What Is Coolmax Fabric Made Of? Fiber, Uses & Care Explained
Coolmax is a channelled polyester fiber from The LYCRA Company. See what it's made of, how it wicks sweat, Coolmax vs cotton, and how to wash it.
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Coolmax is made of polyester. It is a man-made polyester fiber owned by The LYCRA Company, and today’s COOLMAX EcoMade versions are made from recycled sources such as PET bottles or textile waste. What makes it different from ordinary polyester is the shape of the fiber: each filament has small channels running along its length that pull sweat away from your skin to the outside of the fabric, where it spreads out and dries quickly.
Coolmax is a fiber, not a finished fabric. Mills blend it with cotton, wool, spandex or plain polyester and knit or weave it into socks, T-shirts, underwear, jeans and bedding. So a label that says “Coolmax” tells you one of the fibers inside, not the whole fabric.
What’s in this article7 sections
What Coolmax is made of, in plain terms
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Base polymer | Polyester (PET) |
| Brand owner | The LYCRA Company (also owns LYCRA and THERMOLITE) |
| Recycled content | COOLMAX EcoMade fibers come from recycled PET bottles or textile waste |
| Key feature | Channelled fiber cross-section that moves moisture by capillary action |
| Common blends | Cotton/Coolmax, wool/Coolmax, Coolmax/spandex, 100% Coolmax polyester |
| Brand versions | COOLMAX EcoMade, COOLMAX EcoMade ALL SEASON, COOLMAX EcoMade PRO |
How Coolmax keeps you dry
Plain round polyester fibers do not absorb much water, but they also do not move it very well. Coolmax fibers are extruded through a shaped spinneret so each filament has grooves along its surface. When you sweat, the liquid is drawn into those grooves and travels along the fiber (capillary action, the same effect that pulls water up a paper towel). Because the moisture is spread thin across a large surface on the outside of the fabric, it evaporates quickly.
The result is a fabric that feels drier than cotton during exercise. Cotton soaks up sweat and holds it against your skin; Coolmax moves it away and lets it go.
Coolmax vs cotton vs regular polyester
| Property | Coolmax | Cotton | Regular polyester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture handling | Wicks and spreads sweat, dries fast | Absorbs and holds sweat | Little absorption, moderate wicking |
| Drying time | Fast | Slow | Fast |
| Feel when wet | Light, not clingy | Heavy, cold, clingy | Can feel clammy |
| Odour | Can hold odour like other polyesters | Low odour retention | Can hold odour |
| Best for | Running, cycling, hiking socks, summer shirts, bedding | Casual wear, low-sweat days | Budget sportswear |
Where you’ll find Coolmax
- Socks – running, hiking and work socks, often blended with nylon and spandex.
- Activewear – training T-shirts, cycling jerseys, base layers.
- Underwear and intimates – briefs and bras that need to stay dry.
- Jeans and workwear – denim blends that feel cooler in summer.
- Bedding – mattress covers and pillow cases for hot sleepers.
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How to wash Coolmax fabric
- Machine wash warm or cold with a normal detergent.
- Skip fabric softener. Softener coats the fiber channels and reduces wicking.
- Turn garments inside out to reduce pilling.
- Tumble dry low or line dry – Coolmax dries quickly anyway.
- Don’t iron hot; polyester can glaze or melt. Use a low setting if needed.
If your Coolmax gear starts to smell, wash it soon after use, and use an enzyme or sports detergent now and then to remove body oils trapped in the polyester.
Is Coolmax worth it?
For anything you sweat in, yes. A Coolmax-blend sock or shirt will feel noticeably drier than the same item in 100% cotton, and it dries overnight after washing. If you want natural fibers, a merino wool blend is the main alternative: it wicks a little more slowly but resists odour better.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coolmax 100% polyester?
Coolmax fiber is polyester, but most garments blend it with other fibers such as cotton, nylon, wool or spandex. Check the fiber percentage on the label.
Is Coolmax better than cotton for sweating?
Yes. Coolmax moves sweat away from the skin and dries quickly, while cotton absorbs sweat and stays wet.
Who makes Coolmax?
COOLMAX is a brand of The LYCRA Company, which also owns LYCRA and THERMOLITE.
Can you use fabric softener on Coolmax?
It's best not to. Softener coats the fiber channels and reduces the wicking effect.
