Layering for Comfort
Polypropylene. Also known as polyolefin fiber, polypropylene was invented in the 1950s and first used for layering garments in the 1970s. Polypropylene was quickly recognized as a superior fabric for layering because the fabric absorbs almost no moisture and has very good abrasion resistance (durability).
Polypropylene must be laundered and dried at very low temperatures to prevent shrinking or even melting. Also, polypropylene is prone to retaining odors because it repels water but attracts fats (found in perspiration), which bond permanently to it. Modern polypropylene underwear combats odor by adding a biocide chemical to the fiber composition.
Capilene. In the early 1980s, Patagonia introduced Capilene tooutdoor enthusiasts. Capilene is a 100-percent polyester fabric that has a wicking treatment applied. Because the fibers (polyester) in Capilene are hydrophobic, the fabric is treated to make itsoutersurface hydrophilic, so water wicks from one side of the fabric to the other. As with any treatment, the wicking properties of the garments may diminish with repeated use and washing.
Capilene is the most recognized polyester undergarment for fly fishers. It is a proprietary fabric (the combination of polyester fibers and wicking treatments), but there are many other similar products sold under different brand names. They are available in different weights to accommodate various temperatures and activity levels.
Polartec. In the 1990s Malden Mills developed a fabric technology specifically for layering called Polartec Power Dry. The fabric is made by knitting together two different fibers to create a distinct fabric surface on each side. The two surfaces provide great wicking capabilities on the fabric’s interior and excellent evaporation on the fabric’s exterior. This means the fabric’s wicking performance is a mechanical function of the fabric, not a treatment. Polartec Power Dry fabric pulls moisture off of your skin quickly and moves it to the outside of the fabric, where it spreads for rapid evaporation. The wicking capabilities last the life of the garment. Other companies offer their own brands of products similar to Polartec.
Hands and Feet
Other components integral to proper layering are those that protect your head, hands, and feet. Wear a hat to prevent substantial heat loss through your head. In cold weather, wear thin polypropylene glove liners under fleece, wool, or neoprene (severe cold) gloves to wick moisture from your hands and keep them warm and dry. Wear moisture-wicking socks or polypropylene liners under wool socks woven to wick moisture away from your feet and to keep your feet warm in winter and cool in summer.
While boot-foot waders are the best for severe cold-weather fishing, anglers who wear stocking-foot waders can stay comfortable by wearing wading shoes that are roomy enough to prevent constricting their feet. If you have poor circulation, boot-foots are your best choice (especially for winter steelheading).
Testing Wicking Garments
A simple test can help you determine how well a fabric wicks moisture away from your body. By testing several garments and comparing the results, you can see which garment will best wick moisture away from your body and keep you comfortable.
Since your body heat pushes moisture away from your skin and into your clothing, these tests are not precise unless you can wear the clothing; however, they do provide a basis for comparison. Also, new garments may perform better than older garments. If you test garments you currently own, you may find they don’t wick well and it’s time to buy some new ones.
Wicking. Turn the garments inside out. Place a few drops of water (an eyedropper or squirt bottle works well) on the next-to-skin side (inside) of the garment. Observe the fabric on both sides to evaluate its wicking performance. There are three main possibilities.
1. If the water beads on the garment’s inside before soaking into the fabric, the fabric does not wick well and should not be used against your skin.
2. If the water saturates the fabric, the fabric wicks, but it might not keep you dry. If the water spreads over a large area on the inside and outside of the garment, you will feel the moisture on your skin until it is completely evaporated, which could take a long time. Cotton is a good example of this type of fabric—it wicks but does not feel dry when the fabric is wet.
3. If the water spreads over a small area on the garment’s inside and a larger area on the outside, the fabric wicks moisture away from your skin quickly and will feel dry on the inside. It will be efficient at moving moisture from your skin. Because the water spreads over a larger area on the outside of the fabric, the water can evaporate from the fabric or transfer through breathable waders or jackets quickly. You will feel dryer and more comfortable with garments made of fabrics that perform this way.
Not all wicking garments perform alike. To compare the effectiveness of wicking garments, compare the relative sizes of the water spots on the inside and outside. A smaller spot on the inside is best. Also, over a period of a few minutes, lightly run a finger over the water spots to determine which dry fastest. Some fabrics dry faster than others, and some fabrics will feel dry even though moisture is still in them. This is due to the type of fabric and its weave.
Weave. Examine the fabric’s weave. Garments with a velourlike feel on the inside will likely feel driest and most comfortable because only a small portion of the fabric actually touches your skin. The bulk of the fabric is away from your skin, so if it becomes moist, you won’t feel the moisture. The air pocket around your skin also provides warmth in cold weather.
Waterproof/water repellent. Squirt water on the outside of a garment to test how it sheds water. If the water beads on the outside of the garment, it is water repellent and perhaps waterproof. Waterproof fabrics must meet a high standard (involving water under pressure) set by the garment industry. Water repellent fabrics meet a lesser standard and often are fabrics with a finish or treatment on the outside to keep them from becoming wet.
Stretch. Pull the fabric in different directions to test for four-way stretch. Garments with four-way stretch move with your body, providing more comfort when you walk. Because next-to-skin garments should fit snugly, these garments will be more comfortable if they stretch.
By performing these tests on various layering garments, you can see that not all layering garments wick similarly or provide the same degree of comfort. Choose your garment wisely, and don’t hesitate to ask salespeople to prove their claims.
Diane Bristol is director of marketing at Simms Fishing Products. She lives in Bozeman, Montana. This is her first contribution to Fly Fisherman.
Copyright © 2012 Intermedia Outdoors
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