View Full Version : Wicking clothing material
Hello everybody. I have a question concerning baselayer wicking fabric material. I know cotton is out of the question because of moisture issues, and that polyester seems to be the best for moisture and evaporation, but what about a combination? Campmor has a 85% poly and 15% cotton t-shirt for a good price. Is 15% still too much cotton? or is it better to have 0% cotton? Thanks
Greentick18d
08-12-2008, 16:59
Hello everybody. I have a question concerning baselayer wicking fabric material. I know cotton is out of the question because of moisture issues, and that polyester seems to be the best for moisture and evaporation, but what about a combination? Campmor has a 85% poly and 15% cotton t-shirt for a good price. Is 15% still too much cotton? or is it better to have 0% cotton? Thanks
I have used both. I haven't noticed much difference between the two materials afa wicking. That's not very scientific. I do know that the ones with 15% cotton are 100% more comfortable. Get some sort of stink treatment if possible (imbedded in teh material or something with wool).
Old Grouse
08-12-2008, 17:05
I have some Duofold shirts (long and short sleeve) which I bought at Campmor, and which I find extremely comfortable. They're cheap and they dry very quickly. I love 'em. They're either 85% or 90% poly (can't remember which).
Kerosene
08-12-2008, 17:07
Campmor also carries a SmartWool Next-to-Skin (NTS) Midweight Shirt (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___03042) that provides a very comfortable base layer (although I'd go with lightweight for my shoulder season hikes). At $70, the cost is likely a lot higher than your poly/cotton blend.
X-LinkedHiker
08-12-2008, 17:15
Cabelas makes good ones for like 10-15 bucks.
Greentick18d
08-12-2008, 17:21
Campmor also carries a SmartWool Next-to-Skin (NTS) Midweight Shirt (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___03042) that provides a very comfortable base layer (although I'd go with lightweight for my shoulder season hikes). At $70, the cost is likely a lot higher than your poly/cotton blend.
Yeah, I think I got my duofolds off of campmor's "hotdeal" section for 5-7 bucks a few years ago. The wool may be out of TBones price range but it feels Oh so good. Stink management is great too. I got an icebreaker T from REI with a combo of 20% off and dividend. Never would have paid full price.
Greentick18d
08-12-2008, 17:22
Cabelas makes good ones for like 10-15 bucks.
wool or poly/cotton?
to me, poly feels just as good as wool, dries just as fast, but doesn't insulate as well when wet and definitely stinks faster/longer/worse
* if you're going for a blend, a poly/nylon blend like nike's dryfit works very well
fiddlehead
08-12-2008, 18:54
. Is 15% still too much cotton? or is it better to have 0% cotton? Thanks
Good question. You have to think about what you are using it for. If you are going out in crazy conditions (like the AT) where hypothermia COULD be a problem. Cotton could be a problem (although only 15% is a smaller problem)
If you are going to wear the t-shirt for hiking in the daytime when it's nice out. No problem.
I'm sure you know this but cotton retains moisture which turns it into an air conditioner when things get cold. Just keep that in mind when you are bundling up in that cold windy rainstorm and don't want to take the t-shirt off to get your poly on next to your skin.
YOu can still get to camp, or a shelter, or your tent, and then get out of it, and into your long underwear and your sleeping bag to get warm.
But I don't think 15% is going to kill you. (usually)
Hey, i wear 100% cotton t-shirts (when i'm hiking in the desert, or the tropics, or the summer when it's nice)
Blissful
08-12-2008, 20:09
I got those kind for my hubby and son from Campmor. They like them a lot for summer activities.
yeah my section hike next late spring/early summer I think will be alright. I won't solely rely on these but for the price and on nice days without a real threat of rain (ha-ha) there should be no issue. H*ll, I live in Florida where there's 90-100% humidity from april until october, so I will try them out here first and see.
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