Cotton lovers

imported
#1

During the summer, while hiking, I still love my cotton T-Shirts.

Am I the only one still wearing cotton?

Are there any kindred spirits out there?

Conan

Conan

#2

I love the cotton fields this time of the year. They’re a field of white for as far as the eye can see. And the darkies in the fields reminds me of the old days.

David

#3

Wearing cotton depends on where and when you hike. Yesterday’s paper had another PCT search and rescue story that didn’t end well:

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1289705.html

It’s hard to know all the contributing factors but the hikers are quoted as saying that cotton contributed to their hypothermia. “They had gotten separated, and they were wearing cotton, which takes forever to dry,” he said. “They just didn’t realize at this time of year, it can go from beautiful, summery days to winter conditions.”

OTOH, rangers in the Grand Canyon last June were exasperated that every hiker wasn’t wearing cotton shirt, hat, socks and shorts…and soaking everything at all available water sources to keep the hiker cool and safe.

I like to soak my cotton hat when it’s hot and if there is water, but I always wear a synthetic material shirt.

GottaWalk

#4

Cotton soaks up a lot of water and is very slow to dry. (What’s the last thing in the dryer to get dry? Cotton denim jeans, of course!) It also becomes heavy and clings to you when wet. And while wet cotton clothing is drying, there is an evaporative cooling effect that can lower the body temperature 10 or more degrees, depending on the amount of wind.

In the Grand Canyon or other desert places at 100+*F, this is a good thing–you are, in effect, wearing your own “swamp cooler” (primitive version of air conditioning). If it’s cool, though, this evaporative cooling effect is enough to cause hypothermia even with air temperatures in the low 60’s F.

The only cotton item I take is a bandanna (so I have a potholder that won’t melt). Most of my hiking is in mountains or in the relatively cool Pacific NW. If I were desert hiking in high temperatures (something I don’t do), though, I would take a cotton layer for hot days. I’d have a synthetic layer for the cool nights, though.

grannyhiker