Fabric that absorbs moisture against fabric that wicks it away

Short answer: There are two ways of dealing with sweat. Either the fabric absorbs moisture into the fibre itself, or it passes the moisture out to the surface without absorbing any. Absorption keeps the skin dry the longest, while wicking dries fastest, and that decides which fabric suits which kind of day.

Two ways of handling sweat

When you sweat, the moisture has to go somewhere. A fabric can either draw it into the fibre and hold it, or carry it to the outside where it evaporates. The two principles work differently and suit different situations. Once you know the difference, it is easier to pick the right clothing for exercise, work or a long day at home.

Absorption keeps the skin dry for long

Bamboo viscose and cotton absorb moisture into the fibre itself, so the skin feels dry for hours. The moisture is drawn away from the skin and spread through the fabric, where it slowly evaporates. That means you can wear the same outfit all day without the clammy feeling. See our bamboo joggers for women for the long days.

Wicking dries fastest

Polyester absorbs almost nothing but moves moisture to the surface, where it evaporates. Because the fibre does not hold water, the fabric dries very quickly. That is an advantage for short, hard workouts where you sweat a lot in little time. The downside is that the fabric has no reserve, so moisture can linger when more arrives than it can move away.

Why wet synthetic fabric feels clammy

When a synthetic fabric cannot keep up, the moisture stays on the surface between fabric and skin. It is not absorbed into the fibre, so you feel it directly. The fabric sticks and feels cold once you stop moving. Many women know that feeling from a sports top after a run, when they have stood still a little too long.

What suits what

For short, hard efforts, wicking works best because the fabric dries quickly afterwards. For a whole day in the same clothes, absorption wins, because the skin stays dry for a long time without the fabric turning clammy. So think about how long you will wear it and how much you sweat. Browse all women's clothing.

Blends can do a bit of both

A fabric can partly do both. A blend can absorb some moisture and pass some on, which is why blends are found in sportswear. The result is a compromise: the fabric dries faster than pure viscose but holds moisture better than pure polyester. Whether that is right for you depends again on how and how long you wear it.

The long day in the same clothes

A day at home, a journey or a day of errands asks for something different from half an hour at the gym. You move at an easy pace but wear the clothes for many hours. A fabric that absorbs moisture keeps you dry and comfortable throughout. Many choose a bamboo jogging suit for exactly those days.

Care that keeps the ability

A fabric's ability to absorb moisture can suffer if the fibres get a coating of fabric softener. So skip the softener and use the amount of detergent given on the pack. Wash at a low temperature and let the clothes air dry. That way the fibres keep drawing in moisture, and the clothes stay dry and comfortable after many washes.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, absorption or wicking

It depends on time. Wicking dries fastest after a short, hard session, while absorption keeps the skin dry longest when you wear the clothes all day.

Why does wet synthetic fabric feel clammy

Because the moisture stays on the surface between fabric and skin instead of being absorbed into the fibre, so you feel it directly.

Can a fabric do both

Partly. A blend can absorb some and pass some on, which is why blends are used in sportswear. It ends up as a compromise between the two principles.