Bamboo Myths - The Truth about Bamboo Clothing

Ljohnwickspuppy on 12/10/2022 - 16:38

Greetings OzBargainers!

I noticed a deal for bamboo underwear posted earlier today that has roughly a 50% upvote and downvote ratio. Curious, and somewhat in need of new jocks, I clicked on the deal and was surprised to learn a few things in the comments section. Looks like everything I was told about bamboo clothing was a lie.

Here is an interesting blog titled "Bamboo Underwear Does Not Exist. Here's Why." written a few months ago that explains it all.

How do we know the blog isn't just a bamboo-bashing article? Well, the comments section from the deal also contains links that verify the info, like ‘Bamboo’ Fabrics and Organic Cotton Underwear vs Bamboo Underwear. Credit to Sauron. And I'm sure there's more stuff on the internet if you want to dig deeper.

The blog I provided also lists "5 fabrics that are more eco-friendly than bamboo rayon" which are:

  1. Hemp
  2. Merino wool
  3. Organic cotton
  4. Tencel
  5. Recycled polyester

I don't own anything made from hemp. A search on this website shows mostly cosmetics and peanut butter. Is it something that just hasn't caught on in this country? I own and like merino wool but I only wear it in winter to keep me warm. I'm unaware if any of my cotton clothing is organic cotton. I don't know what the hell a Tencel is apart from the brief description in the blog. As for recycled polyester, I'm unaware if I own any and I assume it's good for sports clothing. I'd rather avoid plastics altogether if possible.

Do you own any of these eco-friendly fabrics and if yes, please share your experience and thoughts for those of us who would like a better alternative to bamboo clothing which is not really bamboo.

Fashion & Apparel Clothing

Comments

  • jv on 12/10/2022 - 17:08

    What about lycra ?

  • CurlCurl on 12/10/2022 - 17:09
    +1

    I have a short sleeve hemp shirt. It's heavy and a pain in the arse to iron.

    • johnwickspuppy on 12/10/2022 - 17:20

      Thanks! I don't iron my underwear but it's interesting to hear your shirt is heavy as I wouldn't to wear heavy, bulky underwear. Maybe hemp underwear is made differently but either way, a search for hemp underwear shows there isn't much other there and it's quite pricey. Looks like I'll be sticking with organic cotton in future.

  • Richmond Tigers on 12/10/2022 - 17:15

    First picture in article is a palm tree leaf, credibility REKED!

  • altomic on 12/10/2022 - 17:21
    +6

    you should avoid bamboo clothing

    it puts you at risk of panda attacks

    • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2022 - 09:48

      Not from the Adelaide Zoo pandas. Apparently they are gay.

  • Cheaplikethebird on 12/10/2022 - 17:33
    +6

    When it comes to clothing and trying to live sustainably I tend to ignore any and all green marketing and just go for what lasts the longest.

    • johnwickspuppy on 12/10/2022 - 17:58
      +2

      Fair point. I'm quickly learning that everything "green" comes with a price. And in the case of bamboo, it's also very misleading. Leather clothing lasts a long time but I'm not keen on leather underwear for day-to-day purposes.

      • Cheaplikethebird on 12/10/2022 - 18:18
        +2

        Haha fair point to you also. I switched over to the Airism underwear a while ago after seeing them constantly recommended here and they've held up a lot better than any others I've owned. Bought 7 pair almost two years ago now and they're still going strong, no holes and elastic is still in perfect condition. Super comfy too, their only downfall is that if you don't give your member a thorough shake at the trough, one drop feels like you pissed your pants.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/10/2022 - 18:25
    +2

    Not all bamboo fabrics are created equal - there are different types:

    1. Bamboo viscose/rayon & modal - produced using chemically-intensive processes
    2. Bamboo lyocell & linen fiber - produced mechanically, without chemicals

    For anyone interested, Boody has a lyocell underwear collection for women.

    I've not located a mens underwear range made with bamboo lyocell in Aus however there are o/s options:

    • johnwickspuppy on 12/10/2022 - 19:30

      Thanks for this excellent info! Yes my link explains the difference too, but also says the following and that's the reason I've decided never to buy bamboo underwear:

      Bamboo fabric is linen or rayon made from bamboo. Bamboo linen, which is the greener choice, is made painstakingly through a mechanical process. This means it retains the benefits of bamboo, as well as being greener, but unfortunately, is not a very soft fabric, and is not ideal for underwear.

      I would imagine the vast majority of bamboo clothing out there is viscose/rayon because that's the cheaper option. As for Boody's Lyolyte range, it looks like they've found a way to overcome the shortcomings of bamboo lyocell. The prices seem reasonable too compared to the normal viscose/rayon alternatives. Can anyone confirm comfort is identical or better? If lyocell becomes more available here in Oz, I would definitely consider buying bamboo again.

      • [Deactivated] on 12/10/2022 - 20:37

        Yes my link explains the difference too, but also says the following and that's the reason I've decided never to buy bamboo underwear:

        The article you linked to is from a website that sells hemp underwear so it's no wonder that it summarily dismisses bamboo fabrics as an underwear option - the rather unrestrained title was a clue!

        it looks like they've found a way to overcome the shortcomings of bamboo lyocell.

        What shortcomings? It's an ultra soft fabric that naturally lends itself to underwear

        Can anyone confirm comfort is identical or better?

        Recommended - Bamboo lyocell is as comfortable as bamboo rayon/viscose, if not better.

  • johnwickspuppy on 12/10/2022 - 19:40

    From the Ettitude link provided by kajke:

    There are five varieties of bamboo fabric:

    1. 100% bamboo viscose (aka bamboo rayon)
    2. 100% bamboo modal
    3. 100% bamboo lyocell
    4. Raw bamboo linen fiber
    5. Bamboo cotton blend

    This info might be useful for anyone researching bamboo clothing in future and stumbling on this forum topic.

  • peppet on 12/10/2022 - 19:56
    +1

    Jeez. Thanks for the info OP and everyone else. I'm going to stick with cotton, seems you can't go wrong there (I hope)

  • wittyusername on 13/10/2022 - 11:20

    I seem to find that the 'Bamboo' undies wick moisture away from my body and evaporate it faster than cotton. Most of mine were from Aldi though, vs Rio brand cotton trunks.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2022 - 12:27

      That's right - cotton isn't a moisture-wicking fabric whereas bamboo is.

  • King of NPCs on 14/10/2022 - 10:35

    Do the chemicals stay in the material or is this a green argument? I generally prewash all my clothes before wearing them.

    Cotton underwear has its own environmental/ethical issues.

    • johnwickspuppy on 14/10/2022 - 12:18

      I don't think the chemicals stay in the material and this is a green issue, at least for me. The chemicals are very harsh to the environment and what's left isn't really bamboo anymore, ala viscose, rayon and modal. Hence the blog "Bamboo Underwear Does Not Exist. Here's Why." and you can find other info.

      There are few manufacturers that use the expensive mechanical process to produce bamboo lyocell. Is this the environmentally friendly way to produce bamboo clothing but it also increases the price to the consumer. There's not much around in Oz. Yet.

    • [Deactivated] on 14/10/2022 - 17:37

      There is a thesis where researchers at Stockholm University washed clothing and then measured the levels of chemicals. Some of the toxic substances were washed off however others remained to a high degree in the clothes, becoming a potential source of long-term dermal exposure.

      The 'slow fashion mindset' is something to consider when you look at the waste and amount of toxic fabrics that is so prevalent within the fast fashion industry.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join