Spandex (Elastane) vs Tricot

Spandex, commonly called elastane outside North America, is a synthetic fiber composed primarily of segmented polyurethane. Developed for commercial use by DuPont chemist Joseph Shivers in the late 1950s, it can stretch several times beyond its original length and recover much of its shape. Because it is usually blended with fibers such as cotton, polyester, or nylon, it is widely used in activewe...

Tricot is a type of warp-knit textile recognized for its distinct structure, which features fine vertical ribs on the front face and horizontal crosswise ribs on the back. Because of its specific manufacturing technique, the fabric is highly resilient, runs less easily than weft knits, and provides a smooth, firm fit. It is commonly manufactured using synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester, mak...