Why There's Nothing Wrong With Running in Cotton

"No offense to the many creative fabrics that running brands have coaxed to the fore over the last 20 years - from Nike's early Dri-FIT offerings to recent riffs on "recycled polyester-elastane microfibers." I've happily worn them all. Activewear labels tend to observe the same unwritten standard: today's running tops should move with the body, source materials sustainably, feature zip pockets for catch-all items and, most importantly, wick sweat."

"But I'm still fond of old-school cool cotton T-shirts, which are pretty bad at doing any of those things. At the end of any decent mileage in a cotton tee, it's going to be damp and heavy; it just can't evaporate the sweat quick enough to keep up during the run. But it's oddly satisfying to sit there on a stoop after a run, your effort on your chest. Besides, it's the continuation of a long tradition."

"Cotton was the de facto fabric choice of most serious 20th-century runners. Look up any old photo of a marathon major and you'll see a sea of cotton-clad competitors. It's got gym-class energy, dad swagger and even presidential pedigree - presidents like to throw on cotton tees when they go on Secret Service jogs. These shirts haven't always been well-made or necessarily well-suited to the task of hand;"

Modern running apparel emphasizes technical fabrics that move with the body, use sustainable materials, include practical features like zip pockets, and wick moisture to evaporate sweat. Cotton T-shirts absorb sweat, become damp and heavy during longer runs, and cannot evaporate moisture quickly enough to remain dry while running. Many runners nonetheless appreciate the visible sweat stains and the satisfying, nostalgic feeling of a cotton tee after exercise. Cotton dominated 20th-century running, appearing in marathon photographs and carrying gym-class energy, dad swagger and presidential jog-wear pedigree. Race shirts are often scratchy and boxy, which can feel abrasive on longer efforts.

Read at InsideHook