To compare the water absorption and drying properties of manmade and natural fibers, researches evaluated the interaction between water and a range of fabrics. Fabrics made from both natural and manmade fibers absorbed water. A strong correlation occurred between fabric thickness and the amount of water the fabric absorbed. The time the fabrics required to dry was propertional to the amount of water initially absorbed. Properties relevant to the comfort of an exercising person, such as drying time and energy required to evaporate water from under and through a fabric, depended on the amount of water the fabric absorbed rather than fiber type. The amount of water wicked between layers depended on pore size and volume. 25 refs.