Easy question about technical clothing (MORE THOUGHTS)

First of all, thanks to all who replied to my note below.

However, it seems, for the most part, that my initial question still hasn't been answered.
Most of us agree that "cotton kills" (as the saying goes) because it holds your sweat close to the skin,
which in turn evaporates, which in turn cools you down.

If I'm running a LONG race, in the heat of the summer sun, I sweat a lot. And if I happen to be
wearing a cotton T-shirt that day, it will soak up (and hold) the sweat BUT at least it will keep me cool
as I am running. And by staying cool, I am able to run longer.

If I switch to a synth fibre, I notice that the shirt works as designed (it wicks my sweat off my skin)
but so what? At that point, what (if anything) is going to cool me down? The sweat is now evaporating off
my shirt, and not off my skin. I might end up with a cool shirt, but my body underneath is still producing
sweat in order to cool itself off.

Am I missing something? What is the main advantage of wearing a wicking fabric?
Because it feels good? Too keep you warm? To keep you cool?


Please be the first to set this record straight for me :-)

Much appreciated, and thanks in advance.






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At the risk of sounding like an extreme newbie:

Can someone please tell me the advantages of wearing "technical clothing" (polypro and moisture-wicking fabrics) when performing intense physical activity?

It is my understanding that the human body sweats to cool itself down (the sweat on the surface of our skin evaporates and cools us down). If I am running a race in the heat of summer, why would I *NOT* want to wear a fabric such as cotton? Cotton retains water, which will hold my sweat close to my body, cooling me down.

By using wicking fabrics, aren't we essentially moving the sweat off of our skin? How exactly is this supposed to cool down the body?

Cotton is sometimes described as "dangerous" and "lethal" to wear in survival situations, because of the hypothermic effect it has on the body. But isn't this EXACTLY what I want when my body's overheating?


I prefer the reply be sent to my email address ), but I will also check on UseNet for the reply.


Thanks in advance to all who reply!!