Sublimated quarter zip training tops: 4 knit looks for winter
The quarter zip has become the top teams reach for between the base layer and the jacket. Coaches wear it on the touchline, players warm up in it, and it sells in a club shop because it looks fine away from training too. This winter the requests we get are mostly for knit looks: waffle, rib, cable, houndstooth. All of them printed, none of them knitted. Here are four looks and the eight training tops behind them.
Why knit looks on a training top
Trend reports for autumn and winter 2026 keep putting the quarter zip at the centre of layering, usually in richer colours like olive, camel, brown and plum, with textured surfaces and funnel or mock necks. That is a sweater look. The problem is that a real knit sweater is no good for a warm-up. It holds sweat and gets heavy.
So we print the texture instead. Sublimation dyes the waffle grid or cable pattern into the polyester, and the top stays light and quick-drying. The waffle grid top in this article is listed at about 180 GSM, which sits well over a base layer.
Look 1: Waffle and rib textures
This is the quietest of the four. On the olive and tan waffle grid quarter zip a tonal waffle print covers the deep olive body, and a camel gradient sweeps across the raglan shoulders and upper sleeves. It has a high funnel mock neck, a camel zip pull and rib cuffs.
The burgundy rib texture quarter zip does the same with vertical ribs. The burgundy fades to blush towards the hem, and the cream mock neck, zip tape and cuffs give it a clean edge. Its fit is a little more relaxed.
Look 2: Cable knit and houndstooth
These two borrow straight from knitwear and tailoring. The chocolate brown cable texture quarter zip has an all-over tonal cable print, a funnel neck and camel zip tape, with ribbed camel cuffs and hem band.
The deep plum houndstooth quarter zip fades its houndstooth from dark at the shoulder to light at the hem. Copper raglan piping and a copper metal zip pick out the lines. We think this one works best for staff and coaches, as it looks smart enough for a match day.
Look 3: Colour-block yokes
A yoke across the chest and shoulders is the simplest way to get a second club colour onto a plain top. The navy and camel yoke quarter zip pairs a navy rib-look body with a solid camel yoke edged in thin cream piping. The zip is navy coil with a camel puller.
On the ink blue and ochre funnel neck quarter zip the yoke is wider and the ochre carries on into the cuffs. A chest logo sits well on the yoke line, which is worth thinking about before you send artwork.
What to send us for a quarter zip order
- Your colours by name. Pantone references or a photo of your current kit.
- Collar style. Funnel neck sits higher and warmer, a mock neck or stand collar is lower and neater.
- Zip and trims. Coil or metal zip, and which colour you want on the zip tape, cuffs and piping.
- Logo positions. Left chest, yoke line, sleeve or back of the neck.
A training top that looks like knitwear gets worn long after the session ends. From the print room
Questions about this? Ask New You Sports directly.
Send your quantity and requirements. The supplier replies to you on PakGoo.
Look 4: Speed lines and shards
Not every club wants the sweater look. For a sharper, sportier top, the charcoal and crimson geometric shard quarter zip puts an angular crimson print across the shoulders and upper sleeves, fading into a charcoal waffle-look body. It has a mock collar, an exposed crimson coil zip and a drop-tail hem that stays tucked in at the back.
The storm blue speed line quarter zip runs agave blue-green stripes diagonally, dense at the shoulder and thinning out across the chest. Agave zip tape and a stand collar, slim athletic fit. It's the one to pick if your players will train hard in it rather than stand around.
The four looks side by side
| Look | Feel | Fit in this article | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waffle and rib | Quiet, earthy colours | Slim to relaxed | Warm-ups, club shop |
| Cable and houndstooth | Knitwear and tailoring | Relaxed | Coaches, staff, travel days |
| Colour-block yoke | Two club colours, clean lines | Relaxed | Teams with a strong chest logo |
| Speed lines and shards | Sporty, more movement | Slim athletic | Hard training sessions |
How a quarter zip order runs
- Send colours, logo and sizes
Pick a look from this article or send your own idea, with club colours, the logo file and a rough size split. Youth and adult sizes are cut from separate patterns.
- Approve the mock-up
We send a mock-up showing the print, collar, zip, trims and logo positions. Changes are made here, before anything is printed.
- Production and shipping
Production takes 12 to 18 days after you approve the mock-up. Prices are FOB Sialkot, and we can quote delivered on request.
Checklist before you order quarter zip training tops
- I have chosen the look: waffle or rib, cable or houndstooth, colour-block yoke, or speed lines.
- Players know the knit texture is printed, or I have asked for a swatch.
- I have picked funnel neck, mock neck or stand collar.
- Zip type and trim colours are decided.
- Logo positions are marked and sent with the artwork.
- I know my quantity and which price tier it falls in (10, 50, 100 or 500 pieces).
Questions buyers ask
What is the minimum order for quarter zip training tops?
10 pieces, and you can mix sizes within that. The price drops at 50, 100 and 500 pieces.
Is the waffle or cable texture real?
No, it is printed. Sublimation dyes the pattern into smooth polyester, so the top stays light and dries quickly. Ask for a swatch if you want to feel it first.
Will the print crack or fade after washing?
It won't crack or peel. The dye goes into the fabric itself, so there is no layer on top to wear off.
Can we change the colours?
Yes. Every look here can be printed in your club colours, including the zip tape, cuffs and piping.
Do you make youth sizes?
Yes. Youth and adult sizes come from separate patterns, so the shoulders and sleeves fit smaller players properly.
Planning winter warm-up kit? Send New You Sports your colours and logo, and we will come back with a mock-up of your quarter zip.
Ready to work with New You Sports?
Send your inquiry and get a reply from the supplier.
