Blue Skies in Mexico City Clothing Glossary Wicking Property of a fabric to transport moisture away from the skin to the outer side of the fabric where it can evaporate. Wicking is crucial when working up a sweat in cold weather, since you can later become chilled from your own perspiration. Layering Best method of dressing warmly. Inner layer of clothing is a wicking fabric such as polypropylene, pile, or Thermax. Down jackets and wool sweaters are also good.
Outer layer is a shell, which blocks wind and rain.
Layers can be removed and added as conditions change. Synthetic fiber with excellent wicking and warmth. It retains very little water. Polyester Backpackers consider the new formulations of polyester a wonder fiber, even a life-saver. The new polyesters are soft and comfortable to the skin, retain very little water, keep you warm when wet, dry with your own body heat, and wick well.