Newlife Polyester

Recycled polyester fiber made from post-consumer PET bottles through a mechanical recycling process by Sinterama. Certified by GRS (Global Recycled Standard), it offers the same performance as virgin polyester with significantly less environmental impact.

Material Score Breakdown

Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.

66/100

DurabilityAbove-average72

How long the fabric lasts with regular use

ComfortTypical60

Softness, feel against skin, wearability

BreathabilityTypical55

Air flow and ventilation

WarmthPoor35

Heat retention and insulation

Moisture WickingTypical65

Ability to pull sweat away from skin

Care EaseAbove-average72

How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain

Sustainability (separate Eco score)

SustainabilityAbove-average72

Environmental impact of production and disposal

Products with newlife polyester

We don't have any garments containing newlife polyester in our catalog yet. Browse the full synthetic materials or check the product catalog.

What this score doesn't measure

This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from newlife polyester. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.

×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same newlife polyester feel and last very differently.
×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.

Best For

👕Everyday Casual

Good

Good comfort (60) and care ease (72) for casual wear

👔Formal/Office

Good

Good durability (72) and comfort (60) for office wear

🌧️Rain/Weather

Good

Good moisture wicking (65) and durability (72) for weather protection

⛰️Outdoor/Hiking

Good

Good durability (72) and breathability (55) for outdoor activities

🌱Sustainable Fashion

Good

Good sustainability score (72)

Detailed Use Case Scores

sustainable82

everyday75

athletic72

Pros

✓ Diverts PET bottles from landfills and oceans
✓ Uses 94% less water and 60% less energy than virgin polyester
✓ GRS-certified traceability from bottle to fiber
✓ Identical performance to virgin polyester

Cons

✗ Still sheds microplastics when washed
✗ Not biodegradable — remains plastic at end of life
✗ Mechanical recycling limits how many times it can be recycled
✗ Slightly higher cost than virgin polyester

Better alternatives

Higher-scored synthetic materials. Same category — what to consider instead.

Gore-TexB

+10 vs Newlife Polyester · 76/100

Membrane technology that is waterproof yet breathable. A laminate applied to other fabrics rather than a fabric itself.

DyneemaB

+9 vs Newlife Polyester · 75/100

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber — the world's strongest fiber by weight. 15x stronger than steel, used in cut-resistant gear, ultralight backpacks, and high-performance sails.

HardshellB

+8 vs Newlife Polyester · 74/100

Waterproof breathable membrane fabric (Gore-Tex, eVent, or similar technology) laminated to a face fabric. The gold standard for rain and storm protection in technical outerwear.

Care Guide

Washcold (30°C)

Cyclepermanent press

Detergentregular

BleachDo not bleach

Drytumble low

Ironlow

Dry Cleanavoid

SoftenerNo

Special Notes

• Use microfiber-catching wash bag to reduce microplastic shedding

Additional Care Tips

• Machine wash cold to warm (30–40°C)
• Use a microfiber-catching laundry bag to reduce microplastic shedding
• Tumble dry on low heat or line dry
• No bleach
• Iron on low if needed

Cost

$$$$$

Budget-friendly

Shrinkage

Minimal shrinkage — follow care instructions

Eco Rating

Strong environmental credentials

Keep exploring

All fabricsBrowse 200+ materials Compare materialsSide by side Products with Newlife PolyesterReal garments Care decoderLaundry symbols

FabricIQ

Reading the label…

Material Score Breakdown

Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.

66/100

DurabilityAbove-average72

How long the fabric lasts with regular use

ComfortTypical60

Softness, feel against skin, wearability

BreathabilityTypical55

Air flow and ventilation

WarmthPoor35

Heat retention and insulation

Moisture WickingTypical65

Ability to pull sweat away from skin

Care EaseAbove-average72

How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain

Sustainability (separate Eco score)

SustainabilityAbove-average72

Environmental impact of production and disposal

What this score doesn't measure

This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from newlife polyester. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.

×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.

×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same newlife polyester feel and last very differently.

×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.

Best For

👕Everyday Casual

Good

Good comfort (60) and care ease (72) for casual wear

👔Formal/Office

Good

Good durability (72) and comfort (60) for office wear

🌧️Rain/Weather

Good

Good moisture wicking (65) and durability (72) for weather protection

⛰️Outdoor/Hiking

Good

Good durability (72) and breathability (55) for outdoor activities

🌱Sustainable Fashion

Good

Good sustainability score (72)

Detailed Use Case Scores

sustainable82

everyday75

athletic72