ProTEC Fleece: The Complete Guide to Wazoodle's Stay-Dry Hydrophobic Fleece Fabric

What ProTEC Fleece Products Are and Why They Matter

ProTEC Fleece is Wazoodle's family of single-sided polyester fleece fabrics engineered to keep skin dry by passing moisture through to an absorbent layer beneath. All seven ProTEC products share the same core construction: a soft napped pile on one side (faces skin), a smooth flat knit on the other (faces the absorbent core), and hydrophobic polyester fibers that repel liquid on contact and transfer it through rather than absorbing it.

This stay-dry function is permanent — engineered into the fiber structure during manufacturing, not applied as a chemical surface treatment that washes out. Every ProTEC fabric maintains its moisture management performance through hundreds of wash cycles with proper care.

ProTEC always needs an absorbent fabric behind it. Without a partner layer to receive the transferred liquid, moisture has nowhere to go. For how ProTEC's pass-through mechanism works, how it differs from ProCool wicking and Zorb absorption, and where it fits in the Wazoodle ecosystem, see "What is ProTEC? The Complete Guide to Stay-Dry Fleece Fabrics."

This article covers the seven individual ProTEC products — their specifications, sewing characteristics, and customer-validated applications — to help you select and work with the right variant for your project.

The ProTEC Fleece Lineup: Seven Products Across Three Weight Classes

All ProTEC products are 100% polyester (Stretch-FIT variants include integrated Lycra below the 5% labeling threshold), Made in USA by AKAS Tex, CPSIA certified for children's products, and Forever Chemicals-Free (no PFAS, BPA, phthalates). UPF 50+ blocks 98% of UV radiation across the line.

Standard Microfleece — 240 GSM

W-262 — ProTEC Microfleece: 240 GSM, 0.051" thickness, 60–63" width, 15% stretch both directions. The baseline ProTEC product. Dense, low-pile surface (1–2mm) consistently described by customers as "very soft" — the default starting point for most stay-dry liner applications. Customer-validated for cloth diaper liners, menstrual pad inner layers, nursing pads, baby bandanas, guinea pig cage liners, dog sweaters, backing for knitted blankets, bathrobes, and adult incontinence products.
W-543 — ProTEC Microfleece Silver: Same 240 GSM construction with Silver Plus antimicrobial treatment inhibiting 99.9% bacterial growth through 50+ wash cycles. Choose this for extended-wear applications where odor control between changes matters. Customer-validated for cloth diaper liners, menstrual pads, tubie pad backing (medical feeding tubes), DIY Kula cloths (reusable outdoor pee cloths), incontinence products (recliner covers for elderly care), glove linings, winter leggings, dog diapers, and reusable makeup remover pads.

Fleece LITE Series — 130–135 GSM

W-565 — ProTEC Fleece LITE: 130 GSM, 0.041" thickness, 60–61" width, 35% width stretch / 20% length stretch. Reduces bulk by 30–70% compared to standard microfleece while maintaining stay-dry wicking. Smooth flat back has a subtle sheen. Choose this when thin profile matters — multi-layer diaper systems, lightweight base layers, garment linings.
W-566 — ProTEC Fleece LITE Silver: 135 GSM, 0.041" thickness, 60–63" width, 35% width / 20% length stretch. Same lightweight construction with Silver Plus antimicrobial. Customers specifically highlight the "ultra light" quality as a distinguishing advantage. Customer-validated for cloth diapers, diaper liners, burp cloths, toddler pee pads, menstrual products, and lightweight clothing liners.
W-567 — ProTEC Stretch-FIT Fleece LITE: 135 GSM, 0.035" thickness, 60–63" width, 45% width / 30% length stretch with Lycra recovery. The thinnest ProTEC at 0.035" — adds four-way stretch with shape recovery for body-conforming applications. Customers compare it to Polartec PowerStretch as a benchmark. Choose this for athletic base layers, fitted diaper covers, yoga wear, and form-fitting garments.
W-642 — ProTEC Stretch-FIT Fleece LITE Print: 135 GSM, 0.035" thickness, 54–56" width (narrower than other LITE variants), 45% width / 30% length stretch. Same Stretch-FIT construction with vibrant printed designs on the smooth backing surface. Print side becomes the visible exterior in finished garments. For children's hoodies, printed athletic wear, baby blankets, and products where visual design matters alongside performance.

Heavy Fleece — 600 GSM

W-648 — WindProtec Heavy Fleece: 600 GSM, 0.045" thickness, 60–63" width, minimal stretch both directions. Ultra-heavyweight construction — more than double the weight of Standard Microfleece — with wicking fibers engineered into the smooth knit base. Positioned for outerwear insulation (jackets, pullovers, heavyweight blankets) rather than stay-dry liner applications. See "WindProtec: Same Construction, Different Application" section below.

