Cooling Fabrics Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: By Product (Synthetic, Natural), By Textile Type (Woven, Nonwoven, Knitted), By Application (Sports Apparel, Protective Wear, Lifestyle, Others) and Region Forecast 2020-2031

Cooling Fabrics Market size was valued at US$ 2,886.3 million in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 4,604.5 million by 2031, growing at a significant CAGR of 6.9% from 2025-2031. Moreover, the U.S. Cooling Fabrics Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.1% over the forecast period. The market refers to the segment of the textile industry dedicated to the development, production, and distribution of fabrics designed to regulate body temperature by promoting moisture-wicking, enhanced breathability, and heat dissipation. These fabrics are engineered using advanced technologies such as phase change materials (PCMs), microencapsulation, and smart textiles that respond to temperature changes. Cooling fabrics are commonly used in sportswear, outdoor apparel, military uniforms, medical textiles, and bedding. The market encompasses both synthetic and natural fiber blends, offering functional benefits while maintaining comfort and durability. It plays a critical role in performance enhancement and thermal comfort across a range of consumer and industrial applications.

The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by rising demand for functional apparel, increasing health awareness, and growing interest in performance-enhancing sportswear. The expanding global fitness culture, combined with climate change and rising global temperatures, has further fueled the need for temperature-regulating textiles. Technological innovation continues to shape the market, with companies investing in sustainable and eco-friendly materials to meet consumer preferences and environmental regulations. Additionally, the integration of smart textiles and wearable technology presents new opportunities for innovation. With strong demand from sectors like healthcare, defense, and fashion, the market is poised for continued expansion, particularly in North America, Europe, and emerging Asia-Pacific regions.

Facts & Figures

• The global activewear and athleisure market has seen double-digit growth annually in recent years, with millions of consumers prioritizing comfort and performance—cooling fabrics now play a key role in meeting that demand, especially among millennials and Gen-Z.
• Asia-Pacific countries, particularly China and India, account for over 70% of global textile production, giving the region a strong advantage in scaling cooling fabric production efficiently and cost-effectively.

Key Developments:

• In January 2025, Researchers have developed innovative fabrics embedded with zinc oxide nanoparticles that significantly enhance radiative cooling. These materials can reduce temperatures by 5°C to 13°C compared to traditional cotton, offering a promising solution for comfort during extreme heat conditions.
• In March 2023, NILIT, under its SensE by Nature brand, has been accredited by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC+). This certification underscores the company's commitment to producing environmentally friendly cooling textiles.
• In January 2023, NILIT introduced a new version of its SENSIL EcoCare recycled Nylon 6.6, now produced entirely from U.S. materials at its Martinsville, VA facility. This product complies with the Berry Amendment, USMCA, and CAFTA and is available in various fibers and yarns for diverse textile applications. 

Cooling Fabrics Market Segmentation:

Based on the product:

• Synthetic
• Natural

The synthetic market is expected to dominate the market largely because of its exceptional performance attributes and versatility in high-end textile engineering. Synthetic yarns like polyester, nylon, and spandex are most used because of their moisture wicking, durability, and the ease with which they can be engineered with cooling technologies like phase change materials (PCMs) and microencapsulation. These fibers provide highly controlled temperature control, which suits high-performance applications in sportswear, outdoor apparel, and activewear. Synthetic fabrics are also more versatile in design since they can marry comfort with function while still offering cost effectiveness at volume. They are resistant to shrinkage, fading, and wear as well, so they are highly favored for repeat use and wash.

Additionally, advancements in technology to recycle synthetic fibers are bringing this segment in line with sustainability objectives, adding to the trend's popularity. With growing need for lightweight, breathable, and durable cooling fabrics, the synthetic segment is leading innovation and still dominating the global market scene.

Based on the textile type:

• Woven
• Nonwoven
• Knitted

The knitted category is expected to dominate the market, fueled by its superior breathability, flexibility, and comfort features that are extremely sought after in performance and casual wear. Knitted fabrics, produced by interlooping yarns, provide a structure that enables better airflow and moisture management, which are important for cooling performance. This renders them well suited to sportswear, undergarments, and relaxed-fit clothing, where ease of movement and regulation of body temperature is crucial. Knitted fabric's stretchability facilitates its suitability for form-fitting garments as consumers increasingly seek athleisure and activewear.

Additionally, knitted fabric's compatibility with advanced cooling technology like phase change materials and moisture-wicking treatments has spurred universal uptake by top apparel brands. With changing customer tastes towards soft, lightweight, and breathable merchandise, the knitting segment remains to be the momentum driver for developing innovative fabric prints, keeping the segment at the leading edge of the growth of the cooling fabric market.

Based on the application:

• Sports Apparel
• Protective Wear
• Lifestyle
• Others

The sportswear and apparel category is anticipated to drive the market on account of growing worldwide focus on fitness, and performance and personal well-being. With increasing numbers of people turning into active consumers and participating in physical activities like running, gym exercises, and outdoor sports, the need for high-performance clothing, which makes people more comfortable and can improve endurance, and so is growing steadily. Cooling fabrics are of vital importance for sports wear because they provide moisture-wicking, temperature control, and ventilation—properties that enable athletes and fitness enthusiasts to achieve optimal body temperature during hard exercise.

Top sportswear manufacturers are investing heavily in innovative textile technologies to design clothes that are both functional and fashionable, conforming to the burgeoning athleisure market. Also, recommendations from professional athletes and increasing involvement in competitive and leisure sports worldwide are further driving the growth of the segment. These factors together put the sports apparel segment at the forefront of the growth in the market.