Bamboo, modal and lyocell side by side

Short answer: All three are manufactured cellulose fibres, but they are made by different processes. Modal and lyocell are typically made from wood, while bamboo viscose is made from bamboo.

A shared starting point

All three start as cellulose from plants that is dissolved and spun into thread. It is the process that separates them.

Viscose

The oldest and most widespread process. The fibre is soft and has good drape.

Modal

A variant of the viscose process that gives a stronger fibre, especially when wet.

Lyocell

Made with a solvent in a closed loop where most of it is reused. The fibre is strong and smooth.

What you can feel

The differences are small in the finished garment. Knit and fabric weight matter more for the feel than the fibre name.

The raw material

Bamboo grows fast and can be harvested without the plant dying. See how fast does bamboo grow.

See also

More on the subject in bamboo versus modal and Tencel.

Where you find them

In the shop the vast majority of items are bamboo viscose. See them gathered in bamboo clothing for women.

Frequently asked questions

Is lyocell better than viscose?

The process runs in a closed loop and the fibre is stronger. In the finished garment the difference is smaller than many people think.

Is modal made from bamboo?

Typically not. Modal is most often made from wood, usually beech.

What matters most for the feel?

Knit and fabric weight matter more than the fibre name itself.