Should you spend £49 on these bamboo leggings?
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Following YOU's recent report on the potentially harmful substances found in sports bras, and US magazine The Cut asking: 'Are your favourite workout leggings full of toxic chemicals?', we've never been more motivated to seek out natural activewear. Enter Bam, a clothing brand that uses fabric created largely from bamboo. Founder David Gordon became an early adopter of the high-performance material after a trip to China in 2006. He started the company in his garage, selling T-shirts made of bamboo viscose; since then it has expanded to sell a wide range of fitness wear.
What's the science?
The process of turning bamboo into a fabric (bamboo viscose) uses chemicals, which is why some people have questioned just how saintly bamboo clothing actually is. Bam says it only works with manufacturers who handle chemicals responsibly and invest in technology to improve the situation further. Finding a fabric that has no chemical footprint at all is tricky; while bamboo viscose is certainly more sustainable than synthetic fabrics, we can't yet say it's a toxin-free clothing option.
Enduro sculpting leggings
£49 Shop
What's the benefit?
Sixty-nine per cent of all textiles are synthetics made from crude oil; against this context bamboo stands out as a more sustainable choice. The plant is fast-growing and absorbs five times more carbon than hardwood trees. It needs half the land that cotton does to produce the same amount of fibre, requires little water to grow and no pesticides.
What's the verdict?
When we tried them, Bam leggings felt soft and lightweight, and weren't see-through when we adopted the downward-facing dog (they promise to 'stay opaque in the deepest squat'). We love the supportive waistband to keep everything tucked in. Plus, they have every jogger's favourite feature: a handy back pocket for your keys. Black is the bestselling colour, but there are eight others to choose from, too.
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