 Natural  Cotton  Comfortable to wear & strong  Absorbs moisture - cool  Weakened by sunlight & mildew  Wool  Warmer than cotton, linen or silk  Durable  Absorbent

 Nylon  Made entirely from chemicals  Sunlight weakens  Light, elastic & water/wind resistant  Can melt  Ex. Windbreakers, tents, ski wear  Acrylic (“man-made” wool)  Warm to wear  Lightweight & comfortable  Easy care  Strong – not harmed by sunlight  Ex. Sweaters/sweatshirts, baby clothes, stuffed animals

 Spandex  Elasticity – 5 x original size without breakage  Lightweight  Body oils/moisture do not weaken

 1. Down – ** considered best for cold, dry weather conditions & expedition use  undercoat of ducks/geese (Labeling ~80%/20%)  Are down & feathers the same?  Types: High Loft Goose Down (best insulation/very fine), Goose Down (very fine; better $$ than High Loft), Duck Down (less fine than Goose AND considerable less $$)  Advantages:  Lightweight – no other gives more warmth/weight  Compressible, Resilient, Quick Recovery  Storage – NOT in comrpessed state  Washable – Dry Cleaning  Long-lasting-lasts longer than outside fabric  Breathable- allows body moisture to escape

 Disadvantages:  Expensive  Poor insulator when wet  Mildew  Some allergic (~1-2%)  Needs to be Quilted (more lines=less warmth)

 Thinsulate (3M Product)  Made of microfibers = trap air  Must fit body (i.e. tight cuff, high neckline, drawstring or snug waistline)  Warmth 2x compared with other synthetics  Breathable & easy to work with  Moisture Resistant & Dries quickly  Machine & dry-cleanable  Non-allergy  Expensive – usually due to outer shell

 Hollofil (100% Polyester)  Not as flexible  Less weight- provides dead air space  Not as resilient  **Polyester is probably the most widely used & versatile  Often blended with other fabrics  Very strong  Advantages (Synthetics):  Insulates when wet  Cheaper  Dries Quick  Easier to care for  Hypoallergenic  Greater range of options

 Synthetic Disadvantages:  Garments can be bulky & less compact  Heavier than down  Lifetime is different-breakdown  Melts when exposed to high heats  Not as flexible- may cause fit problems  Combinations -> Often two types will be combined  Ideal qualities  Ex. Down/Thinsulate  Down/Hollofil

 Purpose: Keep/trap warm air against the body & wicks moisture away from the body  Can feel dry when wet -> holds little water  Natural  Merino Wool  Neutralize body odor  Environmental/renewable fabric  Silk  Strong  Wicks moisture away  Adds warmth without bulk  Hypoallergenic  Synthetic  Polypropylene  Alternative to Merino Wool  Dries faster  Costs less than Merino Wool

 Avoid:  Anything of cotton (i.e. jeans, underwear, etc.)  Soaks up sweat/liquid like a sponge keeping moisture close to body

 Purpose: Traps body heat & allows sweat vapors to move out/away from body – considered the “Insulation” layer  Fleece – “most popular” material used  Affordable  Durable  May have a wind-blocking membrane  Quick Drying  Mid-weight = colder  Micro/Thin weight = warmer/milder

 Purpose: Block or repels wind/rain & protects against cuts, chafing, or outside damage  Waterproof: -> breathable  Water Resistant: -> breathable OR non-breathable (i.e. Nylon Raincoat)

 The main culprit when considering clothing is:  Moisture (i.e. sweat, rain, etc.)  Elements (warmth, protection, etc.)