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Cotton Kills - but?
- Thread starter bj70_guy
- Start date
RokJok
Gold Member
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- Oct 6, 2000
- Messages
- 4,098
BDUs are designed for durability and mobility mostly. Much of the advertising for them states they are semi-tropical wear. If conditions get cold & wet, it is time for polarfleece and a rain/wind layer. I occasionally wear fleece under BDUs, thereby using the BDUs as a wind layer.
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2001
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- 1,247
The new ones are 65% Poly/35% Cotton or you can get the 100% Cotton Ripstop, The difference that one is winter-weight and one is summer-weight.
I like the Poly/Cotton blend because they're durable and comfortable. I don't think they fade as quickly, either.
I like the Poly/Cotton blend because they're durable and comfortable. I don't think they fade as quickly, either.
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2000
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- 1,363
Until fire retardant poly thread was produced cotton ruled. Getting melted plastic out of burnes is bad. Things are better now but watch out for cheaper nylon stuff.
I still like 100% cotton for hot dry climates. A low % of poly for hot and wet. The killer cotton is for when things get very cold, well below freezing, and thats only when worn beside the skin.
I still like 100% cotton for hot dry climates. A low % of poly for hot and wet. The killer cotton is for when things get very cold, well below freezing, and thats only when worn beside the skin.
There are great alternatives out there. EPIC by Nextec impregnates cotton with Silicone--purportedly without compromising comfort or breathability. The EPIC cotton just absorbs much less water. Ventile cotton also resists showers (although it will wet out eventually and be a pain to dry). Ventile is also expensive.
Personally, if fire safety is not a concern, I like a combination of (1) high tech underwear (ultrafine merino wool is my current favorite, but I also like Patagucci's Silkweight Capilene and Coolmax Alta), (2) a lightweight high loft insulating layer (Primaloft Polarguard), (3) a highly breathable yet water resistant shell layer and (4) a separate waterproof layer--usually a poncho in the summer and waterproof breathable garments in the winter.
If fire safety is a concern, then I prefer wool or cotton shell gear. I have an old Filson wool whipcord Cruiser, which is a great outer garment. Wool whipcord pants are also a great choice if it's not too hot.
All that said, I used to use and love ripstop cotton (my old jungle fatigues) for summer hiking. They had lots of pockets, absorbed sweat, protected me from sun and bugs and were comfortable. I did get some stares from sheeple on the trail, though
Eventually, they died and got replaced with better gear.
Personally, if fire safety is not a concern, I like a combination of (1) high tech underwear (ultrafine merino wool is my current favorite, but I also like Patagucci's Silkweight Capilene and Coolmax Alta), (2) a lightweight high loft insulating layer (Primaloft Polarguard), (3) a highly breathable yet water resistant shell layer and (4) a separate waterproof layer--usually a poncho in the summer and waterproof breathable garments in the winter.
If fire safety is a concern, then I prefer wool or cotton shell gear. I have an old Filson wool whipcord Cruiser, which is a great outer garment. Wool whipcord pants are also a great choice if it's not too hot.
All that said, I used to use and love ripstop cotton (my old jungle fatigues) for summer hiking. They had lots of pockets, absorbed sweat, protected me from sun and bugs and were comfortable. I did get some stares from sheeple on the trail, though
Eventually, they died and got replaced with better gear.
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2002
- Messages
- 253
Sorry to wander a little off topic here but reading through this thread it's reminded me of a problem that we will soon be experiencing again, and some of you guys honestly seem to know a lot more than my usual advisors.
We work in an aviation enviroment and are supplied with full nomex underwear, (long-johns and long-sleeved roll necked vests).
Lovely in the winter, but each summer we sweat our bits off and people tend to secretly replace the nomex tops with cotton and dump the bottoms completely.
The company have discharged their obligation by issuing nomex, if we choose not to wear it then that's our look-out, they won't consider anything less because nomex is allegedly "the best" and they don't want to be seen to supply us with anything less if someone gets hurt.
We aren't firefighters, just aviation crew, and this is just to protect us in an emergency or while refuelling to give us a few seconds to run away. The over-heating discomfort we endure during the next few warm months approaching is not the companys' problem.
Is there really much of a difference between nomex, proban, silk or cotton when all we want is a few brief seconds protection?
We work in an aviation enviroment and are supplied with full nomex underwear, (long-johns and long-sleeved roll necked vests).
Lovely in the winter, but each summer we sweat our bits off and people tend to secretly replace the nomex tops with cotton and dump the bottoms completely.
The company have discharged their obligation by issuing nomex, if we choose not to wear it then that's our look-out, they won't consider anything less because nomex is allegedly "the best" and they don't want to be seen to supply us with anything less if someone gets hurt.
We aren't firefighters, just aviation crew, and this is just to protect us in an emergency or while refuelling to give us a few seconds to run away. The over-heating discomfort we endure during the next few warm months approaching is not the companys' problem.
Is there really much of a difference between nomex, proban, silk or cotton when all we want is a few brief seconds protection?
. . . that sparks don't burn holes in cotton or wool like they do in synthetic. My old LL Bean Mountain Classic Anorak has several spark holes from campfires on backpackin trips (I usually don't have one). I use cotton or wool car or beach camping (when I almost always have a campfire) instead of synthetic for that reason.
For fuel handling, I'd look for a nomex garment you can use instead of your nomex underwear and normal outerwear--maybe a lightweight nomex jumpsuit (they make them for aviation and armored vehicle crews) or nomex BDUs. Others can probably give you other alternatives.
I just ran a Google Search and found THESE 4.5 oz. fabric coveralls for $95. THESE GUYS have some for $87. Here's some info. on Nomex BDUs.
For fuel handling, I'd look for a nomex garment you can use instead of your nomex underwear and normal outerwear--maybe a lightweight nomex jumpsuit (they make them for aviation and armored vehicle crews) or nomex BDUs. Others can probably give you other alternatives.
I just ran a Google Search and found THESE 4.5 oz. fabric coveralls for $95. THESE GUYS have some for $87. Here's some info. on Nomex BDUs.