What is moisture wicking fabric?

Moisture wicking is a fabric trait that moves sweat away from your skin so it can spread out and dry faster.

How it works in plain words

Synthetic fibres such as polyester do not soak up much water. Instead, sweat travels along the surface and spreads over a larger area of fabric, where it evaporates sooner. That is why a wicking shirt feels drier than a soaked cotton one.

Where it helps

Outdoor trades, long shifts and humid weather are where it helps most. It also dries after washing quickly. See best work shirts for hot weather.

Limits

Wicking does not make you cool by itself, and no fabric removes heat in a hot attic. Fit, ventilation and breaks matter too. Our full-print shirts are polyester, which is the kind of fibre commonly used for wicking.

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Common questions

Is moisture wicking the same as breathable?

They are related but not the same. Wicking moves sweat; breathable describes airflow through the fabric.

Does polyester wick moisture?

Polyester is commonly used for moisture wicking fabrics.

Does cotton wick?

Cotton absorbs moisture and holds it, so it tends to stay wet longer.

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