dri-fit vs cotton shirts

spacejamz

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
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just curious...i have been using the dri fit type tops (nike, bcg - academy brand) for awhile now and won't ever workout in a cotton shirt again, especially for cardio ...
 

BlackTigers

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2006
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What's the difference?

I just grab one of the many created muscle shirts I have from my closet, lol.
 

spacejamz

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
10,927
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Originally posted by: BlackTigers
What's the difference?

I just grab one of the many created muscle shirts I have from my closet, lol.

dri fit shirts don't aborb near the amount of sweat that a cotton shirt does...when you are sweatin' your @ss off doing your cardio, it is a big difference...
 

conorvansmack

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2004
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I usually wear some form of moisture wicking shirt. I sweat like a piggy, so I need the help. Champion duo-dry shirts do the job and they're relatively cheap at Target.

When I was kickboxing and doing BJJ, I wore Nike dri-fit shirts becasue a cotton shirt was basically just a sweaty towel. It's pretty bad manners to repeatedly wipe a sweaty towel on someone else, so I switched.
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
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I don't really sweat any noticeable amounts so it doesn't really make a difference to me.
 

SWScorch

Diamond Member
May 13, 2001
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I discard a shirt if the weather is over 45 degrees, but if its under or I'm working out inside, gotta be dri-fit. The only time I'll wear cotton if its cold and rainy; then it sticks to my skin instead of bouncing like dri-fit does and doesn't chafe my nipples.
 

dakels

Platinum Member
Nov 20, 2002
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I don't care what kind of shirt for weight training since the gym is freezing cold and dry so what little sweat evaporates instantly. I just try to wear smooth comfortable stuff for less friction. I generally avoid muscle type shirts cuz I want as little of my skin touching shared machines as possible, no matter how clean it is. I'm not a clean freak but I don't need a communicable rash or shingles or something.

For cardio/sports I always wear dri-fit materials. Especially tennis. 90+ degree high humidity (courts are often 110+) and a cotton shirt turns into a heavy wet sponge. Dri fit stays light and doesn't stick to my skin and reduces chafing.
 

DAPUNISHER

Super Moderator CPU Forum Mod and Elite Member
Super Moderator
Aug 22, 2001
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Originally posted by: SWScorch
I discard a shirt if the weather is over 45 degrees, but if its under or I'm working out inside, gotta be dri-fit. The only time I'll wear cotton if its cold and rainy; then it sticks to my skin instead of bouncing like dri-fit does and doesn't chafe my nipples.
I also prefer going shirtless for most stuff. but anything I wear has to wick. Cotton is the death fabric, most the time, here in the southeast U.S.

I don't like rash guards when I surf, so if I don't change my wax when the temperature changes. or I get a little sand in it, I get some serious nipple damage. I didn't realize distance runners may have to deal with the same thing. That first shower is a stinger.

 

GoatMonkey

Golden Member
Feb 25, 2005
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A cotton shirt will hold your sweat in and keep you cooler than a dri-fit shirt. For shorts though, you gotta go dri-fit all the time.
 

DAPUNISHER

Super Moderator CPU Forum Mod and Elite Member
Super Moderator
Aug 22, 2001
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Originally posted by: GoatMonkey
A cotton shirt will hold your sweat in and keep you cooler than a dri-fit shirt.
For colder climate, from what I've read, that is why rescuers refer to cotton as the death fabric. Here in hot&humid Florida, I prefer wicking material, because being dry is more comfortable, and it not only wicks away moisture, but heat as well.

 

potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
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Cotton, moisture wicking make my eczema go nuts every time I take the shirt off and put it on.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
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I do my damndest to avoid working out in cotten. I will do weights, definitely, no worries, but cardio absolutely not. It seems each year when I get to running on the treadmill I'm offended by how profoundly tiring it is and how hot I get. Then I realize it's the cotton shirt. The things are like tents. Replace with a dri-fit wicking shirt and it's like night and day, I can get the same speed for substantially less effort. They have to be one of the inventions of mankind that really do work.