There’s nothing less pleasant than sweat accumulating in your clothing on a hot day or during a workout. And it’s especially irritating if you’re one of the many people who have a bit of an excessive sweating issue and get perspiring even if they’re not warm or exercising. That’s where moisture-wicking clothing comes in. This is a type of clothing specially designed to help manage perspiration, and it can be incredibly helpful for athletes or people who sweat more than your average Joe. So if you find yourself getting uncomfortable in your clothes because things get a bit sweaty, this article will help teach you everything you need to know about moisture-wicking clothing and how it can help you.
What Is Moisture Wicking?
There are a lot of terms that get thrown around about clothing designed to help with sweat: sweat-resistant, sweat absorbing, sweat-wicking, moisture-wicking… What does it all mean?
Well, moisture-wicking clothing is designed to be able to pull moisture (i.e. sweat) from the skin and into the clothing. These work through capillary action, which pulls liquid up from the inside to the outside of the fabric so that it can evaporate.
This mechanism is a bit technical to explain, but you can imagine it sort of like a candle wick (see, they even share a name). In the same way that a candle wick pulls wax into itself to keep a candle burning, a moisture-wicking fabric can pull liquid into itself.
While moisture wicking fabrics are manmade with alternating layers of hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers, this is actually a mechanism that is inspired by nature. Plants, for example, have a natural capillary action that they use to pull moisture from soil into their stems and leaves.
Looking for an item of clothing that can help prevent sweat stains? Check out Social Citizen’s Social Tee.
Why Moisture-Wicking Is Important
Okay, enough with that technical stuff. You don’t need to know all about capillary action to enjoy the benefits of moisture-wicking clothing, of which there are several. The main reason why people love moisture-wicking clothing is that they help to keep you dry. This is especially useful for situations in which you might sweat a lot, such as exercise, which is why it’s common for athleticwear to be made with moisture-wicking fabric.
By keeping you dry, moisture-wicking clothes can make you much more physically comfortable. They can also help reduce odor, since body odor is caused by the meeting of your sweat with your skin’s natural microbiome of bacteria. By pulling your sweat off your skin, you avoid giving your bacteria buddies the chance to release odor-producing molecules.
Of course, working out isn’t the only reason why a person might get very sweaty and want to wear moisture-wicking fabric. Maybe you get nervous. Maybe you live in a hot climate. Or maybe you just naturally sweat more than others. Whatever, the reason, if you often get sweaty in your clothes, it might be worth it for you to get a few items of moisture-wicking clothing.
How to Find the Right Fabric for You
There are several types of fibers, both natural and synthetic, that are often included in moisture-wicking clothing. These include:
- Polyester
- Polypropylene
- Nylon
- Spandex
- Bamboo
- Wool
You might note the absence of cotton from this list. While many people love wearing cotton in hot temperatures because of its breathability, it is actually far from sweat-wicking. In fact, it works almost the opposite way. Instead of pulling sweat from your body to the outside of the fabric where it can evaporate, cotton soaks up sweat. Sweat enough in a 100% cotton t-shirt and it can become heavy and wet. This is why you don’t see cotton in sweat-wicking clothing.
Something else worth noting is that bamboo is a very special fabric because it has natural anti-microbial properties. This means that it can help eliminate odors that might be caused by sweating. So if you find any sweat-wicking clothing that has bamboo in it, it’s a great option to choose.
Beyond that, what kind of fabric you like in your sweat-wicking clothes is really just a matter of personal preference. Polypropylene has the advantage of being tear-resistant. It also has thermal properties, making it ideal for cold weather. Polyester is stain and UV-resistant, making it great to wear on a sunny day. Nylon is quite stretchy, lightweight, dries quickly, and is great at staying clean. However, it does tear rather easily. Spandex is very similar to nylon but is known to be more durable. This makes it a popular option for activities that require a lot of movement and range of motion, like yoga, gymnastics, or aerobics.
Again, each of these fabrics has its pros and cons depending on what you are looking for and where you plan to wear your sweat-wicking clothing.
How Social Citizen Sweat Proof T-Shirts Can Help You
If you’re looking for an item of clothing that can help you manage excessive sweating, look no further than Social Citizen’s Social Tee. It’s actually made for everyday wear rather than only athletics, meaning that you can use it on a day-to-day basis. The Social Tee fits easily into your wardrobe, designed to look just like any other fashionable t-shirt and coming in three neutral colors. However, it has a hidden underarm pad made with bamboo to help stop 100% of sweat stains - guaranteed. The anti-microbial bamboo eliminates odors, too. With the Social Tee, you can stay dry, fresh, and comfortable all day and feel confident that nobody can see you sweat. Try it out and see the power of Social Citizen’s sweat-proof t-shirts for yourself.
