‘The last thing you want is sweaty feet': the best moisture-wicking underwear, socks and base layers
I've always run on the warm side. Even in winter, I'll return from a bike ride or run with a sheen of moisture on my forehead and damp patches in my pits. When the mercury rises, so do my levels of perspiration, and a sweat test last year confirmed what I'd always known: unlike Prince Andrew, I'm a heavy sweater.
Sweat-wicking clothing can help. But where do you start?
'Generally for sportswear, you're looking for a knitted fabric with high, multi-dimensional stretch, primarily made from synthetic fibres such as polyester, nylon and acrylic,' says Dr Prabhuraj Venkatraman, senior lecturer in textile technology at Manchester Fashion Institute at Manchester Metropolitan University.
These feature a fibre structure that has many internal channels, he says, giving the fabric a fine, porous construction. Excess sweat or moisture from the skin is transferred to the upper layer of the fabric through the numerous channels, where it evaporates.
'Brands enhance that effect through design,' says sportswear designer Chantell Fenton. 'Zoned mesh constructions, strategically engineered knits and seamless garments target areas of high perspiration, such as the back or underarms.'
While ideal for sweat-wicking, synthetic fibres' fossil fuel origins mean they aren't great for the environment, and Fenton says that even recycled synthetics aren't without their limitations. 'These garments still release microfibres into waterways during washing, which are difficult to capture and contribute to marine pollution. While recycled synthetics are a crucial part of the shift toward sustainability, they're not yet a fully circular solution.'
Before you reach for a cotton T-shirt, the natural fibre has a high level of moisture absorption that will leave you with damp fabric directly on the skin that'll soon make you cold. But there are some plant- and animal-based eco-friendly alternatives that are great for wicking away sweat.
'Merino wool is a standout. It's naturally thermoregulating, manages moisture by absorbing it into the fibre's core without feeling wet, and offers built-in odour resistance. It's especially effective in cold and long-duration activities, and recent innovations like non-woven merino constructions reduce production waste and carbon impact,' says Fenton.
Bamboo viscose also offers moisture-wicking and antibacterial properties, while hemp combines low-input farming, durability and UV protection – studies show it's incredibly effective at blocking UVA and UVB rays.
'These materials may not manage moisture in exactly the same way as synthetics, but they perform well within their own context – and critically, many offer long-term sustainability benefits that traditional synthetics cannot, such as decomposing safely, reducing landfill pressure; aligning with circular design, including recycling and composting; and avoiding persistent microplastic pollution, with wool, lyocell, cotton and hemp microfibres breaking down in marine environments over time,' says Fenton.
I asked some of the sweatiest experts in their fields, from a running coach to a mountaineering guide, for the kit they reach for when they want to stay dry, as well as putting some pieces through their paces myself.
ThruDark Stealth seamless base top
£115 at ThruDark
Montane Dart T-shirt
£30 at Montane£28.50 at Amazon
'It's important in terms of sustainability not to have different kit for different seasons. The base layer I wear most of the year is the Thrudark Stealth: it's military tested, thin enough that I can wear it unless it's a roasting hot day, and well built – I've had mine for years, worn it for hours and hours, and there's still no fraying. If it's really hot, I've got a secondary, lighter one by Montane: it's airy, wicks well, and is a solid go-to top if you're starting out.' Kris King, ultrarunner and co-owner of Beyond the Ultimate
Asics base layer SS top
£28 at Asics
Oex Kelso merino long-sleeved top
From £45 at Go Outdoors£52.25 at Amazon
'I do a lot of running, and I need my base layer to be lightweight, easy to move in and not skin-hugging. I'm also quite a sweaty person, and the newer products on the market are so much better in terms of how they wash – you don't get that staining or unpleasant sweaty aroma that comes back every time you put them on. I've recently got into merino wool layers – they're lightweight, so you can wear them in the summer, and if it's a day where it's not particularly warm, it just gives you that little bit of extra insulation without feeling like it's weighing you down.' Jo Wilkinson, former elite runner and coach at Running Jo
David Archy bamboo briefs
From £23.99 for four at Amazon
Uniqlo Airism boxer briefs
£12.90 at Uniqlo
'The main things I need in a pair of underwear are that they're quick drying and have stretchability, so I look for moisture-wicking fabrics like polyester, modal or mesh blends, and flat-lock or seamless designs to reduce irritation. Structure is also important – you don't want them too high because they'll ride up, which can become uncomfortable when running or cycling. In terms of sustainable materials, bamboo is really good – it has natural antibacterial abilities, it's soft and is naturally breathable.' Michael Baah, personal trainer at Michael Baah
Lululemon Wundermost Nulu high-waist thong
£25 at Lululemon
Goodmove ultimate support serious sports bra
£28 at M&S
'It's super important to have sweat-wicking gym clothes that also look good, as I'm rarely just wearing them in the gym: I might be running to pick up my kids, on public transport, or meeting someone for a coffee, and I can't always shower right after. They also need to keep their shape and colour after many washes. Lululemon underwear's seamless fit is comfortable, gives good coverage and is high-waisted, which is great for working out – with the waistband practically sitting on the mid-stomach, it's more likely to stay in place. Good Move by Marks & Spencer has shown how the high street can do sportswear that looks and performs high-end – for the price, the quality of its sports bras is great.' Rosie Stockley, fitness trainer and founder of Mamawell
