New found respect for cotton

A

akennedy73

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May 5, 2006
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I'm sure everyone's heard the tried and true phrase "Cotton kills" - it's a terrible material for base layer clothing because as soon as it gets wet from perspiration it tends to dry slowly which robs you of core body heat.

And I think the tendency has been to move away from cotton not just for base layers but also for outer layers - outer shells are usually synthetic these days. Well, I got a book "Snow Walker's Companion" for my brother for Christmas and was flipping through it before wrapping it up and sending it off (it's a great book from what I can tell - I'm probably going to have to buy a copy for myself now). I was fascinated and surprised to see that the authors recommend anoraks constructed from two layers of long-fiber Egyptian cotton as the ideal outer shell for strenuous activity in the snowy conditions of the high north (temps of -20F).

I don't have much experience winter camping except for once in a blizzard just below tree line in the Rockies. But I'm very interested in it and fascinated by the fact that cotton is an optimal winter clothing material. It allows moisture under the shell to escape and since only snow is encountered there isn't a concern with it getting wet from precipitation. It's tough, durable and a good wind blocker when it's double-layer high-quality Egyptian cotton.

Growing up my outdoor clothing was woodland camo 100% cotton ripstop BDUs - and I appreciated the qualities cotton afforded. As I grew older and got into backpacking I tended to listen to the marketing hype and believe synthetics were always superior for outdoor activities. But now I'm beginning to rethink that and realize that there is a place for cotton.

Here's a link to some winter campers enjoying their cotton anoraks:
http://www.myccr.com/SectionForums/viewtopic.php?t=14486
 
Two things I wouldn't want to be cotton in the woods is socks and underwear. Otherwise, on hot day hikes I'll wear cotton shorts and shirt sometimes, no problem. You can't beat how light and airy it can be.
 
Before you take too much of the hype of modern materials too seriously, think of this; Ernest Shackleton and his men wore wool shirts, sweaters, and trousers, covered by long strand cotton gabberdine outer layer.

In spite of being marooned for two years on floating ice floes and Elephant Island, he did not loose a single man.

Personally, if I know I'm going to be out in wet weather, I take my waxed cotton Aussie duster with me. its never leaked like that gortex stuff tried.
 
Cotton outer layers are not too bad as long as there is non cotton underneath in sufficient quantity. Any cotton next to the skin is a no no in cool temps. As for summer heat, nothing beats tissue paper thin synthetic shirts, cotton sticks to you like glue its nasty.

I would not want to be wet in cool temps with nothing but cotton as it will and has killed people. Waxed cotton is not cotton its a new material all together due to the wax.

Skam
 
I had a cotton shell and anorak back in the day, and there was nothing wrong with them. The weave is tight so they are water repellent (maybe even waterproof), but yet they breathe. Very comfortable!

Still, I'll take a good modern Gore-Tex shell, with pit zips to keep ventilated. Lighter, and packs smaller!
 
Jackets made of Ventile are very different to jackets made of normal cotton....many Arctic explorers still swear by Ventile outer wear !!!

Single layer Ventile is wind proof and water resistant, double layer Ventile is waterproof and far more breathable than Goretex !!!
 
Growing up hunting in the "big woods" of northern Michigan, all you used to see is wool and cotton anoraks. The new "high tech" stuff definitely has its place but most of it is down right dangerous around fires.
 
Cotton doesn't kill. WET cotton kills. Now in -20F weather, "WET" doesn't exists anymore. BTW Ventile is wind and rainproof cotton. Waxed or oiled cotton is good too.

Cotton is not just cotton all the time.

Stay safe !

David
 
It is snowing here as I write this, would I wear cotton outside in this weather? Cotton's cool but it is not for a cold wet environment.
 
Got to point out that there is a big difference between the "Arctic" and lower latitudes!

The Arctic is actually extremely dry....any moisture is frozen (at least a great part of the year). Wind is more your enemy there, rather than external moisture. In lower latitudes water falls from the sky, and you better be fully waterproof!
 
jackknife said:
Personally, if I know I'm going to be out in wet weather, I take my waxed cotton Aussie duster with me. its never leaked like that gortex stuff tried.
Click to expand...

I've been looking for a good duster, and source recommendations?
 
Moine said:
Cotton doesn't kill. WET cotton kills. Now in -20F weather, "WET" doesn't exists anymore.
Click to expand...

Unless, of course, you sweat. In which case, wet exists for a very short amount of time until "Frozen Cotton kills"
 
Don't fall through the ice into water if you're wearing cotton, because even if you get out again you're in serious trouble.

In the cold and wet, there's nothing like wool for an outer layer; it warms even when wet. For a first layer, I go back and forth between polypros and silk, but generally I like silk better because it doesn't continually wick moisture away like polypro does.

Over all, I've generally become disgusted with synthetics, especially for rain gear. It just doesn't breathe so unless I'm just standing around camp, all I'm going to do is get soaking wet from my base layer out due to sweat.
 
bulgron said:
Don't fall through the ice into water if you're wearing cotton, because even if you get out again you're in serious trouble.

In the cold and wet, there's nothing like wool for an outer layer; it warms even when wet. For a first layer, I go back and forth between polypros and silk, but generally I like silk better because it doesn't continually wick moisture away like polypro does.
Click to expand...

Good points. It is possible to get wet no matter how cold it is out.

Fleece also insulates when wet and is much lighter but lacks the old school look.

I prefer poly pro "because" it continually wicks.

It doesnt matter what you wear if you are working hard if you dont ventilate. If you are getting wet from the inside out you are wearing too much. Modern breathables only go so far as you say. They are hell and gone from rubber non breathables though.

There was a young man went missing here last week wearing 100% cotton and didn't last 3 hrs, it stormed and he passed on somewhere. WE wont find him now until spring. If he had proper clothing it may have made the difference.

Skam
 
skammer said:
I prefer poly pro "because" it continually wicks.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but then you have to worry (more) about dehydration. And if you're out for multiple days in a row, I find that polypros get grungy and not nearly as effective because they sucked up on those body oils.

But then, as you note, polypro's continual wicking action can sometimes be a good thing.

As I said, I go back and forth on this.
 
I think it comes down to where you're planning on using the clothes. A multi-day climb where you're placing stuff back into your bag to dry out over night is where synthetics come in handy. It's also quite a bit lighter, based on what I've seen. Any climbing info rarely mentions cotton other than to avoid it.
 
jackknife said:
Before you take too much of the hype of modern materials too seriously, think of this; Ernest Shackleton and his men wore wool shirts, sweaters, and trousers, covered by long strand cotton gabberdine outer layer.

In spite of being marooned for two years on floating ice floes and Elephant Island, he did not loose a single man.

Personally, if I know I'm going to be out in wet weather, I take my waxed cotton Aussie duster with me. its never leaked like that gortex stuff tried.
Click to expand...

I liked that story, too bad he reached civilization during the World War. Would have been a "hero" for making it back. And the part where they ate the dogs always made me frown. Could have made dog sleds or slept with the dogs for warmth. Since I live down south, cotton is GREAT. Breathable, light, and my blue jeans are made out of it, which I can wear 365 days down here without needing thermal undies :D. My winter is a breeze from all of you northerners that happens to miraculously make its way down to South Texas, lol.
 
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