The Best And Worst Fabrics For Your Health This Winter

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With those winter temperatures creeping in, you’re probably finding yourself at that awkward phase of trying to piece together outfits that will keep you warm against a chill without making you uncomfortable, sweaty, or itchy. The medical community can’t entirely make up their minds on whether or not being cold makes it more likely for you to become sick, but there is some evidence that being cold can suppress the immune system, so it’s important to bundle up. Especially with what news sources are famously calling “The Twindemic” underway, now that the flu and COVID-19 are active.

Not all winter fabrics are created equal. Some can leave you uncomfortable. Some can make it difficult for your skin to breathe. Some are so effective, that, even in lightweight varieties, they get the job done. Trendier brands might make clothes that appear winter-ready, but they don’t contain the proper fabrics to keep you cozy. We’ve all picked up a cheap “puffy” jacket that was just stitching on polyester and did little to keep us warm. You don’t want that. Here are the best and worst fabrics for winter weather.

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Best: Merino wool

Both your body and the environment will appreciate it when you buy Merino wool. Unlike factory-made synthetics, the production of which eats up precious fossil fuel, Merino wool comes to us by natural means. It’s taken from Merino sheep, and is ultra-soft and not at all scratchy, the way you might think of other types of wool.

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Why Merino?

Merino is particularly good for outdoor activities during the winter because, thanks to its porous nature, it wicks away moisture, so you won’t feel sticky if you sweat during a winter hike. It also repels odors, and naturally regulates your body temperature to keep you from overheating. Merino sheep exist in temperatures ranging from five to 95 degrees, so their wool can keep you comfortable in a similar range of temperatures.

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Worst: Cotton

Cotton provides absolutely no insulation, so it should not be your base layer. It doesn’t wick away sweat, either – something you may have noticed from the cotton t-shirts you soak through in the summer. It’s okay to wear an overcoat made of cotton, but make sure your base layers have insulating properties (like those offered by wool).

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Best: Alpaca wool

You can also opt for Alpaca wool if you want something non-itchy. To give you some idea of what a good job it does keeping you warm, some buildings use Alpaca fibers to insulate their walls. Alpaca wool is also considered sustainable, because Alpacas eat much less than sheep and, once again, their wool doesn’t require factory processing like synthetics do. Its long fibers make it extra-soft, and it has a temperature comfort range of about 50 degrees.

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Why Alpaca?

Alpaca’s long fiber length also makes it very strong and it comes in over 22 natural colors between its many variations of grey, brown, black, and white. Those with fabric sensitivities can appreciate that Alpaca is hypoallergenic, and those on a budget might like that it’s one of the more affordable insulating fabrics.

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Worst: Polyester

You may feel warm in polyester, but too warm – like you can’t breathe warm. That’s because your body literally isn’t breathing. Not at all porous, this synthetic traps your sweat, rather than wicking it away, so you’ll find yourself uncomfortably sticky, fast. Many clothing companies cut costs by making winter clothes with this as a liner, so look out for that. The top, thin layer may be of better fabric, but the part that touches your body is polyester.

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Best: Cashmere

The beauty of cashmere is how lightweight it is, while still keeping you incredibly warm. You can actually feel attractive in a fitted cashmere sweater, and warm, rather than the thick, knitted sweaters grandma might make you. A long-fiber fabric, cashmere is also very strong, so while it can be expensive, it should last you a long time.

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Why cashmere?

Cashmere provides much more insulation than sheep’s wool and is exceptionally soft. It also has great wrinkle resistance and wicks away moisture to keep you dry. If you’ve ever worn it, you know it isn’t the least bit itchy. However, it is important to seek out ethical cashmere, since some manufacturers use farms that strip goats of this fur when they need it most – in mid-winter – leaving them exposed to the cold.

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Worst: Rayon

Rayon is another material you’ll see popping up in a lot of affordable but poor quality winter clothing. Rayon can actually emit harmful toxins, and the production of it is anything but ecofriendly. It’s another fabric that, like polyester, traps moisture and odor, so it will have you sticky and sweaty after a long day of winter activities.

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Best: Polar fleece

You may be surprised to find polar fleece on this list since it is made from one of our “worst” picks – polyester. However, it’s woven in a way to eliminate some of the downfalls of simple polyester. Typically mixed with some natural fibers, it’s highly breathable and moisture-wicking, while nearly as insulating as wool, but far more affordable, and lightweight.

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A toss-up: down

So, here’s the problem with down: it’s not exactly ethical. It’s plucked from duck or geese, typically while they’re still alive, which is not very humane. This is sad news for many reasons, including the fact that it’s one of the best insulators out there, so it’s hard to kiss it goodbye. And, everybody knows that satisfying feeling of squishing a genuine down jacket or comforter.

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Try down alternatives

Fortunately, there are many down alternatives on the market now. You’ll need to look into the ethics behind the ones you purchase. Look for ones made from recyclables. Most are made of synthetics or a combination of synthetics and cotton. And though we don’t like that for most winter clothing, it’s suitable as an outer layer to keep the wind chill out.

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Cold weather tip one: wear wool long johns

Merino long underwear. Buy some. If you want to continue to wear your favorite jeans during the winter, remember that denim is made of cotton, and we know that cotton doesn’t offer any insulation. However, there are very lightweight Merino long johns that will add almost no bulk under your favorite jeans, and keep you warm.

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Cold weather tip two: cover your nose

Yes, your nose. It’s one reason to wear a scarf, other than covering your upper chest, which has very little fat to protect it. You can pull your scarf up over your nose when you feel a chill in the air. The same experts who discuss how cold weather compromises your immunity believe that viruses get into the nasal passage when we inhale cold air.

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Cold weather tip three: wear thin socks

Well, at least thin enough such that there is some wiggle room inside of your shoes. Have you ever put on extra-thick socks to stay warm, only to find that your feet felt cold? That’s actually because the little bit of air left between your foot and shoe is where you find the insulation. If your thick socks make your shoes too tight, you lose your insulation.