- Time of past OR future Camino
- Planning for April 2025
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i found that my nylon Polartec tee shirt, with polygiene, was very breathable in Egypt’s hot temperatures - and retained no odour at all.In preparation for our first Camino in spring/summer or fall 2025, my wife and I have been "testing" different gear - particularly shirts - for our trek.
We understand and acknowledge weight savings and odor control; however, what we have found is that there seems to be no difference in comfort for us between 100% cotton and performance materials/blends (80% merino wool-20% polyester; 100% polyester; and 50% cotton-30% merino wool-20% polyester).
Perhaps it has been our "test environment" - full sun, little to no breeze, 85-100° F (29-38° C), and 60-80% humidity - and Camino conditions would be more favorable to benefits of performance materials.
What have others experienced? If this has been answered in another thread please direct me there.
Thank you and take care,
Tom
Your training area makes a big difference. On the Gulf Coast of Texas, the high humidity keeps synthetic shirts from wicking and any advantage over cotton is lost. Spain is a different climate and synthetics might be better and would certainly dry faster.
Hello from Dallas, I understand your conditions perfectly. I’ve now completed 3 Caminos, the last I finished in mid-May. I swear by tech materials as they’re comfortable, color fast and dry quickly. For me REI is the place, you may want to check these T-shirts out. I also take 1 long sleeve for sun protection or on cooler days or evenings.Thank you. I should have mentioned that we live in the Fort Worth area of Texas, with similar weather to the Gulf Coast but with (slightly) less humidity.
We have tourist-traveled in eastern, southern and central Spain in mid-May and June. I know that is a wide range of climates but overall, compared to Texas weather, the Spanish climate was much more comfortable. We probably averaged 8-10 miles walking daily, wearing mostly cotton gear, but without packs and hiking the duration of the Camino Frances.
For summer hikes here, we typically wear short-sleeve cotton shirts with polyester sun sleeves. Our second choice is long-sleeve polyester "fishing shirts" that have vertical ventilation slits/openings in the side and/or back of the shirts. Both options provide sun protection and allow air movement; however, admittedly, that is without wearing a Camino-sized pack.
Fortunately we have time to keep trying out gear. Thank you again.
we have found is that there seems to be no difference in comfort for us between 100% cotton and performance materials/blends.
In preparation for our first Camino in spring/summer or fall 2025, my wife and I have been "testing" different gear - particularly shirts - for our trek.
And cotton can hold on to the dampness, keeping it close to your skin, which can be uncomfortable.For me, the consideration was drying time. Cotton takes forever to get dry
I walk 2000 plus miles a year. The years I walk a Camino, 2500+. Nothing is better than light weight merino wool for fast wicking, odor control, cooling and warmth.In preparation for our first Camino in spring/summer or fall 2025, my wife and I have been "testing" different gear - particularly shirts - for our trek.
We understand and acknowledge weight savings, odor control, and quick-drying qualities of performance materials (80% merino wool-20% polyester; 100% polyester; and 50% cotton-30% merino wool-20% tencel, etc.) However, what we have found is that there seems to be no difference in comfort for us between 100% cotton and performance materials/blends.
Perhaps our local "test environment" - full sun, little to no breeze, 85-100° F (29-38° C), and 60-80% humidity - is the reason for what we experienced. And maybe Camino conditions would be more favorable to benefits of performance materials.
What have others experienced? If this has been answered in another thread please direct me there.
Thank you and take care,
Tom
Yes! Key is balance between comfort, and quick dry.quick drying clothing is beneficial to me... 100% cotton on my first trip caused me to have trouble drying stuff. The move to in expensive tech t shirts was a no brainer
Cotton might not be the most comfortable, but I doubt that the conditions that will lead to cotton being actually dangerous are common on the Camino de Santiago.I suggest you Google "cotton kills".
I suggest you Google YMMVI suggest you Google "cotton kills"
Cotton might not be the most comfortable, but I doubt that the conditions that will lead to cotton being actually dangerous are common on the Camino de Santiago.
I have done ALL of my long-distance hiking over the past 30+ years in jeans and t-shirt.I had nothing made of cotton on my camino, nor any hiking I have done over the past decades.
Cotton is just the wrong fabric for long distance walking/treking.
You cannot project your own experiences onto others.When we walked through O Cebreiro (full disclosure, October) we climbed in cool rain/mist. By the time we got to Linares 2 miles away, it was sleet and freezing rain. I am glad I was wearing 0% cotton that day.
I have done ALL of my long-distance hiking over the past 30+ years in jeans and t-shirt.
This does not mean that OK everyone else can do the same no problem ; just as your own experience does not mean that nobody can.
Fabric ideology is not terribly helpful IMHO.
The women's Patagonia lightweight tee shirts is a game changer for me. I bought 1, then 2 more after I tried it. I can barely feel it when I am wearing it.In preparation for our first Camino in spring/summer or fall 2025, my wife and I have been "testing" different gear - particularly shirts - for our trek.
