>>2515955Guess dickies counts as a synthetic as it is polycotton. Never find my lower layers smell bad. Usually only shirt and socks. I use wool for the latter even in summer. Only problem with them is they are hard to wash after 2+ weeks of use because they get kind of rough and hand washing won't soften it up.
also if it matters I work in desert, so low humidity, low rain, high wind, hot days, cold nights.
the lanolin oil often in wool is anti microbial so my wool overshirts have never been washed. They used to call Filson mackinaws filthy filsons because the working class people that wore them never washed them for years until it was obvious that the outer wilds were becoming part of the fabric.
I'd rank it as
Wool 5*
Linen/Hemp 4.5*
Cotton/Nylon 4*
Polyester 2* (some exceptions)
Certain weaves will breathe less and trap more of your mojo too. Polyester has always felt that way though despite weaves. I've had it in socks and shirts and coats. Only time I don't feel it is my Dickies 874 65/35 polycotton because they are so baggy and my legs tend to not get funky and a surplus cs95 british smock that is 50/50 polycotton.
I think most of the hiker funk comes from waterproof layers and polyester. The shit that the dryer won't wash out.
