What are the common cool-temperature fabric materials?

KXT has compiled some common "cooling type" (with a cool touch, breathable or sweat-absorbing) fabric materials that you may encounter - and will also introduce the characteristics of each material:

Breathable / airflow-oriented

Cotton (especially lightweight / percale-style weaves): Breathes well and can feel cool, though it won't wick moisture as aggressively as performance fabrics.

Linen: Very breathable and often feels cooler in hot weather; tends to dry quickly.

Bamboo viscose (rayon from bamboo): Soft and usually breathable; often marketed for a cool feel.

Heat-wicking (pulls sweat away to stay cooler)

Polyester performance knits (common in sportswear): Excellent at wicking and fast-drying; often engineered for airflow.

Nylon blends: Often used for durability + moisture management; sometimes slightly less "cool" than polyester but good overall.

Modal / Tencel (lyocell): Rayon-type fibers that are breathable and absorbent; can feel cooler, especially in blends.

"Cool" finishes and special weaves (feel cooler, not always true temperature change)

Cotton/polyester blends with moisture-wicking treatments: Keep the comfort of natural fiber with performance of synthetics.

Microfiber / athletic mesh knits: Improves airflow and can feel noticeably cooler.

Natural fibers that can be great in heat

Wool (merino): Contrary to intuition, it can feel cool/neutral in warm weather because it wicks and regulates temperature via airflow and moisture behavior (more common in base layers).