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Bamboo Socks and Underwear

Mens and Womens Socks and Pants

Reviewed by Jo on 11 July 2008

Rating: / 5

Bamboo fabric is perfect for your smalls. It is soft and breathable and feels like cashmere against the skin. It is also naturally antibacterial and odour free. Bamboo fabrics are great for people with sensitive skin and the 95% bamboo and 5% spandex mix, means that your socks and undies will hold their shape wash after wash.

 

NoMade from recycled materials
YesMinimises the use of pesticides / fertilizers
NoFairtrade
NoAussie made
YesSustainable
YesMinimises chemical use
NoLifecycle impacts considered
 

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Options -  There is a range of underwear that is updated regularly. For details of the latest range visit the Bamboo Body website.

 

Cost – Socks from $9 per pair (less if bought in packs)

Boxer shorts - $29.95 per pair (packs also available)

Women's underpants (below) - $14.95 per pair

 

 

Where to buy

Bamboo Body clothing can be purchased online. As such is available in all States of Australia. Purchases can be made through the Bamboo Body website.

 

There are several different manufacturing processes used for extracting the bamboo fibres. One using mechanical processes which tends to be more expensive or chemical processes using sodium hydroxide (NaOH- also known as caustic soda) to ‘cook’ the fibre into a form of regenerated cellulose pulp and the thin fibres can then be extracted and spun. Caustic soda does have potential environmental impacts if handled incorrectly. This fabric is manufactured using the chemical process. Sodium hydroxide is converted to salt and water once the woody stems have been pulverised. Further information on the bamboo manufacturing process is provided in National Geographics’ GreenGuide or eartheasy site.

The bamboo yarn is produced by pulverising the bamboo stalks and then regeneration of the fibre using the chemical process . The fabric is dyed using azo-free dyestuffs. The bamboo fabric is certified by oeko-tex 100 standard which confirms that dyes used are non allergenic and does not include any harmful chemicals in the production.

The factory producing the fabrics does not employ staff under the age of 18 and is committed to reducing emissions and recycling waste.

 Raw material - Bamboo used for clothing comes from Moso Bamboo Phyllostachys edulis.   The Moso bamboo species is not the species eaten by the endangered panda, and the bamboo is not taken from natural forests or panda habitats. Bamboo, like hemp, grows without the use of pesticides or herbicides. Bamboo also sequesters five times more CO2 than an equivalent stand of trees and requires much less water than cotton. The extensive shallow root system of bamboo has a role in preventing soil erosion and assists with nitrogen fixation.

The bamboo is sourced from a plantation in Yunnan province in southern China. The plantation is managed in strict accordance with the international OCIA/NOP standards.

While bamboo is grown naturally without the use of pesticides, fertilisers and chemicals and does not involve Genetically Modified Organisms it is not certified organic as the process of converting bamboo to yard does not meet the strict criteria for organic certification.

 Manufacturing -

 Distribution – Products are shipped from their point of manufacture in China. Air transport is not used for presale with free postage on purchases over $30.

 Product use – The items within the collection are designed so that they will not go out of fashion and can be worn year round, thus increasing their life. Garments can be washed at low temperatures and require no fabric softener. Dry cleaning is not recommended for bamboo fabric.

 Waste management - Bamboo fabric is biodegradable. Bamboo body garments are not excessively packaged and packaging used can be reused and recycled.

                                                                                                                                               

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