The market for'sportswear is growing steadily. Athleisure, activewear, performance wear: more and more people are wearing sportswear not only for training, but as part of their everyday wardrobe. If you are thinking of launching a brand in this sector, finding the right Italian sportswear manufacturers is essential.
Italy has a long tradition of producing high-quality technical sportswear. From iconic brands such as Diadora, Lotto and Fila to companies specialising in outdoor and performance wear, our country offers unique expertise in this sector.
I am Corrado Manenti, founder of Be A Designer. In this article, I will guide you through the discovery of sportswear manufacturers in Italy: where to find them, how to choose them, how much they cost to produce, and what market trends you need to be aware of.
If this is the first article you're reading, welcome to Be A Designer: the home of emerging designers. Here you'll find concrete, practical information to help you turn your passion for fashion into a real business.
Why Produce Sportswear in Italy
Before looking at how and where to find producers, it is important to understand why Italy It is a strategic choice for those who want to create a quality sportswear brand.
- Tradition and innovation: Italy has invented or perfected many textile technologies for sport.
- Advanced technical fabrics: Manufacturers such as Eurojersey, Carvico and Sensitive Fabrics are world leaders.
- Construction expertise: seamless stitching, heat sealing, advanced technical processes
- Design and style: Italian athleisure combines performance and aesthetics like no other
- Quality control: short supply chain, direct checks, high standards
- Perceived value: "Made in Italy" is also an asset in the world of sport
The Sportswear Market: Figures and Opportunities
The global sportswear market is worth over $350 billion and continues to grow. In Italy, the athleisure sector has seen double-digit growth in recent years, accelerated by post-pandemic changes in habits.
The most interesting opportunities for new brands are in specialised niches: premium yoga, trail running, CrossFit, paddle tennis, urban cycling. Here, competition with the industry giants is less direct and there is room for distinctive offerings.
Italian Sportswear Districts: Where to Find Manufacturers
Italy has several districts that specialise in sportswear production. Familiarising yourself with this map will help you find the right partners for your project.
Veneto
The heart of Italian sportswear. Montebelluna is world-renowned for its sports footwear, while the Vicenza and Treviso areas are home to numerous manufacturers of technical outdoor and performance clothing.
Lombardy
The Bergamo and Brescia areas have a strong tradition in production of elastic fabrics and in the fitness and athleisure clothing sector. The leading Italian technical fabric manufacturers are also located here.
Emilia-Romagna
The district of Carpi, already renowned for its traditional knitwear, has developed expertise in technical sports knitwearThermal base layers, functional underwear, high-performance seamless garments.
Brands
Traditionally strong in footwear, the Marche region has also developed expertise in sports beachwear and technical swimwear. The proximity to the sea has encouraged this specialisation.
To learn more about the world of sports production, read our guide on how to create a sportswear line.
Product Categories: What You Can Produce in Italy
Sportswear is a vast and diverse world. Here are the main categories with information on Made in Italy production costs and the specific characteristics of each.
🏃 Running & Fitness
Leggings, shorts, tops, sports bras. Stretchy, breathable, quick-dry fabrics. High demand all year round, highly competitive market but with room for niche players.
🧘 Yoga & Pilates
Focus on extreme comfort and freedom of movement. Soft, stretchy fabrics, often made from natural fibres. A rapidly growing market with customers who care about sustainability.
🚴 Cycling
Technical clothing with specific inserts (chamois), aerodynamic fabrics, rear pockets. Premium niche market with demanding customers willing to spend.
⛷️ Outdoor & Ski
Technical jackets, waterproof trousers, softshells, technical fleeces. Complex manufacturing processes, membranes, heat sealing. Higher initial investments.
👟 Athleisure
Sportswear for everyday use. A combination of performance and style. The fastest-growing segment, perfect for emerging brands with a strong identity.
🏊 Swimwear & Beachwear
Swimwear, bikinis, sporty beach cover-ups. Chlorine-resistant fabrics, UV protection. Highly seasonal, requires advance planning.
If you are just starting out, focus on a specific category. It is better to be excellent in one segment than mediocre in all of them. Athleisure is the most accessible segment for new brands, while outdoor and cycling require greater technical expertise and higher investment.
