Well, first I guess we might be stuck with whatever we're wearing at the time... and then there is personal preference.<br><br>With regard to GoreTex, not all garments are equal. I have one hooded jacket (US Army issue) that I like very much for casual use, and if it's not the height of midwest summer and if conditions do not warrant more protection, it is usually with me on planned outings. It is noisy, and I do not wear it if I am hunting big game.<br><br>There are certainly lighter (less durable) GoreTex garments available. Given a choice for extended rain/wind outer layers, my experiences are that I usually would prefer GoreTex over alternatives... except marine use. Hard to beat traditional foul weather gear for marine use.<br><br>I have a cold-weather view of things from experiences voluntary and otherwise, although I have spent time in equitorial arid climates as well. With that in mind, I have a strong preference for blended "fabrics" that have a "base" of natural fibers, with the sole exception of insulating (aka long) underwear. I do like poly-p underwear, even tho it gets "stinky" fairly fast (I know there are some brands out that have bactericide in them - haven't tried them yet). I prefer the lightweight stuff, BTW, even for extreme (Central Alaska winter) conditions. As I get older, I may move to middleweight, but that remains to be seen. OTOH, I wore wool for many years with no discomfort.<br><br>Socks that I prefer are normally wool based with some nylon for strength and usually a substantial amount of another synthetic yarn. The only all-synthetic socks I have ever liked are a few pairs of a type I hide from my kids (so they won't swipe them) - thick olefin/poly-p/nylon blend that defy description - they work the best of any I've ever used, and if I ever find them again, I'm buying a case.<br><br>I am extremely partial to 60/40 cloth for the shell of outer wear, with the Quarpel treatment. 60 cotton 40 nylon and they do NOT perform like cotton. Trousers, parka shells, etc. Example would be US Army FIELD TROUSERS (NOT BDUs!).<br><br>I like wool trousers a lot, but they are not as over-all versitile performer as the 60/40 cloth.<br><br>I detest 50/50 cotton-poly stuff, although it IS fairly durable. Just does not work well for me (BSA, are you listening?). It is a mediocre performer next to 60/40 ("mountain cloth") cotton/nylon.<br><br>"Outdoor" shirts are wool. Period. Actually, always with 10-15% nylon, and a tight cloth of medium to heavy construction. Commercial or surplus; good wool shirts are easy to come by.<br><br>Now, I use synthetic stuff, too - as additional layers, and I try VERY hard to not use them as outer layers. They are lightweight and for the most part pack up nice and compactly. I have spent enough time around fires to really dislike synthetic outer garments and I will not fly commercial or private (or military) wearing anymore pure synthetics than poly-p long underwear (if needed) and synthetic socks. I have seen first hand the consequences of exposed synthetics in crashes involving fires more than once, and that's enough said on that subject.<br><br>I am still frequently using wool and 60/40 items that I have put through hard service for over 25 years. I have no synthetics that have ever approached that for durable service. The good-news/bad-news is that synthetics are cheaper than their natural counterparts.<br><br>I have strong feelings about what I use because I KNOW what works for me. There have been SOME planned trips where I had to rely much more heavily on synthetics than I like (weight reasons), and they have performed as-advertised - just fine. And I think, for the most part, that's what it comes down to - what you prefer/can afford. Both can work.<br><br>Office wear that can double as make-shift "oops!" clothing depends on what kind of office one works in. Wool trousers (in weights appropriate for the season) are great for "clean" occupations (read desk jobs), and silk shirts are better than cotton for warm weather. (I supose - reluctantly - that 50/50 would be good, too) Wool shirts are a bit more difficult if the office is semi-formal to formal - but I'm not a fashion plate by choice, so someone else who knows more about that stuff should chime in so I can learn some more neat stuff <grin>.<br><br>Again, bottom line is that both work. Both have pluses and minuses. I have yet to be convinced that either extreme point of view is correct for versitle use. About the only thing I endorse is that 100% cotton sucks for outdoors clothing - there are usually better alternatives.<br><br>Hope I didn't muddy the seep too much...<br><br>Regards,<br><br>Tom Ayers