ProCool 360 Stretch-FIT Sports Jersey: The Complete Guide to Wazoodle's 4-Way Stretch Wicking Fabric

What ProCool 360° Stretch-FIT Sports Jersey Is and Why It Matters

ProCool 360° Stretch-FIT Sports Jersey is AKAS Tex's maximum-stretch cooling fabric — a polyester/Lycra blend delivering 75% four-way stretch with complete shape recovery and Cooling Technology moisture management for evaporative cooling during athletic activity. In independent AATCC 197 vertical wicking testing, Cooling Technology construction transports moisture 1.1 inches in 30 minutes — nearly 2× the distance of ProCool Foundation fabrics.

This is the highest stretch specification in the entire ProCool line. The 13–14% Lycra content delivers true 360° extension with full elastic recovery — the fabric stretches equally in all directions and returns to its original dimensions without bagging, even at stress points like knees, elbows, and waistbands through hundreds of wear-and-wash cycles. Customer testing validates that full-coverage garments (long sleeves and long pants) maintain effective cooling during outdoor summer running — the evaporative wicking keeps the wearer cool even with complete skin coverage in heat.

Unlike the TransWICK families (which use mesh construction requiring specific skin-side orientation), 360° Stretch-FIT features seamless flat knit on both sides — identical smooth surfaces with no right or wrong side and no mesh orientation to manage. This significantly simplifies cutting, construction, and garment design.
The 3-variant family spans two weight tiers (300 GSM Standard and 200 GSM LITE) with Standard, FoodSAFE, and LITE Cationic options. All variants provide UPF 50+ sun protection (blocking 98% UV radiation) and are manufactured in the USA, CPSIA certified, and Forever Chemicals-Free (no PFAS, BPA, phthalates).

For how Cooling 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 360° Stretch-FIT Sports Jersey Lineup

The 360° Stretch-FIT family spans two weight tiers with different construction characteristics. The Standard 300 GSM tier (W-290, W-342) shares identical specs. The LITE 200 GSM tier (W-378) uses a different fiber ratio, stretch profile, width, and cationic yarn construction.

360° Stretch-FIT Sports Jersey — Standard 300 GSM / 0.032" Thickness (2 Variants)

W-290 — 360° Stretch-FIT Sports Jersey: 87% polyester / 13% Lycra. 57–60" width, 75% × 75% four-way stretch with complete shape recovery. The flagship variant — full Cooling Technology wicking performance at the heaviest weight in the Cooling series. UPF 50+. Customer-validated for full-coverage summer running outfits (long sleeves + pants maintaining cooling in outdoor heat), sports bra construction, athletic base linings, and compression garments. Described as notably soft with great texture through use.
W-342 — ProCool FoodSAFE Medium Weight 360° Stretch: Same 87/13 construction with FDA food-contact certification (21 CFR 177.1680, 175.300) — validated safe for repeated food contact from −20°C to 250°F including acidic and fatty foods. UPF 50+. The only 360° stretch fabric with both Cooling Technology wicking performance and FDA food safety certification. Choose for reusable food storage bags requiring stretch for secure closure, cloth diaper stay-dry layers, breast milk storage products, and food-service performance workwear.

360° Stretch-FIT Cationic Sports Jersey LITE — 200 GSM / 0.027" Thickness (1 Variant)

W-378 — 360° Stretch-FIT Cationic Sports Jersey LITE: 86% polyester / 14% Lycra with cationic yarn construction for enhanced dye absorption and vibrant color retention. 56–58" width (narrower than Standard), 60% × 80% stretch (different profile — more lengthwise extension), 200 GSM lighter weight, 0.027" thinner profile. UPF 50+. FDA food safe per FDA regulations. Customer-validated specifically for travel athletic underwear — hikers report effective wicking during vigorous activity, and garments dry completely overnight after hand-washing and towel-rolling. Also validated for performance base layers and children's activewear.

LITE Variant Shrinkage Warning: The LITE Cationic variant (W-378) has measurable shrinkage — 5% width and 2% length after washing. Pre-washing is mandatory before cutting. The Standard 300 GSM variants (W-290, W-342) have minimal shrinkage and pre-washing is optional.

Key Concept — 360° Stretch-FIT vs TransWICK X-FIT: Both families deliver Lycra stretch recovery with moisture wicking. The difference is construction philosophy. 360° Stretch-FIT uses seamless flat knit on both sides — no mesh, no orientation requirement, 75% four-way stretch, identical smooth surfaces. It's the simpler, higher-stretch option for compression wear, yoga pants, sports bras, and athletic garments where maximum stretch matters most. TransWICK X-FIT uses engineered mesh construction with the mesh side facing skin — delivering one-way directional wicking that prevents reverse moisture migration (wicking under 3 seconds with 4× absorption asymmetry per AATCC 195 testing), but requiring careful orientation during construction. It's the technical moisture management choice for applications where keeping moisture permanently away from the skin matters most (incontinence products, period underwear). Choose 360° Stretch-FIT when stretch, simplicity, and compression fit are the priorities. Choose TransWICK X-FIT when directional wicking with reverse migration prevention is critical.

