This article will compare nylon vs. polyester hiking pants head-to-head to help you understand the difference between the two. This article is helpful to you!
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Nylon And Polyester Hiking Pants: Comparison Table
Hiking is a fun outdoor activity but also a challenging task. As a result, you must pick proper clothing, such as nylon vs. polyester pants, for the most comfort.
While both are perfect choices for a hiking trip, you shouldn’t confuse these two pants with each other. In what respects are they different?
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What is the difference between Nylon and Polyester Pants?
Nylon and polyester are quite similar, and they will work well for hiking and trekking. But each material has its pros and cons.
Pros
1. Nylon Pants
- Doesn’t Stink
One of the biggest problems with polyester pants is that they stink a lot, but it is no problem for the nylon models as nylon fabric does not absorb body sweat.
Hence, no matter how much you sweat, these pants will not stink. Although they sometimes stink because of poor quality material or you sweat too much.
But after the proper laundry, they will not show any lousy stink and smell.
- Durable
Durable is one of the places where nylon pants shine. Nylon pants are a one-time investment, allowing you to use them for many years.
As we all know, hiking is one challenging sport, which can make your clothes tear easily if you are not careful. So investing in good pants with additional durability is wise.
- Breathable Material
If you put on polyester pants, it is easy to feel your pants on the skin. These pants irritate some hikers since they don’t have the right breathability.
On the flip side, nylon pants are very breathable, meaning whenever a person puts on nylon pants, these pants won’t stick to their skin, are more comfortable and looser, and deliver more airflow to their legs.
Nylon pants will lower sweating significantly, so hikers with sweat problems should always consider these pants.
- Not Oleophilic and Water-Resistant
Like polyester, nylon is one of the water-resistant materials. Although polyester material is known to be better water-resistant, nylon isn’t oleophilic.
It is not necessary to bother about getting wet while hiking and trekking. But it does not absorb the sweat or moisture from the body.
One of the substantial pros of nylon pants is their water resistance. So they will withstand the water and dry faster than many other materials.
2. Polyester Pants
- More warmth
Polyester does not absorb water. Also, polyester pants serve as additional heat support to your legs in winter.
So if you’re in the winter season, you can’t go wrong with a decent pair of polyester pants, as nylon pants feel cooler when wet and stay wet longer.
- Polyester Dries Faster
As we all know, polyester is Hydrophilic, meaning this material absorbs less water. So, this material absorbs less moisture, allowing it to dry faster.
If you compare polyester pants to nylon ones, the former option takes almost five minutes less to dry. So, there’s no doubt that polyester pants are ideal for rainy seasons.
- Better Water-Resistant
Both materials feature water-resistant characteristics, but scientific evidence supports that polyester pants are better than nylon ones. The former material can absorb oil, not water.
Moreover, the nylon pants’ absorbing capacity is greater than its polyester counterpart. Polyester is approximately 0.4 percent absorbing capacity, while nylon is approximately 4 percent.
Cons
1. Nylon Pants
- Longer Period to Dry
The nylon material will take much more time to dry than polyester.
Even though nylon features great moisture absorption capacities, it is still less than its polyester counterpart.
- Not Ideal during Winter
These pants are ideal for summer but putting on nylon pants isn’t a good choice as nylon does not provide warmth like polyester.
These pants also will take much longer to dry. Hence, you should not wear nylon pants during winter.
2. Polyester Pants
- Less Durable
During trekking or hiking, your pants need to be durable, as hiking is a challenging task. Nylon fabric, no doubt, is more durable and versatile than polyester. If your hiking trip includes rough terrain, choosing nylon pants is wise.
- Fabric Stinks
Polyester does not absorb water, but it can absorb oil. So when your body secretes oil through your sweat.
Then, your sweat will bind with your polyester pants and make an odor smell.
It will get much worse on summer days when the temperature elevates. Your pants will become warmer and absorb more oil, while you tend to sweat more.
Hence, after a while, the odor and stink would be so much, sometimes making it challenging for you to put on your polyester pants.
After washing your polyester pants, they will be good as new. But after a while, you will deal with the same problem.
Nylon And Polyester Pants: Which one is best for you? Final Verdict
So we’ve walked you through the pros and cons of nylon and polyester pants. Now is the time to answer the critical question: Which should you choose?
The answer should depend on your hiking terrain, requirement, and weather conditions.
For example, you can opt for polyester pants if you are going to hike in the rainy or winter seasons. During the winter, polyester pants will offer warmth and dry up faster during rainy seasons.
On the flip side, when you’re on rough hikes, nylon pants are durable, versatile, and can withstand any harsh terrain surface.
Nylon pants could be one good option in summer since they are incredibly stretchable and breathable, allowing them to deliver more comfort.
If you are struggling with a sweating problem, the nylon option is your best bet since it doesn’t stink like polyester pants.
Remember the above information, and you will make the best decision!
FAQ
If you still need more information about Nylon And Polyester Pants, don’t skip this section. I will answer all your questions about these two products to give you more insights into their qualities.
Is Polyester or Nylon Better for Pants?
Each material has its own strengths and weaknesses. So no one is better than the other.
Is Polyester Or Nylon Better for Hiking?
You should pick polyester pants if you are going to hike in the rainy or winter seasons.
During the winter, these pants will offer warmth and dry faster in rainy seasons.
Nylon pants could be one good option in summer as they’re incredibly stretchable and breathable, enabling them to deliver more comfort.
If you are struggling with a sweating problem, nylon pants will be your best bet since they do not stink like polyester pants.
Which Is More Waterproof, Polyester Or Nylon?
Polyester resists water better than nylon.
Is Nylon Safer Than Polyester?
Nylon tends to be more weather-resistant and durable, making it more likely to be utilized in outdoor gear or apparel.
Does Sweat Smell With Nylon?
Nylon can cause sweat smells, but not as severe as polyester.
Which Is Softer: Polyester Or Nylon?
Nylon may be slightly softer than polyester; it’s also much stronger.
Are Nylon Pants Good for Summer?
One of the great things about nylon pants is their breathability. Whenever you are wearing them, they will not feel sticky but rather comfortable and loose.
Is Polyester Cooler Than Nylon?
Nylon tends to be warmer than polyester, and can be more sweaty or cling more to your body.
Is Nylon 100% Water Resistant?
Nylon is not waterproof and can actually absorb water, making them ideal for summer.
Are Polyester Pants 100% Waterproof?
It is not 100% waterproof. Instead, it is protective enough for most everyday situations, such as rain and snow.
