When I heard about Nulethics' bamboo athletic clothing I wanted to give their line a try. (Read my blog entry for day 1 in Moab). Nulethics is a new company out of Alberta, Canada, that's making inroads in the environmentally responsible athletic clothing market. Nulethics uses bamboo fibers and bonds it to polyester derived from recycled plastics. Most of their garments have at least 45% recycled material. Their bamboo fabric is designed to improve moisture absorbtion, and bamboo naturally has anti-microbial properties that help control body odour.
Nulethics prints all their tags on 100% recycled paper, uses degradable plastic bags, and utilizes renewable energy to run their facilities. Their fabric manufacturer supposedly is the most environmentally friendly medium-sized factory in Taiwan, utilizing onsite wind and solar power, rain water harvesting, recycling, and even has an organic garden. Finally, they use CarbonFund.org to offset their shipping costs.
While in Moab, we tried out a variety of Nulethics shirts, tanks, capri tights, and jackets (generously donated by the company!) Here's what we found:
- The fabric performs well in hot conditions. 5 hours of Mt. biking riding in the desert and the Nulethics shirt was never uncomfortable or wet underneath my Camel-Bak. The T-shirt was stinky in the arm pits immediately after the ride. However, the next day it smelled just fine and I could have worn it again.
- Korrie Dubray writes about her jacket: "The Nulethics jacket is super soft, warm and comfy. It looks great too. However, the sizing is very tight through the shoulders, and the materials of this jacket does not stretch that much. The zipper likes to get caught on the material and there are some miscellaneous theads. If you have broad shoulders or a larger chest, this jacket may not work. But if you're tall with a narrow frame - this model is for you!"
Lori in her Nulethics bamboo jacket
- I tried out the bamboo capri tights on a 7 mile trail run in Arches National Park. The fabric is lightweight, very stretchy, and breathable. The capris did not get wet around my waist during the run, and absorbed moisture very well. These capris were very comfortable on the run!
Yvonne Running in Nulethics Capris
- Their sizes seem to run a little small. I am usually an extra small in sweatshirts and tees, but I needed a medium in the jacket!! The small t-shirt fits me well, and the extra small tights seemed true to size, perhaps a little on the small size as well.
MaryEllen and Korrie in their Nulethics bamboo jackets. "They look great and are very warm & comfy."
- After a few wears, we're a bit concerned about the fabric quality & durability. My shirt was pilling a little after rubbing on my Camel-Bak strap. Korrie's jacket is showing some pilling after one washing. 5/5/08 UPDATE: The capris are holding up very well after three washes and are still looking new and are very soft and comfortable. The shirt is not showing any pilling yet.
Yoga attempts in our Nulethics clothing. We're mt. bikers - it shows...
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The products are reasonably priced and definitely worth a try. I'll be sure to post future reviews on these products to see how they perform in the long run.
For more information about the company, a detailed posting about Nulethics appeared on Treehugger last fall: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/10/nulethics_ecove.php.
Nulethics seems to be undergoing a lot of growth at the moment and is revamping its website. Check them out at: www.nulethics.com