Bamboo failure or Personal Problem?

[Carpet Capital Shyster]

So, I bought some new bamboo shirts from a well known company to see what all the hype was about. I intended to use them primarily for trout fishing in the Appalachian mountains in the summer, along with yard work, and if they proved to be a game-changer, in the South Georgia dove field for the hot opening day hunt. Sunday, I took the lightweight long sleeved shirt directly out of the package, without washing (maybe this was the problem) and wore it trout fishing up in the Blue Ridge mountains. It was a spectacular failure. The air temp was not even that hot (maybe mid to high 70’s) but the humidity was high and my shirt was like a furnace. My body was noticeably warmer than usual when fishing. Moreover, I was so overheated (or maybe heat escaping from my shirt collar) that my prescription sunglasses stayed perpetually fogged up. I could not see very much for the entire excursion. I typically wear merino short sleeves or really cheap synthetic shirts fishing and have never had any problem with body heat and fogged up sunglasses. What did I do wrong? Is bamboo not all its cracked up to be? Did I make a major error by wearing it directly without washing? Maybe bamboo just isn’t ideal for the high humidity south? In my quest for very hot weather clothing should I stick with merino? Would the Kuiu Tiburon shirt work? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Cervid]

My bamboo socks performed similarly. I think the material is just not very good compared to the alternatives.

 

[Carpet Capital Shyster]

My bamboo socks performed similarly. I think the material is just not very good compared to the alternatives.

I guess so. At this point, I’d probably rather wear a high quality cotton shirt fishing than bamboo. At least the cotton will breath a lot better and I’m not certain there was a huge difference in moisture retention between the bamboo and a cotton t shirt.

 

[roosiebull]

interesting.... i don't have any bamboo clothing, but sheets and pillow cases, and most important, bath towels all have to be bamboo for me.... bed sheets are nice and cool, same with pillow cases, and towels, i won't use anything else anymore.

i figured bamboo clothes would be awesome in the heat based on my experience with bamboo

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Most Bamboo reacts in hot humid weathers. my experience.

 

[ODB]

Dunno man, poplin cotton (think filson feather cloth) has worked too well for too long to try to reinvent the wheel for light clothing in hot weather.

I know the weather you are taking about as I lived in VA and the Carolinas for 30 years. Poplin has been and will always be my first choice in the heat.

 

[Smallie]

I had the opposite experience. Just received a lightweight bamboo hoody last week and wore it fishing Saturday. Temp was about mid 80's and sunny but probably not as humid as down by you (Midwest). Also didn't wash it and thought it performed just as well as my Columbia PFG shirts. Already looking at one in camo to wear Antelope hunting this in September

 

[Gorp2007]

Really like my bamboo down here in Texas, this is my second summer and my two bamboo shirts are my go to when it's above 90. I size mine to be a little loose but not baggy.

 

[TSAMP]

I had the opposite experience. Just received a lightweight bamboo hoody last week and wore it fishing Saturday. Temp was about mid 80's and sunny but probably not as humid as down by you (Midwest). Also didn't wash it and thought it performed just as well as my Columbia PFG shirts. Already looking at one in camo to wear Antelope hunting this in September

Which ones did you go with? I'm in the Midwest and eyeballing bamboo as well.

 

[Carpet Capital Shyster]

I had the opposite experience. Just received a lightweight bamboo hoody last week and wore it fishing Saturday. Temp was about mid 80's and sunny but probably not as humid as down by you (Midwest). Also didn't wash it and thought it performed just as well as my Columbia PFG shirts. Already looking at one in camo to wear Antelope hunting this in September

Yeah, I would think that it would be great for fishing. I wonder if it was the combo of humidity and physical exertion? I customarily hike a mile or so into my fishing location, as I did here, and I’m doing a lot scrambling up hills and climbing up rocks. Maybe bamboo is meant for more stationary activities? I’m just spitballing here. Or maybe I just got a bad batch?

