Book comments on cotton as base layer

[Thomas Linton]

I was recently given The Backpackers Handbook by Hugh McManners (1995) as a gift. It was purchased at the local Borders.

It has much useful information and nice pics. BUT this got my attention[as in original]:

CLOTHING

THE BEST FABRICS OFFER INSULATION from the cold and allow your body to shed heat and moisture. . . .

The Core Layer
The core layer which lies next to the skin should consist of a cotton vest or a long-sleeved thermal top. This garment should be close-fitting, but not tight or constricting. It should be made of a material that will absorb perspiration and "wick" it away from the skin....
...

[PROS]
Cotton is hard-wearing and able to "breathe, [sic] absorbing moisture. It is a good choice for underwear and any other item of cloting . . . that is next to the skin.

[CONS]
Cotton is heavy when wet, and items can shrink if dried too fast. A wrinkled cottom garment can cause discomfort is worn against the skin. Cotton is not windproof, may tear, and burns easily.

This seems misleading at best. Cotton does not transport moisture well and is legendary as a poor choice in cold weather. Even in 1995, there were far better choices for base layers in cold OR hot weather. He never seems to have heard of polypro, which had been around for years, or the wicking polyesters that were appearing on the scene in the early 90's.

And this is not just an infatuation with cotton. His "cons" ignore the fact that some cotton fabrics are quite wind-resistant e.g. "ventile"). It depends on the weave and weight of the fabric.

Finally, its pretty obvious that you do not always want to dress to "shed heat." And the ability to shed heat is at least as much -- probably more -- a matter of layering and zippers than "BEST FABRICS."

Perhaps its just a problem in communication.

 

[nemoaz]

Perhaps he should just say that it is more comfortable although many other fabrics are better.

 

[RokJok]

Have him read my rant linked below. I grant you, in summer cotton can be nice, comfy and cooling (assuming proper weight and weave/knit). But as pointed out in my rant, at even moderate temperatures, the heat loss is substantial and can be dangerous.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=276887

IMHO the author is a misguided soul, who may endanger others who take his info as general principle....

 

[tarmix101]

This seems misleading at best. Cotton does not transport moisture well and is legendary as a poor choice in cold weather. Even in 1995, there were far better choices for base layers in cold OR hot weather. He never seems to have heard of polypro, which had been around for years, or the wicking polyesters that were appearing on the scene in the early 90's.

Agreed......

Everything I was told..... and/or have read says that cotton is not to be worn for any layer.

 

[2dogs]

Cotton is a hot weather necessity in "my book". Holds sweat, wears well, rugged, breathes and comes in earthy colors.

 

[Thomas Linton]

The same characteristic -- holding moisture agianst the skin -- is a hot weather plus in a shirt (evaporative cooling) but can cause chafing/blisters in shorts/socks. How that plays out under pack straps has never been a problem for me. Others?

 

[Alberta Ed]

What Rokjok said. Cotton is great for moderate temperatures, but nowadays I go all-synthetic when on the trail. Keep cotton for your weekend around-the-cottage activities.

 

[2dogs]

I wasn't thinking about socks when I posted. I only wear 100% wool socks. Unless I suspect I will be getting wet then it's cotton underwear too.

 

[jh205]

Yeh, the author of that book was badly misinformed. Cotton doesn't 'wick' moisture, it simply absorbs it into the fabric and then stays wet for a long time. Once its wet it rubs and chafes the skin, and when the temp drops and the wind starts blowing you will freeze.

Obviously its very comfortable when you're just sitting around, but for outdoor activities its no good.

One product I've recently come across are synthetic wicking boxer briefs made by Ex Officio. These things are fantastic, fixed all the problems I was having with cotton briefs. Highly recommended.

 

[Will]

One product I've recently come across are synthetic wicking boxer briefs made by Ex Officio. These things are fantastic, fixed all the problems I was having with cotton briefs. Highly recommended.

I absolutly agree. These underwear are fantastic! A little pricy but worth it. Fast drying, not too tight or too lose around the "boys". And they are nylon and seem cooler and don't get as stinky and poylester ones I have tried by other brands. Perfect in all seasons and conditions.

 

[Bob W]

Cotten gets soppy wet and holds the moisture against your skin, quicky draining body heat. That would be my last choice for winter-weather underwear.

-Bob

 

[sherlockbonez]

I wear polypro shirt and spandex pants. Looks weird, but no one will see it.

 

[Thomas Linton]

I wear polypro shirt and spandex pants. Looks weird, but no one will see it.

Ahh, the wisdom of using an alias here now becomes more clear.

 

[iamonespfn]

In summer while sweating cotton is nice. In winter there's a saying "cotton kills".

 

[GibsonFan]

In summer while sweating cotton is nice. In winter there's a saying "cotton kills".

Yup, that pretty well sums it up. I wear denim and cotton all the time in town but not so much in the woods. I'm a big fan of polypro underwear and poly fleece, and wool socks with thin polypro ones under them.

 

[skammer]

100% Cotton sucks, all of it, winter or summer.

Poly cotton blends are ok in some cases depending on the fabric and climate.

Skam

 

[Bob W]

100% Cotton sucks, all of it, winter or summer.

I like cotton tee-shirts in the summer. Something about pit sweat and plastic/polyester clothes... creates a terrible, terrible smell on me.

The CoolMax material isn't bad though.

-Bob

 

[Kat013]

Lol, cotton 'burns easily'? As opposed to synthetic fabrics that melt at far, far lower temperatures than those at which cotton burns? That's one thing that can be said for cotton in a survival situation - it can protect you from the heat of a fire, and if it burns, it won't melt onto your skin.

When I'm driving or flying, I always have a cotton outer layer; pants and long-sleeved shirt. Even thin ones will protect some from heat (I took a blacksmithing class and grew to love my lightweight cotton long-sleeved work shirt).

Regarding cotton in summer, I'm not a fan of it either, but that's probably because I can't find cotton clothing thin enough to really work in south Texas summers. Supposedly if you get a cotton hat and wear it in a desert or other area of low humidity and high temp, the brow band soaks up all your sweat, and the rapid evaporative cooling will get the brow band nice and cold.

 

[skammer]

Lol, cotton 'burns easily'? As opposed to synthetic fabrics that melt at far, far lower temperatures than those at which cotton burns? That's one thing that can be said for cotton in a survival situation - it can protect you from the heat of a fire, and if it burns, it won't melt onto your skin.

When I'm driving or flying, I always have a cotton outer layer; pants and long-sleeved shirt. Even thin ones will protect some from heat (I took a blacksmithing class and grew to love my lightweight cotton long-sleeved work shirt).

.

This is the only drawback to synthetics and where a poly cotton blend does well with a high flashpoint.

I wear very light, large, thin synthetic t-shirts in summer and nobody can tell me cotton is cooler, its just not possible. Sweat evaporates near immediately and the wind breezes right through the fabric like its not even there. It has to be very thin fabric however. Most coolmax isnt thin enough. Look for high temp hot weather workout fabrics. Runners and cyclists wear this type of fabric and its readily avaialble if you know what you are looking for.

Skam

 

[Thomas Linton]

Major Surplus is selling blem USMC polyester wicking T's for 3/$9.xx. I got three. They feel gerat but its been too ^%$#@ cold to see how they do in heat.