Sportswear Manufacturers in China: A Complete Guide

Click Here to Get the
Asia Import Platform: Apparel & Textiles

In this product guide, we cover Sportswear Manufacturers in China and look into the specifics of importing private label and custom-designed fitness apparel. Keep reading, and learn more about production clusters, material specifications, and product customization.

In addition, we also explain what you must know about relevant textiles regulations, including substance restrictions, technical standards, and labeling requirements.

Sportswear Manufacturing Clusters

Sportswear Manufacturers, a title that can be applied to Apparel producers of a wide variety of products, are (with notable exceptions) concentrated in Fujian and Guangdong. Instead, they are part of the larger apparel industry. Sportswear buyers shall consider visiting the following cities:

• Shenzhen, Guangdong
• Guangzhou, Guangdong
• Fuzhou, Fujian
• Xiamen, Fujian
• Jinjiang, Fujian
• Quanzhou, Fujian

As with all suppliers, Sportswear manufacturers are specialized. Textiles manufacturers can, in general, be said to primarily be specialized in certain product categories, materials, and target markets. Below follows a list of common product areas in the industry:

• Compression Wear (Fitness, Cycling & Yoga)
• Hiking & Outdoor
• Jackets
• Skiing & Snowboarding Wear
• Gold & Tennis Polo’s
• Swimwear

Fabric and Material Specification

Sportswear buyers can generally rely on materials and components supplied by the Apparel manufacturers’ subcontractors. However, the quality of the materials on offer, differs, as Apparel manufacturers do not only specialize in areas – but also price segments. While a supplier may be ‘reliable’, that is not saying they are focused on high-end Sportswear.

Quality can only be defined in technical terms. As such, the first step of the process is to draft a material specification. When buying Sports and Fitness Apparel, this must be included:

• Fabric (e.g., 61% cotton, 33%polyester, 6% spandex)
• Fabric Weight (e.g., 180 gsm)
• Stretch (i.e. 4-Way Stretch)
• Other materials (e.g., Lining and Mesh)
• Printing
• Other fabric specifications (e.g., Quick Dry, antibacterial, UV Protected)

Importers are wise to begin with a somewhat flexible material specification, as the manufacturer must be able to match corresponding fabrics. OEM fabrics can be purchased but should be avoided unless you have highly specific material requirements.

Product Design and Tech Packs

A material specification is complemented by a design drawing, both of which must be included in the buyer’s Tech pack. Today, however, many apparel companies buy private label (ODM) products, rather than custom-designed (OEM) clothing.

As the applied procurement and product development procedure are very different between ODM and OEM, we compare the key points in the table below:

Technical Fabrics

Sportswear is often made of synthetic fabrics, and other technical textiles (often called preference fabrics). Such textiles are sometimes both branded and patented and are therefore not readily available in the same way as generic cotton or polyester fabric.

These high-end fabrics are often manufactured outside of China, for example in Italy, Japan, and Korea.

Technical fabrics manufacturers can ship fabrics to your supplier in China, to do the cutting, sewing, and packaging. However, you will need to contact them directly and coordinate the shipment to China.

Apparel Regulations and Standards

Sports and fitness wear are, in some countries and markets, subject to substance regulations. As far as I am aware, such regulations apply to most consumer products, including textiles, and don’t apply specifically to Sportswear. Buyers in the United States and the European Union must be aware of the following:

Ensuring compliance requires Sportswear importers to apply a comprehensive testing strategy. Normally, the first step of this process is to limit the supplier selection to those able to produce verifiable test reports.

However, as many experienced Apparel buyers already know, many manufacturers lack an extensive compliance track record, making it hard to tell whether a supplier is truly able to control its incoming materials.

In fact, many suppliers themselves are unsure if their products are compliant with overseas standards.

As far as I am aware, the most efficient way to verify compliance, when buying apparel, is to first confirm materials and colors, which are submitted for compliance testing very early in the process. If possible, in parallel with sample development.

