Outdoor clothing differs from casual wear by prioritizing functionality over fashion. The materials utilized are thus chosen for their performance. Different fabrics naturally perform differently and have different advantages and short-comings. In the articles below we describe, discuss and compare various clothing materials, garment types and fabric technologies.
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All Articles about Hiking Gear Materials
Outdoor clothing is performance wear, which is made to make you perform better in the great outdoors whether it is in the form of a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating mid-layer or a shielding shell layer. However, as all other apparel, outdoor clothing will get dirty eventually – from within as well as from without….
Rain jackets differ by layering construction and before purchasing a new rain jacket you should definitely check which layering construction it utilizes. Why? Well, the thing is that there is a big difference between 2.5-layer and 3-layer rain jackets in terms of weight, protection against the elements, durability packability and price. Both types of jackets…
Outdoor adventures can be hard on your gear, as both cliffs and vegetation expose it to abrasion and tears. We always recommend that you repair your current gear and apparel rather than buying new products incessantly. We have previously made articles about how to repair holes and tears in Merino clothing and how you can…
Windbreakers have become increasingly popular in the last years and many hikers have switched from rain jackets to these minimalistic shell layers. Windbreakers are lighter and pack smaller than rain jackets and are thus perfect for lightweight hiking. Nevertheless, it’s important to know that a windbreaker performs quite differently than a rain jacket. A rain…
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As hikers we all get to experience the negative impact of humans in the landscapes we spend our time in – whether it is the pollution of a local lake, an abundance of trash in nature, excessive logging or witnessing how the glacier in a national park gets smaller and smaller over the years. According…
Over the last couple of years, the popularity of fleece jackets has decreased, and many hikers have replaced their fleece apparel with jackets insulated with synthetic fill. While synthetic fill jackets are indeed warmer for the weight and pack smaller, fleece does have certain advantages over synthetic fill. I own a fleece jacket (Mountain Hardwear…
It is no secret that we are big fans of Merino wool base layers. But the kind of thin fine-knit Merino shirts and apparel which are great for all-year usage are unfortunately also very prone to durability issues in the form of small holes. These holes can be caused by anything from friction, for example…
If you often wear rain jacket, rain pants or other waterproof clothes, you probably noticed that the performance of these garments decreases with time. While your new rain jacket kept you dry for hours, it can’t withstand more than half of an hour of rain after half a year of intensive use. That’s most often…
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If you are buying new sports clothes such as a hiking shirt or underwear, it is very likely that you will stumble upon the feature called flatlock seams. Clothing brands typically explain that flatlock seams eliminate chafing and increase the durability of the garment. But is this really true? In the last couple of years,…
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High quality hiking base layers are these days made either of polyester or Merino wool and online you will find a lot of information about these two materials, especially pros and cons. Polyester is labeled as quick-drying, durable, light and cheap while Merino wool is considered breathable, pleasant to the touch and extremely moisture-wicking. Many…
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If you are buying a new rain jacket or any other waterproof garment, you may have come across terms like hydrostatic head and MVTR (Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate). While clothing brands and online shops are usually great at listing the values of these two parameters for their products, they rarely explain what MVTR and hydrostatic…
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A jacket keeps you warm in cold weather by trapping body-warmed air within its fibers. Insulated jackets typically use either down or synthetic insulation. While both insulations can provide good warmth, they do differ in weather resistance, drying time, durability, price and more. In the following we will explain what the differences between down and…
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Polyester is the most widely used material for sportswear. However, Merino wool is due to its multiple benefits also becoming increasingly popular for sports apparel. Therefore, many outdoor enthusiasts and athletes are in doubt which material to choose. It’s indeed hard to say which one is better because both materials have advantages and disadvantages. For…
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A shell is the last (outer) layer of a layered clothing system and is thus worn over a base layer and a mid-layer. In warm weather the shell can also be worn directly over a base layer because insulation, which is normally provided by a mid-layer, is not required. The term “shell” is sometimes confusing…
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Mid-layer is an important part of a layered clothing system because it provides insulation and thus keeps your warm in cold conditions. The term “mid-layer” is often confusing to those who are new to hiking because it can apply to various garments. Fleece jackets, woollen sweaters, down jackets and jackets with synthetic insulation are all…
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Layered clothing system is the norm when it comes to hiking, mountaineering and similar activities. Wearing multiple layers enables you to add or shed layers according to the conditions like changes in temperature, precipitation, wind and your activity level. The base layer is probably the most important part of the layered clothing system because it…
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Hiking, trekking and mountaineering are strenuous activities which require high performance clothing that keeps you comfortable no matter the conditions. The performance of a garment greatly depends on the material out of which it is made. The most common materials for hiking clothing are polyester, Merino wool, down (for insulation), nylon and other synthetic materials….
Cotton is one of the most used materials for clothing because it is highly appreciated for being soft, non-itchy, breathable and durable. However, when it comes to apparel for hiking, mountaineering and other aerobic activities, cotton has too many shortcomings to be used efficiently. Hiking clothing should provide good temperature regulation and be quick-drying, moisture-wicking…
