Moisture Wicking Fabrics for Better Comfort and Performance

One of the problems every athlete faces is that of perspiration. Alright, we're talking about sweating here. Not "glowing", not "perspiring" but full blown sweating. The kind of sweating that real athletes do. If you run far enough, play hard enough or work out long enough you will sweat. Sweat by the bucket loads. I know it’s gross but it’s also reality. And the reality is there is nothing you can do about.

Sweating is part of your body's natural mechanism to cool itself. We sweat in order to keep our bodies near their normal temperature of 98.6 degrees. If we lost the ability to sweat we could suffer heat exhaustion or, even worse, heat stroke on a hot day without any exertion. We have approximately 2 million sweat glands in our body. The body is roughly two-thirds water and we lose a large amount of that water each day through sweating. We even perspire on a cold days. We sweat when we are not doing anything particularly strenuous. This is why it is so important to drink approximately 2 liters of water each day in order to replenish the lost fluids.

Unfortunately, when we sweat it doesn't just evaporate into the air or drip off of our bodies. It soaks our clothes potentially causing chaffing, rashes and other irritations. Moisture build up inside athletic shoes can encourage fungal infections or athlete's foot. Anyone who has suffered from athlete’s foot knows just how uncomfortable and difficult to cure it can be. So, since we can't stop ourselves from sweating what can the we do to help reduce the problems associated with sweating?

There is Help

Fortunately, modern technology has developed new types of materials know as "Stay-Dry" and "Wick-Away" fabrics. These fabrics provide greater moisture control than traditional fabrics, like cotton, that soak up water and take a long time to dry. Typically constructed in multiple layers, they help move or "wick" sweat away from the body to the fabric's outer layer where it can evaporate more quickly.

These fabrics are usually made of wool or a number of synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, or lycra. They are soft, lightweight and breathable and do have some stretch. They are great for use in T-shirts and other undergarments, running and cycling jerseys and shorts, and shirts for any activity where it is desirable to keep your skin as cool and dry as possible.

These fabrics are used in shoe liners and shoe uppers to help alleviate the problem of moisture build-up. The fabric has also been made into athletic socks to wick sweat away from the foot even more quickly. Less moisture in the shoe helps reduce the incidence of blisters, friction sores and even athletes foot.

Undergarments made of these fabrics have the same benefits. Moisture is wicked away from the skin more quickly resulting in less heat buildup and less chance for heat rashes, jock itch and friction sores.  Skiers, snowboarders and anyone involved in winter sports can also benefit from wearing these garments. They also great for hikers and backpackers where staying dry, especially in cold environments, can be critical.

Be sure any product you purchase is clearly marked as moisture-wicking. If you have any doubts, ask the salesperson. Also be sure the fabric does not contain cotton or cotton blends. Cotton retains moisture readily and evaporation from cotton takes much longer.

Today, just about every type of athletic apparel has been made using these wicking fabrics. If you have suffered ill effects from perspiration, you should seriously consider wearing apparel that utilize these fabrics. Even if you don’t have these problems, these fabrics may help improve your performance by helping you remain cooler and more comfortable during exertion.