How Does Moisture Wicking Clothing Work?

Summer has now officially kicked off across the country, with millions already seeing record temperatures and more extreme highs predicted in the coming weeks. While this heat might be good news for sun worshippers, it can make life extremely difficult – and extremely sweaty – for professionals who have to work hard throughout the summer season.

One of the best ways to beat the heat is to wear moisture-wicking clothing. Specifically designed to help keep you cool and dry, moisture-wicking fabric is used to make a range of uniforms and professional apparel. To help you find the best moisture-wicking garments for your summer, we’re taking a look at the science behind this innovative technology and finding out how moisture wicking clothing really works.

How Do Moisture Wicking Clothes Work?

Most natural fabrics, like cotton, absorb moisture and feel wet and heavy on your skin when you sweat. As well as being unpleasant, this can lead to visible underarm patches and more noticeable body odor when you’re working hard in high temperatures.

Moisture wicking clothes on the other hand take advantage of the natural wicking properties of synthetic fabrics like polyester, polypropylene, spandex and nylon to carry moisture away from your body quickly and efficiently. They use a process called capillary action which transfers moisture from the base layer to the outer layer of your workwear. From there, it can evaporate into the air, leaving you drier, cooler and more comfortable.

Does Moisture Wicking Actually Work?

Moisture wicking clothing is very effective and can have a significant impact on how you look and feel when working hard in the summer months. Studies have shown that athletes who use sweat-wicking activewear are better able to preserve their body temperature, especially in hot weather.

The best moisture wicking materials are those that maximize breathability as well evaporation. This is why polyester is a popular choice for moisture-wicking sweaters and t-shirts as the material is very breathable and has good moisture-wicking capabilities.

Some manufacturers have improved the functionality of their moisture-wicking clothes by making the synthetic fibers even thinner. If your fibers are thinner, you can fit more into your moisture wicking clothes. The more fibers you have, the more effective your garments will be at wicking moisture away from your skin and keeping you cool and dry.

How Does Moisture Wicking Keep You Cool?

The best moisture wicking clothing is designed to keep you cool as well as dry. It does this by keeping the fabric close to your skin as dry as possible and by allowing air to circulate freely. The evaporation process also helps to keep your body temperature low. So, the more effective your moisture-wicking clothing is, the better it will be at keeping you cool.

Do Moisture Wicking Clothes Keep You Dry?

Trousers, long and short sleeve shirts and other items made from specialist moisture-wicking fabrics are designed to keep you as dry as possible, even in warm weather. However even the best moisture-wicking t-shirts may not keep you completely dry if you’re working hard under the hot summer sun.

If you’re struggling to keep that dry feeling throughout the day, try swapping your old moisture-wicking t-shirt for a new set of specially designed garments. Older style fiber blends often aren’t as effective as the high tech work and athletic apparel that’s produced today. So, updating your wardrobe could make a big difference to staying cool and dry from morning to night.

Because moisture-wicking clothing helps to keep your skin dry, it’s ideal for winter workwear as well. If you have a physical job, you probably find you work up a sweat even when it’s cold outside. These specialist garments will help to remove this moisture from your skin so you aren’t working in damp, cold clothes all day long.

Are Moisture Wicking Clothes Safe?

Moisture wicking clothes are incredibly safe and can be worn in almost all work environments. Their moisture wicking capabilities help to keep you dry in all conditions and work to keep you cool in hot weather and warm in the winter months. This can help to prevent conditions like hypothermia and stop the growth of bacteria and fungus. What’s more, a lot of moisture wicking clothes have extra safety features, like high visibility reflective stripes, to make them even safer to wear in the workplace.

What are the Benefits of Moisture Wicking Clothing?

Moisture-wicking clothing offers a number of benefits over standard warm weather workwear. Here are some of the most important:

·  Keeps you cool when working in warm conditions

·  Keeps you warm in cold weather

·  Helps to prevent fungal and bacterial growth

·  Conceals visible signs of perspiration

·  Helps to prevent hypothermia

·  Easy to care for

So, if you’re looking for shirts, t-shirts and other garments that are practical and hardwearing, moisture-wicking apparel is the perfect choice.

What is the Difference Between Cooling and Wicking?

Moisture-wicking shirts work by carrying moisture from the bottom layer of the fabric to the outer layer where it’s then able to evaporate. As well as keeping you dry, this process will help to keep you cool, helping you stay even more comfortable when working in hot conditions.  

Will Moisture Wicking Keep You Dry Even in High Humidity?

If there’s one thing that makes working in hot weather even tougher, it’s humidity. High humidity makes you sweat more and makes it harder for this sweat to evaporate. As the key to the way moisture-wicking fabrics work is evaporation, they may not be as effective in humid conditions. However, these specialist garments will still keep you drier than standard workwear.

With summer hotting up, professionals up and down the country are sweating away from morning to night. Investing in some high quality moisture-wicking is the best way to stay comfortable in warm weather. Find out more, and start stocking your wardrobe, by exploring our collection of moisture-wicking clothes today.


About the Author

Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.


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