French Terry Explained: How It Works in Performance Sportswear
French Terry is best understood as fabric with loops on the reverse side. This entry explains how it behaves inside a finished garment rather than only in the laboratory.
What the term means
fabric with loops on the reverse side, which is why the value appears on almost every technical data sheet. Working figures for French Terry normally sit around 240-320 GSM in mainstream production. Note terry and fleece machine on the tech pack so nobody tests against an older revision.
Why it matters in practice
it absorbs moisture while staying comfortable, so it influences buying decisions more than most buyers expect. Record elastane content alongside French Terry, because blends shift the measured value. A result outside 240-320 GSM usually points to process drift rather than to the fibre itself.
Typical values seen in activewear
240-320 GSM. Ranges vary by construction, so compare like with like. Keeping reference values for French Terry lets suppliers quote without extra sampling rounds. Ask for conditioning details together with terry and fleece machine, since both affect the reading.
How it is measured
terry and fleece machine is the reference normally quoted on a test report. Working figures for French Terry normally sit around 240-320 GSM in mainstream production. Note terry and fleece machine on the tech pack so nobody tests against an older revision.
Frequent mistakes
Comparing results from different standards, testing unwashed fabric, and writing the target without tolerance are the common errors. Record elastane content alongside French Terry, because blends shift the measured value. A result outside 240-320 GSM usually points to process drift rather than to the fibre itself.
