Snag Resistance

Snag resistance comes down to yarn construction more than fiber content: continuous-filament polyester, spun as one long unbroken strand, has no loose fiber ends to catch on a nail head or a shopping cart, while spun-staple yarns — made of short fibers twisted together — always have ends exposed at the surface, ready to hook and pull into a visible loop. Testers measure it with a mace or gauge-needle snag tester under ASTM D3939 or D5362, rating fabrics on how many loops form after a set number of contacts.

This matters most on garments that see abrasion against hard edges: safety vests brushing against pallet racks, embroidered polos rubbing a name badge or lanyard, golf shirts catching a velcro glove strap. A tightly knit pique or interlock construction snags less than an open, loosely knit jersey at the same weight, because there's simply less yarn surface exposed to catch.

When a garment is headed for a trades or warehouse environment, prioritize filament-yarn polyester or a tight double-knit over a soft, loosely spun cotton jersey, even if the jersey feels nicer on the rack. The snag resistance won't show up until the shirt's been worn against rough surfaces for a few weeks — by then it's too late to swap the order.

Hand feel is a bad predictor of snag resistance, and buyers judge it that way constantly. A soft, combed cotton tee can feel more premium off the shelf than a slick polyester polo, but it's the polyester's continuous filament — not the softness — that keeps it snag-free after a season of real use.