Bamboo-Based Underwear Combats Chafing with Futuristic Moisture-Wicking Design

Futuristic Bamboo Underwear Could End Chafing for Good

For millions worldwide, painful chafing is a daily struggle. But innovative underwear made from bamboo promises relief. Step One’s boxers and knickers, crafted from organic bamboo viscose, combine breathability, moisture-wicking, and antibacterial properties to tackle discomfort. Now available in UK John Lewis stores, these garments aim to revolutionize comfort—though they come at a premium price.

The Science Behind Bamboo

Step One’s founder, Greg Taylor, turned to bamboo after his own battle with thigh chafing during a hike. “Excess moisture in sensitive areas breeds bacteria,” Taylor explained. Traditional cotton retains dampness, but bamboo’s natural properties dry skin faster, reducing irritation. The material is also eco-friendly: it requires no pesticides, minimal water, and grows rapidly.

Step One’s bamboo-derived fabric is breathable and moisture-wicking.

Innovation in Design

Taylor experimented with cycling shorts and fabrics, eventually creating the brand’s signature “UltraGlyde” panels. These low-friction, anti-chafing inserts are strategically placed between the thighs. For men, a 3D elastic pouch offers support and separation, preventing ride-up. Women’s styles focus on seamless comfort and flexibility.

UltraGlyde panels reduce friction and chafing.

Global Success—and a Premium Price

Since its 2017 Australian launch, Step One has expanded globally, selling a pair every seven seconds. However, the price tag is steep: men’s boxers cost £15, women’s briefs £12. Taylor defends the cost, citing high-quality materials and sustainable certifications. “Customers get what they pay for,” he insists, emphasizing durability and design.

Sustainable Future

Bamboo’s environmental edge over cotton aligns with growing demand for eco-conscious fashion. The brand now offers products for women and kids, with plans to keep innovating. Available at John Lewis and online, Step One aims to make chafing a relic of the past.

Step One’s UK launch at John Lewis brings bamboo comfort to new markets.

In a world where comfort meets sustainability, bamboo underwear might just be the future—one less chafe at a time.

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