I spin fire using a staff. It's like a double torch. Most fire spinners wear natural fibres -- typically cotton, wool or leather because they are slower to catch fire and burn more slowly and with fewer hazards (melting) than other materials. Others wear treated materials that are fire resistant.

I usually spin wearing either my black workman's UK or the leather UK. I'm also particular about the fuel I use. I only use white gas (Coleman camp fuel), or charcoal lighter fluid.

They have very similar properties in that they evaporate very quickly so that even if I brush the flaming end of the staff against my clothing, the burning fuel will evaporate off before it can heat up the material enough for it to catch fire.

I'm also a Ranger at Burning Man and we always wear natural fibres since we work close to burning objects.

Hot sparks from an open fire will burn holes in most synthetic materials even if the material doesn't totally go up in hot sticky flame.

Synthetics are like wrapping yourself in napalm.