UKC

for general active use such as climbing and mountaineering what are the pros / cons of
wool
nylon
polyester
polyamide
polypropylene

ive used a few different ones so have a vague idea but would be good to have a few more opinions. One thing ive learnt is that Gore(tex) advise only synthetics to be worn as base layers.

In reply to Removed User:

Wool will hold a lot more water than synthetics (and as a result takes a lot longer to dry out again), so a lot depends on how likely it is to get wet, either from the elements or from sweat. But it feels a whole lot nicer next to the skin than most synthetics, and perhaps seems warmer.

I tend to wear merino wool for most activities apart from thing like caving where getting wet from the outside is likely - but I run pretty cold, so don't generate a lot of sweat. I'd think twice about merino mid layers if I was doing multi day trips where they might get wet, or long trips where they might need washing (or at least rinsing through), although I'd probably still choose thin merino base layers.

I think Paramo also claim their products shouldn't be used with merino wool layers (only been told this second hand, so don't quote me), but I've done so extensively and not had a problem. I certainly spent Christmas week skiing with merino leggings under Goretex salopettes and the world didn't end, although I doubt either fabric was being tested to its limits.

In reply to Removed User:
Who told you that only synthetics were to be worn as base layers?

I've used wool with absolutely no problems.

Good modern synthetics are much, much better than they used to be - (sweaty, sticky cold feeling stuff). Now they are almost the same as fine wool. But generally they often start to smell after prolonged use - wool doesn't appear to (well, to me anyway)

But everyone has differing opinions. We all don't run at the same temperature or produce the same amount of sweat or need the same amount of insulation.

In reply to Dave Perry:

as I said a Gore told me, specifically a materials technician said synthetics only advised for under their waterproofs to maximise breathability etc

how about the different synthetics specifically?

In reply to Removed User:

Polyamide is frequently used as a synonym for nylon, though that may not be strictly accurate.

Against the skin, from wettest to driest I find:

- Merino the wettest
- Regular Polypropylene decent
- Brynje superthermo mesh the driest

I have some merino in a mesh construction ("woolnet") similar to brynje, though haven't really used it much.

In reply to Removed User:
I have these amongst other cheaper ones from decathlon and supermarkets etc.
http://www.snugpak.com/outdoor/clothing/base-layers

Its not just the composition of the fabric, it is how it is woven or spun or knitted or whatever. These are fluffy on the inside which helps keep you warm and dry.

I have a wool allergy so I can't compare to merino etc.

If you want base layers this time of year is a good time to look in the supermarkets etc. Sainsbury seems to do quite a few for women, haven't looked for men.

As for the smell I usually put some of this in the washing machine with them. http://www.chemist.net/medicines-first-aid-supplies-antiseptics-healing-cre...

In reply to Removed User:

All I can say is I've worn wool and other stuff under goretex fabric and have never, ever noticed a difference in breathability. However I would be interested in why if there is a reason.

I think the design/construction of the weave is more important than the actual material.

When nylon was first introduced for shirts & sheets in the 1960's it was hot, stick, clammy stuff, slippery stuff - the warp and weft would have been single strands of nylon woven together. Now nylon can be bought with a soft, downy fluffy warm feel to it. As can most other man made fabrics. It is simply the ability of the material design to either absorb moisture and to allow the fabric material to allow air to pass through in just the right quantity to allow the moisture to evaporate. So looking at nylon or any of the other materials you mentioned won't now result in you looking at flat material with only one single strand of nylon etc., as warp and weft.

Wool was the traditional material because the wool wasn't flat and featureless like the old nylon. Now artificial materials are a pretty good match.

But its all relative. An extremely thick cotton base layer will outperform a much thinner base layer of most other materials because it is thicker and will trap more air against the skin. But when it gets wet the material which is 'fluffy' when dry, simply collapses into a soggy mess when wet therefore removing the ability to trap air and thus heat against the skin. With one or two exceptions all the other artificial fibres sold as base layers to keep you warm do not collapse and therefore keep you warmer when sweating.

So I do not think it makes any difference which material you use. With the exception of a merino wool base layer I own I haven't got the faintest clue what my other stuff is made of.