Key Concept — Single-Sided Construction: Every ProTEC fleece has napped pile on one side and smooth flat knit on the other. The napped side MUST face skin for the stay-dry function to work — hydrophobic napped fibers push moisture through to the smooth backing side where it transfers to the absorbent partner layer. Some customers expect double-sided fleece — ProTEC is intentionally single-sided because the two different surfaces serve different functions.

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

Working With ProTEC Fleece: Sewing and Construction Guide

ProTEC fleece handles well on standard sewing machines. Customers describe the Microfleece as "unusually stable for stretch fabric" — it doesn't pull, bunch, or distort during sewing the way many stretch knits do. The LITE series has more stretch (35–45%) and requires slightly more attention during construction.

Pre-Construction

Pre-wash recommended for all variants. Customers confirm the fabric "washes well" before sewing without unexpected dimensional changes or texture degradation. Pre-washing softens the napped surface and stabilizes any minimal shrinkage.
Check nap direction before cutting. Run your hand across the napped surface in both directions — smooth one way, rougher the other. Cut ALL pattern pieces with the nap running the same direction for consistent appearance and texture. Mark nap direction on the smooth back immediately.
Orient stretch correctly. ProTEC stretches more in the width/crosswise direction. Orient pattern pieces so the greater stretch direction wraps around the body for fitted garments.

Needles, Feet, and Machine Setup

Ballpoint (stretch) needles: Size 75/11 or 80/12 for LITE variants, 90/14 for Standard Microfleece. Prevents snagging the knit structure. W-648 Heavy Fleece requires heavy-duty 90/14 or 100/16 needles to penetrate 600 GSM.
Teflon presser foot recommended: Prevents the napped surface from sticking or dragging under the presser foot. Particularly helpful with Standard Microfleece (W-262, W-543).
Reduce presser foot pressure: Especially for LITE and Stretch-FIT variants — prevents stretching the fabric during feeding.
Stretch stitches: Use narrow zigzag, lightning stitch, or serged seams for any variant with significant stretch (LITE, Stretch-FIT) to prevent seam failure when the fabric extends.
Smooth side down against feed dogs: Reduces friction and improves fabric feeding.

Cutting and Edge Management

Edges curl from knit construction: Factor extra margin for seam allowances. Use stay stitching or serging immediately after cutting to stabilize edges.
Mark on the smooth backing side for clearer visibility — the napped surface resists marking tools.
Use weights rather than pins when cutting to prevent distortion from the knit stretch.

Pilling is normal — and intentional. ProTEC fleece is manufactured without anti-pill chemical treatments. Anti-pill finishes use silicones, resins, or chemical crosslinkers that reduce breathability, compromise softness, and introduce environmental concerns — with effectiveness lasting only 5–30 washes. Some surface pilling is expected with wear and friction. Use a fabric shaver to restore the surface — never pull pills by hand, which damages the base fabric structure.

Common Applications: What Customers Are Making

Cloth Diapers (Stay-Dry Liners) — The most popular ProTEC application across all weight classes. The napped side sits against baby's skin, repelling moisture into the Zorb absorbent core beneath. Standard Microfleece (W-262) is the default choice; LITE variants (W-565, W-566) when thinner profile reduces diaper bulk; Stretch-FIT (W-567) for fitted covers requiring body-conforming stretch. Silver variants add odor control for overnight and extended-wear diapers.

Reusable Menstrual Pads and Incontinence Products — Inner comfort layer providing stay-dry skin contact during extended wear. Silver variants (W-543, W-566) preferred for odor control between changes. Customers making adult incontinence products include recliner covers for elderly family members and products for disabled individuals. The fleece pile provides the most comfortable extended-wear contact for users with compromised skin.

Baby Products — Bandanas for drool management, bibs, swaddle wrap liners, nursing pads, hat and cocoon linings. The dense, low-pile texture is specifically valued for baby bandanas where a thin, controlled surface is preferred over bulky fleece. CPSIA certification across the entire line validates safety for children's products.

Medical and Healthcare — Tubie pad backing for medical feeding tube stomas (W-543 Silver validated), protective textile linings, and specialized pads for medical devices. The antimicrobial Silver treatment matters most here for hygiene between laundering cycles.

Pet Care — Guinea pig cage liners (multiple customers validate W-262 specifically), dog sweaters, dog diapers, and pet pad covers. The stay-dry surface keeps animals comfortable while the washable construction enables reuse.

Athletic and Active Apparel — Lightweight base layers, mid-layers, winter leggings, and performance linings. LITE and Stretch-FIT variants (W-565, W-567) provide moisture management without bulk. W-567's four-way stretch makes it suitable for yoga, fitness, and form-fitting activewear. Customers benchmark W-567 against Polartec PowerStretch.

