Is Cotton Really the Most Comfortable Fabric to Wear in Hot Weather?

It is a known and accepted fact that the natural fibers make the best fabric. May it be silk, linen or cotton, these fabrics are considered ‘pure’. The fabrics are created with fibers that are found in nature, for example both cotton and linen are made from plants, and silk is created from the precious silk worms. Silk is not super-absorbent because it’s a protein fiber. Cotton has always been considered the best of materials for everything, including clothing. The cotton fibers let air pass through easily, making it breathable and absorbs water very effectively. This is why cotton fabric is favored over all others during hot weather. Cotton fabrics also have a very long life and are able to sustain washes in hot or cold water both, without being damaged. People also prefer wearing gym gear made out of cotton fabric, not necassry for work out but for comfort. For workout it is better to use cotton blend with spandex. Spandex—also known by the brand name Lycra—puts the stretch in workout wear. The synthetic fabric can expand to nearly 600 percent of its size, offers an unrestricted range of motion, and then snaps back in place. Spandex is also breathable, wicks moisture, and dries quickly as it helps keep the individual cool.

Cotton has been the favorite in hot weather for quite some time now, but in recent years, new developments have been made in the cloth industry. There are a lot of fabrics that are giving cotton serious competition.

Linen Vs Cotton in Hot Weather

Linen is one of the most breathable fabrics, making it especially cool and comfortable to wear in the heat. Lightweight and absorbent. Not stretchy, 100% natural, vegetable plant fibers. It is THE SUMMER fabric. Any moisture that is created while wearing a linen garment is quickly wicked away. This is why linen shirts are perfect for office wear, especially for those horrid days when the air conditioning is not working. Cotton shirts and other garments need to be ironed properly, or they can give rumpled, unkept look, where as linen does not wrinkle that easily and can look fresher for longer. Other common cotton combo fabric used in the manufacturing of bed sheets include linen, silk, Modal and bamboo rayon, lyocell, and polypropylene. While Linen is the King, Cotton is the Mister Popular!

Bamboo Vs Cotton in Hot Weather

In recent years, the quality of bamboo fabrics is becoming more and more evident. As compared to cotton, bamboo fabric is 40% more breathable and just as more absorbable. This makes it a much better choice for the hot weather. It requires less washing than cotton, and is known to keep its colors and shape a lot longer than cotton. The bamboo fabric smells a lot better than cotton, and is ideal for the sweaty summer days, as its fibers don’t harbor the smell causing bacteria. It also wicks away moisture from skin a lot faster than cotton does and is a lot softer than the best Egyptian cotton. Environmentally, bamboo is much better to plant and procure as well.

Polycotton Vs 100% Cotton in Hot Weather

Polycotton is a new hybrid between polyester and cotton. This new fabric combines the benefits of both fabrics, and gives you one perfect fabric. The polycotton fabric is better for out door clothing and work out clothing than cotton, as its fibers are stronger and tear- resistant. The fabric is breathable and has better absorption than polyester clothing. This hybrid fabric eliminates all the negatives of cotton, making it a better, more convenient fabric.

Polyester is ubiquitous in outdoor and winter wear. It’s durable and boasts resistance to chemicals, mildew, abrasion, stretch, and mildew. It’s also water-repellant.