Is Linen Or Cotton Cooler?
Linen and cotton are both popular fabrics for clothes, but is cotton or linen cooler? The answer is linen is cooler! When it comes to breathability, linen comes out on top. This is because linen has longer fibers and a looser weave, allowing air to pass through more easily and keeping your body cooler at night. Linen is also very light and is loosely woven which allows heat to escape from the body. It absorbs a lot of moisture and dries quickly, keeping you cool and dry. In contrast, cotton has a tighter weave, which can trap heat and make you feel hotter while you sleep. Linen is the top choice for a breathable fabric to wear in hot weather conditions.
In the hot and humid summer, many people will choose cotton or Linen short sleeve shirt because they are breathable and comfortable. But comparing of them, is linen or cotton cooler ? The answer is that linen clothes are cooler to wear in the summer. The reason is linen is more breathable, highly absorbent and has high heat-conductivity. But linen also has some disadvantages, such as linen can be relatively stiff, and it is easy to shrink. Which one will you choose?
Does Linen Keep You Cool?

Does linen keep you cool?Yes! Linen can keep you cool! Linen is known to keep you cooler than cotton because of its breathability and moisture-wicking properties. The wide, lengthy fibers of linen allow air to pass through the fabric, so you sweat less and stay cool. While coolness is an important factor, it’s not the only consideration when choosing summer clothing. You should also be aware of the different properties of cotton and linen and what they mean for you to make the best choice.
What Makes Linen One Of The Greatest Summer Fabrics?

- Breathability
Linen is naturally breathable due to its wide, hollow fibers that allow air to circulate around your skin rather than clinging to your body, like some synthetic garments. It is also loosely woven and has a relaxed, flowing style, which means it stays away from the body and doesn’t stick to the skin. This provides coolness and comfort even in extremely hot weather
- Moisture-wicking properties
Linen has moisture-wicking properties that take sweat and moisture away from your skin. This ensures that you feel dry and comfortable, no matter how high the temperature climbs. In hot and humid weather, this is a lifesaver.
- Temperature regulation for cool comfort
Linen clothing and bedding keeps your body temperature more even than other fabrics thanks to the weave of the linen fibers. Heat can escape, unlike with synthetic fabrics that trap heat next to your body. Natural materials like linen and cotton are a much more comfortable choice in summer than man-made clothing or bedding.
- Absorption and release of moisture
Linen fabric can absorb a high proportion of moisture – up to 20% of its weight – but it also allows this to evaporate off quickly. This means your clothes stay dry if you sweat, and will dry more quickly than heavy cotton or denim if you get caught in a summer downpour.
Cotton Vs Linen: Is Linen Cooler Than Cotton?
Let’s take a closer look at how linen compares to cotton. Cotton has a tighter weave than linen, which can trap heat and make you feel hotter while you wear it. In contrast, the looser weave of linen allows air to circulate around your body, keeping you cool and comfortable. Additionally, linen is more absorbent than cotton, so it can help wick away sweat and moisture from your skin, further enhancing its cooling effect. Let’s look at more detals:
- Breathability
Linen is more breathable than cotton due to its wide, hollow fibers. It is also loosely woven and has a relaxed, flowing style, which means it stays away from the body and doesn’t stick to the skin. This allows air to easily pass through the fabric, providing coolness and comfort even in extremely hot weather.
- Absorbency
Linen is highly absorbent, able to absorb up to 20% of its weight in moisture before feeling wet. While cotton has better absorbency overall, linen performs better due to its wicking ability. Moisture is quickly wicked away, allowing the fabric to dry much faster than cotton. This makes linen an ideal choice for people who sweat a lot and for breathable, absorbent linen sheets.
- Heat-conductivity

Linen has high heat-conductivity, which means it releases body heat into the environment, allowing for improved cooling. Its weave also reflects heat better than cotton. Linen acts as an excellent self-cooling mechanism and has a thermal conductivity claimed to be five times that of wool and eighteen times that of silk.
The characteristics and advantages of flax are enough to make us overlook the disadvantages of linen clothing. Although linen and cotton both have their advantages, linen is generally considered to be the superior choice for summer clothing due to its breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and ability to keep you feeling cool and comfortable even in the hottest weather.
What Is Bad About Linen?

Is cotton or Linen cooler? While linen has many advantages, there are a few drawbacks to consider.
Firstly, linen can be relatively stiff, especially if you opt for more affordable linen. It can feel rough before you wash it a few times. However, as time goes on, it will get softer and more comfortable. Secondly, linen wrinkles and creases easily, making it a bit difficult to clean. It can lose its appeal if you wash it with hard water. It is also advised not to fold linen clothing as it will create wrinkles, instead hanging it is the best option.
Secondly, While linen does a great job of keeping you cool, it may not insulate as well as cotton. This can be a double-edged sword and sometimes cause problems, especially when moving from hot outdoors to air-conditioned indoors, where you may feel cold.
Lastly, linen is generally more expensive than other fabrics due to its production process. Because it is inelastic, it can easily break into the production process, resulting in a higher cost of production and overall higher price.
Does Linen Shrink?

Linen, like cotton, has a tendency to shrink. This can be avoided by washing or cleaning linen clothing in warm (NOT hot) or cold water. Bright linen clothing should only be washed in cold water to prevent fading. Hot water should be avoided at all costs when washing linen items to prevent shrinkage.
In short, linen and cotton are very comfortable, but cool in the summer or linen is cooler. But linen will also have some disadvantages, such as easy to shrink, easy to crease, and the style of clothes compared to other fabrics less clothing style. But because of the breathable, cool, and elegant texture, linen clothes are becoming more and more popular. Come and choose one for this summer.
PHALAR is a linen brand that has many famous designers, so its clothes are guaranteed to be comfortable and stylish at the same time. And, because it has a very good supply chain, its prices are very advantageous. Come and choose a linen clothes for yourself!
FAQ
Does linen actually keep you cool?
Linen absorbs a lot of moisture and dries quickly, keeping you cool and dry at all times. Its molecular structure also means that it can absorb as much as 1/5 of its weight before giving a feeling of being damp or wet – the perfect cooling system for the hotter weather.
Is cotton or linen better for hot weather?
Linen sheets are also super soft against the skin, and get even softer with each wash, which makes them the ideal choice for summer bedding. Cotton will absorb sweat, but it isn’t as effective at releasing moisture back into the air as linen. There are other reasons why we’d choose linen over cotton too.Is cotton or linen better for hot weather?
What is the coolest fabric to wear in summer?
Breathable Fabrics
- Cotton.
- Nylon and Polyester.
- Rayon.
- Linen.
- Silk.
- Merino Wool.
What clothes stay cool during heatwave?
Choose light colors: Wearing light colors that reflect the sun’s rays rather than absorb them (as dark colors can) helps keep you cool. Look for shirts, shorts, pants and hats in white, tan or khaki.
What should I wear if I overheat easily?
Wear loose, breathable clothing: Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that breathes well will help your body regulate temperature. Nylon and polyester are good choices. Cotton can be OK: You’ve heard it before: cotton kills.
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