Bamboo viscose against polyester in practice
Short answer: Polyester dries faster and wrinkles less. Bamboo viscose absorbs moisture and feels cooler against the skin, but dries more slowly. So the choice depends on what you use the clothes for and how much you sweat.
Two ways of handling moisture
Polyester is a synthetic fibre and bamboo viscose is a regenerated cellulose fibre. They handle moisture in their own ways, and that difference decides most things in daily use. Here we go through moisture, odour and durability without crowning a winner, since each has strengths and suits different uses.
The moisture
Polyester absorbs almost no moisture and passes it to the surface, where it can evaporate. Viscose takes the moisture into the fibre, which feels dry with a little sweat and heavy with a lot. Those are two quite different principles. One keeps the fabric light, and the other draws the moisture into the fabric.
With a little and a lot of sweat
With a little sweat, viscose feels dry and comfortable, and cooler against the skin. With a lot of sweat the fibre becomes saturated and the fabric feels heavy. Polyester does not turn heavy in the same way, because the moisture sits on the surface. So for short, calm days viscose suits well, while long days with a lot of sweat often work better in polyester.
Drying
Polyester dries faster because the moisture does not sit inside the fibre. Viscose dries more slowly because it has to release the moisture again. That matters if you wash in the evening and need the clothes next day, or if you are travelling with little time. At home in daily life the difference is rarely a problem if you have room to let laundry hang.
The odour
Polyester holds odour more easily, because bacteria stay on the surface instead of being taken into the fibre. That is why a polyester garment can smell again shortly after a wash, while viscose does not in the same way. If you want clothes that stay fresh between washes, viscose is often the better bet. Have a look at our bamboo pants for women.
The durability
Polyester wears more slowly and does not tear as easily. Viscose wears faster but keeps its surface even. Both can be an advantage, depending on what you expect from the clothes. If wear resistance matters most, polyester has a head start. If it is appearance over time you are after, the picture is more mixed, as the next section shows.
Pilling and appearance
Polyester pills faster, and pilling makes a garment look used long before the fabric is worn out. Viscose wears faster but keeps its surface even, so it can look the same for longer. Many only notice this difference when the clothes are a few months old. One example of everyday clothing is our bamboo sweatshirt for women.
For sport and everyday
For sport, polyester dries fastest, while viscose feels cooler. For everyday wear and the office, viscose is often nicer against the skin. See also our bamboo compression stockings. Compression stockings are worn by some for health reasons, so talk to your doctor about what suits you and which fit to choose.
What you should choose
Choose polyester if fast drying and wear resistance matter most. Choose viscose if you want something that feels cool and soft and does not smell to the same degree. The two fibres can also be blended in one garment, and then you get a little of both. Always check the composition label to see how the blend is made up.
Frequently asked questions
What is best for sport
Polyester dries fastest and does not turn heavy with sweat. Viscose feels cooler against the skin but dries more slowly, so for long, sweaty sessions polyester is the most practical.
What smells least
Viscose, because the moisture is taken into the fibre. Polyester holds odour more easily because bacteria stay on the surface, so a polyester garment can smell again shortly after a wash.
What lasts longest
Polyester wears more slowly and does not tear as easily, but it pills faster. Viscose wears faster but keeps its surface even, so the appearance can stay good for longer.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
