Bamboo vs. Polyester – The Big Comparison

Short answer: In the duel between bamboo vs polyester, bamboo wins on comfort, odour and skin friendliness, while polyester wins on drying time and on price at the cheap end. Polyester is plastic that quickly starts to smell of sweat; bamboo viscose is a cellulose fibre that breathes, feels soft and inhibits odour-causing bacteria.

Bamboo vs Polyester: The Fundamental Difference

Polyester is a synthetic fibre made from oil. It absorbs almost no moisture, so sweat stays on the skin and bacteria settle in the fabric, hence that familiar sports top smell. Bamboo viscose absorbs the moisture and moves it away while inhibiting bacterial growth, so the clothes stay fresh.

For Training and Everyday Wear

The smell is precisely why many people switch to bamboo for both everyday wear and exercise. Read the full argument in the article about bamboo for training, and see the range of bamboo activewear for women and bamboo T-shirts for men. A bamboo sports bra is a good place to start.

Where Polyester Still Has a Point

Polyester dries extremely fast and handles rough mechanical wear, so for rainwear and shell layers synthetic fibres make sense. But for everything that sits directly against the skin, T-shirts, underwear and socks, bamboo is the comfortable choice. Try bamboo socks for men, for example, and feel the difference after a long day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does polyester smell of sweat?

Polyester absorbs almost no moisture, so the sweat stays on your skin and odour-causing bacteria settle in the fabric. The smell often lingers, even after washing.

Is bamboo better than polyester for training?

For most forms of exercise, yes. Bamboo moves sweat away and does not smell, but for rainwear and shell layers synthetic fibres are still best.

Which is kindest to the skin?

Bamboo viscose. It is soft, smooth and breathable and is therefore a good choice for sensitive skin, where polyester can feel clammy and irritating.