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Many of you have asked me why Niagara Adventure Club has a 'No Cotton' policy when it comes to the outdoors. Well, the simple answer is;
Cotton is not the only enemy in the outdoors, but since it is one of the most common fabrics used in everyday clothes, it's the one that most people face without being aware of the risk. Cotton has large spaces between the fibers, and holds a lot of water. It swells up with water and won't let go, acting much like a sponge. Due to its sponging properties, it takes hours to dry, and in a humid environment, drying times increase significantly. So, here you are, carrying a backpack full of heavy gear, and guess what? Now you have to lug around the weight of your own sweat as well. Water is extremely heavy. One Liter (350z) of water weighs 1Kg (2.2Lbs). So you could be carrying an extra kilogram at least! You may be thinking, "So what, I am strong!", and you think carrying the extra weight will help you build your strength and stamina? Think again! In the winter, this water resting up against your skin will freeze. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out why it's not a good idea to have a layer of ice against your skin in an already freezing environment! Hyperthermia may seem bad, and it very much is. But there is almost always a way to warm yourself when going hyperthermic. It's actually much worse in the summer. It doesn't freeze, but it hangs there against your skin. This layer of water will first block any and all wind from penetrating through your clothing to your skin, not allowing your sweat to evaporate. After that, the humidity level next to your skin will reach up to 100%. Well, this is definately not good. Why you ask? Little known fact about the human body; at 70% humidity, your sweat glands shut down. Sweating is the only way the body has to cool itself. If you can't sweat, you will over-heat. It will begin with Heat Exhaustion, very nasty. But the worst is yet to come, when Heat Stroke sets in. And really, on a hot summer day, how do yoyu cool yourself quickly enough to stop this? Short of jumping into a nearby lake or pond, there isn't a whole lot one can do to stop this. Just get ready to find shade and strip down to your undies! I hope this helps everyone understand why Cotton is not your friend. Its very common textile only because it is so cheap and abundant. But, if you're an outdoor enthusiast, you should most definitely stay away from it. 😃