TLDR;
Yes and no.
Denim production when bamboo is incorporated is a compromise.
Cotton needs to be used to maintain the weight and feel of the fabric, but that can be offset by using organic cotton.
Around 50% of the fabric can be from bamboo fibres which dramatically reduces the water used in order to make a pair of jeans.
It’s not perfect, but there are choices which can be made by manufacturers to make denim production more sustainable.
Denim jeans rank as one of the least eco-friendly and sustainable clothing garments to make.
So you’re probably keen to switch2bamboo when it comes to denim. But can you make denim from bamboo?
Traditionally, in order to make a pair of denim jeans from cotton, it would take 2000 litres of water. That includes growing the cotton, processing it, and creating the denim fabric and the dips and dyes involved in the overall process.
The largest part of the water usage in making denim jeans however is in the growing of cotton.
1800 litres of the 2000 required are used just to grow the cotton.
Organic cotton uses up to 70% less water to grow so is a responsible switch from traditional cotton.
Many denim garments incorporating bamboo also use organic cotton to maintain the weight and feel of denim, so be sure to check not only that the bamboo is mechanically processed (and not chemically processed) but also that the cotton is organic.
What does denim made with bamboo fibres feel like?
Denim made with bamboo fibers can feel different from traditional denim made with cotton fibers. Bamboo fibers are typically smoother and softer to the touch than cotton fibers, which can make the denim feel more comfortable and lightweight.
Additionally, bamboo fibers have natural moisture-wicking properties, which can help keep the wearer cool and dry.
Overall, denim made with bamboo fibers can feel softer, smoother, and more comfortable than traditional denim, making it a popular choice for people who want the look of denim with added comfort and sustainability.
Is bamboo denim more expensive than traditional denim?
Depending on the brand and quality of the denim, bamboo denim may be more expensive than traditional cotton denim. However, some people are willing to pay more for the added comfort and sustainability benefits.
What does bamboo denim look like?
Bamboo denim can have a similar appearance to traditional cotton denim, but the texture may be slightly smoother and the color may be slightly lighter. Some bamboo denim may also have a slight sheen or luster to it.
Bamboo jeans are few and far between, with many incorporating less than 20% bamboo.
Others, although marketed as jeans, tend to have, visually at least, more in common with leggings and are predominately aimed at women rather than men.
If you’re lucky enough to live in the southern hemisphere a company called ‘made in hemp’ sell a denim jean based on 51% bamboo fibres, 46% cotton and 3% elastane and they look like a traditional denim jean.
For the rest of us, the market leader by far is BAM.
As a response to the 2018 challenge laid down by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to create sustainable denim, BAM created their 73 Zero Jeans.
Taking just a quarter of the water that it takes to make traditional cotton jeans, 73 Zero jeans use just 500 litres in the manufacturing process from growing the bamboo to packaging it for sale.
These bamboo jeans have no rivets and a button which unscrews which makes them fully recyclable (once you cut the zip out).
A nice touch is the stitched design on the rear pocket showing the global temperature rise from 2006 to 2020.
So can you make denim from bamboo?
Yes and no.
Denim production when bamboo is incorporated is a compromise.
Cotton needs to be used to maintain the weight and feel of the fabric, but that can be offset by using organic cotton.
Around 50% of the fabric can be from bamboo fibres which dramatically reduces the water used in order to make a pair of jeans.
It’s not perfect, but there are choices which can be made by manufacturers to make denim production more sustainable.
Denim made from bamboo is incredibly soft and lightweight, with a silky texture that feels similar to satin. It has a much more luxurious feel than traditional denim, and is also more breathable and moisture-wicking.
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