Every "moisture wicking" thing I have tried has been horrible. I like cotton. If I can't wipe my face with my shirt when it's hot then it seems to me that nothing is actually being "wicked" anywhere. I finally got rid of some atheletic socks I bought that just seemed to make my feet sweat for no reason at all. I have a friend that likes all of that sort of clothing, but I really don't get it.
Discussion
It's hard bro, especially for feet...i think all my sweat glands are in my feet. I have a terrible time it's it's the least bit cool out. Even 50°f and my feet are cold and clammy. I've tried every darned sock and still have trouble. My best solution is to change socks at the first sign of wetness.
Right now my favorites are alpaca socks. Then Merino.
I have like a couple remaining pairs of some super thin low cut sock that is not cotton but still seems to breathe, otherwise short cotton socks & minimalist shoes seem to work pretty well for me. There are just so many synthetics now & I have to make a point to avoid most of them. 40-60% polyester & cotton blends CAN be okay for shirts, but it kinda seems to differ from one company to another.
Yeah seriously. Cotton is the only true moisture wicking fabric.
I have converted my wardrobe to primarily natural fibers over the past couple years.
I do have some outerwear that's polyester still such as a down great-coat.
I have been extremely impressed with Merino wool and 3 of the 4 shirts I own are Merino wool. My only (!) pair of underwear is Merino wool as well. All of my shorts/pants are cotton, including swim trunks. I have a linen shirt for summer wear.
When I'm riding my bicycle in the summer (say 40C / 100F with mid humidity) my linen shirt definitely shows some sweaty patches especially under backpack straps; within a few days it starts to stink. I find myself washing it weekly or more. My Merino underwear doesn't ever really feel or look soaked and doesn't build up a funky smell even over long periods.
I suspect silk would also make excellent underwear but the only ones I've seen online are sized for tiny asian dudes.
For feet I wear zero-drop sandals which are designed for running. In the winter I wear wool socks, either fluffy ones with my sandals (just for warmth) or army surplus ones with army surplus boots.
If I wanted to wear cotton underwear and shirts I would probably own something like 8 pairs of each, plus some more shirts for autumn & winter. I would also have to do laundry weekly. I did something like that previously but am very happy with my current wardrobe.
Previously I've also had all polyester quick-dry type clothing but switched out of an abundance of caution (also perhaps pursuit of quality/style). The quick-dry poly also did a good job preventing sweat build-up.
Bottom line: I'd encourage you to check out Merino wool and linen. If you don't mind artificial fibers single-layer poly can be good as well.
I do actually have a bunch of the quick dry shorts now that I think about it, and I like those, but I really only wear cotton underwear. Will check out the merino wool 👍
Its the worst. Fiat clothing. Non-machine weaved Cotton in fashion is the next bitcoin. Otherwise your skin cant breathe and your life & freedoms are suffocated