Reexamining Cotton as and Outdoor Performance Material

Amundsen Press:

Cotton has been forgotten—even vilified—by the outdoor industry. Growing up, we all heard the phrase “Cotton Kills” in the outdoors, because it gets wet and stays wet, leaving you cold. But the more we questioned this adage, the less it made sense as an absolute truth. Yes, cotton can get wet and make you cold if it’s next to your skin, but it’s also extremely breathable, durable, and organic. Was there an opportunity to reimagine cotton’s utility as an outer shell—one that wasn’t noisy or plastic and didn’t break down after a few seasons?

Cotton is overlooked for outdoors use. Vollebak knows this among other forward thinking brands, including Amundsen. I have a pair of wool pants from Amundsen and they are frankly amazing. I hiked all summer in 100% cotton shirts from Vollebak, and had no regrets. In the winter we wear cotton Flannel shirts to stay warm, and we don’t seem to die. Filson knows this too.

There’s a time and place for plastic clothing, but more and more, I think the best place for it is wadded up in the bottom of a bag as an emergency item.