Dri-fit and other quick dry fabrics - how important are they?

[kmccrom]

Hi everyone! I’m planning my Camino for mid August to late October, the via Podeinsis followed by the francés. So I’ll be experiencing a shift in weather and some rain, so I wanted to ask what you all think about dry fit and other quick dry fabrics - are they a must? What about merino wool? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[trecile]

It is important that whatever you bring dries pretty quickly, both after washing and after a rain. I don't think that you need specific brands - you can find lots of quick drying clothing at places like Target and Walmart in the States. I personally like lightweight merino wool, because I find that it is better at regulating my temperature than some of the synthetics, plus it doesn't get as smelly as synthetics. But some people aren't comfortable in merino, and it can be expensive. You definitely have to try things out for yourself, on both hot days and cooler days. Also try handwashing and hanging things up to dry to make sure that they will be suitable for the Camino.

 

[KDub]

I use a combination of tech and merino. Merino for underwear, socks, and shirts/tops. Tech for pants, rain gear, and jackets. Definitely try out your handwashing in the sink to see how long it takes to get things dry. I usually use my microfiber towel to roll up and squeeze the excess water out of my clothes before hanging them on the line, over a chair, or any of the other locations I can find nearby!

 

[Lexicos]

Hi everyone! I’m planning my Camino for mid August to late October, the via Podeinsis followed by the francés. So I’ll be experiencing a shift in weather and some rain, so I wanted to ask what you all think about dry fit and other quick dry fabrics - are they a must? What about merino wool? Thanks in advance for your help.

In my opinion, fine merino wool is the best. It’s light, it dries quickly and it won’t smell even after several days of wear. You’ll pay a bit extra kmccrom but I’ve tried other fibres and they don’t compare. Also, it’s good for layering if it’s cold and it wicks away perspiration if it’s hot. I usually buy pure merino fine wool or at least 70-80% fine merino wool. And yes, you’ll want something quick drying, especially if you get rained on.
Bon Chemin.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

I'm another advocate for Merino wool, in my case underwear, socks, t-shirt, Beanie, lightweight gloves and long sleeve layer.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with good tec products, it's just my personal preference.

Socks are of course very individual - they need to be comfortable - but my preferred brand is Darn tough.
Whilst I love the silkiness of a quality 100% Merino shirt, a blend ( 80- 90%) does tend to last longer before developing holes.
Shorts & Pants are tec, in my case Colombia but as @trecile comments go with whatever you can find locally and is comfortable.

 

[NavyBlue]

Hi,

As you will wash every day, having stuff which dries quickly before sunset is a good thing.

I wear thin merino shirts. Happy with those from Decathlon (available in France and Spain). Maybe not the finest wool of the finest sheep (no clues about that), but in my experience sturdier than others from upscale brands.

 

[Jodean]

I am the odd one here. I really like to wear long-sleeve, cotton blouses. I can roll up the sleeves when it is hot, leave them down for sun protection, wear them with a long sleeve turtle neck t-shirt if it gets cold, and they wash and dry so easily and quickly. My pants are loose, polyester trousers. I do have one pair of merino leggings that I can either wear under the trousers if it is cold, or in the afternoon and evening while doing laundry or even to bed if it gets really cold.
My blouses are purchased at 2nd hand stores. 2 are enough for 6-7 weeks.

 

[backpack45]

Mainly you want to avoid cotton because it doesn't dry quickly and it you are working up a sweat, that can be an issue in situations where you might conditions that could lead to hypothermia. Plus, it you want to wash you clothes to have them ready to wear the next day, synthetics dry faster than cotton. I have a Smartwool top that I have taken on every Camino walk and backpacking trip for decades. It is wonderful as a layer, or a stand alone, because it can be worn several days without getting stinky and doesn't get soaking wet.

 

[JustJack]

Another huge merino wool fan here. The stuff is amazing. What I love about merino wool (blend) tshirts and long sleeve base layer shirts is that they never smell, they never look wrinkled, and they never get stretched out of shape (which is important when you're sleeping in your clothes). For tops I bring one short sleeve merino tshirt and one long sleeve merino base layer, and that covers me for any weather and any occasion. I find the material that's a blend of merino wool and some sort of stretchy material to be the best for shirts. Decathlon sells relatively inexpensive base layers.

For socks I bring three pairs of 100% merino wool. I think the brands I have are Darn Tough and Smartwool. Not only are they strong, but one time I mixed up my clean socks with a pair of socks I had been wearing for two days. I swear to god I couldn't tell which were the clean and which were the dirty despite smelling them. That's pretty impressive.

 

[Paladina]

For socks I bring three pairs of 100% merino wool. I think the brands I have are Darn Tough and Smartwool. Not only are they strong, but one time I mixed up my clean socks with a pair of socks I had been wearing for two days. I swear to god I couldn't tell which were the clean and which were the dirty despite smelling them. That's pretty impressive.

Their fragrance is pretty impressive, but their strength is due to the synthetic content. I think you’ll find they’re circa 65% wool. Heavy duty hiking socks normally are.

 

[Jodean]

Cotton blouses are not the same as cotton t-shirts. They dry really quickly. They have worked really well for me on 4 of my 6 Caminos, from 0°C to 30°.

 

[C clearly]

Cotton blouses are not the same as cotton t-shirts.

This is very true. The blouse (i.e. loose fitting, usually button-up, long sleeved) functions very differently from a base layer.

 

[Pafayac]

II personally like lightweight merino wool, because I find that it is better at regulating my temperature than some of the synthetics, plus it doesn't get as smelly as synthetics.

My fellow pilgrims insist that i wear merino t-shirts. i never understood why...