Understanding Wicking Fabrics (1/4)

At NexTex, we live and breathe in the world of textile innovation. After launching TurboDry® in 2020 and conducting hundreds of meetings, we realized there are common misconceptions about what moisture wicking is, how it works, and how wicking fabrics have evolved over the years.

In this 4 part series we provide context for the what wicking really is, what it is not, and how the incorrect use of the term - wicking - limits our understanding of moisture management performance. In doing so, we hope to share a compelling argument for why TurboDry® is creating a new standard and adding a new dimension in drying technology for wicking fabrics.

What is wicking?

According to Merriam Webster, the first known use of ‘wicking’ was in 1846 derived from the word wick - a bundle of fibers or a loosely twisted, braided, or woven cord, tape, or tube usually of soft spun cotton threads that by capillary attraction draws up to be burned a steady supply of the oil in lamps or the melted tallow or wax in candles.

This capillary action has been around since the dawn of time as it is the same method that plants use to draw fluid from their roots to their leaves, flowers, and fruits for nourishment.

When we think of wicking fabrics, we assume that they are performance materials that dry faster and move perspiration, but how the fabrics achieve this and in which direction the moisture is moving is largely a mystery to the everyday consumer. While the term wicking was derived from the candle wick in 1846, much innovation with respect to wicking materials used in performance apparel has been developed over the last 38 years.

Despite the rapid emergence of fabric technology, the prolific use of the broad stroke term, "wicking", has limited our ability to define and truly understand performance of a moisture management material. Through the exploration of the history and testing methods used in the apparel industry we will reveal how to holistically understand (moisture manage) performance - not just wicking.

Stay tuned for our next post - When Wicking Fabrics Emerged - or follow the link to read our full article Understanding Wicking – Is There A New Standard on our blog.