Fabrics for Sportswear: A Guide to Choosing
Fabrics are at the heart of any sports garment. Choosing the right material determines the performance of the product and the satisfaction of the end customer. Here are the main materials used and their characteristics.
Technical Polyester
Breathable, quick-drying, durable. The basis of most modern sportswear.
Elastane/Spandex
Provides elasticity (2-20%). Present in almost all garments to ensure freedom of movement.
Nylon/Polyamide
More resistant than polyester. Used for garments subject to high mechanical stress and abrasion.
Technical Membranes
Gore-Tex, Dermizax, eVent. Waterproof and breathable for extreme outdoor activities.
Recycled Polyester
Made from PET bottles or fishing nets. Same performance, reduced environmental impact.
Natural Fibres Tech
Merino wool, technical bamboo, Tencel. For those seeking alternatives to pure synthetics.
Important Certifications for Sportswear
For a serious sportswear brand, certifications are not optional but an increasingly sought-after requirement by conscious consumers:
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100: certifies the absence of substances harmful to the skin
- Bluesign: ensures sustainable production from fibre to finished product
- GRS (Global Recycled Standard): for recycled materials with full traceability
- GOTS: for natural fibres from certified organic farming
- Fair Wear Foundation: certifies ethical working conditions in the supply chain
⚠️ Warning: Obtaining certifications takes time and investment. Plan from the outset which certifications are important for your positioning and choose suppliers who are already certified to simplify the process.
The Costs of Sportswear Production in Italy
Here is a detailed overview of the costs of producing Made in Italy sportswear. This data will help you plan your budget and set your sales prices.
| Head | Fabric Cost | Packaging cost | Total (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical T-shirt | €3 - €6 | €5 - €10 | €10 - €18 |
| Women's sports top | €4 - €8 | €8 - €15 | €14 - €28 |
| Sports bra | €3 - €6 | €8 - €15 | €12 - €25 |
| Leggings | €6 - €12 | €10 - €18 | €18 - €35 |
| Running shorts | €3 - €6 | €6 - €12 | €10 - €22 |
| Technical sweatshirt | €8 - €15 | €12 - €22 | €22 - €42 |
| Softshell jacket | €15 - €30 | €25 - €50 | €45 - €90 |
| Outdoor jacket with membrane | €25 - €50 | €40 - €80 | €70 - €150 |
| Cycling outfit | €15 - €30 | €30 - €60 | €50 - €100 |
Note: Costs include fabric and basic tailoring. Excluded: special accessories, labels, packaging, prints/embroidery, pattern development.
How Much Should Sportswear Be Sold For?
To calculate the selling price, apply a multiplier of 3-4x on the production cost for the direct channel (e-commerce), or 2-2.5x if you sell wholesale:
- Production cost €20 → Retail price €60-80
- Production cost €40 → Retail price €120-160
- Production cost €80 → Retail price €240-320
For a comprehensive overview of costs, read how much does it cost to create a clothing brand.
Sportswear Market Trends 2025-2026
To create a successful brand, you need to be aware of the trends that are shaping the market. Here are the most important trends to keep an eye on.
Total Sustainability
Recycled fabrics, low-impact production, circular economy. No longer a "nice to have" but a basic requirement for younger consumers.
Lavorare da qualsiasi luogo
Athleisure all day long: from Zoom calls to the gym to coffee with friends. Comfort + style is the new normal.
Technology Integration
Fabrics with sensors, performance tracking, wearable technology integrated into garments. The line between clothing and technology is becoming increasingly blurred.
Micro-niches
Brands that are highly specialised in individual disciplines: trail running, CrossFit, paddle tennis, climbing. Less generalist, more expert.
Inclusiveness
Extended sizes, designs for all body types, adaptive sportswear for people with disabilities. Fitness is for everyone.
Local & Traceable
Consumers who want to know where and how their garments are made. Made in Italy is a real competitive advantage.
How to Choose the Right Manufacturer: The Fundamental Criteria
Not all Italian sportswear manufacturers are the same. Here is a checklist of the fundamental criteria for making the right choice.
