Is Nylon a Breathable Fabric? Alternatives To Nylon For Summer

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the breathability of nylon and find out what makes nylon so popular for clothing.

The most essential quality of a summer fabric is that it needs to be breathable – breathable fabrics essentially speed up the evaporation process and help you stay sweatproof and cool. Because it is sturdy and long-lasting, nylon is one of the synthetic fabrics that are most frequently used in clothing.

So, is nylon a breathable fabric? The answer is that nylon is not a breathable fabric. Contrary to popular belief, it actually has the opposite effect and traps heat and perspiration close to your body.

Keep reading our article to learn more about nylon’s breathability. It examines the issue to let you know when the best time is to wear this material.

Is Nylon a Breathable Fabric?

One of the best fabrics on the market, nylon has many advantages. Nylon does not breathe as well as natural fabrics like cotton or wool, which is one of its drawbacks. This means that it can trap heat and moisture against your skin, which can be uncomfortable in warm weather.

So, if wearing nylon in the summer is something you’re considering, you might want to think about a different, more breathable material.

Further Reading:

• How to Clean Nylon Fabric?
• How to Soften Nylon Fabric?
• Does Nylon Fabric Shrink?
• How to Get Wrinkles Out of Nylon Fabric?
• How to Care for Nylon Fabric?

Is Nylon More Breathable Than Cotton?

Cotton is pretty difficult to beat when it comes to breathability. Cotton is probably one of, if not the most, breathable fabrics you can wear. Along with that capability, cotton is easy to care for and brings a lot of softness and comfort to your activities.

On the other hand, nylon is not created like cotton and, despite the fact that it might feel a little soft, its purpose is not to resemble cotton. Like cotton, the only variable in breathing is how it is made. Like cotton, nylon fabric is available in various qualities, so some varieties may breathe better than others.

The material would still lag behind top cotton or cotton blends in terms of breathability even if nylon were blended with a top-notch breathing fabric. Verify the brand and the manufacturer to determine whether the nylon you are purchasing is of the highest caliber.

Expecting to look cool while wearing a piece of low-quality clothing is unrealistic. Better quality nylon should breathe fairly well and meet your expectations.

It is important to know whether your fabric is breathable before you buy it. If it is not a breathable fabric, it may make you sweat and uncomfortable. Below, we reviewed the breathability of different types of fabrics:

Does Nylon Or Polyester Breathe Better?

Although nylon is meant to be a step up from polyester, the two materials share many manufacturing processes, which can sometimes make comparisons between the two materials challenging. Both materials, as mentioned in the previous section, have different qualities, so their breathing capacity will vary from level to level.

Because nylon dries just as quickly as polyester and polyester repels moisture just as well, both materials are used. However, they both keep sweat and moisture close to the body and make you feel hotter than usual.

In terms of breathing, the two fabrics are roughly equal. Given that natural fibers tend to blend in with polyester when combined, nylon may outperform polyester in the blended category. Even if the polyester content is only 40%, the sweat will still be retained.

In order to swim more quickly and easily, nylon is best used when swimming. Your skin may chafe due to the nylon in your clothing, which is not ideal on hot summer days. Although nylon is strong and stretches, it may not be the best material when it gets hot outside.

Can We Wear Nylon Clothes in Summer?

There are some summertime uses for nylon despite the fact that it is not breathable. First of all, nylon is light and airy, which can help you stay cool in hot weather.

Second, nylon is also quick-drying, which means it will not hold onto moisture like other fabrics. Wearing nylon clothing can help you benefit from these advantages in the summer, but keep in mind that breathability will need to be sacrificed.

Related: Is Nylon a Good Fabric for Underwear?

Does Nylon Make You Sweat?

It would be one of the factors involved when you sweat. The two main factors that cause you to perspire are typically the physical activity you are engaging in and the temperature. The heat your body produces is trapped by nylon and other materials, making you even hotter.

Your body will become more heated and sweat more if the heat cannot escape from it. The answer is technical “Yes,” nylon does make you perspire. Wearing nylon clothing will likely make you feel hotter than usual because it is not intended to be breathable like cotton is.

Additionally, when wearing nylon on a warm day, be prepared to feel a little more uncomfortable. In addition to not effectively absorbing sweat, that fabric traps it next to your body. You might squirm because of that, and the sweat may be contributing to your unease.

Avoid wearing nylon clothing in your closet during the summer and opt instead for summer-appropriate clothing made of natural fibers.

What Are Some Alternatives to Nylon for Summer Clothing?

If you care about breathability, check out the list of alternate fabrics below for use in hot weather.

• Cotton: Cotton is a popular material for summer clothing because of its high level of breathability and lightweight. Additionally, it absorbs moisture, keeping you cool and dry throughout the summer. Its relative lack of durability and potential maintenance challenges are the main drawbacks.
• Wool: Wool is a versatile fabric, suitable for winter and summer. Because it is insulating, it is useful in the winter, and because it is light and breathable, it is excellent for summer clothing. Wool is also absorbent, so it whisks sweat away from your body in the summer heat.
• Linen: Along with being lightweight, having open fibers, and being absorbent, linen is the ideal fabric for hot climates. You can wear your linen clothing all year round because it is breathable.
• Hemp: Hemp is another summer clothing favorite because of its high degree of breathability. Additionally absorbent, the fabric works well to wick sweat away from the body in hot weather. But because hemp fabric requires so much upkeep, it won’t last very long if you don’t.
• Silk: Silk is ideal for summer clothing because it is breathable and light. This opulent fabric is also absorbent, but unlike the other fabrics on this list, it is not as durable as nylon.
• Rayon: Rayon shares the same properties as silk, making light, smooth summerwear affordable. The thin fibers in rayon fabric make it lightweight and breathable, which makes it ideal for use in the summer. Additionally, sweating doesn’t cause it to stick to your body.

Conclusion: Is Nylon a Breathable Fabric?

Nylon is a popular fabric for clothing because it is strong and durable. But unlike natural materials like cotton or wool, nylon is not as permeable. It can thus trap heat and moisture against your skin, causing you to feel warm and perspiring.

There is a place and use for nylon. It is a sturdy fabric that performs admirably in particular circumstances. But if those conditions change, then nylon may not be the best fabric to wear.

FAQs