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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. ___________________ 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!! |
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#2
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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? Westie made a good point that cotton acts like a sponge, which can be good or bad depending on the situation. I think it's bad most of the time. There are many many different wicking synthetics, and they all perform differently. For example, coolmax tends towards damp and clammy, while coolmax alta feels dry and cool. Some retain odors, some do not. Sure, keeping track of all the technical performance data is enough to make anyone nuts. There is a certain amount of personal preference that comes into play. What works well and feels good for me may not work for you. Improved comfort while exercising is the main reason to look at performance fabrics IMO. I'd rather be cool and dry than warm and sticky. Depending on your sport, you can talk to others that do the same thing as you do, and see what works for them. Penny S -- Specialty Outdoors Modification & Repair of Outdoor Gear & Clothing Factory Authorized by The North Face www.specialtyoutdoors.com/about/whatis.asp |
#3
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"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. " - racer You have been getting alot of opinions (which are correct) but I think this is the answer you want. It is all about thermal transfer. Why does evaporating sweat make you cooler? Because the heat leaves your body with the evaporating sweat. Therefore, wicking the sweat through a shirt performs the same action as sweat evaporating. The water, which retains your body heat is removed from your skin (cooling you down), and then evaporates into the open air. Cotton holds the sweat (and heat) against your body, while the sweat on the outside of the shirt evaporates, leaving hot sweat still in contact with your skin. The fact that you don't dry off shows that the water in mass quantities is evaporating much slower and retaining body heat longer. "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?" - racer No, because of water's ability to hold (or resist) thermal energy. In this situation, where you are covered in damp cotton and freezing, your body will cool to the temperature of the water. Skin does not resist thermal change like water does (your body temp lowers to equal water temp. instead of heating water to equal body temp). Inversely, the hot sweat held against your skin (heated by the sun also) will raise your body temp to equal water temp (unless evaporated, see above). In the |
#4
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...Can someone please tell me the advantages of wearing "technical clothing" (polypro and moisture-wicking fabrics) when performing intense physical activity? If I know (with a reasonable certainty) that I will be able keep generating heat for the whole duration of an event, then I still use cotton on occasion. if I always have warmth to spare the choice of clothes becomes much less important. But I much prefer the wicking stuff because it doesn't stick to your body in the same clammy adhesive way that soaked cotton has. However, if I suspect that I some time during the event will run the risk of getting cooled off, then the wicking stuff has great advantages. A fair-sized descent is all that it takes to turn a cotton tee into something really uncomfortable. I can't say that I've noted anything negative about tech clothing except maybe being somewhat less resistant to abrasion and , of course, sparks. -- dabac |
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