As is the case in others, the fashion sector is also making its green revolution, increasingly betting on natural, biodegradable and sustainable raw materials. In this way, we seek to minimise the impact that consumers have on the environment to leave a better world for future generations.
In the textile sector, specifically, one of the materials that is gaining the greatest popularity is bamboo fibre, thanks, as we will see in this post, to its multiple qualities.
Where is bamboo fibre obtained from?
It goes without saying: bamboo fibre is obtained from bamboo.
This tropical plant with a resistant and woody cane-shaped stem is known worldwide for serving as food for the cute pandas, but the truth is that it is an all-terrain plant in terms of uses: construction material, paper pulp, medicines and, as we said before, clothes.
The simplified process for obtaining bamboo fibre is as follows:
- When the bamboo is mature, it is felled, cutting it cleanly so that new shoots grow and the bamboo replenishes itself naturally.
- In turn, the stems are cut into smaller pieces, and then macerated in a liquid solution.
- Through the maceration process, bamboo pulp (bamboo viscose) is obtained, which will be dried in the form of sheets.
- Subsequently, these sheets are crushed to obtain the bamboo fibre with which the fabrics will be created.
Qualities of bamboo fabrics
Bamboo fibre is especially recommended for the manufacture of underwear, such as socks, due to the advantages offered by this 100% natural fabric:
Breathability
Bamboo is more breathable than cotton, making it more effective at removing moisture and keeping skin dry. Very important when it comes to socks, even more so if we use them in summer.
Natural antibacterial
Bamboo cane contains a natural antibacterial and bacteriostatic, properties that the fibres made with it also have. In fact, the plant is rarely attacked by pests and insects, precisely because of its defence system.
Durability
Like cotton, bamboo fibre offers great resistance wash after wash, as long as the garment is properly cared for.
Softness
Bamboo fibre is a very soft material to the touch, without a doubt, something we all want when we wear socks for hours.
So is cotton a letdown now?
Not at all! What's more, cotton continues to be one of the most used fabrics for making underwear. And not for nothing, since it provides great durability to the garment (in fact, more than bamboo), it retains heat better and, like bamboo, it is very soft.
Tips when choosing bamboo or cotton socks
With everything we have seen, the question is: which socks to choose, bamboo fibre ones or cotton ones?
The truth is that no fabric is “globally” better than the other, so the choice of bamboo or cotton socks will largely depend on your personal tastes. We can, however, give you a few tips that will make your decision easier:
- The climate: if you plan to walk around the centre of Seville in socks in the middle of summer, bamboo socks will feel fresher than cotton, as they are more breathable. On the other hand, if your plan is to spend Christmas in Burgos, we recommend cotton socks, which are warmer.
- Comfort: both fabrics are soft, although bamboo beats cotton by a hair. The best thing to do is to try both fabrics to see which one you feel most comfortable with.
- Durability: bamboo and cotton are resistant fibres, but cotton holds up better wash after wash.
And if what you have ahead of you is many hours of walking, the criteria change: there what matters is keeping your foot dry and having no seams that rub. We cover it in depth in socks for the Camino de Santiago.
Bamboo socks to relieve the feeling of swollen legs
At Calcetinos we are dedicated to taking a weight off the shoulders of people who suffer from swollen, tired or itchy legs, something typical when you stand for a long time, sit for a long time, are pregnant, etc.
For this, the solution is compression socks, a type of garment that applies graduated pressure from the ankle to just below the knee, making blood circulate better and reducing the feeling of swollen legs.
In our range we have a model of compression sock made of bamboo viscose, a garment designed to prevent that feeling of heaviness at the end of the day, with all the advantages this natural fabric offers.
If you want to know more about bamboo socks, visit our bamboo socks page:
If you work standing up, if you work sitting down, if you travel a lot by plane or train, or if you are pregnant... No pressure, but you need some compression socks.
