The ABC's of Running Apparel

As featured in the August 2007 Newsletter

Many new runners wonder what they should wear when they run and whether so-called technical running apparel is worth the extra cost. Just like when they first started school, new runners will benefit from learning their ABC's; in this case, "Anything But Cotton!"

Cotton is soft, comfortable, and feels great. That is, until you start to perspire. And when you really start sweating, cotton becomes the enemy. Cotton, by nature, absorbs moisture and holds it within its fibers. That's great for a towel. But when you're running you need fabric that mimics the body's physiology -- and skin does not absorb moisture.

The body sweats in order to have the moisture evaporate and cool the skin. If moisture stays against the skin, the body doesn't cool. It spends more energy trying to cool itself and less energy propelling you forward as you run. By absorbing moisture, cotton inhibits the evaporation process. Finally, when cotton becomes saturated, it becomes abrasive and causes chafing.

So what should a runner do? Easy. Avoid cotton and seek out great technical performance fabrics that aid the body in moving moisture away from the skin. These fabrics have many names and many different manufacturers, but all are made to keep the body in equilibrium and make your run more enjoyable. As your runs get longer, the rate at which the garment moves moisture and the rate at which you produce it should increase proportionally. Higher-end running apparel will be dry when your run is over.

Most technical garments use chemical wicking finishes applied to polyester fabric to achieve this performance benefit. Higher-end fabrics are constructed differently at the knitting stage to create mechanical moisture transfer. These technologies use the entire garment's surface area to speed evaporation at faster rate than the body can do on its own.

Technical garments require very little extra care. You can wash and dry them with your favorite cotton t-shirts, but keep in mind, you should not use fabric softener or other detergents contain surfactants. They coat the fibers and prevent them from doing their job.

So just like when you started school, if you take the time to learn and remember your ABC's, you will benefit. The change to performance fabrics will be noticeable on your very first run. Even more noticeable will be the fact that you are dry and comfortable when you finish that last mile.