Learn why breathable bamboo underwear is a great choice for you and the planet.
Shall we talk about underwear today? Why not, right? We put on our panties, socks, bras and camis every day without giving it much thought….but maybe we should.
When it comes to underwear I’ve always heard cotton, cotton, cotton – mainly because it is a breathable fabric. But cotton is a high resource crop, using a ton of water, land and pesticides. Turns out bamboo fabric beats cotton on many measures – both from a comfort and a sustainability standpoint. Here’s why:
Bamboo for Your Body
Like cotton, bamboo fiber is naturally breathable and wicks moisture away from the skin. Unlike cotton, bamboo fabric allows moisture to evaporate into the air quickly. So when you sweat, you won’t stay wet. Bonus – bamboo fabric is super light and silky soft too!
The natural properties of bamboo also make the fabric:
- anti-bacterial
- anti-fungal
- hypoallergenic
- thermo-regulating (keeps you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter)
- static-free
- wrinkle-free
- odorless
- very durable
Read my complete guide to awesome organic underwear!
Bamboo for the Planet
From a sustainability standpoint, bamboo has a lot going for it. Unlike cotton, bamboo requires very little water to grow and it yields up to 30 times more per acre than cotton, making it a much less resource-hungry crop.
Other eco-benefits of bamboo include:
- no fertilizers or pesticides required
- extremely fast growing plant
- can be continually re-harvested without harm to the environment
- bamboo fabric is biodegradable at the end of its useful life
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Boody Organic Breathable Bamboo Underwear
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So have I convinced you to check out bamboo underwear yet? Let me introduce you to a company that’s doing it well.
Boody is an Australia-born company that specializes in bamboo undergarments, shirts and leggings. What’s unique about Boody is that they use organically grown bamboo and the finished products carry the Eco-Cert certification, ensuring that the clothing is chemical free. Their closed loop production process uses a natural solvent instead of chemicals and is much more sustainable than some of the less responsible bamboo manufacturers you may have heard about.
I’ve been giving some Boody products a test run and I just love how silky soft the fabric is. Plus I totally appreciate the temperature-regulating ability – it’s great for layering on cold winter days and especially nice during a sweaty workout!
A few more benefits of Boody:
- organic bamboo is grown in accordance with the international organic standard of OCIA / IFOAM and the USDA National Organic Program
- closed loop production process uses less water (water is filtered and reused)
- finished fiber is Oeko-Tex 100 certified
- garments range from 80 % to 95% organic bamboo with a small bit of poly and spandex added to preserve shape and allow for better stretch
- garments are seam-free (no panty lines!)
- easy to wash – no special care required
Would you like to try some Boody breathable bamboo underwear for yourself?
I’ve seen Boody displays popping up at Whole Foods and natural food co-ops but you can also find Boody on Amazon. Here are some links to the products I have tried and recommend!
- Bamboo underwear – bikini, brief or boy short + bamboo underwear for men
- Bamboo bras
- Bamboo tops
- Bamboo t-shirts
- Bamboo cami
Kate says
I’m curious, is the fabric still rayon made from bamboo, or is it a different kind of fabric? The chemicals used in processing bamboo into rayon are the main concern around a lot of greenwashing claims in this industry and I’m hoping Boody is actually doing something to make it better and wondering what the details of this closed-loop production process is that is hopefully better than other rayon-from-bamboo manufacturers.
Micaela says
Really good questions Kate. Yes it is still considered rayon fabric – however the process does not use the chemicals that other companies use. Here is some info straight from the company: The bamboo is blended with sodium hydroxide which breaks down the fiber to be turned into viscose. Sodium Hydroxide is a natural solvent, we also use a close-loop system to enable re-use. Many companies use harsh chemicals during this phase, Boody does not use this process.
Also, the viscose is dyed using all-natural dyes. Hope that helps Kate!
Ames says
I was very excited to get some Boody underwear, tank tops and shirts when I first saw them at my local co-op. They didn’t have my size so I went online only to discover they carry VERY little in anything above a size Large!!! I’m an XL, I didn’t think it’d be that hard! And what about Every Body else? Come on guys, big girls like eco-friendly sustainable, amazing fabrics, too!! Disappointed.
Micaela says
You raise a very good point! I’m sure Boody would love your feedback on larger sizes. Here is a way to contact them: http://boodywear.com/contact-us/
Katherine Huisman says
Hi I’m wondering if there are any more nderwire Bamboo Bras out there. Right now I wear 100% cotton but they are getting harder to find. I’m almost 60 so I DO NEED the support. Don’t care if it looks pretty. I just can’t stand wearing anything that is synthetic.
Micaela says
Hi Katherine – I’m afraid I haven’t seen any underwire bamboo bras on the market yet. Sorry not to be able to help!
Katherine Jensen says
I have read that at the end of the day bamboo fabric is just still viscose/rayon, exactly the same as that made from wood pulp. And that in Canada (because of greenwashing) it now has to be called Rayon made from Bamboo. Is this true?
Micaela says
Hi Katherine – Good question! The fabric that Boody uses is called viscose and it’s made from renewable bamboo. You can read more about it here. http://boodywear.com/boody-facts/our-story/ I’m sure they would be willing to answer further questions if you contact them directly!