Bamboo for Me and You: 3 Benefits of Bamboo Socks

As a member of the Odd Socks Squad, you're likely already aware of how cosy, fun, and enjoyable our Lambchops socks are to wear. But that's not where the benefits stop.

Our mismatched socks don't just bring a smile to your face: they also bring positive changes to our actual planet!

The Fabric of Our Lives

Many of us grew up wearing cotton. From shirts to knickers to socks, we spent years swathed in cotton from head to toe.

Unfortunately, cotton hasn't proven the best choice for the environment. Not only is most cotton grown with neither organic nor sustainable methods, but it also contributes heavily to environmental pollution and uses vast amounts of natural resources. For example, it can take 5,000 gallons of water to produce 1 kg of cotton!

And that's not all.

Conventional cotton production also accounts for 18% of worldwide pesticide use and 25% of total insecticide use. While pesticide use isn't as concerning in clothing as in food, our skin is the largest organ, and it is covered with tiny pores, so we literally ingest what we wear. That means that trace chemicals can be passed into our bloodstream every time we wear conventional cotton clothes. (Gallant)

Yikes!

Fortunately, however, the days when cotton ruled have drawn to a close. Now more than ever before, we have access to more natural options, such as the bamboo fabric our odd socks here at Lambchops are made from.

3 Benefits of Bamboo Socks

Our funky, mismatched bamboo socks are always a delight to the eyes, but they also come with additional benefits!

Good for the Environment

In contrast to cotton, bamboo does not put a heavy strain on the environment. We can feel good about growing it and using it for many different purposes, including our fabrics.  

 Bamboo can be a very sustainable crop: a fast-growing grass, it requires no fertiliser and self-regenerates from its own roots, so it doesn't need to be replanted. When compared to cotton cultivation, which requires large amounts of water, pesticides, and labour, the advantages are pretty clear. (Good on You)

Of course, not everyone who grows bamboo around the world is choosing to do so in a way that maximises sustainability and prioritises our planet. But at least with bamboo, sustainability is possible in a way that is simply not available with other fabrics like cotton.

And, happily, many growing bamboo are making a difference, including those growing the bamboo that makes up our Lambchops socks.  

All-Day Comfort

As you've probably already noticed, our odd socks are both thermo-regulating and moisture-wicking. That means even on hot days when your feet would normally sweat at high levels, your Lambchops socks will help keep them cool and dry. What a time to be alive!

Here's how it works.

In addition to being made with bamboo fabric, thermo-regulating fabrics have been treated with a smart material that makes it capable of responding to changes in body temperature. On hot days when you're sweating and putting off more heat than usual, the threads in the fabric actually contract, allowing the infrared radiation coming off your body to more quickly pass through and escape into the air. When the temperatures drop, the process occurs in reverse, keeping heat trapped close next to your skin where it can help keep you warm. 

This means you can wear your Lambchops socks all day regardless of the season or weather! You don't have to worry if it's too hot or too cold for these all-season socks.

They'll keep you comfortable no matter what. 

Saving Face

We've all faced the fear of taking off our shoes at the end of a long day and not knowing what sort of aroma is waiting to greet us. The stakes are even higher if we have to take our shoes off around friends and family or (heaven forbid!) in front of a group in a public setting!

For some of us, this scenario is the stuff of nightmares. 

If your feet sweat a lot no matter the weather, you know that most socks trap all that sweat right next to your feet, letting it soak and marinate all day long. As we already mentioned above, Lambchops socks don't do that. Because they are thermo-regulating and moisture-wicking, they help heat escape, allowing sweat to more quickly evaporate.

Fortunately, Lambchops socks are also antiperspirant and antibacterial as well, meaning they can be worn all day without the same sorts of concerns about your feet getting smelly.

As we all know, sweat isn't actually the cause of unpleasant aromas: bacteria is. 

Our sweat only leads to body odour when bacteria is in the mix.

This includes foot odour.

Most of us wear shoes and socks, making it much more difficult for the sweat to evaporate, giving the bacteria more sweat to break down into smelly substances. Moist feet also raise the risk of fungi developing, which can also give off unpleasant smells. (Medical News Today)

While foot odour is embarrassing, it's also part of the human condition. So we shouldn't sweat it, as the saying goes. Instead, we can prepare for it and take steps that can help minimise the danger of stinky feet. 

Ways to prevent foot odour may include:

• Practising good basic hygiene by washing your feet daily
• Keeping your shoes clean and dry
• Routinely replacing old shoes 
• Letting your feet "breathe" by occasionally walking around barefoot 
• Wearing a fresh, clean pair of Lambchops socks every day

While these are all important steps, the last one is the most fun.

So go break out your favourite pair of odd socks!

Sock It to 'Em

Not everyone has yet discovered the absolute delight of bamboo fabrics—in particular our odd Lambchops socks!

One way to help more people make this discovery is to wear our socks proudly, let others know why we adore them, buy pairs as gifts for our friends and family members, and help share the love.

In other words, we can sock it to 'em!