I burned a hole in my brand-new outerwear while having a bonfire.
When you're having a bonfire, choosing the right material for your clothes is crucial.
Reading this article will help you understand:
・Materials suitable for bonfires
・Outerwear to wear during bonfires
The ultimate guide to camping clothes! Prevent holes from bonfires! The ultimate guide to camping clothes! Prevent holes from bonfires!
・You'll understand what clothing is suitable for bonfires
What are materials (fabrics) that are vulnerable to bonfires?
Recently, synthetic fibers like nylon are commonly used in apparel.
This is true for outdoor activities such as camping as well.
Considering moisture management, synthetic fibers are excellent materials, but they are not ideal for enjoying bonfires.
Sparks from bonfires can create holes even if you don't directly touch the flames.
Yes, synthetic fibers can easily get holes from just a few sparks.
What happens if you wear synthetic fibers near a bonfire?
It's not so much that they're vulnerable to bonfires, but rather to heat.
Heat here doesn't mean the kind of intense heat from a blazing fire that you can't get close to; even the heat from small sparks is the same.
If sparks fly onto clothing made of synthetic fibers near a bonfire, holes can easily form.
While layering in winter camping might prevent sparks from reaching your skin, clothing worn in spring or autumn can easily allow sparks to touch your skin.
Sparks aren't the only danger!
It's scary for sparks to directly touch your skin and cause burns, but the heat from flames can also make the surface of your clothes harden.
The heat of the flames is also dangerous.
During cold-weather camping, there are many situations where you get close to a bonfire to warm up.
While you can be careful about sparks causing holes, heat that has a time lag before you feel its warmth is actually dangerous.
By the time you feel warmth on your skin, the surface of your clothes might already be very hot.
With synthetic fibers, material changes such as hardening occur before they even burn.
It's sad to see expensive outdoor brand clothes get ruined.
So, what should we do?
The hint lies in material selection.
Enjoy bonfires with heat-resistant materials (fabrics)
What exactly are materials strong against bonfires (heat)?
The answer is cotton and wool.
I used to work as a welder, exposed to sparks and high temperatures, and my work clothes were 100% cotton.
With cotton work clothes, I had no problem working near temperatures that melt iron (1000-1300℃).
Conversely, if I forgot my work clothes at the beginning of the week and had no choice but to wear synthetic work clothes, they would be shredded by the morning break.
If you wear cotton underwear, you won't get burned even when working with flying sparks.
However, the weakness of cotton is that sweat does not evaporate easily.
It has the disadvantage of being hot in summer and cold in winter.
Wool compensates for that weakness.
Wool is a material strong against both heat and sweat.
Wool fibers have scales, which help maintain optimal humidity within the clothing.
Furthermore, it is heat-resistant, making it a suitable material for bonfires.
This is because wool fibers contain nitrogen (16%) and water (15%), and their ignition temperature is high, making them difficult to burn.
Merino wool, which you often see in undershirts, refers to a type of sheep.
While wool products tend to be expensive, understanding the secret behind their functionality makes it worthwhile.
Wool and Cotton are heat-resistant.
| Fiber | Heat of combustion (Kcal/g) | Ignition temperature (℃) | Melting point (℃) |
| Wool | 4.9 | 570～600 | Carbonizes without melting |
| Cotton | 3.9 | 260 | Carbonizes without melting |
| Acrylic | 7.6 | 470～530 | 240～320 |
| Polyester | 5.7 | 490～560 | 250～290 |
| Nylon | 7.9 | 490～580 | 160～260 |
| Polypropylene | 11.1 | 570 | 160～170 |
At first glance, the table suggests that polypropylene has a higher ignition temperature and is more fire-resistant than cotton.
However, its low melting point causes functional problems.
On the other hand, wool has a high ignition temperature and its heat of combustion is low, second only to cotton, making it a fire-resistant material.
However, while it's an option for extreme conditions, the high cost of the material makes the initial investment substantial.