Arc'teryx Cormac hoodie
£80 at Arc'teryx£80 at Ellis Brigham
Patagonia Capilene midweight crew neck
£79.99 at SportsShoes£80 at Patagonia
'For a summer base layer, I want something with SPF 40 and a hood to keep the sun off of my ears and neck. I also want freedom and range of movement, and length in the body so it doesn't untuck from my harness when climbing. I prefer synthetic materials because they dry fast and last longer. The Arc'teryx Cormac hoodies are the gold standard, while Patagonia's products are made from recycled materials, and some of the brand's profits are used to fight the climate crisis.' Tom Ripley, IFMGA mountain guide
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Craft Core dry active long-sleeve top
From £25 at Mountain WarehouseFrom £26.20 at Amazon
Salomon Sense Aero seamless top
£80 at Salomon
'I don't buy a lot of kit, but when I do, I use it until it's gone. For base layers, the main thing I look for is comfort. I love my Craft one – it's affordable, I don't feel restricted in it, it's breathable on the uphills but keeps me warm on the downs, and it's lightweight, which is handy if doing multi-day hikes and packing a bag. Chafing can be a problem with a rucksack and a sports bra, but I've never chafed when wearing it – its seamless design means there's one less thing to rub against my skin. I've had it for years and it's still going strong. Alternatively, for summer hikes, I've got a really thin, lightweight Salomon one.' Lauren Munro-Bennett, summer mountain leader and sports coach at LMB Coaching
Stance Run Light crew socks
£16.99 a pair at StanceFrom £12.99 a pair at Amazon
Bam mid-length technical running socks
£11.20 a pair at Bam
'When you're pounding the pavement, the last thing you want is hot, sweaty feet. Not only is it uncomfortable, but a buildup of moisture over time could lead to a race-ending blister. The Run Light crew socks from Stance have been my go-to for everything from recovery runs to ultra marathons for several years – their mesh upper section on the forefoot aids breathability while their nylon blend wicks sweat away from hot spots before they become problematic. For an eco-friendly alternative, Bam's bamboo technical running socks keep your feet dry from the first mile to the last.' Charlie Allenby
Naked Nation bamboo trainer socks
£18.50 for three pairs at Naked NationFrom £11.10 for three pairs at Amazon
Under Armour Performance Tech no-show socks
£10 for three pairs at SportsDirect£11 for three pairs at Under Armour
Lululemon Power Stride socks
£28 for three pairs (men's) at Lululemon£28 for three pairs (women's) at Lululemon
'When I'm in the gym, I'm hunting for a thin training sock that allows my foot to breathe while wearing lifting or hybrid trainers. They're preferably below ankle height or hidden, but with some heel support to avoid rubbing. Cotton is my go-to, but bamboo is a good, sustainable option, such as the ones by Naked Nation. My favourite pair are Lululemon Power Stride socks, but Under Armour Performance Tech no-show socks are more affordable and do the job too. If I were trying to get the most for my money, I'd happily use Primark socks, but they tend to get the odd hole when I run in them, whereas the first two options are more durable.' Louis Walcott, personal trainer and yoga teacher
Bridgedale Cool Comfort socks
£22 a pair at Go OutdoorsFrom £14.08 a pair at Amazon
Smartwool Hike Classic Edition cushion crew socks
£22 a pair at Smartwool£22 a pair at Millets
'Getting your socks right can make or break a walk, particularly when encountering tricky terrain or varied elevation. While something lightweight and breathable is a priority – particularly if wearing a waterproof boot that sacrifices some airflow – it's important not to go too minimalist and be left with cold feet on exposed sections of trail. The Cool Comfort option from Bridgedale is my go-to for the warmest walks, while Smartwool's merino wool-based Classic Hike is my preferred choice for every other occasion. Both have kept my feet blister-free after many miles of testing and feature a good balance of support and structure.' CA
Rapha merino base T-shirt
£75 at Rapha
Pactimo Summit sleeveless top
£34 at Pactimo
'After being a warm-weather cycling base layer sceptic, I'm now a convert and wear them year-round. It might seem counterintuitive to add an extra layer into the mix on hot days, but it can actually speed up the wicking of sweat that's sitting on your skin compared with wearing a jersey or T-shirt – minimising damp spots that can become chilly on descents, and boosting all-round comfort. For most of my riding, the merino base layer from Rapha manages my temperature perfectly (and feels silky soft against the skin), while for all-out efforts or sweltering summer spins, the Summit from Pactimo ups the moisture-wicking ante.' CA
Charlie Allenby is a health and fitness journalist who puts running and cycling gear through its paces on increasingly ridiculous endurance challenges
