INTRODUCTION People for centuries use their textile products in almost every aspect of daily life. Previously only used for protecting and veil textiles, then it was used for the purpose of appealing to the beauty of the human spirit as fashion [1]. Many companies operating in the textile and apparel industry in the world and Turkey, products have begun to turn to ‘high value added’. Smart and tech- nical textiles with functionality in clothing are between the expectations. Waterproof and sunlight, anti-bac- terial and breathable fabrics can be given as exam- ples of functional textiles (figure 1). Textile materials which are used depending on the time and fashion are changing the direction of raw and the structural characteristics frequently. Neoprene fabric is used in daily life in the examples of this situ- ation. Neoprene is the trade name of polychloroprene material developed by Dupont [2]. In 1931, the United States, Arnold Collins, discovered synthetic rubber neoprene. Neoprene was produced first commer- cially by the Dupontcompany under the name of Duprene and 1 pound as the main $ 1,250 tonnes in 1932. In the early years people were not interested with this rubber because of insufficient properties of synthetic rubber. But in 1934, Dayton Rubber Manufacturing Co. company mentioned that the rubber can be used in car tires and its usage increased in industry [3]. In this study, a variety of tests made to decide whether it is appropriate for the child tracksuit pro- duction of neoprene fabric which is in functional tex- tile groups. For this purpose fabrics are compared and evaluated for physical and thermal comfort prop- erties. Neoprene in garment production Neoprene was worn for the first time in 1950 as a garment. Brothers Bob and Bill Meistrell discovered neoprene to keep their body temperature warm and protect them from the cold in the water during surfing. Neoprene with Dive N ‘Surf name has begun selling in Southern California. Thus the modern neoprene wetsuit was born [13]. Later, the brothers created swimmers, sports bras and accessories which name was Body Glove in increasing popularity in the 1980s. Thus, neoprene, which used in wetsuit, has been used in different areas and brands. Anymore, neoprene represents textures which are easily accessible to everyone and may be preferred in everyday wear. Neoprene, which has become the most comfortable part of everyday clothing, is considered as an alternative to leather fabric surfaces [13]. Neoprene fabric is produced open width. In this way, fabrics crease does not occur in the tube knitted The use of neoprene fabric evaluation in terms of comfort in child tracksuit production ZÜMRÜT BAHADIR ÜNAL E. RÜMEYSA EREN REZUMAT – ABSTRACT Evaluarea confortului țesăturilor din neoprene destinate producției de treninguri pentru copii Țesătura din neopren, utilizată la fabricarea echipamentelor pentru scufundări, wind surfing și pescuit, și-a făcut o intrare rapidă în industria modei. Această țesătură este rezistentă la produsele petroliere, la apă și la vânt. În același timp, este, de asemenea, rezistentă la temperature cuprinse între –50°C și + 120°C. A fost utilizată la confecționarea îmbrăcămintei de zi cu zi datorită structurii sale flexibile. În acest studiu, au fost comparate țesăturile din neopren cu proprietăți diferite privind caracteristicile de confort și fizice pentru a determina dacă o țesătură din neoprene este adecvată în producția de treninguri pentru copii. Cuvinte-cheie: neopren, țesături tricotate, îmbrăcăminte funcțională, confort termic, confort în mișcare The use of neoprene fabric evaluation in terms of comfort in child tracksuit production Neoprene fabric, which used in the manufacture of diving, wind surfing and fishing clothes, made a rapid entry into the fashion industry. This fabric is resistant to petroleum products, water and wind. At the same time it is also resistant to temperatures between –50 ° C and +120 ° C. It has been used in daily wear because of the flexible structure. In this study, neoprene fabrics having different properties are compared in terms of comfort and physical properties in order to determine whether a neoprene fabric is suitable in the child tracksuit production. Keywords: neoprene, knitted fabrics, functional clothing, thermal comfort, motion comfort 400 industria textila 2018, vol. 69, nr. 4 ˘ DOI: 10.35530/IT.069.05.1470