What is Moisture Wicking Clothing? Benefits, Brands & Examples

In recent years, moisture-wicking apparel has emerged as one of the fastest-growing categories in the clothing sector. While used extensively in performance activewear, moisture-wicking technology is now being adopted across a more diverse range of clothing and used in everyday items. At the same time, sweat-wicking performance is being further enhanced by game-changing textile technologies that keep users cool and improve comfort. Polygiene® StayCool achieves exactly that. As well as boosting a fabric’s moisture-wicking capabilities, it incorporates a moisture-activated cooling matrix that reduces textile temperature for a fresh feel on the skin. 

In this article, we detail what moisture wicking clothing is, how it works, what the benefits are, and which fabrics are best (and worst) at wicking sweat away from the skin. We also explain how technologies like Polygiene® StayCool are taking cooling clothing to the next level.

What is moisture-wicking clothing? 

Moisture wicking clothing is engineered to move moisture away from the skin and onto a fabric’s outer surface, where it can evaporate more easily. This process keeps you dry and cool. Sweat-wicking apparel differs from traditional materials with poor moisture-wicking capacity that typically absorb sweat and stay wet, making them heavy, smelly, and uncomfortable. 

Moisture-wicking capabilities are essential in many types of clothing (particularly activewear) because wet fabrics can result in chafing and an unpleasant feel on the skin. They also provide odor-causing bacteria with the perfect growing conditions. In moisture-wicking fabrics, the fact sweat can evaporate more easily also contributes to a cooling effect, helping users to regulate their body temperature. 

How moisture-wicking clothing works 

Moisture-wicking fabrics keep you cool, dry, and comfortable via a two-step process:

1. Capillary action – the structure of the textile fibers facilitates capillary action. This is the phenomenon by which moisture is drawn through the narrow spaces between fibers due to adhesion and cohesion – intermolecular forces between liquid and solid surfaces.
2. Evaporation – once the moisture is transported to the fabric’s outer surface, it spreads over a larger surface and can evaporate more easily, ensuring you stay dry and helping to cool the body.

In many cases, moisture-wicking fabrics are hydrophobic – they repel water. This ensures the fibers do not absorb the liquid as it is transported to the outside of the clothing. Textiles can also be optimized for wicking by integrating microchannels into the weave.

Types of moisture-wicking clothing

While we typically associate moisture-wicking capabilities with activewear, it’s now used by manufacturers across a diverse range of clothing types. Here are five of the most popular moisture-wicking apparel categories.

1.   Workwear

Whether you work in hot, humid environments, have a physically demanding job, or tend to sweat a lot when the pressure is on, moisture-wicking clothing can make a massive difference to how comfortable and confident you feel. Physical laborers – construction workers, landscapers, and warehouse staff – will all benefit from cooler and drier clothing because of the exertions they’re making. On the other hand, moisture-wicking capabilities can help office workers feel more fresh and confident when big meetings or presentations are scheduled.

2.   Sleepwear

Sweating at night can cause serious discomfort and disrupt your sleep, leaving you tired and impacting your overnight recovery. Moisture-wicking sleepwear ensures your clothing is helping to regulate your body temperature during the night and minimizes the likelihood of waking up feeling clammy, sweaty, or uncomfortable. It is especially effective for those going through menopause or experiencing hot flushes. Combine with moisture-wicking bed sheets for even greater comfort.

3.   Outdoor clothing and hiking apparel

It doesn’t matter whether it’s the depths of winter or the height of summer, hiking is a sweaty business. Sweat-wicking clothing will help prevent chafing and discomfort while on the move, keeping you cool in the summer and ensuring you don’t suffer from sweat-induced chills in cooler temperatures. 

4.   Activewear and gym gear

Activewear is arguably the most common application for moisture-wicking textiles. It’s found in everything from leggings and tank tops to base layers and trousers. By keeping the wearer cool, dry, and comfortable, it reduces distractions and enhances performance, enabling athletes to push themselves to the limits.

5.   Everyday items

As consumers recognize the value of moisture-wicking capabilities, these textiles are becoming increasingly common in everyday clothing. You can now find them in shirts, T-shirts, underlayers, underwear, shorts, and trousers, and they are particularly useful for consumers living in warmer climates. 

