Article - South African Sports Clothing Suppliers

19 Jan 2022

South African Sports Clothing Suppliers

 

Ever since most sports – played at top level – turned professional, it has become imperative to adhere to the rules and regulations that govern the clothing to be worn for each sport. This takes into account restrictions on what may not be worn, thereby preventing any competitor from gaining an unfair advantage over other participants.

 

Maximise Performance

 

This is no surprise to us at XCO Group, since we have a long history of supplying such garments and equipment. There is usually a large sum of money at stake for professional winners and runners-up. Everyone’s income may be affected – adversely or positively. The smallest advantage can and does make a difference.

 

Consequently, sports clothing is designed to maximise performance. Most conclusions about the importance of wearing approved as appropriate garments for each sport have been reached via detailed scientific and practical studies and tests.

 

Tennis

 

The days of takkies – white canvas lace-up tennis shoes, trimmed and soled with a rubberised material, belong in the distant past when takkies were “cleaned” with an application of Shoe Shine, a water-based creamy product, which hid dirty scuff marks and dust that resulted from playing the game, mainly on clay courts.

 

 

Modern, advanced tennis shoes feature leather uppers and ergonomically designed soles that provide support for all parts of the foot. Specialised sole designs also help to cushion feet and prevent impact injuries since tennis is a fast stop-start game. 

 

The shirts that are nowadays referred to as polo or golf shirts, actually owe their origin to tennis and a tennis player turned fashion designer, René Lacoste. He introduced his comfortable version of tennis shirts, which replaced traditional “tennis whites”, long-sleeved, button-up shirts, in lounge-shirt style. Other clothing designers and participants in sport soon adopted Lacoste’s design for more sports– polo and golf.

 

The most prestigious Grand Slam tennis event, played at Wimbledon, has strict rules about players’ dress code – all-white clothing and shoes, even during practice sessions. 

 

Golf

 

No player is permitted on a golf course unless he or she is attired in golf clothing – a pair of chino-type trousers or shorts, plus a golf shirt, featuring a collar and a placket with 2-4 buttons. This vital item should be made of a stretchy, breathable, moisture-absorbent fabric because golf demands an enormous amount of upper body movement and flexibility; one’s golf swing should not be impeded in any way.

 

Most golf shoes feature spiked and larger, broader soles to improve the player stability, balance, grip, flexibility and comfort, since long distances are covered on the course during a game.

 

Cycling and Swimming

 

Clothing is designed to be super-aerodynamic, especially the gear that is worn during cycling time trials, where every fraction of a second determines results and affects professional earnings. All clothing is right-fitting and smooth to prevent drag and minimise wind resistance.

 

Much the same applies to swimwear, which is to be tight and well-fitting, enabling the body to be smooth and streamlined when moving through water. Both cyclists and swimmers remove body hair to enhance smooth movement without encountering additional wind or water resistance.

 

Cycling shorts are padded in the inner-leg, crotch area, helping to protect those parts from friction-induced sores and injuries resulting from pressure and repetitive movement during hours spent in the saddle. Shoes clip into bike pedals to maximise pedal power. Footwear is changed immediately after completing a race or training session.

 

Equestrian Sports

 

Niche horse-related disciplines are numerous and notoriously costly in South Africa. Tall leather boots may retail from R8 000 upwards, while a good protective helmet may cost anything from R9 000 to R31 000 or more.

 

Disciplines include dressage, show jumping, hunting (where and when permitted), eventing, polo, equitation, cross country, racing and, in the UK, the steeplechase.

 

Jodhpurs are made of fabrics that enhance grip whilst having some stretch. Inner leg area is lightly padded to prevent formation of saddle sores whilst decreasing the visible wear and tear.

 

Specialised Supplier Since 1987