>>1568344moving liquid water has little to do with breathability, which is about moving water vapor
and yes, that's how cotton works, but it is a very simplified view. that also means it lets water through from the outside, and that the water doesn't evaporate as readily as it clings to the cotton. through capillary action, the same can be achieved with polyester knits/weaves, but with better evaporation. although, i think polyester is pretty damn rare in pants or jackets. most are nylon.
>why is performance stuff less durable than cordura (and why are we not clothing ourselves in it?)cordura is nylon 6.6 which is quite a bit stiffer than regular nylon, so it doesn't drape too well and isn't as comfortable. but for durability, it would be the best choice, which is why the reinforcements for army uniforms are usually cordura. there are lots of cordura blends for clothing too, some of which are basically nyco where the cotton is probably placed against the skin for a smoother touch.
outside of cordura, pretty much all hiking pants nowadays are either polycotton or plain nylon (with some elastane, maybe). polycotton definitely has the advantage in looks, spark resistance and some people like to wax it, whereas nylon is more durable (for the weight) and absorbs less water
>hey might temporarily increase the effect, but again, carbon sequestration can offset that on the long termyes, but combined with co2 emissions, it's not offset nearly quickly enough. and you can't say co2 is absolutely more harmful, as methane has a way larger relative impact
