The use of geosynthetic drainage layers in contact with unsaturated soils is being investigated at the University of Texas at Austin. A series of large-scale soil-geosynthetic profiles were constructed using a silt soil in contact with a sand drainage material as well as with a drainage geocomposite (a geonet sandwiched between geotextiles). In contrast to the performance of saturated drainage layers, unsaturated drainage layers were found to impede downward flow of moisture consistent with the formation of a capillary break at the drainage layer-silt interface. Accumulation of moisture associated with an increase in moisture storage in the silt soil was observed, which progressed with depth until breakthrough of flow occurred into the drainage layer. Despite having significantly lower thickness than the sand capillary break, the geocomposite capillary break exhibited similar performance.