Whether you’re planning a long-haul flight abroad or going on a road trip, you want comfortable clothes to wear on your trip. With the growing interest in sustainability, many travelers are opting for travel clothing made from bamboo fibers.
In addition to being environmentally friendly, this material offers other benefits for travelers: it is breathable, has a soft and luxurious feel, and is easy to pack.
To learn more about bamboo travel apparel, Forbes.com spoke with Tyler Howells, CEO and founder of Cozy Earth, a company that pioneered the use of responsibly sourced bamboo textiles in its bedding and clothing lines.
The brand has been chosen four times as one of Oprah’s favorite things.
What are your most popular pieces of bamboo travel apparel in your line?
Tyler Howells, CEO and Founder of Cozy Earth
Tyler Howells: These include our Brushed Bamboo Jogger Collection (pants, shorts, tees, hoodies), our Ribbet-Knit Collection, and our Brushed Bamboo Stretch Knit T-shirts. Read also : Get three months to play Tidal’s HiFi music for $ 3.
Why are travelers opting for this fabric?
TH: Travelers love our “premium bamboo viscose” clothing because it’s light and easy to fold (or roll) without bulk, making it perfect for packing in a small carry-on bag or weekend bag. Read also : Oregon Tech scientists expand research on air quality impact on health.
It’s also noticeably softer and feels more breathable than other fabrics, even with temperature swings. It keeps you warmer in cold weather and cooler in warm weather.
However, the price can be a drawback. The clothes are made to last longer, so they are usually a bigger investment than travel clothes made from other common fabrics.
Is the use of bamboo in fabrics relatively new?
TH: The use of viscose from bamboo yarn in fabrics has been around for at least 15 years, and basic rayon (its predecessor) has been around much longer, since 1911. Read also : How many people can watch Netflix at once? A guide to simultaneous streaming..
But travelers, like many others, have become increasingly interested in sustainability.
Are all bamboo fabrics the same quality?
TH: To avoid confusion with traditional, unprocessed bamboo, the FTC guidelines require the use of specific terminology. That’s why we use the term “bamboo viscose”. Sometimes you will hear the term “bamboo rayon” used as a synonym.
Regardless of the name used, the quality, feel and longevity of the product varies dramatically from company to company. Higher quality yarn and knitting techniques lead to a longer lasting product.
What led you to create such a bamboo-centric focus at Cozy Earth?
TH: My mother tells me that from a young age I was always “picky” about clothes and bedding – a sentiment that continues to this day.
In college I spent two years in Australia learning and becoming fluent in Mandarin Chinese. This laid the foundation for me to work directly with manufacturers around the world, researching and developing the most luxurious bedding, apparel and living experiences for Cozy Earth.
We have been in business for over 13 years and pride ourselves on hand-picking one supplier at a time (as opposed to relying on middlemen) to ensure we use the best fibres, materials, practices and manufacturers available.
Where is bamboo sourced? Why is it more eco-friendly than cotton, for example?
TH: The bamboo used to make our fabrics comes from certified organic and sustainable farms in Southwest China. Here, bamboo literally grows like a weed, releasing no CO2 into the atmosphere when it is cut down and growing back quickly.
It does not require heavy machinery to grow and does not use the use of harmful pesticides or fresh water irrigation like cotton, wood and other plants.
Bamboo viscose is produced in a closed-loop process that recycles water and chemicals in its production rather than releasing them into the environment.
Aside from styling and appearance, how can a traveler judge the quality of a bamboo fiber product?
TH: The same challenge is present in everything, from cotton to hamburger: “Everyone makes it, so which one is the best?” Especially when shopping online, it’s important to pay attention to brand values and specialization.
Also see the company’s customer service and return policy. A liberal return policy allows the consumer to evaluate the quality and performance of their clothing. When all else fails, look at the price. If it seems unusually low, you’re probably getting what you paid for. Top quality fabrics and textiles are expensive to produce.
I must add that our Cozy Earth clothes look great too. You can wear your “comfort clothes” to the airport and still feel classy and stylish!
Note: This conversation has been slightly edited and condensed for clarity.
