Winter is that time of the year when you brace the cold weather and prepare for it with the right clothes.
Depending on the region you live in, the activity you will do, your personal preferences, you choose the layering that suits you best.
There are a lot of materials out there, and each one has its characteristics. A material can be good for one purpose but can be terrible for another.
So it is important to have the right information and do a little bit of research before deciding to buy something.
Today we will learn about how Nylon performs in winter weather. Nylon is a synthetic material that usually has that silk feeling. You find it also with the name Polyamide.
Let’s find out more!
Table of Contents:
1. Nylon: A Short History
Nylon was one of the first synthetic fibers, created in 1930 by DuPont. Later, in 1939 it was further developed the nylon we know today. The main goal was to create a material that resembled silk.
First, it was used in nylon stockings. They were a sensation when first released in Wilmington, Delaware, on October 24, 1939. On what is now known as “Nylon Day” on May 15, 1940, four million pairs of brown nylons sold out within two days.
Read also: Nylon vs Polyester Leggings: Which is Better? Which Should You Choose?
Until that moment, women were obliged to buy silk or rayon socks that were very delicate and very difficult to wash. Nylon offered similar features while costing a lot less.
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Nylon’s success in fashion continued for a brief time. Because of World War II, it was only used for military purposes. U.S.’s national defense asked for parachutes, ropes, aircraft fuel tanks, tire cords, shoelaces, mosquito netting, and hammocks.
After the war was finished Nylon got back into the market and later expanded in other apparel. Today Nylon is widely found in many types of clothing.
2. Nylon Characteristics
Nylon is widely used in different industries because of its qualities. Depending on how it is treated, nylon can be shiny and soft, such as in scarfs, or it can be stiff and rough, such as in backpacks.
As we mentioned before, nylon is known as a very strong and durable material, and it lasts for a long time.
Compared to other synthetic materials, it is more flexible, so it goes back to shape. However, its flexibility is a matter of the weaving or knitting and how it is processed.
It is a water-resistant material, having very low adsorption. This is why it is so widely used in umbrellas for example. In fact, this is what makes it so widely used in garments that are planned to be used in rainy weather.
One of the main characteristics is that nylon is very lightweight making it so preferred in clothes.
Another quality is the resistance to abrasion which is very important, especially for those clothes intended for outdoor wear.
Due to its oleophobic nature, it does not mind oil stains or body odor.
Don’t miss: Is Polyester Good for Running?
3. Is Nylon Good for Winter?
Despite all its good qualities, the answer is: it depends on where it is used.
Nylon is not a good material when it comes to insulation, for that there are other materials that perform way better than it does.
Since its main feature is water repellency, which makes it a great outer shell, it is great for rain jackets or other garments that require this quality.
Even if you wear the most insulating material out there, if it goes wet, not only it will lose its insulating ability, but it will perform in the opposite, making you feel much colder.
This is why you find it used in snow jackets, but always in the outside layer. The inside is usually polyester because it has better performance when it comes to insulation.
While Nylon won’t keep you super warm, it will surely keep you dry.
Read next: Norrøna vs Arc’teryx Women’s Ski Jackets: Which Brand To Choose?
4. To Conclude
Nylon is one of the best materials created by humans. It has some pretty good qualities that make it so used in sports garments and not only.
When it comes to whether it is good or not to be used in winter, Nylon is not a good insulating material.
Because of its water-resistance Nylon serves best as an outer shell to protect from the rain or the snow.
