This means that their fibers are made of a long

Both, polyamide (often called by its most famous brand name: nylon) and polyester are polymers. This means that their fibers are made of a long chain, made of molecules linked to each other. In polyamides, these molecules are linked together by amide linkages (chemical bonds), while the molecules of polyesters are connected by ester linkages. Both fabrics are moisture-resistant, though at varying degrees. A polyamide fabric absorbs more water, and also dries slower. A polyester is hydrophobic, meaning that it resists water, resulting in less water being absorbed by it. It also dries faster. Since a soaked garment tends to absorb more heat from the body to dry, this means that polyamide fabrics have poor insulating properties, and are not ideal for winter wear. On the other hand, polyester shows a ’wicking effect’, whereby, its fibers transports water like a glass tube (capillary) from within the garment and releases it into the atmosphere, thus leading sweat away from the body. Polyamide fabrics tend to have a better feel, because they have softer and more flexible fibers, though they produce more static. This softness was because they were initially designed as an alternative for silk. This high strength-flexibility combo drives up their cost. Polyester fabrics have a rough feel, though they are more lightweight. However, thanks to modern technology, manufacturers have produced varieties of polyesters which are just as soft as silk, nylon, and other polyamides.