Seeking "Fabric of Death" Experiences
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Seeking "Fabric of Death" Experiences
I am interested in hearing from people who wear cotton shirts on tour vs jerseys or shirts made of technical fabrics. How does cotton perform on very hot days? Is it the nightmare that people would have you believe or will a loose fitting cotton shirt dry quickly enough in the breeze? Other considerations? Harder to wash/dry overnight?
#2
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I will say right from the start that I don't tour with cotton, but I have done a lot of outside work in it (orchards), and I will say that a good-quality lightweight cotton business shirt recycled from a Goodwill type of place does two things -- protects you from sunburn on the arms and neck, and actually is quite cool to wear. The evaporative effect of your sweat can be handy in certain conditions. It's also not quite so clingy, so air can circulate on the inside. I like my shirts in technical non-cotton fabrics to be a loose fit, too.
Bear in mind that I also commuted to and from work on a bike a lot in those days, and I found the cotton shirts to be OK then, too.
Bear in mind that I also commuted to and from work on a bike a lot in those days, and I found the cotton shirts to be OK then, too.
#3
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Death By Fire? suit Up ..
Nomex is a Modified Nylon .. its what the race car drivers suits, gloves and fire resistant Balaclavas, under their Helmets are made of ,
and all the clothing the Forest Service issues to the people fighting forest fires .. Yellow shirts, Dark Green trousers .
Nomex - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
if in a fearful mindset get that stuff ..
I didn't .. I Managed.. North Face tekwear was My Off the Bike tourist about town clothes its wicking Polyester such. ..
I just occasionally used My Petrol MSR stove. no Human torch stories ..
Edit: OK so no worry about Death By Fire and having your molten plastic wear burn you into the emergency ward..
Hypothermia , Death by Ice .. you guys take over..
Nomex is a Modified Nylon .. its what the race car drivers suits, gloves and fire resistant Balaclavas, under their Helmets are made of ,
and all the clothing the Forest Service issues to the people fighting forest fires .. Yellow shirts, Dark Green trousers .
Nomex - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
if in a fearful mindset get that stuff ..
I didn't .. I Managed.. North Face tekwear was My Off the Bike tourist about town clothes its wicking Polyester such. ..
I just occasionally used My Petrol MSR stove. no Human torch stories ..
Edit: OK so no worry about Death By Fire and having your molten plastic wear burn you into the emergency ward..
Hypothermia , Death by Ice .. you guys take over..
Last edited by fietsbob; 03-07-15 at 05:44 PM.
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I've worn cotton T-shirts and cotton shirts with buttons on many tours. They're not usually the only shirts I bring, but when crossing protracted stretches in warmish (>100F) weather I find them to be a lot more comfortable than most other materials. Like Rowan, I wear them loose and let the wind blow while being protected from direct sun.
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I use my old linen dress shirts for cycling in hot weather. Much lighter and cooler than cotton.
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I'm a jeans and T-Shirt person.
This time of year I find cotton gets too sweaty, and prefer something like fleece. But in the summer, it is just fine. Not too hot, not too cold.
This time of year I find cotton gets too sweaty, and prefer something like fleece. But in the summer, it is just fine. Not too hot, not too cold.
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get some stylish old linen or wool shirts from the salvation army or goodwill store. they work really well in the heat, and make you look like less of a cyclist and more of a normal person when touring....
thin wool though is what i wear for multi day stuff. doesn't develop the stink and funk, and can be hand washed on the go.
thin wool though is what i wear for multi day stuff. doesn't develop the stink and funk, and can be hand washed on the go.
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#8
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Nomex is a Modified Nylon .. its what the race car drivers suits, gloves and fire resistant Balaclavas, under their Helmets are made of ,
and all the clothing the Forest Service issues to the people fighting forest fires .. Yellow shirts, Dark Green trousers .
Nomex - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
if in a fearful mindset get that stuff ..
I didn't .. I Managed.. North Face tekwear was My Off the Bike tourist about town clothes its wicking Polyester such. ..
I just occasionally used My Petrol MSR stove. no Human torch stories ..
and all the clothing the Forest Service issues to the people fighting forest fires .. Yellow shirts, Dark Green trousers .
Nomex - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
if in a fearful mindset get that stuff ..
I didn't .. I Managed.. North Face tekwear was My Off the Bike tourist about town clothes its wicking Polyester such. ..
I just occasionally used My Petrol MSR stove. no Human torch stories ..
This time, however, I feel that I am still of able mind because I don't have the slightest clue as to what Nomex has to do with cotton or technical biking fabrics.
