Loungewear, softshell jackets, and tracksuits are three apparel categories that get lumped together with "athleisure" — here's what actually defines each one.
What Is Loungewear?
Loungewear is clothing designed for comfort in relaxed, low-activity settings — at home, traveling, or resting — rather than for athletic performance or public/formal wear. It sits in its own category: less structured than activewear (no built-in performance features like moisture-wicking or compression), but more considered than plain sleepwear, usually made from soft, non-restrictive fabric like brushed cotton, fleece, or lightweight jersey knits.
The defining feature of loungewear isn't a specific fabric or cut — it's the use case: designed to be worn comfortably for extended periods with no expectation of structure, support, or performance.
What Is a Softshell Jacket?
A softshell jacket is an outer layer built from a flexible, slightly stretchy fabric — typically a woven or knit face fabric bonded to a thin inner membrane or fleece backing — that provides wind resistance and light water resistance while remaining breathable and comfortable to move in. "Soft" refers to the fabric's flexibility and hand-feel compared to a hardshell.
Softshell vs Hardshell — What's the Difference?
- Softshell — more breathable and flexible, better for active use and layering, but less water-resistant in sustained heavy rain
- Hardshell — a stiffer, fully waterproof outer layer (often with a laminated membrane like Gore-Tex), better in sustained wet weather but less breathable and less comfortable for high-output activity
Softshell jackets are the more common choice for training and team wear specifically because they prioritize breathability and freedom of movement over full waterproofing — most athletic activity doesn't happen in sustained downpour conditions, so the trade-off favors comfort and movement.
What Fabric Goes Into a Tracksuit?
Tracksuit fabric varies by intended use. A polyester tracksuit — the most common construction for team and training tracksuits — uses a woven or knit polyester shell, often with a light elastane blend for stretch and a brushed or fleece inner face for warmth and comfort. Velour and fleece tracksuits prioritize softness and casual wear over athletic performance, while training-specific tracksuits favor a lighter, more breathable polyester weave suited to warm-up and travel use rather than sustained heavy activity.
Custom Loungewear, Softshell & Tracksuit Manufacturing
As a factory-direct manufacturer, we produce custom tracksuits and softshell-style outerwear as part of our winter teamwear and team jackets lines — specified to your fabric weight and construction preference rather than a fixed catalog option. If you're sourcing team tracksuits or training outerwear, our team can walk through fabric and construction options for your order.
