- Angus McSweyn
- Jun 2, 2021
- 3 min read
It goes without saying that your socks should be one of the most important considerations when examining your foot health.
But there is appears to be one consistently reoccurring question – should you get socks made of bamboo or cotton?
Both are really common fibres that are used in a variety of clothing and fabric products. And quite often are both viewed as natural, easy to use fibres.
However, when we get down to the actual properties of each of the fibres, specifically the influence on temperature regulation, ventilation and softness, there are major differences.
Taking all this into consideration, let's get down to explaining the properties of these fibre and characteristics help decide and differentiate Bamboo vs Cotton.
So what are Cotton & Bamboo?
Cotton
Cotton originates from a shrub, most native to areas in the tropical and subtropical climate.
Cotton shrubs produces a boll, which is actually classified as a fruit.
To extract the cotton fibre the boll’s harder protective case is broken and the cotton fibre is found enclosed.
This fibre can then be spun into thread or yarn and made into materials and fabrics and is one of the more widely used materials throughout the world.
Bamboo
Bamboo however is a member of the grass family, naitve to pretty much every country in the world.
This is due to its ability to survive in almost any climate.
The bamboo is broken up, dissolved and then pressed into fibres to be spun into yarn. It is this process and the natural sporelss fibres that creates it’s incredibly soft feel and comfort.
PROS & CONS OF COTTON
Although cotton has been the fibre of choice for some time for a lot of materials and clothing, there are quite a few negatives surrounding its use.
The main revolving around the environmental impacts involved in the growing of the fibre due to the need for heavy pesticide use & water irrigation. Further impacting this is the lack of durability of the fibre.
Unfortunately a lot of these negatives have been outweighed by the easy and inexpensive to manufacture the fibre.
PROS & CONS OF BAMBOO
Just like cotton, there are positives and negatives surrounding bamboo.
However, a majority of the pros are around the environmental sustainability of the fibre and its long-lasting nature. This creates an eco-friendly, durable and comfortable material.
Whereas it’s cons are more so surrounding the expense of manufacturing. This positioning it as a more sustainable and comfortable material that is slightly more cost.
As we can see from the above Bamboo is presenting a definitive case for becoming the fibre of choice for material now and into the future.
Previously, manufacturing abilities impeded the selection and choice of fibres in which material could be made from, but now with progression of manufacturing techniques there are more appropriate, sustainable and better choices available.
Many brands still choose cotton as their fabric of choice, and this may be due to the slightly easier and cheaper manufacturing.
However it is becoming abundantly clear that bamboo is a more sustainable, durable and comfortable option and why we choose to use bamboo as our fibre of choice.
Although for now, there may be more expense and challenge in the manufacturing of bamboo, we see this as a small price to pay for an all round better and more sustainable product.
So why pay more for an inferior fibre that has a negative impact on our environment?
We don’t understand either.
Why not try our Fresh Feet Sock Co bamboo socks risk free?
We are sure that once you try the comfort and freedom you’ll never go back.
