Breathable outdoor gear is essential to all kinds of activities, but especially those which increase heart rates. Sweat must escape in order to prevent it soaking through baselayers and leading to heat loss (wet fabric conducts 25 times more heat than air).

Breathability refers to a fabric’s ability to allow moisture vapors to escape; to do this effectively it must both waterproof and breathable.

Cotton

Breathable fabrics are essential when it comes to managing body temperature and preventing moisture build-up during outdoor activities, especially those performed in warm climates. A breathable material will allow sweat vapour to escape out through your clothing so it can evaporating, instead of remaining trapped against your skin causing dampness and discomfort.

Cotton is an eco-friendly material with natural breathability that’s soft, comfortable and doesn’t retain odors – yet can become hot too fast in certain climates, unlike more breathable fabrics like bamboo or hemp. Cotton may not offer as much breathability either – however this might depend on how it’s being worn and maintained.

Viscose, lycocell and rayon are among a range of synthetic fabrics designed for breathability made from plants–including viscose, lycocell and rayon. Some versions feature bamboo fiber, hemp or recycled polyester in the construction, while others contain breathable membranes like Gore-Tex to make waterproof breathable clothing; Gore-Tex membranes tend to be heavier than normal fabrics but offer superior breathability when worn during high exertion outdoor activity – they’re often found sandwiched between outer and inner layers of clothing for maximum breathability when exposed outdoors.

Polyester

Polyester fabric is an ideal material for outdoor apparel, offering resistance against stretching, abrasion, mildew and rot. Plus it wicks away moisture quickly for quick-drying adventures! Polyester makes an excellent outdoor fabric option.

Polyester fiber can be combined with cotton or natural fibers such as bamboo to enhance comfort in outdoor clothing, as well as waterproof breathable fabrics like Gore-Tex’s ePTFE membranes that dominate this market.

Our 2 layer polyester fleece soft shell is an ideal material for rainwear and outerwear projects because it’s both breathable and water repellent. Crafted with extremely fine microfibers, its durable water-repellent finish keeps rain at bay while still permitting breathability; unlike absorbent natural fibers like cotton or rayon, polyester doesn’t develop unpleasant sweat odors as quickly. Added bonus? Colorfast polyester retains vibrant hues after repeated exposure to sun and wind!

Lycra

Lycra is a stretch fabric that wraps curves without restriction and returns to its original form after wear, making it an invaluable component of activewear and swimwear, enabling freer movement in clothing that bends, twists, and expands with your body.

Lycra has long been recognized as an innovative, useful fabric. Today, its use remains an integral part of everyday life compared to fabrics that use non-renewable resources like cotton.

Outdoor wear made of Lycra can range from stretchy jersey-like materials to heavy fabric that looks similar to thick sanded cotton, making it suitable for outerwear and rainwear projects. For an eco-friendly option, select a blend that has already been preshrunk to minimize shrinkage during washing.

Spandex

Spandex, a synthetic elastomeric fiber made through an intricate production process, boasts astounding elastic properties that make it the ideal material for outdoor apparel. Stretchable up to 500% its original length before returning back into place – these remarkable properties set it apart from rubber materials as an outdoor apparel material and keep skin dry and comfortable.

Spandex fabric is commonly used for leggings, yoga pants and swimwear production. Available in an array of colors and patterns, when selecting the ideal type for your project it is important to consider its thickness and opacity: thicker variants offer greater support while thinner varieties will be more breathable.

Select fabric that resists fading and pilling to extend its lifespan, as this can prolong its useful life. Furthermore, such fabrics are highly abrasion-resistant so as to withstand repeated use without damage occurring over time. They’re machine washable and dry quickly but you should avoid fabric softeners to prevent damaging spandex fibers.