BAMBOO CLOTHING – Is It Good For Hiking?

By ANNIE RITCHIE / March 16, 2023

When it comes to hiking and backpacking, there are a lot of different fabric options on the market. But why is bamboo such a popular choice?

Let’s take a look at some of the special properties of bamboo fabric and how they make it ideal for hiking gear.

Moisture-Wicking Properties

When you’re out on a long hike, sweating is to be expected. That’s why it’s important to wear clothing that can help manage moisture and keep you comfortable. Bamboo fabric is a great choice for hiking because of its excellent moisture-wicking properties.

Bamboo fabric is made from bamboo pulp, which is processed into a soft, breathable material that can absorb up to three times its weight in moisture. This means that when you’re hiking and sweating, the bamboo fabric will help to pull moisture away from your skin and transfer it to the surface of the fabric where it can evaporate.

Unlike cotton, which can become heavy and clingy when wet, bamboo fabric remains lightweight and breathable. This makes it an ideal choice for hiking in warmer weather or during intense physical activity.

Overall, the moisture-wicking properties of bamboo fabric make it an excellent choice for hiking. It can help keep you dry, comfortable, and odor-free during even the most strenuous hikes.

Temperature Regulation

When you’re hiking, your body temperature can fluctuate depending on a variety of factors, such as the weather, the intensity of the hike, and your own physiology. That’s why it’s important to wear clothing that can help regulate your body temperature and keep you comfortable. Bamboo fabric is a great choice for hiking because of its natural temperature-regulating properties.

Bamboo fabric is naturally breathable, which means that it allows air to circulate and helps to prevent overheating. As the structure of the bamboo fibers allows them to wick moisture away from the skin and release it into the air, this helps to cool the body down. This makes bamboo fabric an excellent choice for hiking in warmer weather or during intense physical activity.

In addition, bamboo fabric has insulating properties that can help to keep you warm when the weather is cooler. The natural hollow structure of the bamboo fibers helps to trap air and provide insulation, which makes bamboo fabric a great choice for layering.

Have you ever worn synthetic fabrics on a hot day? They can make you feel sweaty and sticky in no time flat. Synthetic fabrics like polyester, which can trap heat and cause overheating, and in turn can cause skin irritation or chafing. This can be a problem during long hikes. Compared to synthetic fabrics like polyester, bamboo fabric is less likely to cause skin irritation or chafing.

Finally, bamboo fabric is naturally UV-resistant, which means that it can help to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. This is especially important when you’re hiking at high altitudes, where the sun’s rays can be more intense.

Overall, the temperature regulation properties of bamboo fabric make it an excellent choice for hiking. It can help keep you cool and comfortable in warmer weather, warm and insulated in cooler weather, and protected from the sun’s harmful rays.

Durability

When you’re hiking, you need clothing that can stand up to the rigors of the trail. That’s why durability is an important consideration when choosing hiking gear. Bamboo fabric is a great choice for hiking because of its strength and durability.

Bamboo fabric is naturally strong and resilient, which makes it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking. The fibers of bamboo fabric are long and tightly woven, which gives the fabric a high tensile strength. This means that bamboo fabric can withstand stretching and pulling without tearing or losing its shape.

In addition, bamboo fabric is more resistant to pilling than other natural fibers like cotton. This is because bamboo fibers have fewer loose ends that can become tangled and form pills.

Compared to synthetic fabrics like polyester, which can easily snag or tear on rough terrain, bamboo fabric is a more durable choice. Bamboo fabric is less likely to develop holes or tears, even with frequent use and washing.

Finally, bamboo fabric is easy to care for, which is important when you’re on a long hiking trip. It can be machine-washed and dried, and it doesn’t require any special treatment or care.

Overall, the durability of bamboo fabric makes it an excellent choice for hiking. It can withstand the wear and tear of the trail, and it’s easy to care for, which makes it a practical and functional choice for outdoor enthusiasts.

Comfort and Feel

When you’re hiking, you want to be as comfortable as possible. This means choosing clothing that feels soft and gentle against your skin, and that allows you to move freely and without restriction.

If you’ve ever worn clothing made from bamboo, you know that it has a soft, silky feel.  The softness of bamboo fabric makes it ideal for hikes and backpacking trips when you want to be comfortable but don’t want to sacrifice function.

Because bamboo fabric has a luxurious and silky feel, that makes it comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. Bamboo fibers are smooth and round and shorter than cotton fibers (which can feel a little scratchy). This means that they don’t irritate the skin or cause itching or chafing. This makes bamboo fabric an excellent choice for hikers who have sensitive skin or who are prone to skin irritation.

In addition, bamboo fabric is naturally breathable, which means that it allows air to circulate and helps to prevent overheating. This helps to keep you comfortable and dry, even during long hikes in warm weather.

Bamboo fabric is also highly flexible and has excellent stretch and recovery properties. This means that it moves with your body and allows for a full range of motion, without restricting your movements or causing discomfort.

It’s also less likely to develop static electricity, which can be a problem when hiking in dry or cold weather.

Compared to synthetic fabrics like polyester, bamboo fabric is a more comfortable and gentle choice.