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'A geneticist would say that because we already had a child with it, yes, the chances were higher, but actually based on probability it was a very low chance that he would have it as well. But obviously we were still scared.' A month later she and Freddie were informed that, should a transplant be warranted, Gabriel was a match for Vida. They were cautiously euphoric. 'When we found out that he was a match, it became a bit of a no-brainer. It was a big decision to go ahead with the transplant, because it's high-risk, but around that time the advice was changing: when she was diagnosed as a tiny baby, what we were hearing from the other parents in the DBA community and from her doctor, was this is not a decision you take lightly – it's dangerous, it's a year out of mainstream life, and there are a lot of things that could go wrong. 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'She is concerned about him 'going to sleep'; having his blood removed; we tell her that he has lots of it and that he won't remember […] Until now, Freddie and I have minimised the significance of what he will have to endure – the many blood tests, the general anaesthetic, the soreness in his lower back where the bone marrow will be taken, and the consequent anaemia which will require months of iron supplementation […] we are signing up our baby for the possibility of pain and distress. This doesn't sit comfortably.' In anticipation of the transplant, Vida had spent weeks in hospital, and had a Hickman line fitted through which to administer her 'conditioning treatment' – a cocktail of meds, including the chemotherapy, which inevitably made her ill, and caused her to lose her hair. But the transplant was a success. Gabriel's stem cell donation was 'abundant', her doctor informed them, and the new cells established successfully. She remained in hospital for five-and-a-half weeks as her immune system was non-existent, whereas Gabriel was sent home the following day and made a very quick recovery. When Vida returned home, there were restrictions. She had to take nine different medications four times a day; she had a controlled diet and could only drink boiled water. 'Every aspect of her day is monitored, curated, limited somehow,' writes Holland. Vida is six now, and flourishing. She started school midway through her reception year and is doing well, though she still has many hospital appointments. DBA makes her susceptible to certain cancers, so she has to be careful with sun protection, and she'll be on penicillin for life. Gabriel is sometimes jealous of these precautions and asks for medicine too. 'She's the patient, and it's obviously been hardest for her, but it's also been tough on Gabriel – in different ways. After the transplant, she often had to be readmitted, and we'd have to leave at a moment's notice to go to A&E at St Mary's. That was really hard for him; he was only three.' Vida hasn't questioned the constant hospital visits, Holland says. It's all she knows. 'I spent so long grieving that she was not going to have a normal life, that we were missing out on all the school activities and the swimming lessons – I was so worried about all that, but there have been aspects of it that have been quite wonderful, and I don't say that lightly.' Remarkably, Holland says, 'Vida loves going to hospital now. She used to get very frightened about the blood tests, it was traumatic for her and for us, but when I look at it as a whole, hospital has been a place where she gets focused time with one or both of her parents, she gets a lot of adult attention, she gets art therapy, she gets music therapy, she gets lots of presents. There have been rich moments too as well as very long, very empty, uncertain and frightening days. 'I think that how Vida's trauma is expressed will obviously evolve over time, and I feel I need to be quite alert as to how things could come out for her as she gets older.' At Easter, Vida's school put on an 'Eggstravaganza' where all the children were asked to make a diorama featuring hard-boiled eggs. 'I said, we've got to win this – let's make the hospital.' So they created 'Egg-elina Children's Hospital', based on the Evelina, with yolk transfusions and an 'eggs-ray'. And Vida won. The idea of the book came up while Holland was pregnant with Gabriel. 'I wrote it in a very sort of stolen-moments way, over about four years. The original plan was for it to be about Vida's first year, and finding acceptance, accommodating the unexpected. When things feel really bleak, it's hard to see how any good can come of them, but I know a lot of good has come from what happened. 'Even with the transfusions, I am glad those days are over but I look back on them fondly because I felt so held – particularly in the early days when I was always trying to second guess how she was doing, what her blood count was; I was always gazing at her face and ears and lips, trying to work out how anaemic she was. But when she went into hospital, I was sharing the responsibility. Obviously I wish that Vida hadn't had to go through what she has, and we could have been spared it – but it's sort of all I know now. I've been rewired.' In the UK, one in 25 babies is born with a genetic condition of some kind, and Holland's book will resonate with other parents facing similar challenges. Writing down what happened really helped, she says, 'and having a sense of – it sounds like a cliché – but being able to take control of the story. It was good to put it in my own words; I often don't know how I feel about things until I've written them down.' She is full of gratitude for the NHS. 'The biggest takeaway is just how hugely lucky we are to have the NHS, and what a precious thing it is. It's been incredible. I would love to know what Vida's medical bill is after six years of this; even the chelation medicine she had to have while she was on transfusion was well into five figures a year.' What people can do to help, she says, is give blood. Her book is out, inadvertently, just after World Blood Donor Day, which is on 14 June. 'For an hour spent in a blood donor centre you can save up to three lives. And in order to maintain blood supplies, 140,000 first-time donors are needed every year. 'I would just like to convey that it is an easy thing to do – having watched countless needles go into Vida, I've probably become hardened to it – and it has profound benefits for society.' How does she feel about Vida reading about herself in Lifeblood in the future? 'I feel quite guilty about the fact that for her first year I was just so sad, and I've been worried about what she might experience reading that. But I like to think that what comes across is extreme love.'