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i didn't read any of the other posts...
but, i tour frequently and in hot weather, above 80° i wear cotton to the exclusion of everything else. i soak it in water when it really gets hot, and it stays wet and cold for a long time. in fact, it's so cold initially after the soaking, even in tepid water, that i put it on very slowly and cringe in the process. it doesn't retain odor like synthetics either.
but, i tour frequently and in hot weather, above 80° i wear cotton to the exclusion of everything else. i soak it in water when it really gets hot, and it stays wet and cold for a long time. in fact, it's so cold initially after the soaking, even in tepid water, that i put it on very slowly and cringe in the process. it doesn't retain odor like synthetics either.
Last edited by hueyhoolihan; 02-21-15 at 06:52 PM.
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Cotton is really good for holding the sweat and so you will stay cooler in hot temperatures. Its the colder temperatures that cotton will be detrimental. I'm definitely gonna bring some cotton shirts for my hot weather riding.
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I used to ride in cotton, did a tour on the C&O a while back and ended up taking off the shirt. I always disliked being soaked in sweat and chafing and that tour was no exception. Wearing something wicking is much nicer. Hack you can get light fabrics that even help cool you down in hot temps (I have a few and they work great) or get cycling jerseys and if you get really hot you can ventilate by opening up the zipper at the front.
I guess cotton-poly blends are a little better but I try to avoid cotton for most active pursuits these days.
I guess cotton-poly blends are a little better but I try to avoid cotton for most active pursuits these days.
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I am interested in hearing from people who wear cotton shirts on tour vs jerseys or shirts made of technical fabrics. How does cotton perform on very hot days? Is it the nightmare that people would have you believe or will a loose fitting cotton shirt dry quickly enough in the breeze? Other considerations? Harder to wash/dry overnight?
I used to do that on long hot and humid randonnees in Manitoba.
However, I did discover that a heavier cotton can feel quite heavy when wet.
But cotton is not a good choice in cold weather.
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For years I rode in 100% cotton shirts, both woven oxford cloth and the pique knit polo shirts. They were always cool and comfortable and held up well. I never rode in the type of cotton knit typical of T shirts which would stick to my skin and get clammy. These days, I wear mostly bike jerseys, but still wear pique knit polos a fair amount.
My main objection to cotton isn't the heat, it's the rain where it becomes a sodden mass and sags and stretches under the weight. If touring in cotton pick your fabrics carefully, and consider testing on a hot hill climb, and a "hose" test for how they'll perform in the real world.
BTW - I live part time in Cozumel, MX where it can be brutally hot and humid. I wear 100% cotton shirts exclusively down there. IME- there's a staggering range in comfort among cotton fabrics with some being light and cool, even when damp, and others being brutally uncomfortable. So IMO not all cotton shirts are created equal.
My main objection to cotton isn't the heat, it's the rain where it becomes a sodden mass and sags and stretches under the weight. If touring in cotton pick your fabrics carefully, and consider testing on a hot hill climb, and a "hose" test for how they'll perform in the real world.
BTW - I live part time in Cozumel, MX where it can be brutally hot and humid. I wear 100% cotton shirts exclusively down there. IME- there's a staggering range in comfort among cotton fabrics with some being light and cool, even when damp, and others being brutally uncomfortable. So IMO not all cotton shirts are created equal.
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People lived quite happily with cotton for millennia before the nylon based fabrics. People tend to have affection the fabric that is currently trendy. And trends tend to follow ether fashion and/or technology advances. The glut in wool has reduced manufacturing costs and made for the current trends to favor wool. But any properly designed and well fitting garment should work. There really isn't any seasonal fabrics.
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I am interested in hearing from people who wear cotton shirts on tour vs jerseys or shirts made of technical fabrics. How does cotton perform on very hot days? Is it the nightmare that people would have you believe or will a loose fitting cotton shirt dry quickly enough in the breeze? Other considerations? Harder to wash/dry overnight?
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I've worn cotton T-shirts and cotton shirts with buttons on many tours. They're not usually the only shirts I bring, but when crossing protracted stretches in warmish (>100F) weather I find them to be a lot more comfortable than most other materials. Like Rowan, I wear them loose and let the wind blow while being protected from direct sun.
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get some stylish old linen or wool shirts from the salvation army or goodwill store. they work really well in the heat, and make you look like less of a cyclist and more of a normal person when touring....
thin wool though is what i wear for multi day stuff. doesn't develop the stink and funk, and can be hand washed on the go.
thin wool though is what i wear for multi day stuff. doesn't develop the stink and funk, and can be hand washed on the go.
