Bamboo joggers for men and how to avoid bagging at the knee
Short answer: Baggy knees come from heat more than wear. A tumble dryer on high heat pulls the fibres together unevenly, and the knee is where the fabric is stretched most. Dry on low heat or hang the trousers up, and you avoid most of it.
Why the knee bags
When you sit down, the fabric stretches over the knee. It happens many times a day, and each time a small bulge forms. If the trousers are then heated in the tumble dryer, the stretched shape sets in the fibres, leaving a bulge that will not go away. See bamboo sweatpants for men.
How to avoid it
The fix is simple and costs nothing. Wash the trousers at 40 degrees with a mild detergent, and dry them on low heat or hang them up. Pull them gently into shape while damp so the knees straighten out. Avoid the highest dryer setting, because that is what locks the shape into the fabric.
The fabric matters too
A fabric with a little elastane springs back into shape when you stand up. Pure viscose without stretch does not do so to the same degree, so it looks worn over the knees sooner. Check the fibre content on the product page. A few percent elastane makes a clear difference over a long day.
Fit plays a part
If the trousers are very loose, fabric gathers at the knee when you sit and a bag forms more easily. If they are too tight, the fabric is pulled harder and recovers more slowly. A fit with a little room but no excess fabric at the knee holds its shape best. Choose your usual size.
Sitting at work
If you sit a lot during the day, the knees take more strain than usual. Stand up now and then and stretch your legs. It is good for you, and it gives the fabric a chance to recover a little. Rotating between two pairs also gives each pair time to rest between wears.
Can bags be fixed
Partly. A wash at 40 degrees followed by air drying usually pulls most of it back, because the fibres relax in water. Lay the trousers flat or hang them by the waistband while they dry. If the bag has been set by many rounds of high heat, it may be hard to remove completely.
Pilling and wear at the knee
The knee is also where pilling starts first, because the fabric rubs against itself and whatever you sit on. Turn the trousers inside out before washing and wash them with similar fabrics. Keep them away from towels that shed lint. That keeps the surface smooth and the knees neat for longer.
The rest of the set
Sweatpants are often half of a set. The top is in bamboo sweatshirts for men, and full sets are gathered in bamboo tracksuits for men. Wash the pieces of a set together and in the same way, so the colour ages evenly and they still match after many washes.
Storage
Fold the trousers on a shelf instead of hanging them over a chair, where the knees can hang and pull. If they are damp, let them dry completely before putting them away. A simple fold down the middle of the leg is enough. Then they are ready and look neat the next time you wear them.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my joggers bag at the knee?
Because heat has set the stretched shape in the fabric. Dry them on low heat or hang them up, and it happens far less often, even with daily wear.
Can bags be fixed again?
Partly. A wash at 40 degrees and air drying usually pull most of it back, while bags set by many hot dryer cycles are harder to remove.
Does elastane help against bagging?
Yes. Elastane makes the fabric spring back into shape, where pure viscose stays stretched for longer. A few percent is enough to notice the difference.
See our range of bamboo sweatpants for men.
