Bamboo socks: What are they and are they good for you?
You may think of bamboo as a support for your climbing plants or as a panda’s favourite snack, but have you ever thought about it as a sustainable clothing material? Bamboo can be used to make, yes you guessed it, our favourite type of clothing . . . SOCKS! Sorry we just love socks.
Yes you heard it right though, socks can be made out of bamboo and they are rather comfortable if we do say so ourselves. But did you also know that bamboo socks have multiple benefits normal (boring) socks don’t have.
So if you are into your socks and want to learn more about what bamboo socks are, the benefits of bamboo socks and lots more, we are going to answer all of these questions and more throughout this handy blog. So, without further ado, let’s jump in!
What are bamboo socks?
Bamboo socks are socks made out of bamboo threads which are spun and knitted together. They are sustainable, eco-friendly, and (in our opinion) the most comfortable socks on the market!
How are bamboo socks made?
Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on the planet, making it an ideal option for manufacturing clothing out of. Bamboo plants are usually harvested after about four years of growth, before being crushed and soaked to a pulp. This pulp is dried and pressed into sheets, before being ground into fibres and spun into threads. These threads are combined into a yarn called bamboo viscose.
The bamboo viscose is dyed and weaved with other polymers in the same way as cotton and wool to create the beautiful socks that you see for sale today!
Are bamboo socks made of 100% bamboo?
While you can find 100% bamboo socks, these are rare. This is because, although 100% bamboo socks are the softest and most comfortable, they are less hard-wearing than those blended with other fibres.
Here at Hedgy Socks, we have worked hard to find the best material combination that balances comfort with durability to make sure that your socks last! Our socks are a cocktail of 80% bamboo, 17% Spandex and 3% Nylon, which (in our humble opinion) is the perfect material ratio!
Will bamboo socks last a long time?
Bamboo socks are renowned for their longevity compared to regular cotton or wool socks that wear out after a few months. The average lifespan of a pair of bamboo socks can vary, depending on how often they're worn, the percentage of bamboo and how you take care of them. That being said, most bamboo sock manufacturers claim that they can last for up to three years if cared for correctly.
One of the reasons that bamboo socks outlive their cotton cousins is because of the natural strength and elasticity of bamboo fibres. Because of this, bamboo socks are able to retain their shape and stretch over time - even after multiple washes - unlike cotton and wool.
Another reason that bamboo socks can last longer is because of their moisture-wicking ability and absorbance.
What are the benefits of bamboo socks?
There are so many benefits of bamboo socks that make them a must-have addition to your wardrobe. As well as looking brilliant, bamboo socks are good for your feet, your health and the environment!
Bamboo is sustainable
Bamboo is a much more sustainable material than cotton and wool. As we’ve already mentioned, bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth, and it is also naturally renewable, as it grows new shoots once it has been harvested, without having to be re-planted.
As well as this, bamboo is incredibly water-efficient. Once established, it is a self-sufficient plant that doesn’t require any irrigation. It only needs one-third of the amount of water to grow than cotton, and uses 200 times less water to produce fabric than cotton does too.
Bamboo is widely considered to be a carbon-neutral plant, meaning it absorbs the same amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as it produces when it is harvested. Research has shown that bamboo can absorb 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare per year, and it also produces over 35% more oxygen than trees.
Bamboo socks are anti-bacterial
Thanks to the naturally-occurring antimicrobial bio-agent, bamboo kun, bamboo has anti-bacterial features and a bacterial rate of up to 99.8%. This means that, unlike socks made out of wool, they keep your feet cleaner, and they’re odour-resistant and hypoallergenic!
Bamboo socks are moisture-wicking
As well as being anti-bacterial, bamboo socks also absorb moisture four times faster than cotton socks do. This not only means that your feet will smell less, but also that you are less likely to get fungal infections such as athlete's foot.
Bamboo socks are softer
Bamboo is one of the softest sock materials, and feels closer to cashmere or silk than cotton, wool or synthetic materials. This softness produces less friction in your shoe, making you more comfortable and even reducing the risk of blisters!
Bamboo is durable
Like we mentioned above, one huge benefit to bamboo socks is that they are extremely hard-wearing, and most bamboo socks on the market are blended with other fibres to make your socks stronger, more durable and last longer!
Bamboo socks are thermo-regulating
Don’t you hate it when the rest of your body is at a comfortable temperature, but your feet are absolutely freezing? Bamboo socks to the rescue! Bamboo fibres are thermo-regulating, which means they maintain a regular temperature, keeping your feet cool in summer and warm in winter!
Bamboo socks can help with diabetes!
We know, it sounds crazy, but bamboo socks can actually help people with diabetes! Properly caring for your feet is an important part of diabetes management, due to the potential damage to the circulatory and nervous systems caused by high blood sugar levels. Circulatory problems caused by diabetes can interfere with healing any wounds because of the lack of continuous blood flow, and diabetic neuropathy causes nerve damage which can decrease the sensation in the feet and increase the risk of injury or the delay of treatment.
Bamboo socks have a number of features that can help foot issues associated with the condition. For example, the moisture-wicking properties of bamboo socks can protect the wearer from developing blisters and other wounds, and the antimicrobial properties mean that bacteria and fungi growth is prevented.
The fine-texture of bamboo socks also aids comfort and reduces abrasion against the skin, and the natural-elasticity of bamboo fibres means that the socks can stretch easily, staying up without restricting blood flow.
Do you need to wash bamboo socks separately?
The secret to keeping your bamboo socks intact for longer is proper care. While you don’t need to wash them separately, it is definitely recommended. However, if you don’t have enough socks to wash an entire load and you don’t fancy hand washing them, we’d suggest washing them in a mesh laundry bag. Not only will this prevent your socks from stretching or piling, you’ll also never lose a sock again (you can thank us later!)
Where can you buy bamboo socks from?
If you like the sound of socks that aren’t just good for your feet, but for the environment too, and fancy dipping your toe (pardon the pun) into the world of bamboo socks, then Hedgy Socks are here to help!
Our bamboo socks are sustainable and chemical-free, and designed with adorable animal prints to spread awareness of the different animals we have here in the UK! By purchasing our socks, you are doing your bit for the environment and helping animals, as we donate to wildlife and environmental causes!
Browse our wildlife or farm-animal socks to find a pair that speaks to your inner spirit animal!
