What polyamide means on a label
Short answer: Polyamide is a synthetic fibre that is strong, light and hard wearing. It is also called nylon and is used where the fabric has to withstand a lot. Here we look at what it adds and why it sits in socks.
What polyamide is
Polyamide is a synthetic fibre made from chemical raw materials, not from plants. It is strong, light and hard wearing, and it is also called nylon. The fibre is used where the fabric has to withstand a lot, and on a label it often appears as a small part of a blend.
What it adds
Strength and durability are polyamide's main qualities. In socks it sits where there is most rubbing, meaning the heel and toe. In sportswear it gives shape stability without weight. Because it is light, it can strengthen a fabric without making it heavy or stiff to wear.
How it behaves
Polyamide absorbs little moisture and dries quickly. On the other hand, it does not draw moisture away from the skin as well as plant based fibres. That is why it is not a good choice alone in clothes worn close all day, but works well as reinforcement with a softer fibre. See bamboo socks for men.
Why it sits in socks
Heel and toe wear the most, because they rub against shoe and floor. With polyamide in the yarn they last longer, and the sock gets a firm shape. Without it, a pair of socks in soft plant fibre would quickly turn thin in those places. That is why polyamide is almost always in socks, including those of bamboo.
Where else you meet it
Polyamide is found in sportswear, rain jackets, underwear and as reinforcement in blends. You also see it in bags and rugs, because it withstands wear. On a label it appears as polyamide or nylon, and the percentage shows how large a share of the fabric it makes up.
Polyamide and polyester
Polyamide is not the same as polyester. Both are synthetic, but they are made from different raw materials and behave differently. Polyamide is typically softer and more supple, while polyester is stiffer. So read the label and check which of the two is listed if you want to know how the fabric feels.
Nylon and polyamide
Nylon is the older trade name for polyamide, and the two words describe the same type of fibre. You may therefore meet both on a label without any difference. Nylon was originally a trademark but became an ordinary word. Polyamide is the word labels mostly use today.
How to wash clothes with polyamide
Wash by the symbols on the label, usually at 30 degrees with a mild detergent. Polyamide handles washing well, but high heat can wear it and make it brittle. Avoid fabric softener, because it can leave a film on the fibre. Let the clothes air dry so they last a long time.
Bamboo Basics
In socks from Bamboo Basics, polyamide is listed, if it is included, together with the other fibres in the fibre content. Also see bamboo socks for women. Read the label on the individual pair, so you know how the blend is put together and what each fibre adds.
Frequently asked questions
Is polyamide the same as polyester
No. Both are synthetic, but they behave differently. Polyamide is made from other raw materials than polyester and is typically more supple and soft, and you can see which one it is on the label.
Are nylon and polyamide the same
Yes. Nylon is the older trade name for polyamide, and both words describe the same type of fibre. Labels today mostly say polyamide, but you may meet nylon on older or foreign clothes.
Why is there polyamide in bamboo socks
Because it makes heel and toe more hard wearing. Bamboo fibre is soft but wears faster, so a small share of polyamide reinforces the places where the sock rubs most.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
