Outdoor clothing material choice?

M

McCarthy

Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
75
I realize this is pretty unrelated, but your all a really helpful and knowledgeable bunch so i figure id ask. Im looking at picking up a pair of BDUs in either black or OD, but i do not know whether to get polly/cotton ripstop or polly/cotton twill? :confused: what are the big differneces? what do you prefer, and why? also just got an ESEE-4 and i think it may be my new favorite. it's awesome. RC-6, Izula, and now ESEE-4... starting to get a collection :D
 
I recommend the poly/cotton ripstop on the pants they will dry out quicker. As for other clothing I mix synthetics and natural stuff in layers to have a good balance.
 
it kind of depends on the weather, i like the the nyco-ripstop material. it dries quickly when wet and is very good about resisting tears.

take it easy
cricket
 
the ripstop is lighter weight fabric for warmer climates. I wore both types on duty and the ripstop is better in 90+ degree temps. At colder temps, below 50, the twill is better. at least that is how I recall it.
 
drillsgt71 said:
the ripstop is lighter weight fabric for warmer climates. I wore both types on duty and the ripstop is better in 90+ degree temps. At colder temps, below 50, the twill is better. at least that is how I recall it.
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This is pretty much right on. Also for colder temps remember to layer, i prefer wool. For warmer temps i have switched over to alot of synthetics.
 
Wool/Synth blends for warmth, Synth/NyCo for outers. Cotton is only good for undies and white collar wear, IMO.
 
drillsgt71 said:
the ripstop is lighter weight fabric for warmer climates. I wore both types on duty and the ripstop is better in 90+ degree temps. At colder temps, below 50, the twill is better. at least that is how I recall it.
Click to expand...

I'll throw my +1 on this as well. I will remind you (for winter wear) of Adaman's(?) favorite saying, Cotton Kills! Cotton + Moisture + Cold = Hypothermia/Frostbite. I just had an encounter with this trying to prevent water damage when a pipe burst at the Church here. I wound up soaked standing infront of a wide open door. I was no more than 50yds from home but it was a bad deal in a matter of minutes. I switched my cotton leggings/boxers for some Under-Armor, I got wetter wearing that, but was much warmer. Also wool is made of win when you get wet.

God bless,
Adam
 
Wool is the best. Cotton is no good insulating if it gets wet, so I'd stay away from anything like that if moisture from the environment or from your own sweat is a concern, which it generally always is when you're talking about outdoor clothing.

Polyester as a synthetic isn't bad. Dries quickly, is moisture wicking, and insulates when wet. It can be very flame happy though, and a spark can cause huge burns in the material. Wool controls temperature and odors better.

JGON
 
Cotton, as others have stated, is bad. I don't mind a little bit of it in my bushwacking pants as it's relatively comfortable/durable stuff (I wear some 5.11 TDU pants that are a blend of cotton and polyester) but 100% cotton? Never.

I never wear fully synthetic clothing, either. Fleece, nylon, polyester... all the modern fabrics certainly work well at what they do, HOWEVER, they f*^#ing stink once you get moving! And they melt near the fire. I've melted so many nylon hiking pants (a benefit to the cotton/poly blend pants; they don't melt so easily) and fleece sweaters, it's not even funny.

Wool is the way to go for your clothing, or at the very least the layer next to your skin if you aren't worried about sparks from the campfire. It might not 'wick' sweat away like synthetics are designed to, but it wont stink when you do sweat, and it still insulates when wet. I hate hate hate stinking in the bush. Other guys don't care. They don't camp with their woman, apparently... ;)

Wool!
 
I'm afraid that i might be allergic to wool, i know my mom is so I've generally tried to just stay away from it. thanks for all your help guys. gota stay warm and comphy while i play with my new esee-4 :D
 
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