Therefore, for camping or bonfires a few times a year, I recommend wearing synthetic innerwear and a cotton outer layer.
Although cotton has the lowest ignition temperature, it carbonizes before spreading, so it doesn't spread flames.
Explanation of Terms
The table above is an excerpt from the Nikke Group website, so it includes some terms that might be a bit unclear.
Here's an explanation of the terms:
- Heat of combustion: Refers to how much it will burn once ignited. If this temperature is high, the damage will be greater.
- Ignition temperature: Refers to how much heat is needed for it to burn. If this temperature is high, it is less likely to burn.
- Melting point: The temperature at which it melts without burning. Some fibers melt rather than burn.
Recommended bonfire-appropriate attire for men
The North Face Hoodie Rearview Full Zip Hoodie
Main material: Body T/C brushed back: 80% cotton, 20% polyester
Material composition: Body T/C brushed back: 80% cotton, 20% polyester
This is a cotton hoodie from The North Face.
With 80% cotton, it can handle a few sparks by simply brushing them off.
It's a full-zip hoodie, so you can adjust it by opening it if it gets hot during the day.
With a brushed lining, you'll stay warm even on cold nights.
Containing 20% polyester, it's perfect for outdoor activities where quick-drying properties are essential.
Grip Swany Fire Parka IV
Material: 100% Cotton
Overall baggy silhouette.
It's not designed for warmth, so wear a down jacket or sweater underneath in cold weather.
The material is stiff, but that adds to the outdoor vibe and makes it enjoyable.
Pants are also available.
GRIP SWANY Fireproof Pants
Material: 98% cotton, 2% polyurethane
Due to the flame-retardant treatment, a potential drawback is that the material's smell might be noticeable when new.
The scent will fade over time, so please purchase with that understanding.
The strength of the smell seems to vary greatly by individual item, so if you're concerned, it might be a good idea to consider returning or exchanging it.
ALOWALA Cotton Jacket Anorak
Material: 100% Cotton
The image shows a camouflage pattern, but khaki and apricot colors are also available, which are easy to match and highly recommended. Its appeal lies in being well-received by both men and women.
Something a bit cute, too.
It's a poncho style, but in strong winds, you can cinch the hem to prevent wind from getting in.
The front pocket is connected on both sides, so you can access it even if one hand is occupied.
Recommended bonfire-appropriate attire for women
Workman Cotton Anorak Parka S020A 100% Cotton Women's
Material: 100% Cotton
Workman is focusing on developing outdoor products.
Originally a workwear store, they are strong in such products.
The overly simple design might not appeal to everyone, but it is reflected in the price.
It has all the desired features, such as cuffs that can be tightened with Velcro and hand warmers.
GRIP SWANY Fireproof Monster Parka 2.0
Material: Outer fabric / 100% Cotton, Lining / Filling / 100% Polyester
When it comes to bonfires at camp, Grip Swany is the name to remember.
With 100% cotton, you can rest assured about sparks.
With padding, you can stay warm even in cold weather.
NANGA Bonfire Down Jacket
Material: Outer fabric: 93% polyester, 7% aramid
Lining: 100% nylon
Filling: DX/90% Spanish duck down, 10% feather (760FP)
Corduroy: 97% cotton, 3% polyurethane
Ribbing: 95% polyester, 5% polyurethane
This is a bonfire outerwear from Nanga, a well-known sleeping bag manufacturer.
True to Nanga, it's filled with 760FP down.
It might be too warm near a bonfire, but it's a blessing in mid-winter.
The design, with corduroy and contrasting colors, appeals to women's sense of style.
Summary
So there are materials that are safe for bonfires!
Wool is ideal because it's fire-resistant and absorbs sweat.
Let's summarize what to wear for bonfires.
・Wool: Fire-resistant, absorbs and wicks away sweat, making it ideal. However, it's costly.
・Solution: A combination of moisture-wicking innerwear and a less expensive cotton outer layer.
