Moisture-wicking clothes are popular for working out because they can make warm weather runs more comfortable and life in hot weather a little more bearable but they offer more benefits than just hiding sweat. These fabrics can also help keep you safe.
How do Moisture Wicking Fabrics Work?
When the body sweats, most fabrics keep that sweat pressed against the body, keeping your skin damp and smells and bacteria trapped.
Moisture-wicking clothing is designed to pull moisture (i.e. sweat) from the skin and into the clothing. Capillary action pulls liquid up from the inside to the outside of the fabric so that it can evaporate.
So why is this technology good for your body and skin? Let’s look at some of the benefits.
Reduces Odor
Body odor is…awkward. Body odor is caused by the meeting of sweat with your skin’s naturally occurring microbiome of bacteria. When you pull the sweat off your skin, you prevent that bacteria from releasing odor-producing molecules. No more wrinkled noses on a hot day.
Prevents Hypothermia
We don’t only sweat on hot days. If we’re active, hiking or running, on a cold day, it’s still possible to sweat–especially if you’re wearing a lot of layers. And, if you’re wearing a lot of layers that aren’t moisture-wicking, that sweat will stay on your skin, keep you damp, and make you feel cold faster.
Cold weather and damp skin are not a good combination so even when you’re out playing in cold weather, the moisture-wicking fabric can help keep you safe.
Prevent fungus and bacteria growth
Moisture promotes bacteria, which in turn can cause fungus. By preventing moisture from sitting on the skin and penetrating your clothing, you can stop bacterial and fungal growth before it starts. This helps prevents piles of stinky clothes or fabrics that just won’t get clean or back to smelling fresh.
Keeps You Cool
Moisture wicking isn’t just for working out or an active lifestyle, though. This fabric can help you stay sweat-free, stain-free, and odor-free in many sweat-inducing situations. It can help keep you cool running around in a hot climate, if you’re going through menopause and having hot flashes, or just if you get hot.
