Technical fabrics have come a long way since polyester. Basically cheap plastic and chemicals, polyester didn’t allow the body to evaporate sweat, making you feel like your entire body was insulated in plastic wrap on a hot day. Luckily, science and technology have come to the rescue to broaden the scope and capabilities of technical fabrics. Most can absorb and breathe even better than cotton. Best of all, they dry quickly, so you aren’t left with sopping clothes after a hot golf game in the sun. If you get caught in the rain, technical fabric clothes aren’t soaked for the duration. They quickly dry with a little sun much faster than traditional cotton fabrics.

So Many Uses

High performance textiles are making real headway because of their applications to a wide range of uses. As the technology began gaining momentum, production of technical fabric shot up to 58 million tons in 2000, and it has grown steadily since then. In 2011, projections are 77 million tons of will be produced. Technical fabrics hold the most dynamic and promising capabilities, especially when it comes to athletic outdoor clothing. Though they have been chosen for their technical performance, the popularity of these fabrics has transcended to the fashionable. You can get technical fabrics that look good. Because the fabrics are scientifically enhanced, they’ll feel good and respond to athletic situations that better adapt to the stress of the body.

Better Engineering

Technical fabrics have been engineered to be more antibacterial, fight odors and have better temperature control, whether you seek fashion that is cool or clothes to keep you warm. The clothes are more absorbent, yet more open to the properties of evaporation so they’ll dry faster. Gore-Tex is light but very thermal, so you can dress for the cold without feeling loaded down like an Eskimo.

Technical fabrics are also considerably stronger than cotton, so the clothes will last longer and can be subjected to more wear and tear. This is especially handy when it comes to athletic clothing. Technical fabrics can stretch better but also have stronger properties so they’ll wear out slower. You can get years out of a technical fabric without the fabric fray. Technical fabric is more durable, retaining its quality for a considerable amount of time.

Technical Fabric Makeup

Most technical fabrics are all synthetic, or have synthetic components weaved into natural materials. Some are multi-layered fabrics like Gore-Tex, while others are simply treated with synthetic substances such as Silnylon or Smartwool. Others are completely made from a synthetic substance.

Better Resiliency

Technical fabrics are also more resistant to various chemical agents than cotton, so they are easier to wash and maintain. Because of their resilience to dilute acids and bases, they can withstand a good deal of washing for longer lasting performance.

Better Evaporation

Cotton may be comfortable and allow the body to breathe, but as you start to exercise, your body naturally perspires into the shirt, leaving you sticky and uncomfortable. This sweat better evaporates with technical fabric, so you dry off quicker. There’s less stickiness and clamminess. Technical fabrics keep your body warm and dry as you sweat. They feel great in the summertime. In fact, a t-shirt made of technical fabric will leave you feeling cooler than if you just wore a cotton shirt.
When layered properly, synthetic materials are even warmer in the winter because the sweat si wicked away for the body.

Technical fabrics used to absorb body odor more than cotton, but technology has improved this area greatly. High end technical fabrics, like those used by traceylynn, absorb no odor at all.

You may still want to choose a cotton t-shirt for just sitting around the house, but if there’s a workout, sporting event or hot weather involved, you’ll be much more comfortable with clothing made of technical fabric.