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i didn't read any of the other posts...
but, i tour frequently and in hot weather, above 80° i wear cotton to the exclusion of everything else. i soak it in water when it really gets hot, and it stays wet and cold for a long time. in fact, it's so cold initially after the soaking, even in tepid water, that i put it on very slowly and cringe in the process. it doesn't retain odor like synthetics either.
but, i tour frequently and in hot weather, above 80° i wear cotton to the exclusion of everything else. i soak it in water when it really gets hot, and it stays wet and cold for a long time. in fact, it's so cold initially after the soaking, even in tepid water, that i put it on very slowly and cringe in the process. it doesn't retain odor like synthetics either.
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I always good to hear when a low tech, low cost piece of gear or clothing wins out over expensive/hi-tech choices. I really don't like the feel of technical shirts. Also, I am in decent shape but jersey's don't flatter most middle aged bodies. I like the look and feel of a loose fitting cotton shirt.
#20
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Yeah a wet t-shirt is heavy and not the most comfortable but maybe worth it when you are overheated and I would imagine the heaviness would go away fairly quickly with a little movement and wind?? Or if not at least it would provide extended cooling.
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For years I rode in 100% cotton shirts, both woven oxford cloth and the pique knit polo shirts. They were always cool and comfortable and held up well. I never rode in the type of cotton knit typical of T shirts which would stick to my skin and get clammy. These days, I wear mostly bike jerseys, but still wear pique knit polos a fair amount.
My main objection to cotton isn't the heat, it's the rain where it becomes a sodden mass and sags and stretches under the weight. If touring in cotton pick your fabrics carefully, and consider testing on a hot hill climb, and a "hose" test for how they'll perform in the real world.
BTW - I live part time in Cozumel, MX where it can be brutally hot and humid. I wear 100% cotton shirts exclusively down there. IME- there's a staggering range in comfort among cotton fabrics with some being light and cool, even when damp, and others being brutally uncomfortable. So IMO not all cotton shirts are created equal.
My main objection to cotton isn't the heat, it's the rain where it becomes a sodden mass and sags and stretches under the weight. If touring in cotton pick your fabrics carefully, and consider testing on a hot hill climb, and a "hose" test for how they'll perform in the real world.
BTW - I live part time in Cozumel, MX where it can be brutally hot and humid. I wear 100% cotton shirts exclusively down there. IME- there's a staggering range in comfort among cotton fabrics with some being light and cool, even when damp, and others being brutally uncomfortable. So IMO not all cotton shirts are created equal.
#22
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I always good to hear when a low tech, low cost piece of gear or clothing wins out over expensive/hi-tech choices. I really don't like the feel of technical shirts. Also, I am in decent shape but jersey's don't flatter most middle aged bodies. I like the look and feel of a loose fitting cotton shirt.
I have never have taken them on tour, but I can see where a button up dress type shirt made from cotton or a cotton blend might be nice in the heat. Cotton tees are just a complete non starter for me.
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Cotton is only the Seal of Death if you are working hard and sweating in cold conditions. The wet fabric loses all insulating capacity and conducts heat away from your core, leading to hypothermia and inevitable and horrible DEATH.
In practice, you can wear cotton safely in the cold if you abstain from hard work. Even synthetics can get cold when wet and I have been known to change baselayers at the top of a hard climb on a cold day.
In hot conditions, you can't get hypothermia so cotton is not the Seal of Death.
On tour, synthetic T shirts wash and dry quicker and pack smaller. Merino T shirts need a bit more care (than synthetics) for wash and dry but work well.
In practice, you can wear cotton safely in the cold if you abstain from hard work. Even synthetics can get cold when wet and I have been known to change baselayers at the top of a hard climb on a cold day.
In hot conditions, you can't get hypothermia so cotton is not the Seal of Death.
On tour, synthetic T shirts wash and dry quicker and pack smaller. Merino T shirts need a bit more care (than synthetics) for wash and dry but work well.
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Whenever exerting yourself in the cold remember Loose Dry Layers. unzip, unbutton, and/or remove layers as needed to stay DRY. When cycling remember that on most jackets the rear pocket is designed to allow air flow when unzipped (inside pocket fabric is mesh). controlling the air flow can allow cyclist to evaporate away the sweat and avoid the wetness that most often causes hypothermia.
My best asset for winter cycling is a rear rack with a trunk bag so I can easily carry extra items and also have room to store what I may want to remove.
Last edited by Dave Cutter; 02-22-15 at 09:01 AM.