chcampb t1_j6n8fa2 wrote on January 31, 2023 at 3:14 PM

Or, you know, we can stop using synthetic fabrics.

They are basically there to trick people anyway. They are softer (temporarily!) and then get garbage feel. They are a bait and switch, they don't last as long, they are less likely to wick moisture and more likely to grow mold and bacteria.

The day I put two and two together and realized that the only decent clothes I own had basically no synthetic fibers, that was a good day. Made a point of never buying any synthetic crap again. That was years and years ago. Doesn't apply to winter outer gear (ie, windbreaker material).

Now knowing that they also release microplastics, which we don't know the full extent of how they can damage the human body over time, we really need to regulate or tax the use of synthetics. Right now they are so much cheaper that every clothes company wants to use them as their high profit margin clothes and just push out a ton of them, when instead, synthetics should only be used when they have the desired characteristics in the fabric (ie, stretch, waterproof).

thulesgold t1_j6nrp22 wrote on January 31, 2023 at 5:15 PM

I agree with what you wrote except the wick moisture part especially in the context of hiking and outdoors. Wools do wick moisture but synthetic fabrics do as well. They also dry very quickly, are light, can be worn in warmer temperatures, and often inexpensive. So using them for hiking and exercise is compelling. But there's a time and place for everything and I agree with you that it is better to wear natural fibers as much as possible as long as it makes sense.

chcampb t1_j6nvbpl wrote on January 31, 2023 at 5:37 PM

Maybe the synthetics used in outdoor wear is different. All the synthetic I have seen the water just rolls off it, and the sweat gets trapped in the neck.