Buyers of Sportswear shall also consider a range of other, non-mandatory, performance testing procedures, including the following:

• Flammability
• Thermal
• Water
• Fiber Analysis
• Fabric Abrasion and Pilling Resistance
• Feather and Down Testing
• Fabric Tearing Strength
• Colorfastness (i.e., UV Light, Rubbing)
• Antibacterial and Odor
• Quick Dry

Fabric samples can be tested in Mainland China or Hong Kong, where several accredited European and American testing companies are present.

However, Sportswear manufacturers require the buyer to pay all third party fees, including for substance and fabric performance testing. For reference, a variety of EU and US technical standards for textiles can be found here:

• European Union (ISO)
• United States (ASTM)

Most other markets base their standards to largely, sometimes entirely, on American or European Union standards.

Labeling Requirements

Importers are required to ensure compliance with all local labeling requirements. The scope of regulations varies by country and market, but tends to include the following:

• Material specification (i.e. 80% Nylon / 20% Spandex)
• Washing Symbols (i.e. ASTM and/or Washing Instructions
• Size
• Country of Origin (i.e. Made in China)

Never assume that your supplier is aware of how clothing must be labeled in your market. Asian contract manufacturers, including Chinese, are accustomed to making goods entirely according to the buyer’s specifications, including for labeling.

Yes, that’s the case even when buying ODM products. To avoid compliance issues, provide your suppliers with ‘ready-made’ .ai or .eps label files, and the placement specified in the design drawings of the Teckpack.

Sportswear Trade Shows in China

Global Sources Fashion Fair

• Location: Hong Kong
• Website: Click here

Hong Kong Fashion Week (HKTDC)

• Location: Hong Kong
• Website: Click here

Canton Fair (Phase 3)

• Location: Guangzhou
• Website: Click here

China International Sporting Goods Show

• Location: Fuzhou
• Website: Click here

Taipei Int’l Sports Textile & Accessory Expo (SpoMODE)

• Location: Taipei
• Website: Click here

ISPO Shanghai

• Location: Shanghai
• Website: Click here

ISPO Beijing

• Location: Beijing
• Website: Click here

List of Sportswear Manufacturers in China

In this section, we list 10 companies that specialize in manufacturing different kinds of sportswear.

Listed Companies

• Jin Jiang Well Rise Garment
• Dongguan Aika Apparel
• Dongguan Humen Hucai Sportswear
• Guangzhou Ingor Sportswear
• Shenzhen Hongxinqi Clothing
• Yiwu Fashion Norway Technology Share
• Xiamen Winsport Corporation
• Dongguan Uga Fashion
• Hangzhou Sobike Apparel
• Wujiang Sunfeng Textile

Disclaimer

We are not affiliated with any of the companies listed in this guide. We have selected these companies based on their claimed product scope, history, certification, and capabilities.

Jin Jiang Well Rise Garment

Jin Jiang Well Rise Garment has been a manufacturer and exporter of sportswear for more than 20 years.

The company provides inclusive ODM and OEM services for wholesalers, retailers, and private labels, starting from design and technical specification development, materials sourcing, sampling, and bulk manufacturing.

Main Products

• Sport bras
• Suspender pants
• Ski trousers
• Children’s snowsuits
• Skiing jumpsuits
• Quick-dry sport shirts
• Cropped and regular leggings

Summary

• Certification: ISO 9001, SA 8000, BSCI
• Compliance: Not mentioned
• MOQ: 300 pcs
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: No.5F, 3-6, Fuzhida Mansion, Qianyan Community, Luoshan, Subdistrict, Jinjiang, Fujian

Dongguan Aika Apparel

Dongguan Aika Apparel specializes in offering custom design and manufacturing services to sportswear companies from overseas. The product lines include gym clothing, yoga clothing, and other types of clothing for indoor and outdoor sports.