We understand and acknowledge weight savings, odor control, and quick-drying qualities of performance materials (80% merino wool-20% polyester; 100% polyester; and 50% cotton-30% merino wool-20% tencel, etc.) However, what we have found is that there seems to be no difference in comfort for us between 100% cotton and performance materials/blends.
Perhaps our local "test environment" - full sun, little to no breeze, 85-100° F (29-38° C), and 60-80% humidity - is the reason for what we experienced. And maybe Camino conditions would be more favorable to benefits of performance materials.
What have others experienced? If this has been answered in another thread please direct me there.
Thank you and take care,
Tom
We understand and acknowledge weight savings, odor control, and quick-drying qualities of performance materials (80% merino wool-20% polyester; 100% polyester; and 50% cotton-30% merino wool-20% tencel, etc.) However, what we have found is that there seems to be no difference in comfort for us between 100% cotton and performance materials/blends.
I am very happy with the new polyesters and the new blends. Polyester only is great. Great fabrics that are very easy durable, lightweight, quick drying, much improved smell management. Thin. Excellent for layering. Easy to rinse out or wash. And lower cost than merino! Everyone is making them…OR…Patagonia, REI, etc.In preparation for our first Camino in spring/summer or fall 2025, my wife and I have been "testing" different gear - particularly shirts - for our trek.
We understand and acknowledge weight savings, odor control, and quick-drying qualities of performance materials (80% merino wool-20% polyester; 100% polyester; and 50% cotton-30% merino wool-20% tencel, etc.) However, what we have found is that there seems to be no difference in comfort for us between 100% cotton and performance materials/blends.
Perhaps our local "test environment" - full sun, little to no breeze, 85-100° F (29-38° C), and 60-80% humidity - is the reason for what we experienced. And maybe Camino conditions would be more favorable to benefits of performance materials.
What have others experienced? If this has been answered in another thread please direct me there.
Thank you and take care,
Tom
In Australia no sensible bushwalker, yes Caminos and bushwalks are similar but different, wears cotton tops or pants.In preparation for our first Camino in spring/summer or fall 2025, my wife and I have been "testing" different gear - particularly shirts - for our trek.
We understand and acknowledge weight savings, odor control, and quick-drying qualities of performance materials (80% merino wool-20% polyester; 100% polyester; and 50% cotton-30% merino wool-20% tencel, etc.) However, what we have found is that there seems to be no difference in comfort for us between 100% cotton and performance materials/blends.
Perhaps our local "test environment" - full sun, little to no breeze, 85-100° F (29-38° C), and 60-80% humidity - is the reason for what we experienced. And maybe Camino conditions would be more favorable to benefits of performance materials.
What have others experienced? If this has been answered in another thread please direct me there.
Thank you and take care,
Tom
I just walked the Camino Francés and I used 100% merino wool long and short sleeve shirts. It was cold at the beginning of my walk and and a few morning walking from Foncebadon. As well, mix in some 33 to 36 C on the Meseta. My merino shirts worked well in both cold and hot and after a sniff test each morning I found I could wear them up to 3 days without washing. Usually I washed them after 2 days. They also dried quickly. I washed them by hand, in a laundromat and paid to get them washed in some Albergues. Had no problem with my shirts being done by all 3 methods.In preparation for our first Camino in spring/summer or fall 2025, my wife and I have been "testing" different gear - particularly shirts - for our trek.
We understand and acknowledge weight savings, odor control, and quick-drying qualities of performance materials (80% merino wool-20% polyester; 100% polyester; and 50% cotton-30% merino wool-20% tencel, etc.) However, what we have found is that there seems to be no difference in comfort for us between 100% cotton and performance materials/blends.
Perhaps our local "test environment" - full sun, little to no breeze, 85-100° F (29-38° C), and 60-80% humidity - is the reason for what we experienced. And maybe Camino conditions would be more favorable to benefits of performance materials.
What have others experienced? If this has been answered in another thread please direct me there.
Thank you and take care,
Tom
If a person does not "sweat" a lot, cotton may seem ok.
Or it's cold weather and your physical activity is moderate or light, or you are not over-exerting yourself beyond your abilities.If you are not sweating during physical activity, then it means you are dehydrated!
Have to be very careful, this is a merino territory.Or it's cold weather and your physical activity is moderate or light, or you are not over-exerting yourself beyond your abilities.
I have no idea why you seem to be advocating for the physical destruction of cotton clothing.
Update: Today I’ve been trialing a Smartwool Ultralite t-shirt while doing landscape and shop activities. The temperature is 91 degrees and the humidity is 62% with minimal breeze. (My wife and I would describe this environment as warm). The shirt is a merino/tencel blend and has been quite comfortable. I have had wool allergies in the past but not with this shirt.
Yes, the shirt material is quite thin and dries quickly. It seemed to wick perspiration well. I’m sure it would be completely dry in less than 2 hours after a wash.I´m quite sure its comfortable, but can you tell me that if its washed at say 1500hrs in the afternoon and air dried, will it be dry before I need to take it off the line (when I go to bed)
Thanks
Thank youYes, the shirt material is quite thin and dries quickly. It seemed to wick perspiration well. I’m sure it would be completely dry in less than 2 hours after a wash.
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