[elindbe2]

I've found synthetic workout clothes last pretty much forever. I have a pair of 15 year old basketball shorts that look about the same as they did brand new whereas the cotton stuff I've bought all would have holes and have faded in color by now.

[nkrisc]

I've got a pair of Under Armor shirts I've had going on 14 years now. The branding has long since faded away but otherwise they're basically indistinguishable from the day I got them.

These are shirts I've worn for a week straight trekking through Central American rainforests.

[khuey]

It's amazing how the branding on those falls apart after a handful of washes but the rest of the shirt lasts forever.

[puranjay]

Same. I have a workout shirt from when I was 15 (I'm in my 30s now) that has seen literally hundreds, even a thousand+ workouts.

However the cotton fabric used in most off the shelf clothing is also not what it used to be. My dad, who doesn't like to throw things away, still has his old clothes from when he was in his 30s (he is in his late 70s now). They've retained their shape far better than my 3 year old clothes.

[redisman]

Most modern clothes take all the possible shortcuts from material to assembly they possibly can to deliver a $30 sweater that holds up until you pay at the checkout. If you want a long lasting one, they’re available from specialty manufacturers but the price will be over $200

[crocodiletears]

Manufacturers that cater to EMS and Military produce some very durable clothes. Propper's emt pants are currently my go-to.

[KozmoNau7]

Work clothes in general tend to be higher quality and last much longer than fast fashion. A pair of chinos or cotton twill pants from a respected workwear manufacturer is what I would recommend for daily wear.

[FlyMoreRockets]

Or you buy a nice vintage item, used. They are better made and more affordable.

[ip26]

Only problem is, if you sweat heavily in them, the funk can gradually become unbearable despite all the vinegar and soap in the world.

[ogre_codes]

Doesn't matter how much you sweat, it matters what you do with them after the workout. If you wash them or even just let them air out after use, it's not a problem. I have 15+ year old synthetic shirts which have been on dozens of 5+ hour mountain bike rides in 80-90 degree weather and they don't have any scent at all.

[c0nsumer]

That's exactly what I do. Hang them up after riding (on a hanger in the garage) so they dry, then wash with normal detergent and sometimes maybe a bit of powdered OxyClean (sodium percarbonate).

I've had phenomenally gross post-ride jerseys (literally crusted with sweat), but doing this they don't get stinky. I agree that the key is to not let them stay wet and let bacteria grow in it. Get them dry fast, all is good.

[0-_-0]

Wash them with just soda crystals.

[joveian]

For maximum odor removal, soak in sodum percarbonate (most clothing seems to do fine with this, one or two that I've tried don't)

[Scoundreller]

Aka: Oxiclean (TM) in North America.

[canofbars]

Possibly because you have bugs eating your clothes and they can't eat the plastic stuff.