a somewhat weird but important question

T

TimeConstant

Joined
Oct 15, 2005
Messages
48
what skivvies are ya'll wearing when its really hot and humid and you have to cover a lot of ground? What are the pro's and cons on synthetic, silk, and cotton? Boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs? What chaffs less?
 
Polyester all the way. Cotton will bunch up, stay damp and cause you misery.
 
REI makes some great boxer briefs (think bike shorts) that work well in the heat, but they are not cheap.
 
For hot, humid weather I am totally sold on nylon tricot material. I prefer the briefs. Jockey and JC Penny make them but I think Jockey's are stitched more securely.

Nylon tricot is somewhat gossamer but strong. It is a knit material like very fine netting but smooth to the touch. Very lightweight and packs compact. Comfortable. It dries faster than any other material I have ever encountered.

There are other expensive, synthetic materials out there that claim to keep you cool but, in my experience they cannot even hold a candle to nylon tricot. The price is reasonable too.

Strangely enough, neither Jockey or JC Penny makes any performance claim. IMO, they don't know what they are sitting on:).
 
Nike Dryfit shorts. Again, think lycra bike shorts without the chamois. No chafe and no moisture next to your skin. Great for water crossings because it dries almost instantly. I've got a couple Dryfit undershirts too and they're great as well. I'm not normally a "brand" guy, but this stuff's worth it.
 
Ex-Officio boxers from REI. Gotten me through me through more hot camping trips than I can count. Feel great and dry fast.

Mike

FYI REI has them on sale this weekend.
 
Tighty whiteys.:D Never had a problem with cotton. Maybe my butt doesn't sweat as much as the rest of you.:p
 
i freeball it....

less weight to carry, no chafing, no extra material down there to keep the heat in...
 
Some of the most important Qs out there are some of the most basic too.. I have tried a few and didnt like any yet... My next ones to try are the underarmor..
 
Underarmor all the way... they are great unless the vehicle you are riding in gets hit by an IED.
 
TimeConstant said:
what skivvies are ya'll wearing when its really hot and humid and you have to cover a lot of ground? What are the pro's and cons on synthetic, silk, and cotton? Boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs? What chaffs less?
Click to expand...

I spend All day EVERY day on foot (mailman). When it's hot, I wear polypro synthetic boxer-briefs and wouldn't wear anything else. I'm a big guy with big legs and they are the only thing I've found that prevent chafing.

They are cooler when it's hot and warmer when it's cold. I've discarded all my cotton clothes and wear high performance synthetics (various weights of polypro) in all seasons. I live in the Northeast where it can be 95 degrees and 95% humidity in the summer and 20 below zero in the winter.

They're pricey, but so comfortable and durable you won't regret spending the dough.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
TimeConstant said:
what material are those polypro's made of?
Click to expand...

Polypro isn't the brand, it's the material; it's short for "polypropylene". It's a non-absorbant, fast-wicking synthetic that is perfect for undergarments.

The brands I have are from various manufacturers... REI, Duofold, Helly-Hansen, Kenyon, Under Armour, etc. The good stuff is anti-microbial treated... cheap polypropylene garments can be an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. (The early polypro clothing from Helly-Hansen was immediately adopted by backpackers, mountainclimbers and hikers, who later found out about the microbe problem. It became affectionately known as "smelly Helly") :p

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
Synthetics all the way. I run trails, and I started out with all my gear in cotton, but gradually switched to all synthetics.

Poly is definitely the way to go. Being wet in the wind is pretty uncomfortable, but having wet underwear is always a downer.

Oh and uh, Boxer Breifs. anything else is way too restricting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top