Top 10 sportswear manufacturers and factory in China (2026 Updated Review)

However, with thousands of factories to choose from, how do you distinguish a premium partner from a middleman?

In this 2026 updated guide, we have analyzed and ranked the Top 10 Sportswear Manufacturers in China. We evaluated them based on MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity), customization capabilities, turnaround time, and sustainability practices to help you make the right choice for your brand.

Best For: Premium brands that need heavy design consulting and professional tech packs.

Overview: Hingto is a well-known name in the activewear industry, especially among Australian and US brands. They function as a high-end apparel developer that bridges the gap between design and manufacturing. They have worked with major names like Adidas and Speedo, making them a very prestigious partner for any brand.

Design Excellence: Exceptional at helping brands create professional tech packs from scratch.

Ethical Standards: Very strong emphasis on ethical manufacturing and transparent supply chains.

Complex Pricing: Because they operate with an Australian management layer, their total costs can be higher than working directly with a China-based factory like Eation Wear.

Onboarding Friction: They often require clients to go through a rigorous "design phase" before mass production starts, which can delay the time-to-market for agile brands.

MOQ Transparency: Their minimums can be less flexible for startups compared to the 100-piece trial orders offered by Eation Wear.

Verdict: A top-tier choice for brands with a large budget that need extensive design hand-holding. For brands that want direct factory communication and faster execution, Eation Wear remains the superior choice.

Best For: Established brands with standardized high-volume orders.

Overview: Aika Sportswear is a well-established OEM factory with over 10 years of export experience. They specialize in large-scale production of traditional gym wear, such as performance tees and classic leggings. Their strength lies in their standardized production lines and stable fabric supply chain.

Proven Stability: Highly consistent quality for long-running, standard product lines.

Large Capacity: Well-equipped to handle massive bulk shipments.

Higher MOQ: Typically requires 300+ pieces, which is less flexible than Eation Wear for new collection launches.

Standardized Designs: Better for basic styles rather than highly innovative or complex custom designs.

Verdict: A safe, reliable choice for high-volume basics, but less agile for brands needing rapid prototyping.

Best For: Brands needing diverse printing and technical craftsmanship.

Overview: SGL Sports is an experienced apparel exporter known for its strong technical development. They offer a wide range of activewear, including cycling jerseys, yoga wear, and team sports uniforms. Their strength lies in their diverse range of printing techniques, such as high-end sublimation and screen printing.

Technical Versatility: Great at handling complex logos and multi-color designs.

Export Expertise: Very familiar with international quality standards for European and US markets.

Lead Times: Due to their detailed customization process, their production cycle can be longer than the 25-day delivery offered by Eation Wear.

Price Point: High customization often comes with a higher unit cost, making them less competitive for budget-conscious startups.

Verdict: A solid choice for brands that prioritize complex decorative techniques over speed and cost-efficiency.

Best For: Emerging brands looking for a comprehensive private label solution and diverse product categories.

Overview: Appareify has rapidly become one of the most visible names in the apparel manufacturing industry. They offer an extensive range of services, from trend research to custom fabric development. Their platform is designed to be a one-stop-shop for private label brands, covering everything from activewear to streetwear and high-fashion pieces.

Diverse Matrix: Capable of producing a wide variety of clothing categories beyond just activewear.

Streamlined Process: Very professional online presence and automated inquiry systems that make the initial stages easy for buyers.

Scalability Bottlenecks: While great at service, their massive client load can sometimes lead to longer wait times for specialized technical support compared to Eation Wear.

Directness: As a large-scale service-oriented platform, you may not always get the "direct-to-factory" floor transparency and rapid production adjustments that a specialized factory like Eation Wear provides.

Verdict: A highly professional and reliable partner for general apparel needs, but for those focused specifically on high-performance yoga and activewear, a specialized expert is often more efficient.

Best For: New fitness brands requiring full-service design assistance.

Overview: FC Gymwear is a modern sportswear manufacturer that specializes in helping small to medium-sized businesses launch their collections. They offer a comprehensive one-stop service that includes design, fabric sourcing, and mass production, particularly focusing on gym leggings and compression wear.

Startup Friendly: They provide a lot of guidance for clients who are new to the apparel industry.

Modern Aesthetic: Their design team stays updated with current fitness fashion trends.

Limited Large-Scale Capacity: While excellent for smaller batches, they may lack the 500,000 pcs monthly output that massive players like Eation Wear provide for scaling brands.

Pricing Fluctuations: Their pricing for small orders can be significantly higher per unit compared to more vertically integrated factories.

Verdict: A great entry-level partner for startups, though potentially challenging for brands looking to rapidly scale into high-volume global retail.

Best For: Schools, clubs, and professional sports teams needing customized uniforms.

Overview: Healong Sportswear is a prominent player in the teamwear sector. They are highly specialized in full-dye sublimation printing, making them a top choice for football, basketball, and rugby uniforms. Their facility is optimized for complex graphic designs that require vibrant, permanent colors on performance polyester.

Graphic Expertise: Exceptional at creating bold, colorful team kits with complex logos.

Broad Category Range: Covers everything from jerseys to varsity jackets.

Fabric Limitations: While they excel at teamwear fabrics, they may not offer the same "Lulu-grade" soft-touch fabrics (like Nylon 66) that Eation Wear uses for premium yoga and lifestyle collections.

Aesthetic Focus: Their designs are more geared toward competitive sports than the high-fashion "athleisure" trend.

Verdict: The go-to manufacturer for team uniforms and club kits, but perhaps not the ideal choice for a high-end fashion activewear brand.

Best For: Brands that prioritize technical fabric innovation and long-term R&D.

Overview: Xinfu Activewear is a technology-oriented manufacturer that prides itself on its strong research and development department. They focus heavily on the science behind the apparel, working on moisture-wicking technologies and durable stitch constructions that withstand high-intensity training.

Technical Innovation: Constantly developing new fabric blends for performance enhancement.

Strong QC System: They have a very rigorous internal testing lab for fabric durability.

Higher Minimums for Custom Fabrics: While they are great at R&D, developing a custom fabric with them often requires a much larger MOQ compared to the flexible stock-fabric options at Eation Wear.

Complex Onboarding: Their focus on technical specs can lead to a more complex and time-consuming onboarding process for new brands.

Verdict: A solid partner for brands that want to build their identity around a specific technical fabric, provided you have the volume to meet their R&D requirements.

Location: Qingdao, China

Best For: High-end brands focused on seamless technology and knit performance wear.

Overview: Unlike many southern China manufacturers, Moda Knits is based in the northern textile hub of Qingdao. They are specialists in circular knitting technology, producing high-end seamless activewear that offers a second-skin feel. Their strength lies in their ability to engineer specific compression zones directly into the garment without seams.

Seamless Experts: Top-tier machinery for producing friction-free, ergonomic workout gear.

Stable Quality: Known for high consistency in yarn dyeing and fabric tension.

Geographic Logistics: Being in northern China, their shipping routes and supply chain clusters differ from the Pearl River Delta (Dongguan/Guangzhou) hub where Eation Wear is located, which may affect consolidated shipping for some buyers.

Category Niche: Highly specialized in knits; they may not be the first choice for woven outerwear or complex bonded jackets.

Verdict: An excellent specialist for seamless collections, but brands looking for a broader "head-to-toe" product range may find a full-service factory more convenient.