Sweat Heaven sure thinks so! If we are talking about breathability, softness, and comfort, bamboo has the edge over cotton. It is also a stronger fiber than cotton, so it will last longer.

Bamboo can absorb three times its weight, making it a remarkable, natural absorbent material. As a fabric, bamboo can release the moisture it has absorbed much more quickly than can cotton, making it superior in both absorbance and drying time versus the finest organic cotton.

In addition to its wonderful physical characteristics, bamboo is considered the fastest growing plant in the world. There are many species of bamboo, and Moso is used for making fibers for fabrics. It grows at extraordinary rates, 3 feet in 24-hours, with no need for irrigation and no need to apply pesticides. It is a fabric that will be used more and more in the future to meet the needs of athletes without high environmental impact!

To learn more, read “9 Reasons to Choose Bamboo Fabric Over Cotton” from Shoo-foo.com.

Our competitors often use fabrics with chemicals that are sprayed on the fibers at the fabric mills to provide anti-microbial/odor resistance. Sweat Heaven takes advantage of the naturally occurring anti-microbial and odor resistance of bamboo. The bamboo property, called “Bamboo Kun,” is
a natural antimicrobial bio-agent that can reduce bacteria that thrive on clothing as well as on the human skin. ~ Journal of Natural Fibers Vol 11, 2014 – Issue 3

There is scientific evidence that bamboo viscose has superior odor resistance and inhibits growth of both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. See two studies: 

Microbial Odor Profile of Polyester and Cotton Clothes after a Fitness Session

A comparative study of regenerated bamboo, cotton and viscose rayon fabrics. Part 2: Antimicrobial Properties

You should wash your bamboo towels before first use in plain, hot water Immediately after purchase to tighten the weave. We suggest careful handling when washing bamboo towels. Follow these steps to prevent snagging and shrinkage:

Launder towels with lukewarm water on delicate wash with like colors (do not add bleach) and thoroughly rinse. Tumble dry no or low heat setting.

We do not recommend the use of fabric softeners as they tend to block the micro-gaps in the fibers leading to reduced absorbency.

Preferably hang, dry flat, or tumble dry; remove promptly from the dryer when done.

Yes, our bamboo fabric is very breathable and can dry quickly on its own. Sweat Heaven has found that if semi-saturated, our sweatbands can dry in 45-60 minutes in partial sun, at least 83 degrees, and a soft breeze. If fully saturated, you can take them off, squeeze and/or shake them to release excess moisture, but fully saturated will require a clothes dryer to dry them quickly.

You should wash your towels in plain, hot water immediately after purchase. This wash will tighten the weave of the towel and diminish snagging. If a snag does occur, you can simply cut it off with scissors at the level of the pile to reduce future snagging or unraveling.