[pct-l] Shirts on the trail.

[GARY HEBERT]

Yes, well said.
Cotton may be ok when it's sunny & warm as the sweat will make you feel
cool. But for almost all other conditions most gurus agree "cotton kills"
(particulary in cold weather when losing body heat is not only uncomfortable
but dangerous). Cotton takes MUCH longer to dry out than synthetics and
smartwool and does not insulate well when wet or even damp. You lose far
more body heat through wet clothing (sweat, wet = wicks body heat away) than
air (dry trapped air = insulation).  That's the whole basis of layering
clothing - trapped (dry) air retains body heat against your skin & torso.

Some swear by smartwool which feels better than poly synthetic stuff when
damp/wet/sweaty and dries quickly. Smartwool tends to not retain body odor
as much as many synthetic fabrics.

Others swear by any of many synthetics which wick perspiration away from
your skin, dry quickly and still insulate pretty good when damp/wet/sweaty.
Poly's tend to retain body odor til they're washed again, but so what?

I have several brands of smartwool Long and short sleeve shirts and a number
of various material synthetic/poly wicking shirts. They all work pretty
well, some are lighter weight or just feel better against my skin. But they
all work. They all dry much quicker and feel better against my skin when
wet/sweaty vs. cotton t-shirts I wear around town all year under other
layers.

I've never done so but have read many gurus opinions in forums who hike in
button down cheap silk or polyester dress shirts. They dry very quickly and
are somewhat wind & water resistant to light sprinkling of rain.

FedEx