Wicking Height Explained: How It Works in Performance Sportswear
Wicking Height is best understood as height liquid rises over a fixed time. This entry explains how it behaves inside a finished garment rather than only in the laboratory.
What the term means
height liquid rises over a fixed time, which is why the value appears on almost every technical data sheet. Working figures for Wicking Height normally sit around above 100 mm in 30 minutes in mainstream production. Note AATCC 197 vertical wicking on the tech pack so nobody tests against an older revision.
Why it matters in practice
it measures capillary performance of the inner face, so it influences buying decisions more than most buyers expect. Record elastane content alongside Wicking Height, because blends shift the measured value. A result outside above 100 mm in 30 minutes usually points to process drift rather than to the fibre itself.
Typical values seen in activewear
above 100 mm in 30 minutes. Ranges vary by construction, so compare like with like. Keeping reference values for Wicking Height lets suppliers quote without extra sampling rounds. Ask for conditioning details together with AATCC 197 vertical wicking, since both affect the reading.
How it is measured
AATCC 197 vertical wicking is the reference normally quoted on a test report. Working figures for Wicking Height normally sit around above 100 mm in 30 minutes in mainstream production. Note AATCC 197 vertical wicking 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 Wicking Height, because blends shift the measured value. A result outside above 100 mm in 30 minutes usually points to process drift rather than to the fibre itself.