Dongguan Aika Apparel provides fast sampling services, which they can complete within 7-10 days. The company also has an inspection team for quality check work and ensures the quality of the products.

Currently, Dongguan Aika Apparel has a factory covering an area of 2,000-3,000 square meters, with more than 150 staff working in it. The target market of the company includes the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia.

Main Products

• Yoga wear
• Gym wear
• Training jogging wear
• Jogger pants
• Yoga pants
• Shorts
• Headbands
• Arm sleeves

Summary

• Certification: BSCI
• Compliance: Not mentioned
• MOQ: 300 pcs
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: Room A, Floor 3, Building E, Yongqin Industrial Zone, Binhai Avenue, Humen Town, Dongguan, Guangdong

Dongguan Humen Hucai Sportswear

Dongguan Humen Hucai Sportswear was established in 1998. The company is a manufacturer and exporter of gym wear, fitness clothing, and workout apparel for men and women.

The company offers comprehensive private label services according to the requirements of the customers, including design, sample development, manufacturing, and labeling.

Customers can choose customizable printing and embroidery techniques such as water-based printing, plastisol, cracking, and more.

Main Products

• Leggings
• Sports bras
• Tank tops
• T-shirts
• Jogger pants
• Yoga shorts
• Trunks
• High-waisted boxers

Summary

• Certification: ISO 105 C06-Tests for Color Fastness
• Compliance: Not mentioned
• MOQ: 200 pcs
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: Building A4, No. 5, Nanmian Industrial park, Humen Town, Dongguan, Guangdong

Guangzhou Ingor Sportswear

Guangzhou Ingor Sportswear was founded in 2009. The company designs lightweight activewear for indoor exercises, mainly for yoga and HIIT.

Ingor accepts low minimum order quantities orders and provides fast sampling services, which might be especially useful for sportswear startup companies or companies catering to small volume markets of special interests.

Main Products

• Leggings
• Yoga bras
• High waisted yoga pants
• Yoga sets
• Backless sport bras
• Sports bras with adjustable bras
• Padded sport bras
• Long sleeve yoga shirts with drawstrings
• Crisscross tank tops
• Winter jackets
• Shorts

Summary

• Certification: BSCI
• Compliance: Not mentioned
• MOQ: Not mentioned
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: A506, Jiefeng E-Commerce Building A2, No. 50, Juyuan Street, Shicha Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong

Shenzhen Hongxinqi Clothing

Shenzhen Hongxinqi Clothing was established in 2003 in Shenzhen and specializes in making high-quality golf sportswear for high-end customers and private labels. These products include golf shirts, pants, golf suits, gilets, and pullovers.

The factory of Shenzhen Hongxinqi Clothing covers an area of more than 5,000 square meters, with more than 88 staff working in it.

Main Products

• Golf shirts
• Polo shirts
• Quick-dry long sleeves polo shirts
• Lattice men’s trousers
• 1/4 zip fleece pullovers
• Gilets
• Golf skirts
• Golf shoes
• Golf socks
• Golf caps

Summary

• Certification: BSCI
• Compliance: Not mentioned
• MOQ: Not mentioned
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: 3F Building D, Lihenglong Industrial Park, Zhiwuyuan Rd 95-1, Nanlian District, Shenzhen Guangdong

Yiwu Fashion Norway Technology Share

Yiwu Fashion Norway Technology Share is a professional garment manufacturer specialized in research and design, production, and export of fitness clothes such as yoga wear, aerobic exercise, and cycling wear.

The company offers full customization services for its sportswear products. Customers can use their original designs or the ODM design from the company, which has more than a few hundred styles for leggings, tops, and bras.

In particular, the company designs maternity sports innerwear for ladies, which incorporate comfort with sporty elements together, providing young mothers’ extra support and care while exercising.

