Cotton gets a bad wrap when it comes to mountain bike apparel, and that extends to most outdoor and athletic pursuits as well. Compared to modern wool blends and synthetic materials, cotton provides little or no insulating value once it’s wet plus it’s slower to dry too, leaving us feeling sticky and gross.
Scrolling through my photo archive, I used to wear an oversize white cotton t-shirt on pretty much every ride, which today looks a little… wrong. That’s not to say I’ve given up on cotton completely. Sometimes a favorite cutoff t-shirt or a pair of jorts is still the most comfortable choice.
Do you wear cotton sometimes or all the time? Tell us whether it’s your shirt, shorts, socks, or something else in the comments below, and how you decide if cotton is a good choice for a ride.
Me? I draw the line at cotton socks. No thanks!
6 Comments
17 hours ago
Yes, cotton can get soaked easily, but I pretty much know what's in it, and it usually feels good at the beginning of the ride. I don't like the feel of most synthetic fabrics, and I sure don't trust the many variations of PFAS, PFOS and related chemicals that are applied to an astonishing amount of clothing these days. Sure, those chemicals can make clothing do impressive things (wicking sweat, waterproofing, fire resistance), but at what price to human health and the environment? Cotton fabrics commonly have chemicals applied too, but I feel like I know what I'm getting.
Sometimes I wear synthetic bike shorts, but as a male I don't often feel like they make me look good. I haven't tried fancy fabrics such as Merino wool. These are just my random thoughts, I'm not campaigning for other cyclists to wear anything in particular. I guess the main clothing considerations for me are practicality, price, and freedom from questionable chemicals.
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