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

Choosing Your 360° Stretch-FIT: Weight Tier and Treatment Guide

Selection involves two decisions: weight tier (300 GSM vs 200 GSM LITE) and treatment.

Choosing Your Weight Tier

Standard 300 GSM (W-290, W-342): Heavier weight with more structure and body. 75% × 75% symmetrical four-way stretch. Seamless flat knit both sides. The flagship choice for compression garments, full-coverage athletic wear, sports bras, yoga pants, and any application where substantial hand feel with maximum symmetrical stretch matters. Available in Standard and FoodSAFE.
LITE 200 GSM (W-378): Lighter weight with thinner profile (0.027" vs 0.032"). 60% × 80% stretch — more lengthwise than crosswise, a different stretch profile suited to athletic underwear and base layers where vertical stretch accommodates body movement. Cationic yarn construction produces more vibrant colors. Mandatory pre-wash (5% width / 2% length shrinkage). Narrower width (56–58" vs 57–60"). Best for travel athletic underwear, performance base layers, and children's activewear.

Choosing Your Treatment

Standard (W-290) — Untreated baseline: Cooling Technology wicking performance with 75% four-way stretch at the best value. Choose when food certification isn't needed. Validated for full-coverage summer running outfits, sports bras, compression wear, and athletic base linings.
FoodSAFE (W-342) — FDA food-contact certified: Identical 300 GSM construction with FDA certification (21 CFR 177.1680, 175.300). Choose for reusable food storage bags, cloth diaper stay-dry layers, breast milk storage, and food-service workwear where wicking and food safety are both required.
LITE Cationic (W-378) — Lightweight with enhanced color: 200 GSM construction with cationic yarn for vibrant dye absorption. FDA food safe. Choose for travel underwear, performance base layers, and applications where lighter weight, quick overnight drying, and vivid color matter most.

For Cooling Technology compared to other ProCool wicking technologies, see ProCool Wicking Technologies Compared: TransWICK vs Dri-QWick vs Cooling vs Foundation Wicking.

Working With 360° Stretch-FIT: Sewing and Construction Guide

360° Stretch-FIT is easy to sew on standard machines — customers report professional-looking results without difficulty. The seamless flat knit construction eliminates the mesh orientation challenges present in TransWICK families, making this the most beginner-friendly fabric in the Cooling series.

Cutting and Layout

No right/wrong side: Both faces are identically smooth — either side can serve as the garment exterior. No orientation marking needed.
Sides hard to distinguish: The wicking construction makes both sides look and feel nearly identical. If your pattern requires a specific face, mark it clearly before cutting — once pieces are separated, the sides are very difficult to tell apart. Customer-validated challenge.
Bolt relaxation: Allow fabric to relax 30 minutes after unrolling before cutting — the Lycra content stores tension on the bolt.
Edge curl: Cut edges curl toward the face side — normal jersey behavior. Use rotary cutter with pattern weights, or pre-wash to stabilize before cutting.
Pre-wash (LITE variant): W-378 LITE requires mandatory pre-washing (5% width / 2% length shrinkage). Standard 300 GSM variants have minimal shrinkage — pre-washing optional but recommended.

Sewing Recommendations

Needles: Ballpoint or stretch needles (75/11 or 90/14) prevent skipped stitches — the most commonly reported sewing challenge with this fabric.
Seam construction: Stretch stitches or narrow zigzag required — all seams must accommodate 60–75% stretch. Standard straight stitch will pop. Serger with wooly nylon thread provides professional edge finishing with maximum stretch tolerance.
Presser foot: Slight tension reduction for stretch knits. Walking foot recommended for even feeding and preventing stretch distortion during sewing.
Thread: Polyester thread for stretch compatibility. Elastic thread in bobbin for maximum seam flexibility in high-stretch applications.

Underwear Construction Note: Traditional panty construction using a separate crotch liner piece (applied right-sides-together) cancels out the wicking functionality — the additional layer blocks moisture transport. Consider omitting the liner piece entirely or adapting construction methods to preserve the fabric's cooling performance in underwear applications. This is a customer-validated finding.

Pairing 360° Stretch-FIT With Other Wazoodle Fabrics

360° Stretch-FIT functions primarily as a standalone garment fabric — the 200–300 GSM weight, four-way stretch with Lycra recovery, and seamless flat knit construction provide everything needed for complete athletic garments without additional layers.

Standalone Use — Athletic and Compression Garments

Primary use mode: Single-layer construction for running shirts, cycling jerseys, yoga pants, athletic leggings, sports bras, compression garments, athletic underwear, full-coverage summer athletic wear, and children's performance apparel. The seamless flat knit on both sides means no mesh side to manage — simplifying construction significantly compared to TransWICK families.

As a Performance Layer in Multi-Layer Systems

Sports bra and athletic base lining: The 300 GSM weight provides structured support as a base lining for sportswear where both cooling performance and body-contouring stretch are required.
Cloth diaper stay-dry layers: FoodSAFE variant (W-342) as the wicking layer in cloth diaper construction — wicking channels transport moisture away from skin while Lycra stretch accommodates diaper movement.
FoodSAFE applications: W-342 for reusable food storage bags where 75% stretch provides secure closure, optionally paired with ProSoft FoodSAFE PUL for waterproof backing.

