Bamboosa Fabric Test (Part 2)

Moisture Retention

Requested by Mo from Bamboosa to test their viscose from bamboo shirts, I gave them a thorough testing. In Part 1 of the Bamboosa Fabric Test, the antimicrobial properties of some Bamboosa products were tested. For those interested in the short version, it goes like this: They passed with flying colors as far as odor-repelling properties are concerned.

After wearing Bamboosa’s shirts during numerous outdoor activities, it seemed that the shirt remained wet for a longer timeframe than I expected of a seemingly antimicrobial, performance shirt. I wasn’t certain if this was merely a perception or reality. Intrigued by this fabric and ever curious as to its other properties, I came up with a non-field fabric test to compare the moisture retention of bamboo to some of the other fabrics available.

The central question of the test was simple: Does viscose derived from bamboo have special properties when it comes to drying out after being soaked?

To find out, I selected five shirts comprised of various fabrics and poured ½ cup of water on each one. I was careful to sop up any water that passed through the fabric to the countertop so that each contained an identical amount of water. Then I let them dry in a windless, cool room. Spacing them so that none were shielded more from any slight air currents than others, I let them dry and measured the time elapsed.

The shirts, and their composition, were as follows:

1. Bamboosa – 70% viscose from bamboo / 30% cotton.

2. Red and Black – 100% Polyester.

3. A&W – 50% Cotton / 50% Polyester.

4. Senor Frog’s – 100% Cotton.

5. Minus33 baselayer – 100% Merino Wool.

The first surprise came when I poured the measured water amount on the Minus33 merino wool baselayer shirt. As is visible in the following photos, the water just sat on top of the shirt. Whereas all the other shirts quickly absorbed their requisite water amounts, it appears that merino wool has substantial water shedding properties. Undeterred, I gave it some time, and eventually there was no longer any water on top of the shirt. As I picked it up, I noticed that much (most) of the water was on the countertop! I patted the Minus33 baselayer into the puddle, and within about two or three minutes, I’d succeeded in forcing the merino wool to absorb all of the water.

I realize that wet shirts dry much faster if they’re next to a warm body. However, there’s no way to be precise about my external body temperature and the amount that I sweat, so the air dry test is what it is – representative of drying times of the fabrics alone. As I have no calibrated measuring device to gauge moisture content, the test was based on feel alone. Fabrics feel very different to the touch when they are soaking wet, somewhat wet, nearly dry, and dry, so I went with that awareness and triple checked when I had any doubts.

Here are the results in hours and minutes, beginning with the fastest drying time:

1. Minus33  – 100% Merino Wool – 6:30

2. A&W – 50% Cotton / 50% Polyester  – 7:40

3. R & B – 100% Polyester – 8:10

4. (tied) Senor Frog’s – 100% Cotton – 8:55

5. (tied) Bamboosa – 70% viscose from bamboo / 30% cotton – 8:55

The outcome was enlightening. That a cotton/polyester blend would dry before 100% polyester was surprising. Viscose from bamboo/cotton blend tying with pure cotton surprised me. The Minus33 merino wool baselayer turning in a drying time over an hour less than the next fastest fabric was less surprising after witnessing its predilection towards non-absorption (read: water shedding capability).

For full details on Bamboosa’s viscose from bamboo shirts, look to the wrap-up – Part 3 – of the Bamboosa Fabric Test, where it all comes together.