Our research found that the warmest material is wool, with thicker Icelandic wool being even better, and a wool-acrylic blend being somewhere in the middle. The warmest clothing for you will be dictated by the number of layers you can use, and the thickness of the materials you are wearing.
Wool. Why wool keeps you warm: Ever seen a cold sheep? Not likely. That's because wool — and woolen fabric like tweed and flannel — is an excellent insulator.
Linen: The Most Breathable Fabric for the Hottest Climates
It's the flax-based, breathable linen. Linen also has some of the best moisture-wicking properties of any natural fabric, so it feels cool. It also dries quickly so if you sweat, you'll cool off again quicker.
Stylish wool. Yes, you read that right! You might think wool is just for winter, but the qualities that make it keep you warm mean it also keeps you cool in summer. Super-fine merino wool can be as light as cotton, is breathable, moisture-absorbing, antimicrobial (so it won't smell), and offers UV protection.
XPS foams possess excellent thermal resistance properties, effectively inhibiting heat transfer. Their closed-cell structure which makes them highly resistant to moisture absorption — and low thermal conductivity minimize the flow of heat, providing superior insulation against both hot and cold temperatures.
Natural fibers like cotton and linen reign supreme in hot weather because they are masters of breathability. These environmentally friendly fibers allow air to circulate freely, which helps to release trapped heat and maintain a cool feeling against the skin.
Although cotton absorbs a little more moisture, it is unable to wick moisture away from the skin as effectively as linen. Linen is both breathable and highly wicking. Wicking means linen draws moisture (sweat) away from the skin and dries quickly, keeping you more comfortable in the heat.
Polyester is made from plastic fibers. On the upside, it wicks moisture and dries quickly, but it tends to retain bad odors. The breathability varies depending on yarn size and whether it is a knit or weave, but in general, polyester should be avoided in hot weather.
Here's a little piece of advice: Summer clothes like flimsy dresses, skirts, pants: choose cotton lining fabric for cotton garments (lawn, voile, or batiste) and silk lining for silk ones (habotai, chiffon, satin, crepe de chine). Viscose and rayon linings are also a great option.
Cotton is one of the coolest fabrics for summer and hot weather. Not only is it cheap and hugely available, but it is also great for the heat. Cotton is soft, lightweight, breathable, and soaks up sweat, allowing heat to escape the body and for you to stay cool.
Researchers have discovered that tantalum carbide and hafnium carbide materials can withstand scorching temperatures of nearly 4000 degrees Celsius. In particular, the team from Imperial College London discovered that the melting point of hafnium carbide is the highest ever recorded for a material.
Uncoated cotton, linen, nylon and polyester are all classed as breathable fabrics to some degree – meaning they allow sweat and heat to escape through the material. They're different to wicking fabrics, though, which actively pull water from your body.
Wearing lots of layers rather than one thick piece of clothing will help trap your body heat and keep you warmer. Choose clothes made with insulating material, like wool jumpers and thermal underwear, which are best for keeping you warm at home.
Wool scientifically keeps you warmer than cotton and polyester, with Icelandic wool being the warmer variant. Spandex is the best sports material to keep you warm when exercising in winter, closely followed by Gore-tex. A wool-acrylic blend is the best fabric blend for keeping you warm, followed by cotton-acrylic.
Types of Heat Resistant Fabrics
Typical coatings include neoprene, silicone, ceramic, and refractory. These coatings are popular as additional resistant properties are also provided, including abrasion, chemical, and UV resistance. They are also extremely durable, enabling their use in extreme environments.
Avoid cotton, silk, and linen, which absorb moisture, and keep the heat close to your body.
Aerogel is more expensive, but definitely the best type of insulation. Fiberglass is cheap, but requires careful handling. Mineral wool is effective, but not fire resistant. Cellulose is fire resistant, eco-friendly, and effective, but hard to apply.
Cloth is a good insulator because it has no free electrons.
This means that it lacks electrical conductivity and its thermal resistance is high. It has a low density and this also makes it poor at conducting heat.
Materials like cotton, linen and silk are great choices that will serve your wardrobe well as the weather gets warmer – choose correctly and you'll be able to enjoy your whole summer without feeling hot and flustered!
Loose, flowy garments are usually a better choice on sweltering days. The exception: technical fabrics, like those used in athleisure, are often specifically designed to wick away sweat, Song says. Even tighter-fitting garments using these synthetic materials, like polyester and nylon, can help keep you cool and dry.
Ceramic cups, stainless steel cups, vacuum-insulated cups, and ceramic-coated cups are among the top contenders for heat retention.