Why no denim?

[JesseR]

As I continue to read different collections of information I continually read that your extra clothing should not be denim. Why? What type of material should be packed?

Aside from wool socks, layered clothing, why no denim?

 

[mightymouse]

As I continue to read different collections of information I continually read that your extra clothing should not be denim. Why? What type of material should be packed?

Aside from wool socks, layered clothing, why no denim?

My guess is that denim, made from cotton, gets wet and stays wet for a long time. Didn't they used to say, "Cotton kills"?

 

[Lurker66]

I dunno either, but the coldest i ever got, i was wearin jeans.

 

[p238shooter]

If I can't wear jeans, it must be either a funeral or a wedding, otherwise I will be wearing jeans or be naked. Wifey bought me some silk shorts to run around the house in, but I did not think that fit into the conversation.
Allergic to wool, makes me itch. Lurker66, if you had been wearing paper sacks in the same situation would you have been warm?
Cotton works pretty good in most situations. Kelvek works better in others. If I am out in the everywhere or the nowhere, jeans and a cotton shirt work well for me. Silk works well around the house. Others may vary.

 

[arkmark]

Main reason I'm not a fan is that its a heavy load to carry and if it gets wet its way heavy, and it takes for ever to dry. My old bdu pant and other hiking pants that I've got are usually dry within an hour when you get them wet and they don't get stiff and chaff after a few days of wear.

 

[BadgeBunny]

Actually, believe it or not, paper is a pretty good insulator, even when wet. Homeless folks use newspaper all the time to cover up with in cold weather. It used to weird me out to see the homeless guys downtown doing this but the boys tried it one winter in the backyard and it works -- and works really well.

I was a non-believer too until GC and I attended a concert and I, in my cotton sweatshirt got soaked to the core on a cold, rainy day. During the concert (read: surrounded by plenty of people and the body heat they generated) I was relatively comfortable. On the way back to the car I got so cold I began to shake. I mean shake and shiver so hard I could hardly walk. GC kept telling me if I'd take that sweatshirt off I'd be warmer ... I thought he was daft.

Finally, just to shut him up, I took that sweatshirt off. Sure enough, I warmed right up. I'd have certainly never guessed it. Now, when I get wet and I have cotton on, I'm the first one outta my clothes ... I don't care who's looking ... Because I have a terrible time with hypothermia (that's the one where you get too cold, right?).

All of that said, I still have my jeans ... And cotton t-shirts ... Cotton is okay dry, not so okay wet IMHO ...

I have some silk thermals I picked up on clearance that I LOVE ... under my cotton jeans ... best of both worlds ... long as I am not wet ...

 

[EFsDad]

Allergic to wool, makes me itch.

If you are truly allergic to wool I am sorry.

If you don't like it because it itches, then try Merino or Cashmere wool.

They are soft and still will keep you warm when wet and breath when you are hot.

Can't beat mother nature at her own game!

 

[Lurker66]

Nothing could have saved me that day. Got drunk, Got rained on, passed out on a cement slab, started to sleet and freeze, woke up shakin bad and covered with ice.

None worse for wear, cept i dont "party" with strangers anymore.

 

[Surveyor1653]

My guess is that denim, made from cotton, gets wet and stays wet for a long time. Didn't they used to say, "Cotton kills"?

Yes, and they still do. Because it does.

 

[BadgeBunny]

Nothing could have saved me that day. Got drunk, Got rained on, passed out on a cement slab, started to sleet and freeze, woke up shakin bad and covered with ice.

None worse for wear, cept i dont "party" with strangers anymore.

Jeez Lurker ... It's a wonder you still have your toes and fingers ...