Breathable fabrics allow perspiration to escape the body, keeping your skin cool and comfortable on hot days. Furthermore, these materials help regulate body temperature during high-intensity activities while also preventing chafing.

GORE-TEX fabrics have become an indispensable component of outdoor gear, offering protection from rain, snow and wind while still allowing moisture to escape through ventilation ports.

Cotton

Cotton clothing is soft against the skin, making it an ideal choice for casual outdoor wear or relaxing hikes. Cotton also boasts great insulating properties that help regulate body temperature in hot environments or during vigorous physical activity.

Cotton clothing absorbs moisture slowly, leading to discomfort during the day if hiking in wet conditions. Furthermore, its loss of insulation capacity makes cold weather conditions dangerous since hypothermia or even death could result.

Breathable cotton fabrics allow air to circulate directly against your skin, speeding up cooling processes by encouraging sweat to evaporate faster and increasing comfort levels. Many outdoor clothing brands now include built-in mesh panels in sweaty areas. Modern fabric options and weaves have opened up even greater potential in terms of breathable clothing designs; yet time-tested cotton remains effective at keeping you cool on scorching summer days.

Polyester

Polyester is one of the most widely-used synthetic fabrics used for outdoor clothing, offering many advantages that make it suitable for activewear such as being economical, strong and water repellent. Furthermore, its resistance to chemicals, wrinkles, mildew and dirt make it highly reliable compared to cotton’s ability to retain odors – making polyester an excellent option.

Polyester’s hygroscopic properties help move sweat away from the skin and evaporate, making it perfect for activities in hot weather that require breathability. Unfortunately, some polyesters can create a damp feeling when worn close to the skin due to weak hygroscopicity, so they are often mixed with other fibers for greater comfort in summer conditions.

Waterproof and breathable fabrics such as GORE-TEX, Patagonia’s Membrane 2.0 and 2.5L fabric and Polartec Neoshell feature waterproof membranes with polyester linings to offer complete waterproofness. Thinner Polyurethane/Polyester membranes are becoming increasingly popular and offer great performance at reasonable prices; Marmot Helium pants for instance provide lightweight protection while remaining highly breathable soft shell protection.

Lycra

Lycra(r) fabrics, produced through polyether-polyurea copolymer production processes, are popularly known by many other names such as spandex or elastane. No matter its name, these petrochemical-derived fabrics are durable and stretchy – boasting complex manufacturing processes which often command higher prices on the market.

Elastane fabric production does not entail using excessive heat; however, these petrochemical-derived products still have an environmental footprint.

Eco-conscious swimwear brands are making strides to reduce the environmental impact of this high-performing fabric, both through company initiatives and industry certifications that regulate its production process.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene fabric is one of the most commonly used fabrics for outdoor clothing and gear, thanks to its lightweight yet airy composition. Plus, its antimicrobial properties provide additional protection from bacteria or any other microorganisms that might pose threats.

Polypropylene is produced through the polymerization of propylene monomers and can be easily molded or extruded into various plastic products, as well as spun into fibres for use in industrial and household textiles. Polypropylene has also become increasingly popular as medical wear, such as lab coats and surgical gowns, due to its versatility.

Sports apparel made of this fabric is particularly well suited to wicking away moisture from the skin, being less absorbent than other synthetic fibers and washed without losing its breathability. Furthermore, this material is extremely durable, capable of withstanding lots of stress, being highly resistant to acids and alkalis as well as having low thermal conductivity properties.