I used to think that the quick drying label on high end swimwear was just a cheap marketing gimmick designed to make people spend twice as much money on a basic piece of nylon. Back when I only swam in indoor public pools it really did not matter because the second I finished my laps I would immediately jump into a hot shower change into dry clothes and drive home. But a few years ago I started getting really into wild river trekking and coastal camping and that was when I learned the absolute hard way that a soggy swimsuit is the ultimate vibe killer. I remember doing this gorgeous seven mile hike into a hidden canyon in Chiang Mai and because I wore a cheap fashion bikini under my hiking shorts I spent the entire trek back feeling like my skin was being shredded by sandpaper. If you are someone who actually plays outside in nature instead of just modeling next to a resort pool the speed at which your swimwear sheds water is not just a luxury. It is actually a huge safety factor that can completely make or break your entire outdoor experience.
The agonizing reality of severe skin chafing on the trail back home
Let us talk about the absolute worst part of hiking in wet clothes which is the nightmare scenario of friction and chafing. When you jump into a wild river or a waterfall your swimsuit absorbs a massive amount of water along with tiny invisible grains of river sand and grit. If your suit is made of a heavy standard fashion fabric that holds onto moisture like a sponge that wet material is going to rub against your inner thighs and underarms with every single step you take on the hike back. The constant friction combined with salt and moisture creates a horrible burning rash that can literally leave your skin raw and bleeding before you even reach the trailhead. A high tech quick drying suit sheds that excess water within ten or fifteen minutes of you stepping out of the river which means the fabric shrinks back to its tight dry shape and stops sliding around against your skin.
The hidden danger of rapid hypothermia when the mountain sun goes down
Another massive reason why outdoor players are completely obsessed with fast drying materials is the dangerous reality of body temperature drops. When you are active and swimming in a river during the peak afternoon heat you feel amazing and totally refreshed. But the second you step out of the water and start climbing up a shaded mountain path or when the evening wind suddenly kicks in your body temperature will plummet instantly if you are wearing wet clothes. Wet fabric draws heat away from your core at an alarming rate which can easily trigger early stages of hypothermia even in relatively warm tropical climates. You will find yourself shivering uncontrollably with zero energy left to finish your climb because your body is wasting all its power trying to dry out your heavy clothes. Having a suit that vaporizes moisture instantly allows your natural body heat to keep your skin warm and safe the second you start moving again.
Why soggy swimwear will absolutely ruin your expensive outdoor gear and car seats
There is also a very practical logistical nightmare that comes with packing up after a long day of outdoor adventures. If you are camping out in the wilderness or living out of a backpack for a few days you do not have a laundry dryer or a balcony to hang your wet stuff on overnight. If your swimsuit takes twenty four hours to dry you are forced to shove a damp smelly ball of nylon deep inside your expensive hiking pack. That trapped moisture creates the perfect environment for mold and foul bacteria to grow which completely ruins the technical waterproof linings of your backpack and makes all your other clean clothes smell like a swamp. Plus nobody wants to ruin the leather or fabric seats of their car by sitting on a towel that is completely soaked through because their bikini bottoms refuse to dry.
How to spot the right technical fabrics that actually dry in fifteen minutes
So how do you actually avoid buying a fake quick drying suit when you are shopping online or at an outdoor gear store. You need to completely step away from heavy padded tops and fancy textured ribbed fabrics because those materials have too many pockets that trap water for hours. Instead look for ultra thin single layer suits made of high grade recycled polyester or specialized nylon blends that feature a durable water repellent coating. You want a fabric that feels slick and almost paper thin to the touch because these materials do not allow water molecules to penetrate deep into the actual core of the synthetic threads. It might feel a bit less soft than your everyday cozy lounge bikini when you first put it on but the sheer speed at which it handles moisture in the wild will make you a believer on your very first outdoor trip.
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