Hemp is the most efficient material for socks: it’s durable, it breathes better than all other plant fibers and it’s more resistant to bacteria than cotton. It’s also grown a environmentally sound manner without pesticides. All of these factors give it the edge in terms of sock efficiency. Usually, the hemp fiber is blended with… [Continue Reading]
Soybu: A Bamboo and Soy Bathrobe
December 7, 2005 by Leave a Comment
The Colorado Trading Company has created a fabric they call “Soybu” which is a blend of bamboo fiber and soy fiber. The fiber feels like cashmere — it’s soft and buttery. I haven’t tried Soybu, but I have a bamboo fiber blanket. I’m impressed by the warmth and texture of the material. Two Soybu products… [Continue Reading]
New Soft Helmet Turns Hard in Crash: The RibCap
December 5, 2005 by Leave a Comment
The Ribcap is a soft, flexible cap that hardens on impact to protect the head from damage. The secret lies in the use of an elastomeric compound called d3o. It was discovered by researchers at University of Hertfordshire. It’s a shear thickening material, which is flexible when moved slowly, but when it is compressed by… [Continue Reading]
Yaktrax Ice and Snow Shoe Grips
November 30, 2005 by 2 Comments
Here’s something that allows you to get traction on snow or ice while wearing your regular shoes. These Yaktrax grips are essentially a thick rubber bands, equipped with steel coils, that fit over the sole of your shoes. Apparently the idea was borrowed from the Tibetans. Priced around $20 per pair, available from Amazon.
Outer340 Clipper by Icebreaker
November 22, 2005 by 1 Comment
This newly released Outer340 Clipper jacket from Icebreaker is made out 100% New Zealand merino wool. The “Outer340″ refers the the weight of the wool (340 grams per square centimeter). It costs about $230 USD. See this previous post for details on why we think their clothing is metaefficient. This page has a guide to… [Continue Reading]
Pachira Hemp Hiking Boot
November 18, 2005 by 2 Comments
This boot’s upper and laces are made of a blend of 50% hemp and 50% cotton for durability. The soles contain 40% recycled hospital gloves (or car tires in the black soled version) and the tongue padding and insole are recovered foam from upholstery manufacturing. The removable insole padding and tongue are 100% recycled foam… [Continue Reading]
Bamboo Socks
November 15, 2005 by 4 Comments
Bamboo socks are efficient because they don’t retain odor and are very comfortable to wear. But we’ve also learned that producing bamboo fiber involves a great deal of chemical treatment. Socks made with hemp or organic cotton are the most efficient overall.
High-Wire Hemp Jacket by Patagonia
October 11, 2005 by Leave a Comment
Over the years, Patagonia has been honing their use of effective materials in their clothing design. They make use of natural materials which allow the regulation of temperature and moisture — this is something that synthetic materials cannot reproduce.
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