Finally, bamboo fabric is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, which means that it helps to reduce the growth of bacteria and odors. This makes bamboo fabric an excellent choice for hikers who want to stay fresh and clean during long trips without needing to wash their clothes frequently.

Because bamboo fabrics are so soft, they tend to resist wrinkles better than other fabrics. Bamboo clothing is also wrinkle-resistant, so it looks good even after being packed in a backpack for days on end.

Overall, the comfort and feel of bamboo fabric make it an excellent choice for hiking. It’s soft, breathable, flexible, and gentle on the skin, and it helps to keep you comfortable and fresh during long hikes.

Sustainability

Sustainability is an important consideration for many hikers, who want to minimize their impact on the environment while enjoying the outdoors. Bamboo fabric is a sustainable choice for hiking because of its potential for low environmental impact.

Bamboo is a sustainable resource and grows rapidly without needing any pesticides or fertilizers to thrive, so it is easy to grow it organically.

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world, and it can grow up to 91 centimeters (36 inches) in a single day. This makes it a highly renewable resource, and it requires much less water than cotton to grow. In addition, bamboo doesn’t require the use of pesticides or fertilizers, which reduces the amount of chemicals that are released into the environment.

The production process for bamboo fabric is also relatively low-impact. The process of turning bamboo into fabric uses less water and energy than the process of turning cotton into fabric, and it doesn’t require the use of harsh chemicals like bleach and formaldehyde.

Bamboo fabric is also biodegradable, which means that it can break down naturally and won’t contribute to pollution or waste. When you’re done with your bamboo shirt or pants, you can feel good about tossing them in the compost bin instead of the landfill. This is important for hikers who want to leave the environment in the same or better condition than they found it.

Finally, bamboo fabric is often produced using eco-friendly practices, such as organic farming, and is sometimes certified by third-party organizations like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This ensures that the fabric has been produced in an environmentally responsible way.

Overall, the sustainability of bamboo fabric makes it an excellent choice for hikers who want to minimize their environmental impact. Bamboo is a highly renewable resource that requires less water and fewer chemicals to grow than other fabrics, and the production process for bamboo fabric is relatively low-impact. From the way it’s grown to the way it decomposes, bamboo can have a very low carbon footprint.

So What’s The Catch?

The problem for you as the consumer, is that you think that when you are buying Bamboo you are doing something great for the environment. And this is true, SOMETIMES…

While bamboo fabric is generally considered to be a more sustainable choice than other fabrics, it’s important to note that not all bamboo fabric is produced in an environmentally friendly way. In some cases, the manufacturing process can be harmful to the environment due to the use of harsh chemicals or unsustainable practices.

For example, some bamboo fabric is produced using a chemical process known as the viscose process, which uses chemicals like carbon disulfide, sodium hydroxide, and sulfuric acid to break down the bamboo fibers. These chemicals can be harmful to workers and the environment, and they can release pollutants into the air and water.

In addition, some bamboo fabric is produced using unsustainable practices like clear-cutting forests or using large amounts of water or energy during the production process. This can lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, and water scarcity, all of which can have negative impacts on the environment.

To ensure that the bamboo fabric you’re buying is produced in an environmentally responsible way, it’s important to look for certifications from third-party organizations like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. These certifications ensure that the fabric has been produced using eco-friendly practices and without the use of harmful chemicals. It’s also important to do your research and choose brands that prioritize sustainability and transparency in their production processes.

So its really important to check that its being manufactured by eco-friendly fabric manufacturers. Do that, and you’ll be on to a winner!

Summary: Why Bamboo Clothing Is Good

Bamboo is Soft

Bamboo fabric is soft and breathable, making it more comfortable to wear than other fabrics like denim or corduroy.

Bamboo is Breathable

Bamboo fabrics, are highly breathable, naturally antibacterial and will help wick away moisture from your skin, keeping you cool and comfortable even when the temperatures start to rise. 

Bamboo is Hypoallergenic

Fabrics made from bamboo are gentle on sensitive skin – perfect for those who suffer from allergies or rashes when wearing synthetic materials.

Bamboo is Durable

Bamboo is lightweight yet strong, making it ideal for hikers who want to minimize the weight of their backpack without compromising on durability.

Bamboo is Wrinkle Resistant

And as bamboo clothing doesn’t need to be ironed, it’s perfect for hikers who want to travel light without bringing along the ironing board!

Bamboo is UV Resistant

Bamboo fabric has natural UV protection, so it’s ideal for hikers who want to stay protected from the sun while out on the trail.

Bamboo is Thermo-Regulating

Bamboo has the wonderful ability to keep you cool when its hot and warm when its cold which makes it much easier for the hiker to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Bamboo is Green

No, not the color—although a lot of bamboo fabric is a beautiful green shade. We’re talking about the fact that bamboo is an environmentally friendly option. From the way it’s grown to the way it decomposes, bamboo has a very low carbon footprint. Just be careful to purchase from ethical manufacturers.

So next time you’re shopping for new hiking gear, look for items made from bamboo—you won’t be disappointed.