathability with FDA food-contact certification from −20°C frozen to 250°F sterilization.

Use 1 layer for most applications. Multi-layer for absorbent and food storage products.

For fabric recommendations for your specific project, see the Application Discovery articles for your product category.

Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh Certifications: Safety, UV Protection, and Made in USA

All Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh variants are certified safe for children's products and verified free of harmful chemicals. FoodSAFE variants additionally carry FDA food-contact certification.

Safety Certifications

CPSIA Certified: Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act — mandatory U.S. federal standard for children's products (lead, phthalates, flammability)
Verified Moisture Management: Wicking performance independently tested per AATCC 197 (Vertical Wicking) test method by certified laboratory
FDA Food-Contact Certified (W-336, W-452 only): 21 CFR 177.1680 and 175.300 for repeated-use food storage, tested across eight conditions from −20°C to 250°F including frozen, refrigerated, hot, acidic, and fatty food environments
California Proposition 65 Compliant: Meets California's safe harbor levels for listed chemicals
EU REACH SVHC Compliant: Verified against the European Substances of Very High Concern list
EU RoHS 10 Compliant: Meets European restrictions on hazardous substances
UPF Rating: W-432 provides UPF 35 (97% UV block). All other variants provide UPF 50+ (98% UV block) — the highest UV protection rating in the ProCool line
Made in USA: Manufactured by AKAS Tex under EPA/OSHA standards

Chemical-Free Verifications

Forever Chemicals-Free: Manufactured without PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, or PTFE
BPA-Free: No bisphenol A in any fabric or finishing treatment
Phthalate-Free: Verified free of all regulated phthalate compounds
Lead-Free and Heavy Metals-Free: No lead, cadmium, dioxins, or formaldehyde
Nanoparticle-Free (Silver variants): Silver Plus antimicrobial uses silver ion compounds, not engineered nanoparticles
pH Neutral: 7.4 — no acidic or basic residues

Fabric vs. Finished Product: CPSIA certification of the fabric component does not automatically certify your finished product. Depending on how your product is constructed, independent CPSIA testing of the finished item may also be required.

For what CPSIA certification requires, see CPSIA Certified: What CPSIA Certification Means for Children's Products. For what FDA food-contact compliance means, see Food Safe: Understanding FDA Food-Contact Fabric Compliance.

Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh Care: Washing, Drying, and What to Avoid

Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh's wicking performance is built into the fabric's fiber-channel architecture and pique mesh construction — the directional moisture transport is a function of the physical structure, not a chemical surface treatment. Proper care protects both the fiber channels and the raised pique texture that make the technology work.

Washing

Wash at medium temperature with like colors using a zero-residue detergent free of softeners, fragrances, or oils. Extra rinse cycle recommended to prevent detergent buildup. Pre-washing is not required due to minimal shrinkage.

Drying

Dry on medium heat only. High heat can permanently flatten the raised pique texture and enlarge mesh perforations. If pressing is needed, iron on low temperature from the smooth side only — never apply direct heat to the textured mesh surface.

What to Avoid

Never use fabric softeners or dryer sheets with any Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh variant. These coat wicking channels and permanently destroy moisture transport. On Silver variants (W-529, W-594, W-621), softeners also eliminate antimicrobial effectiveness. On the Hydrophobic variant (W-594), softeners destroy HydroSHIELD water resistance as well. No bleach on Silver variants (degrades antimicrobial treatment). No bleach on FoodSAFE variants (may compromise FDA certification).

For why fabric softener damages performance fabrics, see Care Article 8 — Why Fabric Softener Destroys Performance Fabrics.

Dri-QWick Sports Pique Mesh Specifications: Weight Tier Comparison

The three weight tiers share pique mesh construction and verified directional wicking per independent AATCC testing but differ in weight, stretch, UPF rating, and available treatments.

Specification	Performance (160 GSM)	LITE (265 GSM)	Standard (300 GSM)
Weight	160 GSM (4.7 oz/sq yd)	265 GSM (7.8 oz/sq yd)	300 GSM (9 oz/sq yd)
Thickness	0.022"	0.030"	0.030"
Width	60–62"	63–77"	60–62"
Stretch (W × L)	30% × 5%	15% × 10%	25% × 5%
Fiber Content	100% polyester	100% polyester	100% polyester
OMMC Value	5	5	5
UPF Rating	35 (97% UV block)	50+ (98% UV block)	50+ (98% UV block)
Silver Available	No	No	Yes (W-529, W-594, W-621)
Hydrophobic Available	No	No	Yes (W-594)
FoodSAFE Available	No	No	Yes (W-336, W-452)
Color Fastness	4.5	4.5	4.5
pH	7.4 (neutral)	7.4 (neutral)	7.4 (neutral)
Shrinkage	Minimal both directions	Minimal both directions	Minimal both directions
Skewness After Wash	NIL	NIL	NIL
CPSIA Certified	Yes	Yes	Yes
Made in USA	Yes	Yes	Yes

All specifications may vary ±10% due to textile industry manufacturing standards.