Nylon vs. Cotton Panties

Clothing is a vital part of everyday life, as it is an essential element in the process of daily preparation. The type of underwear you wear, or in this case the type of fabric, is just as important as other articles of clothing. Two of the more popular underwear fabrics both have pros and cons, so find out how cotton and nylon stack up against each other before you decide.

Woman wearing cotton panties and camisole (Image: Digital Vision/Digital Vision/Getty Images)

Nylon Pros

Before you decide to buy a new pair of panties -- or a couple -- you need to know what the fabric does and does not do. Such is the case for nylon panties, which are a favored fabric for various reasons. One of the best attributes about many nylon panties is that some have the ability to wick moisture away from the body, more specifically the crotch area. For instance, if you have a regular workout routine that causes you to sweat a lot, nylon panties that will keep the area as dry as possible.

Nylon Cons

While nylon panties successfully wick moisture away from the crotch area, they also have a few attributes that are less than appealing. When comparing nylon panties to those made of cotton, one of the most important factors to consider is that nylon doesn't move as well with the natural movement of the body, which can cause it to ride up and shift. Additionally, some styles run the risk of sticking to your rear and crotch area when the slightest bit of moisture occurs. Nylon panties can also hold heat, making them binding, unsanitary and uncomfortable in the warmer months.

Cotton Pros

Cotton fabric is lightweight, breathable and one of the main fabrics used for panties. Cotton panties have quite a few things that make them an appealing underwear choice over nylon. Cotton panties are very comfortable because they move effortlessly with your natural body movement, so riding up and shifting is limited. Cotton fabric panties are also lightweight, almost acting as a skin second for your rear and increasing the comfort level. This lightweight characteristic is also ideal for warmer months when you wear fewer clothes. Many underwear fabrics have a cotton crotch sewn in them, because cotton is breathable and very sanitary. It allows the area to breathe instead of suffocating and trapping moisture in the area.

Cotton Cons

It's important to know that what makes them a good underwear choice is also what makes them less desirable. Not all cotton is lightweight, some is downright heavy, which means that when it gets wet with moisture it could be problematic. If the cotton in your underwear is heavy, it could stick to you because it absorbs a lot of sweat. The sweatier it gets, the likelihood of irritation increases, which could cause discomfort, itching or even infection.