Now mind you, I won't argue that the tight, shiny clothes don't look better. But they feel horrible. To my mind, hiking demands two fabrics: cotton, and wool. If it's hot, I wear lightweight cotton shirts and pants. If it's cold, I wear wool. When I read the ads for the 'technical' clothes, they're always going on and on about 'wicking' and 'staying dry'. But when it's hot, I don't want my clothes to wick. I want them to get and stay wet! Because then my shirt functions essentially like a swamp cooler--air blowing through the wet shirt is cooled down, bringing down my body temps. Wearing something tight, made of out of plastic, and which keeps drying out, is exactly wrong for a hot desert hike. This is so obvious that frankly I don't get how these companies can go on claiming the opposite. I also don't get how they can charge seventy bucks for a polyester shirt made in China. I pay 2 dollars for a cotton one at the thrift store. Yes, I look like a bag lady, but hey, I'm cool! In so many more ways than one!
Okay, nuff of me and my incredible fashion genius. I now want to hear what YOU wear while hiking, and why? Polyester devotees, prove me wrong! The more controversial and outrageous, the better. And I hope we hear something from the nude hiking contingent--I know for a FACT
that some of you are out there ...
Needless to say that was a great day for the gentlemen of the trail ...
Kind of a codpiece effect. And I'm very interested to hear Sally's tales of topless hiking and boy scout encounters--although that also sounds like the plot of some dubious movies ... and I'm pretty sure the Boy Scouts were in fact VERY happy with them ...I must grudgingly admit that it's true cotton is no good for rainy or moist climates, but then, I would assert that you're better off with wool, as even when it's damp it's said to hold in body warmth. At least psychologically, it always makes me feel better. Actually, one of my pet crank theories is that human beings naturally feel better in fabrics that were once connected to other living beings. Maybe I think that because my grandmother was a furrier and I grew up surrounded by animal pelts. Of course, er, those were all living beings somebody had killed ... I haven't done any extreme alpine conditions so can't really speak to the suitability of wool for more severe weather. However, as a general principle, I would say that any kind of exercise gear has to be breathable, i.e. it can't collect sweat under an impermeable surface, and that's where I just don't see polyester as ever making the grade ... arguments? Come on folks let's see some anger! Plastic people get your rage on!
