Bamboo Viscose vs. Wood Viscose – The Difference

Short answer: Bamboo viscose and viscose from wood are made with the same process – the difference is the raw material. Viscose made from bamboo has the advantage out in the field: the plant grows faster than trees, manages without irrigation and shoots again after harvest. In the finished fabric the properties are almost identical.

Same process, different raw material

All viscose is made by dissolving plant cellulose and spinning it into new fibres. The cellulose can come from beech, spruce, eucalyptus – or bamboo. The fibre that comes out at the other end is chemically much the same. You can read more about the process in the whole truth about bamboo textiles.

This is where bamboo wins as a raw material

Bamboo is ready to harvest in 3-5 years against decades for trees, typically needs neither irrigation nor pesticides, and does not have to be replanted. That gives more cellulose per hectare with fewer resources – the details are in the honest guide to bamboo and the environment.

Can you feel the difference?

Hardly, to the touch – both are soft and smooth. But bamboo viscose has a reputation for particularly good moisture transport, and it is what we have built our range on: from bamboo underwear for men and bamboo underwear for women to bamboo bedding.

Frequently asked questions

Is viscose from bamboo better than viscose from wood?

In the finished fabric the difference is minimal. The advantage lies in the growing, where bamboo grows faster and needs fewer resources than wood.

How can I tell whether the viscose is made from bamboo?

Check the label. If it says bamboo viscose or viscose (bamboo), the raw material is bamboo.

Do the two types of viscose feel the same?

Largely, yes. Both are soft and smooth, but bamboo viscose is often singled out for its good moisture transport and breathability.