Cotton vs polyester T-shirts

The T-shirt is where most people meet the choice first: plain cotton, or a “performance” polyester tee. Here is how they compare in the research, including where cotton falls short.

Bottom line

Cotton tees held less odor in exercise studies and break down in soil and water; polyester tees dry faster and, in one survey, lasted longer. For comfort in heat, studies found no difference.

Head to head

Criterion	Cotton	Polyester	Which side
Odor^1,2	After a spinning class, cotton shirts smelled noticeably less than polyester ones.	Polyester shirts from the same 26 people smelled stronger, and odor bacteria grew almost only on them.	Edge: natural
Comfort in heat^3,4	Runners at 30 °C had the same body temperature, heart rate and comfort in cotton.	The same in wicking polyester: no measurable difference.	About even
Moisture⁵	Cotton absorbs about 8.5% of its weight in moisture, so it holds sweat longer.	Polyester absorbs about 0.4% and dries much faster.	Edge: synthetic
Durability⁵	In a wardrobe survey, 100% cotton garments were reported to last 3.6 years on average.	Synthetic garments were reported to last 6.3 years.	Edge: synthetic
Microplastics^6,7,8,9	Cotton sheds fibers too, in one lab test more than polyester, but they degraded in water, soil and compost tests (studies funded by the cotton industry).	Polyester sheds plastic fibers in the wash and through wear, and stayed largely intact in the same degradation tests.	Edge: natural
Cost^10,11,12	KÜHL’s 100% organic cotton Bravado T was $49; Toad&Co’s Primo Crew was $45.	KÜHL’s nylon and polyester Styk tee was $79.	Edge: natural
Growing the fiber^13,14,15	Conventional cotton is thirsty and pesticide-heavy: about 2.4% of farmland but 4.7% of pesticides and 10% of insecticides in 2019.	Polyester is made from oil, not grown. For clothing overall, dyeing, finishing and spinning outweigh the fiber stage in climate impact.	Depends on use

“Which side” is a plain reading of the cited evidence for that row, not a score. Prices are from product pages on October 31, 2026 and change often.

Counterpoints and caveats

The odor and comfort studies are small (26 and 8 people), in single exercise settings.^1,3
The cotton biodegradation studies were funded by Cotton Incorporated, and dyed or finished cotton can persist longer in the environment.^6,7,16
Our cost row compares a few specific tees on one day; it isn’t a market average.^10,12

Short answers

Is cotton or polyester better for a workout T-shirt?

For temperature and comfort, studies found no difference. Cotton held less odor; polyester dries faster.^3,1,5

Counterpoint: The studies are small, and cotton holds more sweat: it absorbs about 8.5% of its weight in moisture against 0.4% for polyester.

Does a cotton T-shirt shed microfibers?

Yes. In one lab study cotton shed more fibers than polyester, but the cotton fibers degraded while polyester persisted.⁶

Counterpoint: That study was funded by Cotton Incorporated.

Do polyester T-shirts last longer?

In one large wardrobe survey, people reported synthetic garments lasting 6.3 years on average versus 3.6 years for 100% cotton.⁵

Counterpoint: That survey was commissioned by the wool industry and covers all garment types, not just tees.

Natural options

Scored brands have a natural-fiber share score; picks pages list specific products from brands with mixed ranges and are not scored.

PactScored brandOrganic cotton basics, scored
Industry of All NationsScored brandOrganic cotton tees, scored
American GiantScored brandCotton tees, scored
WayveScored brandCotton tees, scored
KÜHL picksPicks (not scored)All-cotton tees from a mostly synthetic brand
Toad&Co picksPicks (not scored)Organic cotton tees and henleys
Faherty picksPicks (not scored)Organic cotton tees

Fiber guides: Organic cotton guide · Linen guide · Hemp guide · Is modal, lyocell or bamboo natural?

Sources

Industry funding is noted where a study was paid for or co-authored by a fiber industry body or brand. Product labels and prices read October 31, 2026.

1Callewaert et al. (Ghent University). Microbial odor profile of polyester and cotton clothes after a fitness session. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2014.
2Laing (University of Otago). Natural fibres in next-to-skin textiles: current perspectives on human body odour. SN Applied Sciences, 2019.
3Gavin et al.. Clothing fabric does not affect thermoregulation during exercise in moderate heat. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2001.
4Gavin. Clothing and thermoregulation during exercise. Sports Medicine, 2003.
5Laitala, Klepp (SIFO, OsloMet), Henry (QUT). Does use matter? Comparison of environmental impacts of clothing based on fiber type. Sustainability, 2018. Co-funded by Australian Wool Innovation and the Research Council of Norway; lifespan data from an AWI-commissioned survey.
6Zambrano et al. (NC State, Cotton Incorporated). Microfibers generated from the laundering of cotton, rayon and polyester based fabrics and their aquatic biodegradation. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2019. Funded by Cotton Incorporated; two co-authors from Cotton Incorporated.
7Li, Frey (Cornell), Browning (Cotton Incorporated). Biodegradability study on cotton and polyester fabrics. Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, 2010. Cotton Incorporated co-author.
8Napper, Thompson (University of Plymouth). Release of synthetic microplastic plastic fibres from domestic washing machines. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2016.
9De Falco, Cocca, Avella, Thompson. Microfiber release to water, via laundering, and to air, via everyday use. Environmental Science & Technology, 2020.
10KÜHL product page. KÜHL Bravado T: 100% organic cotton, $49. Product label, read Oct 31, 2026, 2026.
11Toad&Co product page. Toad&Co Men’s Primo Short Sleeve Crew: 100% organic cotton, $45. Product label, read Oct 31, 2026, 2026.
12KÜHL product page. KÜHL Styk: 71% nylon, 29% polyester, $79. Product label, read Oct 31, 2026, 2026.
13Pesticide Action Network UK. Pesticide concerns in cotton. NGO web page, citing ICAC data, current.
14Chapagain, Hoekstra, Savenije, Gautam (University of Twente, UNESCO-IHE). The water footprint of cotton consumption. Ecological Economics, 2006.
15Quantis, for ClimateWorks Foundation. Measuring Fashion: Environmental impact of the global apparel and footwear industries. Report (UNCCD-hosted copy), 2018.
16Suaria et al.. Microfibers in oceanic surface waters: a global characterization. Science Advances, 2020.

Updated October 31, 2026. More context: Why the label matters · All comparisons