Bridgedale goes bamboo: Cool socks for a hot planet

PRLog (Press Release) - Nov 25, 2008 -
For spring 2009, Bridgedale brings a new line of socks to market—made of sustainable and renewable bamboo.  Several years of research and development went into creating the Bamboo Series, which offer comfort and durability for everyday use, sport and travel. Four styles include the Bamboo Crew ($16.95) and the low, ankle-height Bamboo Lo ($13.95) in both men’s and women’s-specific fits and colors.  The new socks blend silky, naturally anti-microbial and breathable bamboo yarn with COOLMAX®, an advanced moisture-wicking yarn which helps keep feet dry. The Bamboo Series will be showcased in compact packaging made of 100% recycled paper and printed with vegetable-based inks.

With the new Bamboo Series, Bridgedale is proud to support the Plant A Boo™ campaign, which is dedicated to demonstrating that bamboo can be used to fight global climate change. Plant A Boo was launched by Booshoot™ (booshoot.com), a biotech company that pioneered the tissue culture technology that helps ensure an abundant supply of bamboo plants for the future—whether for carbon mitigation, reforestation, agriculture or as a manufacturing resource for popular bamboo products such as textiles, flooring and paper.

Features of the Bamboo Series

•   Bamboo offers many beneficial attributes as a textile.  It has a soft, silky feel against the skin due to its smooth and round fiber structure, but additionally, it is naturally anti-microbial, odor-fighting and hypoallergenic.  Bamboo is a very absorbent, highly breathable fiber that doesn’t stick to the skin and is two degrees cooler than wool or cotton and three times more absorbent than cotton. Compared to cotton, bamboo is more durable.

•   COOLMAX® (coolmax.invista.com) is a synthetic polyester fiber known for its excellent ability to move moisture by transporting it via a unique channelized construction.  When used in everyday or performance apparel, it helps to keep users cool and dry.

•   Women’s-specific fit is a specialty of Bridgedale socks. On average, women’s feet are distinctly different than men’s: their heel and forefoot are narrower, the overall volume is less, and calf height is lower and broader. Bridgedale socks for women are anatomically designed and knit to accommodate these differences.

•   One-year guarantee of ‘enduring comfort’ – Bridgedale’s technology fuses bamboo and COOLMAX fibers into a custom yarn that has lasting power and actively keeps feet comfortable.  The Bamboo Series socks carry a one-year guarantee.

Bridgedale specializes in socks, with nearly 100 years of knitting experience behind every pair, which are respected for their technical construction, durability and comfort. Based in Newtownards, Northern Ireland, Bridgedale manufactures in a community that once supplied socks to the British soldiers of World War I. Today’s line of technically advanced socks for skiing, outdoor, sport and every day use are created by experienced craftsmen that carry on a tradition of innovation – including the development of WoolFusion® yarn technology, the first women's outdoor socks, and sculpted cushioning. Bridgedale is sold worldwide; Garmont North America, Inc. distributes the Bridgedale brand in North America. For more information, visit bridgedale.com.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/10146621/1