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Comment by mironathetin | Hacker News Reader

Most shocking - because unexpected - news to me is the plastic waste from the laundry. First time I read about that was only a few months ago.

It means, all our super high tech modern wear finally poisons our drinking water. And the most sporty young cool dressed guys are the worst polluters. One more reason to stay with natural fabrics.

Industry always tries to convince us that their high tech stuff is superior. Honestly, after buying a lot of it, I doubt that's true. All the artificial clothes smell quickly and they are not warm at all. I am switching back to cotton, wool, real leather shoes and (for the winter) down: This all feels great (but needs more attention and care).

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Really? If you don't go outside much, those materials are great. But a lot of synthetic gear is worth it. Cotton is cold when wet. Wool is warm when wet but moths eat it. Down is worse than useless when wet.

"Cotton is cold when wet"

yes, I see that point. For mountain climbers this is bad. For runners, its ok. At least I only stop when I am done and then I take a shower. Even in winter I run with a cotton t-shirt under a cotton sweat shirt. That's fine down to -15 degrees centigrade.

For runners, its ok. At least I only stop when I am done and then I take a shower.

Until you get hurt and have to walk home, shivering the whole way because you wore cotton. I avoid the stuff for running. Plus a wet cotton sweatshirt just sounds miserable.

"Until you get hurt and have to walk home,"

You make me laugh. I run since - 30 years? Once in this time I hurt myself, once my wife fell badly and we had to walk home in the cold. Despite of this, we are still alive and well.

Otoh, coming back with a plastic shirt, in summer or in winter, being dry but smelling like a wet cat, THIS is ugly!

You make me laugh. I run since - 30 years? Once in this time I hurt myself, once my wife fell badly and we had to walk home in the cold. Despite of this, we are still alive and well.

Do what you like, but I wouldn't rely on "I was in a car accident once, wasn't wearing a seat belt, and I lived!" as a reason not to take precautions. If you want to argue longevity and anecdotes, I've run for 40 years and have never walked home. I still don't wear cotton when it's cold or wet.

You should check out some of the new synthetic fabrics. The smell issue was well known and they've done a lot to mitigate it.

That is the weakest arguement I have ever heard, shame on you dude.

Great sentiment, however please consider not buying wool [1], down [2], or leather [3]. Fortunately it isn't to too hard to find comfortable, fashionable, sustainable clothing that uses cruelty-free materials.

[1] http://investigations.peta.org/australia-us-wool/ [2] http://www.peta.org/features/down-investigation/ [3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdnZBJjqWe4

"cruelty-free materials"

Well, the materials are not cruel. Its humans treating the animals. That's no reason not to wear these materials. It's a reason to find the right suppliers.

Certainly a good point.

Another issue is cheap cotton. Especially the dying process can be really dirty. If done in underdeveloped countries, by children - now THIS can be cruel.

Synthetic fiber clothes from china are low quality and hugely overpriced, and I am skeptical about the critical thought processes of anyone wearing those types of clothes.

I'd love to do that. But wool itches; down coats are very prickly. Drives me mad. And cotton gets even a little damp, its miserable.

"But wool itches"

Some does. Wool should't touch the skin. Same with leather, btw. because of the chemical residuals from tanning.

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