No, they don't. Then again, neither does Gore-Tex - and it's not at all hard to demonstrate.

I admit to being a fan of natural fibers, after many years of buying and discarding synthetics. In my experience, synthetic products very rarely perform up to their advertising copy.

Nothing has yet been able to duplicate the wide temperature range of wool; silk long johns are warm and don't smell like polypro does after a couple of days; and waxed cotton shrugs off abrasion that quickly shreds Gore-Tex.

The performance of natural fibers doesn't degrade as much when dirty as synthetics do, and they are generally flame resistant - an important consideration around a campfire. They're a better use of one's money as well - It's not unusual to find a Filson wool coat that is 40 or 50 years old, and as serviceable as the day it was made. I've not had a synthetic garment yet that held up in both performance and appearance more than a season or two.

Admittedly, I'm rough on clothing as I tend to do things that take me well off the beaten path. It's not like I'm Grizzly Adams, but when I do get out it's not on nicely manicured trails.

I'm not slavish about this, understand - here in the continuous wet climate of Oregon, down sleeping bags seem to feel constantly clammy even if they don't actually get wet. I much prefer a quality synthetic for this reason. If I lived in Alaska or Colorado (or even the east side of my own state), my opinion would probably be different.

The Conovers, in their book "The Winter Wilderness Companion", put their feelings succinctly: "[Synthetic clothing] begins as junk, and stays junk all the way to the landfill." I'm no "greenie", but the truth of that statement hits home with me.

-=[ Grant ]=-