Outdoor and Specialty — DIY Kula cloths (reusable outdoor pee cloths for backpacking, W-543 Silver validated), glove linings, earband linings, and reusable makeup remover pads. The quick-drying hydrophobic polyester suits products that need to dry fast in field conditions.

Garments and Home — Bathrobes, winter dresses, tunics, lightweight blankets, backing for knitted blankets. Standard Microfleece (W-262) provides the most substantial hand-feel for garment applications.

WindProtec Heavy Fleece: Same Construction, Different Application

W-648 WindProtec shares ProTEC's single-sided fleece construction — napped pile face, smooth flat knit back, wicking fibers — but at 600 GSM it serves a fundamentally different purpose. Where the Microfleece and LITE products are designed as stay-dry liner layers inside multi-layer absorbent systems, WindProtec is designed as an insulating outer layer for outerwear, heavyweight blankets, and activewear.

Application distinction: Microfleece (240 GSM) and LITE (130–135 GSM) go INSIDE products as skin-contact stay-dry liners paired with absorbent cores. WindProtec (600 GSM) goes OUTSIDE as insulating shell fabric for jackets, pullovers, and blankets where breathable warmth is the primary function — not moisture pass-through to an absorbent layer.

WindProtec's minimal stretch (unlike the 15–45% stretch of other ProTEC variants) suits structured outerwear construction. The 600 GSM weight requires heavier sewing equipment — heavy-duty needles (90/14 or 100/16) and longer stitch lengths (3.0–3.5mm) to prevent puckering through the substantial thickness. Grade seam allowances to different widths to reduce bulk at intersections.

That said, customer reviews reveal an interesting pattern: some makers use W-648 for cloth diapers and menstrual products despite its outerwear positioning. The ultra-heavyweight construction provides substantial absorbent capacity in these applications, though the 600 GSM weight creates considerably bulkier finished products than LITE or Microfleece alternatives.

ProTEC Fleece Care: Protecting the Stay-Dry Function

All ProTEC variants wash at medium temperature and dry at medium heat. The hydrophobic fiber engineering is permanent, but can be compromised by coating the fibers with residues.

Three things that destroy ProTEC performance:

Fabric softeners and dryer sheets — coat hydrophobic fiber surfaces, permanently destroying stay-dry wicking. This is the most common care mistake and the most damaging.
Bleach on Silver variants (W-543, W-566) — permanently damages the antimicrobial treatment. Use zero-residue detergent with extra rinse cycle instead.
High heat drying — polyester melts at extreme temperatures (260°C/500°F). High heat also degrades Lycra in Stretch-FIT variants (W-567, W-642), permanently destroying stretch recovery.

Pilling in fleece is normal — and intentional. Our fleece is manufactured without anti-pill chemical treatments. Anti-pill finishes use silicones, resins, or chemical crosslinkers that reduce breathability, compromise softness, and introduce environmental concerns — with effectiveness lasting only 5–30 washes. Some surface pilling is expected with wear and friction. Use a fabric shaver to restore the surface — never pull pills by hand, which damages the base fabric structure.

Static electricity is common with polyester fleece. Add white vinegar to the rinse cycle as an anti-static alternative to fabric softener. Wool dryer balls also reduce static without coating fibers.

ProTEC Fleece Specifications: Full Variant Comparison

Specification	W-262 Micro	W-543 Micro Silver	W-565 LITE	W-566 LITE Silver	W-567 Stretch-FIT	W-642 Stretch-FIT Print	W-648 WindProtec
Weight	240 GSM	240 GSM	130 GSM	135 GSM	135 GSM	135 GSM	600 GSM
Thickness	0.051"	0.051"	0.041"	0.041"	0.035"	0.035"	0.045"
Width	60–63"	60–63"	60–61"	60–63"	60–63"	54–56"	60–63"
Stretch (W × L)	15% × 15%	15% × 15%	35% × 20%	35% × 20%	45% × 30%	45% × 30%	Min × Min
Silver Antimicrobial	No	Yes (50+ washes)	No	Yes (50+ washes)	No	No	No
Lycra Stretch-FIT	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	No
Print Capable	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	No
Primary Use	Stay-dry liner	Stay-dry liner + odor	Thin stay-dry liner	Thin liner + odor	Stretch liner/apparel	Printed apparel	Outerwear insulation
UPF	50+	50+	50+	50+	50+	50+	50+
Color Fastness	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5
pH	7.4	7.4	7.4	7.4	7.4	7.4	7.4

All variants: 100% polyester, single-sided fleece, CPSIA certified, Forever Chemicals-Free, Made in USA. All specifications may vary ±10% due to textile industry manufacturing standards.