Main Products

• Bodysuits
• Yoga tops
• Sport bras
• Zipper yoga shirts
• Seamless yoga sets
• High-waisted yoga pants
• Tank tops
• Maternity knickers
• Maternity bras
• Maternity briefs
• Yoga capris
• Workout pants with phone pockets
• Racerbacks

Summary

• Certification: BSCI, Global Recycled Standards
• Compliance: Not mentioned
• MOQ: Not mentioned
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: No. 91, East Chaoyang Road, Fotang, Yiwu, Zhejiang

Xiamen Winsport Corporation

Xiamen Winsport Corporation focuses on OEM and ODM services for winter outdoor sportswear, mainly skiing, trekking, and hiking. The company was established in 1997, with an in-house manufacturing center in Xiamen.

Main Products

• Bodysuits
• Softshell jackets
• Down jackets
• Fleece jackets
• Hybrid jackets
• Skiwear
• Rainwear
• Windbreakers
• Trekking apparels
• Goose down jackets for children
• Suspend pants
• Padded vest

Summary

• Certification: ISO9001, BSCI, WRAP
• Compliance: Not mentioned
• MOQ: Not mentioned
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: 11/F Fortune Building, 201North Hubin Road, Xiamen, Fujian

Dongguan Uga Fashion

Dongguan Uga Fashion is a manufacturer of sportswear, fitness wear, and women yoga wear based in Guangdong province. The company has more than a decade of experience in designing, producing, and exporting sportswear products, such as sports bras, shorts, jumpsuits, and leggings made with cotton, bamboo fiber, spandex, and nylon, to oversea markets.

According to the information on Dongguan Uga Fashion’s website, customers can enjoy a 10% off for the first time bulk order.

Main Products

• Sports bras
• Yoga leggings
• Tank tops
• Hoodies
• Compression wear
• Capris
• Sweatpants
• Men shorts
• Stringers

Summary

• Certification: Not mentioned
• Compliance: Not mentioned
• MOQ: 200 pcs
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: 1st Building, Jiuzhai Main Road, 3rd Alley, Jiumenzhai, Humen Town, Dongguan, Guangdong

Hangzhou Sobike Apparel

Hangzhou Sobike Apparel was founded by a group of cycling enthusiasts in the early 2000s. The company offers custom made services mainly for cycling sportswear, as well as triathlon and marathon.

The factory of Hangzhou Sobike Apparel is a building with 6 floors that covers an area of more than 3,000 square meters, with more than 200 skilled workers in it, producing cycling tops, bottoms, suits, and swimwear for men and women.

Main Products

• Cycling bib shorts
• Cycling skinsuits
• Cycling wind vests
• Long sleeve cycling jerseys
• Sport bras
• Singlets
• Jogging loose shorts
• Track pants
• Tight shorts
• Fixed back swimsuit
• Boardshorts
• Square leg swimsuits
• UV proofing jackets
• High waisted leggings
• Head bandanas

Summary

• Certification: Not mentioned
• Compliance: Not mentioned
• MOQ: 200 pcs
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: Room 1304, Yinfeng Mansion, #1505 Binsheng Rd. Hangzhou, Zhejiang

Wujiang Sunfeng Textile

Wujiang Sunfeng Textile is a fabric manufacturer founded in 2007. The company is experienced in designing and developing high-quality waterproof and breathable fabrics for activewear.

Wujiang Sunfeng Textile has more than 300 types of fabrics made with different compositions especially ideal for hardshell jackets, softshell jackets, skiwear, and windbreakers.

Main Products

• Hardshell fabrics
• Softshell fabrics
• Skiing fabrics
• Waterproof breathable fabrics
• High visibility fabrics
• Downproof PA coated polyester melange fabrics
• 2 layer polyester stretch oxford fabrics
• Super elastic twill fabrics
• Polyester cationic fabrics

Summary

• Certification: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Oeko Tex
• Compliance: EN 20471
• MOQ: 1,000 pcs
• Samples offered: Yes

Location: No.19 Nanxin Road, Wanping Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou, Jiangsu