A host of top international sportswear brands have cut a sorry figure, with Mexico's consumer authority finding them to be over-priced and lacking in quality.
- The Federal Consumer Protection Office (PROFECO) conducted 14 resistance, deterioration and absorption tests, among others, and determined that there are other lower cost and better quality sportswear, the Mexico Daily Post website has reported.
- The results have been published in the October edition of Consumer Magazine.
- Nike and North Face t-shirts were found to be the least resistant; the Puma print deteriorated with washing; and, Adidas was the third that takes the longest to dry after getting wet with sweat.
The Tests: PROFECO, at its laboratory, evaluated 14 models/lines of quick-drying sports shirts (12 for men, 2 for women). The itemswere subjected to 14 different tests to determine their quality. These included:
- Durability and strength (how much pressure can it withstand before breaking)
- The deterioration of the garment after washing
- Dimensional (size) changes after washing
- Fade resistance
- The mass and weight of the garment fabric
- Finishes in fabric and clothing
- Identification and fibre content
- Water and moisture absorption levels
- Capillarity (ability to distribute absorbed water on its surface)
- Air drying capacity
- Consumer information
- Size correspondence
The Findings: PROFECO found many sportswear brands that are of poor quality, despite their reputation and high prices. Some of these well-known brands use materials that are not very resistant, and fade with washing and tear easily.
- The least resistant. These showed breaks when exerting less force in the bursting resistance test: North Face, model NF0A5J87M19; Nike, model CU5992-010.
- The print deteriorates. After 48 washes, the print did not look like new, unlike other models: Puma, model 58639311, made in Mexico; Team, model 11125; Team Apparel, model 4781; Danskin, model G022SA04006.
- Dimensional changes (when washed it loses its original texture). Under Armor, model 1361469-899. This brand’s t-shirt swelled and lost texture (fuzz) when washed.
- Need time to absorb sweat. North Face, model NF0A5J87M19, made in Vietnam; Team Apparel, model 4781, made in Mexico.
- Take time to dry when wet with sweat. Adidas, model HB7482; Team, model 11125; Team Apparel, model 4781.
- Can't say if they can be wrung. Adidas; Reebok; Soul Trainers. The Asics brand of women’s t-shirts did not say if it could be wrung out, or if washed with soap or detergent. It was also one of the least resistant in bursting tests.
- The best of the lot. In terms of quality, PROFECO's best rating went to the Starter brand, model G022SD03004, made in China. It was followed by Reebok (model HA1082), Sprint (model 020004) and Dunlop (model 11150).
The Quality vs Price Relationship: The PROFECO study found there are less-known sports t-shirts that provide a better quality and price compared to some expensive brands.
- The Sprint t-shirt costs 199 pesos, and was found to be of excellent quality.
- A similar t-shirt from Nike costs 719 pesos, and was found of be of an inferior quality compared to Sprint.