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

Common Applications for 360° Stretch-FIT

360° Stretch-FIT's defining advantages are the highest four-way stretch in the ProCool line (75% × 75%), seamless flat knit simplicity (no mesh orientation), and evaporative cooling at a structured 300 GSM weight — making it the preferred Cooling Technology fabric for compression wear, body-conforming athletics, and full-coverage garments that must keep the wearer cool.

Full-Coverage Summer Athletic Wear — The signature customer-validated application. Runners create complete long-sleeve shirts and pants for outdoor summer running — maintaining cooling through evaporative wicking even with full skin coverage in heat. The 300 GSM weight provides structure while 75% stretch allows unrestricted movement.
Sports Bras and Compression Garments — The 300 GSM weight with 13% Lycra provides the firm stretch needed for body-contouring compression. Seamless flat knit on both sides creates smooth skin contact without chafing. Validated as base lining for sportswear and sports bra construction.
Yoga Pants and Athletic Leggings — 75% four-way stretch with complete shape recovery prevents bagging at knees and seat. The fabric returns to original dimensions within seconds after stretching — maintaining fitted silhouette through extended wear.
Running and Cycling Jerseys — Performance tops where evaporative cooling, UPF 50+ sun protection, and four-way stretch combine for endurance athletic applications.
Travel Athletic Underwear — LITE variant (W-378) specifically validated for hiking underwear: effective wicking during vigorous activity, and garments dry completely overnight after hand-washing and towel-rolling — practical for multi-day travel with limited laundering access.
Children's Performance Wear — All variants CPSIA certified for children's products. LITE variant's vibrant cationic colors appeal for children's activewear applications.
Reusable Food Storage — FoodSAFE variant (W-342) for reusable food bags and bowl covers where 75% stretch provides easy-access closure. FDA certified for repeated food contact from −20°C to 250°F.
Cloth Diaper Stay-Dry Layers — FoodSAFE variant as wicking layer in cloth diaper systems — chemical-free certification for infant contact with moisture transport.

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

360° Stretch-FIT Certifications: Safety, UV Protection, and Made in USA

All 360° Stretch-FIT variants are certified safe for children's products and verified free of harmful chemicals.

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-342): 21 CFR 177.1680 and 175.300 — validated safe for repeated food contact from −20°C to 250°F
FDA Food Safe (W-378): Food safe per FDA regulations
California Proposition 65 Compliant
EU REACH SVHC Compliant
EU RoHS 10 Compliant
UPF 50+: Blocks 98% UV radiation across all variants
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
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.

360° Stretch-FIT Care: Washing, Drying, and What to Avoid

360° Stretch-FIT's wicking performance is built into the fabric's fiber-engineered capillary architecture — the moisture transport is a function of the physical structure, not a chemical surface treatment. Proper care protects the fiber channels and Lycra stretch recovery that make the technology work.

Washing

Wash at medium temperature with like colors. Extra rinse cycle recommended to prevent detergent buildup that degrades wicking. For the LITE variant (W-378), pre-wash is mandatory before cutting to account for 5% width / 2% length shrinkage.

Drying

Dry on medium heat only. Avoid high heat — temperatures above 150°F degrade Lycra elasticity, reducing the stretch recovery that defines the 360° Stretch-FIT construction. For travel care: hand-wash, roll in a towel to extract excess moisture, then hang to dry — LITE variant dries completely overnight with this method.

What to Avoid

Never use fabric softeners or dryer sheets with any 360° Stretch-FIT variant. These coat wicking channels and permanently destroy moisture transport and cooling performance. No chlorine bleach — chlorine damages Lycra spandex, destroying stretch recovery. Body oils, lotions, and detergent buildup also reduce wicking — use zero-residue detergent and thorough rinsing to maintain cooling function.

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

360° Stretch-FIT Specifications

The Standard 300 GSM tier and LITE 200 GSM tier have different construction characteristics.

Specification	Standard 300 GSM (W-290, W-342)	LITE 200 GSM (W-378)
Fiber Content	87% polyester / 13% Lycra	86% polyester / 14% Lycra
Construction	Seamless flat knit both sides	Jersey knit with cationic yarn
Weight	300 GSM (9 oz/sq yd)	200 GSM (6 oz/sq yd)
Thickness	0.032"	0.027"
Width	57–60"	56–58"
Stretch (W × L)	75% × 75%	60% × 80%
OMMC Value	5	5
UPF Rating	50+ (98% UV block)	50+ (98% UV block)
Shrinkage (W × L)	Minimal both directions	5% width / 2% length
FDA Food-Contact	W-342 only (21 CFR)	Yes (FDA food safe)
Color Fastness	4.5	4.5
pH	7.4 (neutral)	7.4 (neutral)
Skewness After Wash	NIL	NIL
CPSIA Certified	Yes	Yes
Made in USA	Yes	Yes

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