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Avoiding polyester and skin irritants in the linings of waterproofs

by Gubbins
Sat, Aug 20, 2016 10:28
5

I have recently determined through trial and error that polyester irritates my skin and causes my eczema to flare up. Unfortunately most waterproof jackets have polyester linings these days and that's going to cause me problems commuting in the wet and cold of winter. I wear clothes inside my jacket so the concern is mainly around the cuffs and the neck.

This is quite a specialist request, would anyone know of any autumn / winter cycling jackets that eschew polyester in the linings, especially around the neck and the cuffs please?

Also, whilst I wear separate cotton gloves inside my waterproof cyling gloves it would be nice to not have to bother with this too - does anyone have similar glove suggestions?

I don't know how I fare with polyamide or nylon and am willing to give them a shot - do any other posters with skin issues have advice around these materials?

Thanks!

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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5 comments

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multimodal | 7 years ago
1 like

I react badly to polyester too. My skin goes a little red and I sweat more than if I'd run a marathon. I'll admit to not doing a huge number of winter miles, but when out walking in winter or skiing I've found non-polyester neck warmers (as suggested by others) are excellent. I also try to get vented jackets so I can get more airflow in (even though I've got layers on).

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Mr. Sheep | 7 years ago
1 like

I think I'd have every single item of clothing I own made of merino if it was possible and not financial suicide, that stuff is just excellent - I particularly like the fact that it stays "fresh" smelling/feeling for about five times as long as any other material. And the way that it works well in a range of temperatures somehow, it's warm when it's cold but somehow not stuffy if you wear it on a warmer day (within reason 1 ).

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Gubbins | 7 years ago
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Thank you Mr. Sheep and unconstituted, both excellent suggestions. I hadn't thought of merino, wool is traditionally an irritant but merino is as nice as it gets in the wool department and I'll see what I can pick up in those lines.

For neck protection I have ordered some of these cotton roll neck tops, but they don't come with thumb holes: http://www.landsend.co.uk/Mens_Long_Sleeve_Roll_Neck_Super-T/pp/P_24331....

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tritecommentbot | 7 years ago
1 like

Temporary fix could be a merino turtleneck with thumb holes and a long back. Sounds obscure but they're quite popular at the moment

 

http://uk.icebreaker.com/en/mens-tops/bodyfitzone-zone-long-sleeve-half-...

 

http://uk.icebreaker.com/en/snow-sports/apex-long-sleeve-half-zip/102926...

 

Can even totally cover up with hood and long johns. Hooded onesie!

 

http://uk.icebreaker.com/en/snow-sports/bodyfitzone-zone-one-sheep-suit%...

 

Looked up some random softshells I have, all seem to have some polyester in there..

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Mr. Sheep | 7 years ago
1 like

No idea about the jackets but for the gloves, I wear and love a pair of merino interliner-type gloves - they're super-thin so if it's particularly cold I  wear them under other gloves, if it's milder, they are nice on their own to add some warmth without being at all bulky.

I think they're actually for skiing or something like that, but they work well. It's still putting on two pairs of gloves, but I imagine it's a lot nicer than a cotton inner.

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