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Low-Tech Mag also discusses insulating the body without electricity: https://solar.lowtechmagazine.com/2011/02/body-insulation-thermal-underwear.html https://so
by skyfaller 4y ago
Low-Tech Mag also discusses insulating the body without electricity: https://solar.lowtechmagazine.com/2011/02/body-insulation-thermal-underwear.html https://solar.lowtechmagazine.com/2011/02/body-insulation-th...
As they mention in that article, the main advantage of synthetics over wool is that synthetics weigh much less while providing the same insulation. However, I figure this is less important if you're sitting around your house than if you're e.g. hiking and have to carry the weight with you, and wool should be great indoors.
Personally I will avoid buying synthetics from now on in an effort to eliminate plastics / fossil fuel products from my life, and reduce microplastic pollution. I will probably be buying more wool, to avoid "death cloth" / clothes that stop insulating if you sweat / get wet.
Are there any other notable natural fibers besides wool that continue to insulate when wet?
- tristor 4y agoSynthetics do weigh less, and there's definitely a place for them, but this is not without trade-offs. If you're purely trying to warm up, synthetics are superior to wool, but if you want to assist body temperature regulation across a wider temperature band, wool is actually superior to synthetics.
- fractallyte 4y agoFiber pile, for example from Buffalo Systems (https://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/ https://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/) insulates when wet. They even produce clothing for situations where one must remain stationary in Arctic conditions!
- skyfaller 4y agoAre you sure these are natural? In their FAQ, they say: > Is My Buffalo Vegan Friendly? > "Yes - The shell lining we use is 100% Polyamide and our internal lining is synthetic - 100% Polyester. No animal products were used in the production of your Buffalo Systems garment. I think that means it is synthetic, not natural. It may be possible to make fiber pile from natural fibers, but I think this company is using plastic.
- fractallyte 4y agoSorry, misunderstanding. I should have specified it was about synthetics.