⚙️ Technical Skills
- Specific experience in your segment (yoga, outdoor, cycling...)
- Ability to work with elastic technical fabrics
- Available technologies (seamless, heat sealing, flatlock)
- Access to certified fabrics (Oeko-Tex, Bluesign)
- Portfolio of previous work in the sector
📦 Production Aspects
- Minimum orders compatible with your business plan
- Adequate production capacity for growth
- Realistic and respected delivery times
- Flexibility on reorders and variants
- Structured quality control
💰 Economic Aspects
- Transparent and detailed pricing
- Sustainable payment terms
- Clear sample development costs
- No hidden costs or surprises
- Value for money appropriate to positioning
🤝 Partnership
- Responsive and professional communication
- Willingness to collaborate on development
- Verifiable references in the sector
- Genuine interest in your project
- Long-term vision of the collaboration
⚠️ Warning: In the sports sector, technical expertise is essential. A generic manufacturer may not have the skills to handle stretch fabrics, flat-lock seams, mesh inserts or heat sealing. Always choose specialists in the sector, even if they cost slightly more.
Mistakes to Avoid in Sportswear Production
In over 14 years of experience with emerging brands, I have seen the same mistakes repeated over and over again. Here are some to avoid at all costs.
❌ Error #1: Underestimating Technical Complexity
Sportswear is not "simple fashion". It requires specific expertise in fabrics, construction and functional performance. Invest in technical advice if you do not have direct experience in the sector.
❌ Error #2: Ignore Performance Tests
Sportswear must withstand repeated washing, perspiration, intense rubbing and extreme movements. Always test prototypes under real conditions (preferably with real athletes) prior to production.
❌ Error #3: Copy the Big Players
You cannot compete with Nike, Adidas or Lululemon on the same playing field. Find your specific niche and offer something distinctive that the big players cannot or do not want to do.
❌ Error #4: Neglecting the Fit
In sportswear, fit is everything. Leggings that slip down during squats, a top that rides up while running: it's commercial suicide. Work on the fitting for a long time with real people before producing.
❌ Error #5: Not Having a Community
Successful sports brands have strong communities. Build your tribe even before launching the product: athlete ambassadors, test groups, live events.
❌ Error #6: Prices Too Low
In premium sportswear, excessively low prices convey poor quality. Positioned correctly and justifies the price with genuine quality and effective storytelling.
✓ The good news: The sportswear market is growing steadily and there is room for specialised brands with a clear offering. Italian manufacturers can give you the quality and technical innovation that set you apart from the competition.
How Be A Designer Can Help You
Finding the right ones Italian sportswear manufacturers requires in-depth knowledge of the sector and a network of contacts established over many years. This is precisely what we have built up over more than 14 years of activity.
Be A Designer offers you access to our network of manufacturers specialising in the sports sector: from leading technical fabric manufacturers such as Carvico and Eurojersey to expert manufacturers of performance, seamless and outdoor clothing.
We guide you in choosing the right materials, in the technical development of garments, in defining costs and in building a collection consistent with your positioning.
Read also: how to create a clothing brand e contract manufacturing for small quantities.
🏃 Want to launch your own sportswear brand?
Book a free consultation. We will evaluate your project together and guide you towards the manufacturers best suited to your needs.
Book your free consultation →Frequently Asked Questions about Sportswear Manufacturers in Italy
Conclusion: Your Sportswear Brand Starts Here
The sportswear market offers real opportunities for brands that know how to stand out with a clear proposition and quality products. The Italian sportswear manufacturers can provide you with the technical quality, innovation and attention to detail you need to compete.
Whether you want to create a yoga line, a running brand, an outdoor collection or an athleisure brand, the important thing is start with clear ideas about targets, positioning and differentiation.
If you would like to explore these topics further, in my book "Do you also want to be a designer?" you will find the complete method for creating successful collections and brands. And in "The Designer's Journey" I will guide you step by step from the initial concept to the market launch.
Ready to enter the world of sportswear?
Book a free consultation with me. We will analyse your project together and find the best way to make it happen.
Book your consultation now →Good luck!
Corrado Manenti
Founder of Be A Designer
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