Benefits of moisture-wicking clothing 

The key benefits of sweat-wicking clothing include:

• Stay dry – wet clothing is heavy, clammy, and uncomfortable on the skin. It simply feels unpleasant. Moisture-wicking garments help you stay dry even when you’re exercising intensely. 
• Regulate body temperature – by facilitating evaporation, moisture-wicking clothing helps you maintain a cooler core body temperature, improving comfort and performance. 
• Reduced odor – odor-causing bacteria thrive in damp environments. Sweaty clothing provides them with the perfect growth conditions. Consequently, moisture-wicking fabrics that stay drier limit bacterial growth and stay fresher smelling for longer.
• Improves performance – we struggle to focus and achieve our best when distracted by discomfort. By keeping us cool and dry, moisture-wicking fabrics help improve stamina and focus in endurance sports, professional tasks, and everyday activities.
• Reduces chafing and irritation – wet and sticky skin is more prone to blisters, rashes, and general skin irritation.
• Lightweight and breathable – most moisture-wicking fabrics are light and airy, making them perfect for layering or wearing in hot conditions.

Clothing fabrics that are considered moisture-wicking

Some fabrics are known for their moisture-wicking performance, while others are regarded as poor moisture-wickers. Here’s our guide to the materials you should seek out and those to avoid.

1.   Polyester

• Pros – Excellent wicking, quick-drying, durable, and affordable.
• Cons – Can retain odor if not treated with anti-odor technology. Not always breathable unless treated.

2.   Nylon

• Pros – A strong fabric that wicks effectively, boasts a smooth texture and is fast-drying.
• Cons – Not particularly breathable unless treated.

3.   Merino wool

• Pros – Moisture-wicking natural fiber that is breathable, regulates temperature effectively, and is odor-resistant.
• Cons – Expensive and slower drying than synthetics.

4.   Tencel (Lyocell)

• Pros – Sustainable, soft, and naturally moisture-wicking.
• Cons – Less durable in activewear compared to synthetics.

5.   Bamboo Viscose

• Pros – Soft, environmentally friendly, breathable, and odor-resistant.
• Cons – Can retain some moisture, not suitable for intense exercise.
  

Fabrics to avoid

Not all fabrics are built for sweat. Some absorb moisture and trap heat, making them uncomfortable and more likely to accumulate odors. These fabrics include:

• Cotton – absorbs moisture easily and dries very slowly. Cotton – absorbs moisture easily and dries very slowly. Avoid cotton in any clothing intended for workouts or hot climates.
• Wool (non-merino) – heavy and retains sweat. Wearing wool in warm conditions can easily lead to overheating.
• Silk – looks elegant and feels great on the skin when dry but shows sweat stains easily and lacks breathability.
• Rayon – Although soft, it holds onto moisture and starts to feel heavy and damp quickly.

Enhanced performance with Polygiene® StayCool

Polygiene® StayCool is an advanced additive textile technology that enhances moisture-wicking performance while adding extra cooling features that ensure users stay cool, fresh, and comfortable no matter what they’re doing. 

Perhaps most excitingly, Polygiene® StayCool incorporates a groundbreaking thermo-reactive polymer matrix. This sweat-activated polymer matrix reacts to sweat by cooling the fabric between 2 – 3°C (4.3 – 5.4°F), resulting in a long-lasting cooling effect that keeps users feeling light, dry, and comfortable in warmer temperatures or while exercising. 

Manufacturers can apply Polygiene® StayCool to a wide variety of fabrics, including synthetics, cellulosics, and recycled fibers. Integration is designed for simplicity and minimal disruption to existing manufacturing processes. Polygiene provides full support throughout setup. It can also be used in conjunction with Polygiene’s other Freshness technologies, Polygiene® StayFresh and Polygiene® OdorCrunch. While the former is an effective antibacterial odor control solution, the latter tackles environmental odors, such as cooking and smoke smells and body odor. Both keep textiles fresher for longer, enhancing comfort, reducing the need for frequent washing, and improving product sustainability as a result.

Next-level performance with Polygiene Freshness

Moisture-wicking clothing is the obvious choice for any application where staying cool, dry, and comfortable is a priority. Whether you’re powering through a lung-busting workout, hiking in the mountains, or delivering a big presentation at work, the benefits of wearing moisture-wicking and cooling fabrics are undeniable.

While materials with natural moisture-wicking properties are available, manufacturers can us Polygiene® StayCool to enhance moisture-wicking in almost any textile, allowing for greater flexibility when it comes to material selection without compromising performance. At the same time, it introduces groundbreaking, moisture-activated, cooling technology that reduces textile temperature to achieve that fresh feel when users need it most. The result is textiles that deliver unprecedented performance and can be incorporated into almost any type of clothing.

Get in touch to learn more about integrating Polygiene® StayCool into your clothing line or to discuss how Polygiene Freshness solutions can help you maximize product value for your customers.