How long does your workout gear generally last?

[boston340]

I looked down during my yoga class yesterday and realized that the bottoms of my workout capris were unraveling - oy!  How long can I expect my workout gear to last?  I know there are a lot of variables and this is more of a subjective question.  I guess I'm just annoyed that a lot of my gear is looking very worn and faded after just 12-18 months.  I do wash on cold and only hang dry.

[Susie]

That seems like it's wearing out awfully quickly. 2014 will be my 4th year doing triathlons, and I don't think I've gotten rid of anything (except some swimming stuff) on account of wearing out.

[runblondie26]

Shorts and capris...typically 7-8 years. I wear things until they're literally falling apart at the seams. Tops, basically forever.

[kams]

Gosh, forever. I just recently noticed a little bit of fading on a top that I've worn pretty regularly for 4-5 years. And, I dry most of my things in the dryer like a bad h&fer (ETA no dryer sheet, low heat)

[Susie]

ok, dumb question for hang-driers: how do you hang your tri shorts and cycling shorts? We have a drying rack that I use for most of my workout clothes, but the shorts always fall off. Maybe I need clothes pins?

[emuni04]

A really, really long time. I can only think of one pair of Nike shorts that I owned that stretched out past the point of being wearable. Any other workout clothes I got rid of I did so because I simply didn't like them anymore vs having to throw them out because they were falling apart.

[venice2007]

So far my stuff is lasting 3-4 years. I wo 1-2 times a day 5-7 days a week. Wash cold and a light air dry. So far so good! All ON,LLL,Gap and target stuff.

[breezy8407]

I don't think I've ever out-worn something. More like the fit changes and I no longer like it, or I gain/lose weight.

I have had some elastic go out in sports bras, but I think you are supposed replace them after a few years anyway? I am terrible about that.

[gt7301b]

What kind of gear are you buying? I find my Under Armour/LLL/Athleta stuff lasts longer than my ON/LLL knock offs from Costco.

[kams]

Feb 11, 2014 9:49:08 GMT -5 Susie said:

ok, dumb question for hang-driers: how do you hang your tri shorts and cycling shorts? We have a drying rack that I use for most of my workout clothes, but the shorts always fall off. Maybe I need clothes pins?

Tri & cycling shorts are the only things I hang - I just hang them on a clothes hanger. Chamois on the hanger, legs hanging over each side (as opposed to legs off front of hanger and waistband off the back).

[breezy8407]

Oh and it might matter that if it has any sort of wicking properties or is any time of athletic fabric, I don't put it in the dryer.

Susie We have a clothes line in our laundry room. I don't have tri gear, but clothespins would probably work. 

[Wines Not Whines]

Many years. I have a few tops from Target that wore out after 3-4 years of heavy use. I have Nike and UA gear that's still going strong after 5 years.

[ebeth]

I wear mine until I can no longer get the stank out. several years.

[runblondie26]

I should add that I wash in cold water (usually with some added white vinegar) and hang dry everything but sports bras. IME, spandex breaks down and dry-fit fabric shrinks a ton in the dryer.

[boston340]

Feb 11, 2014 9:54:51 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

What kind of gear are you buying? I find my Under Armour/LLL/Athleta stuff lasts longer than my ON/LLL knock offs from Costco.

The capris that I first noticed it on are Adidas brand.  I have everything from Kohl's, LLL, Target, UA, and Nike.  The stuff that I've noticed that's really worn, stretched out, and coming apart is Adidas and Tek Gear (Kohls).

[joenali]

Forever!

[boston340]

I have no idea why my stuff is wearing out and everyone else seems to have gear in tip-top shape. <shrug>

[shelbyann]

Yeah, 12-18 months seems pretty crappy. What brand? You might be able to get them to replace them, depending.

I have a pair of shorts from college that are still in rotation a decade-plus later. They were Nike Tempos before Nike made Tempos and they are awesome. Most of my stuff gets tossed/donated because of stank factor or because I decide I don't like it any more rather than wearing out!

[labbie]

Feb 11, 2014 9:49:08 GMT -5 Susie said:

ok, dumb question for hang-driers: how do you hang your tri shorts and cycling shorts? We have a drying rack that I use for most of my workout clothes, but the shorts always fall off. Maybe I need clothes pins?

I brought this guy home over a year ago from Ikea and forgot about it until a couple of weeks ago when workout gear was taking over my laundry room.
Works great in minimal space for workout gear  I don't want going in the dryer-

www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80189663/

[hannahb]

I have a pair of shorts from high school! Noted I graduated in 97 so they are OLD. I only wear them when in my house but still...
My stuff lasts a long time and I don't do anything special. I sometimes even *gasp* dry it in the dryer. Some things like cheap capris and bras wear out but the quality stuff lasts

[mrshandy]

I have had a pair of capris and running tights fall apart at the seams. That may be because I wore them when pregnant and stretched them out too much.

[valetgirl]

Too long! My stuff is all LLL and I'd love to get some new pieces, but I can't justify it since everything is still holding up perfectly after years of use. FWP

[cinco]

I have stuff that is 10 years old, and I throw everything in the dryer. I've had a few duds that don't last long, but for the most part it has lasted well.

[boston340]

Feb 11, 2014 11:28:26 GMT -5 labbie said:

Feb 11, 2014 9:49:08 GMT -5 Susie said:

ok, dumb question for hang-driers: how do you hang your tri shorts and cycling shorts? We have a drying rack that I use for most of my workout clothes, but the shorts always fall off. Maybe I need clothes pins?

I brought this guy home over a year ago from Ikea and forgot about it until a couple of weeks ago when workout gear was taking over my laundry room.
Works great in minimal space for workout gear  I don't want going in the dryer-

www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80189663/

This looks amazing!  I just added it to my wishlist for when we finish our basement (for the laundry room).  Thanks!

[andrealynn]

I can't think of anything besides bras and shoes that have worn out, really. I have everything from umbros I wore in HS to stuff from athleta/LLL in terms of quality.

[sadlebred]

Cycling shorts: 2-3 years. With as much as I ride the padding in the chammy eventually breaks down and causes "hot spots."
Jerseys & tops: Forever or until I stick them on ebay
Cycling tights: 10+ years
Cycling Jackets: 7-10 years (the waterproofing eventually dies even with retreatment)
Socks: 1-4 years depending on how hard I am on them
Other stuff: Years. I wear it til it dies

[emilyinchile]

I have Adidas soccer shorts that are 14 years old. They're faded, but the fabric is still totally intact, and that's even with drying in the machine. I would not be impressed with unraveling capris after 12 months.

[Deleted]

I have had most of mind for several years and it is still in great shape. Then again I have so much of it that nothing gets worn super frequently so that might have something to do with my cheap Target stuff lasting forever.

[runaways]

I recently tossed a couple of tanks because the stank was so terrible, but my stuff mostly lasts a long time. I think shorts do better than tops though. And I don't hang to dry.

[mcc]

I have a pair of ON capris and bra and are unraveling at the seams after like 4 months. Ugh!