Introduction
For many years, the socks from Socks In A Box were made from cotton. Whilst there’s nothing wrong with making socks from cotton, there are a number of distinct advantages both for the wearer and environmentally by switching to bamboo to make the socks.
Bamboo?
Yes bamboo? It’s not the scratchy innards of a bamboo stalk woven into socks. The process of converting the bamboo into a yarn for sock production actually generates a much softer, smoother material than cotton. This softness also means less friction between foot, shoe and sock, reducing risk of blister formation. Additionally the fibres require less dye than cotton and also retain their colours for longer.
Bamboo advantages for the wearer
Aside from the softness of the material produces a feel more akin to silk, bamboo also scores over cotton in other ways:
Anti-bacterial
The antibacterial properties of bamboo socks far exceed those of socks made from cotton. The bamboo plant’s “kun” (antimicrobial agent that gives the plant a natural resistance to pest and fungi infestation) serves the dual purpose of reducing reliance on fertilisers and pesticides and keeping your feet clean. Pretty clever!.
Less bacteria also means less smell. So bamboo socks don’t need to be washed so often or at higher temperatures, further saving on resources. In turn, less vigorous washing can also mean the socks will last longer.
Those who suffer from any skin irritations or allergies will find bamboo socks the perfect material for their socks.
Better moisture absorption
To help further with odour suppression, bamboo socks are around twice as good at storing moisture than cotton socks. When you think about what your feet have to contend with on a daily basis, stuck inside your shoe for hours, anything to alleviate the heat and moisture from the foot has to be a good thing.
Breathable fabric means better temperature control
The fibres in bamboo are “thermo-regulating”, which means they try to keep a regular temperature. So, they will use their inherent breathability on hot days to try and cool down, whilst in the winter try to retain the heat of the foot keeping you warm.
Bamboo advantages for the environment
The second set of advantages for bamboo socks relate to its impact on our world, especially in relation to the impact of equivalent cotton production.
Water and land usage
Unlike cotton, bamboo plants do not need extra water apart from rain water. Additionally because it’s such a fast growing (and tall) crop, it requires about 10% less land to produce the same amount of material as cotton plants. As both land and water become scarcer resources, bamboo production could represent a hugely efficient way to product clothing material.
Pesticides
Due to bamboo’s natural resistance to pests, there’s no need to use pesticides in the production of its fibre. So that means less artificial chemicals leaching into the soil and no chemicals making their way into the socks. Win, win!
Sustainability
So bamboo is a fast-growing, naturally pest resistance plant which uses less land and less water than cotton. Surely this means that socks made from bamboo are far more sustainable than other fabrics. Well this is the conclusion we came to at Socks In A Box and why we made the switch to this natural wonder material. Hopefully we can all feel the benefits of this decision in the years to come.
Socks In A Box is the best sock subscription site with its fantastic range of bamboo socks for men, women and couples.