 

[Titan_Bow]

It must have something to do with the oppressive humidity there Seriously, I have 3 hoodies from Freefly, and in the low humidity of Colorado and the Mountain West, they are awesome in the summertime. I am actually wearing the camo one from them right now, and getting ready to go out this evening and shoot some 3D. It's currently 92 here, but 10% humidity and a slight breeze. It feels really comfortable considering I am wearing a long sleeve hoodie.

 

[Gorp2007]

Yeah, I would think that it would be great for fishing. I wonder if it was the combo of humidity and physical exertion? I customarily hike a mile or so into my fishing location, as I did here, and I’m doing a lot scrambling up hills and climbing up rocks. Maybe bamboo is meant for more stationary activities? I’m just spitballing here. Or maybe I just got a bad batch?

What blend/weight did you get? I've got the lightweight blends that are 70% viscose/30% poly and 140gsm for weight. Humidity here in South Texas isn't exactly low, but it's usually not 90%+ either.

 

[Carpet Capital Shyster]

What blend/weight did you get? I've got the lightweight blends that are 70% viscose/30% poly and 140gsm for weight. Humidity here in South Texas isn't exactly low, but it's usually not 90%+ either.

I got the lightest one that I could find on the website but it was still heavier than what you have. Mine is 160 gsm. It’s a 57% bamboo, 38% poly and 5% spandex. That makeup and weight sounds materially (no pun intended) different than what you have.

 

[Gorp2007]

I got the lightest one that I could find on the website but it was still heavier than what you have. Mine is 160 gsm. It’s a 57% bamboo, 38% poly and 5% spandex. That makeup and weight sounds materially (no pun intended) different than what you have.

Yeah, extra weight, poly, and spandex may be hurting breathability. Mine are both FreeFly lightweights (one hoody one just long sleeved) and I like 'em a lot, but I haven't tried any other brands or blends.

 

[Reburn]

I have a duck camp orginal bamboo crew and haven't been impressed with it. Its 180 gsm 67% Bamboo, 29% Organic Cotton, 4% Spandex.

Its noticeable hotter then my Kuiu peloton 118 and the cotton makes it stay wet. Its an ok shirt but if its going to be hot or humid I grab the kuiu peloton 118/130 or my badland altitude which is just another synthetic.

 

[kevlar88]

I have a duck camp orginal bamboo crew and haven't been impressed with it. Its 180 gsm 67% Bamboo, 29% Organic Cotton, 4% Spandex.

Its noticeable hotter then my Kuiu peloton 118 and the cotton makes it stay wet. Its an ok shirt but if its going to be hot or humid I grab the kuiu peloton 118/130 or my badland altitude which is just another synthetic.

The duck camp camo shirts have a cotton blend but their solid color light weight hoodies are a bamboo spandex blend with zero cotton.

I'm currently on the upper gulf coast of Texas where half the time you need gills to breath it's so humid and I much prefer my bamboo over light weight wool. The bamboo breaths a lot better then my Simms synthetics. The bamboo does take a little time to dry versus the Simms I can put my arm under water and it will be dry 60 seconds later.

I like my Columbia's except for the fact that they will smell like a dumpster within one hour of wearing. A good alternative for this are the eddie bauer long sleeve tech shirts with the anti-odor treatment.

My $.02

 

[bojangles808]

thanks for posting OP i was looking into bamboo as well but i will proceed cauitiously

 

[Billy Goat]

Real men wear wool...

 

[Carpet Capital Shyster]

Real men wear wool...

Honestly, I think I’m just gonna get some more Firstlite merino. Their shortsleeves have been awesome, even in the hot dove field. I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about with bamboo, plus it was half the cost. You get what you pay for, I guess. I will commit to trying the free fly bamboo shirts since I have two pairs of their shorts and they’re awesome.

 

[Billy Goat]

Honestly, I think I’m just gonna get some more Firstlite merino. Their shortsleeves have been awesome, even in the hot dove field. I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about with bamboo, plus it was half the cost. You get what you pay for, I guess. I will commit to trying the free fly bamboo shirts since I have two pairs of their shorts and they’re awesome.

I didn't even know bamboo was a thing.

That's just a bumper sticker my dad had on his truck growing up.