.png)
The clothes you wear while exercising shouldn't be detrimental to your health. Iron Roots is filling this void by designing activewear apparel all from plant-based fabrics such as hemp, cotton, and lyocell (wood pulp).
Iron Roots is a Dutch sportswear brand that started in 2018 by friends that were fed up with the fact that more than 90% of all sportswear is made from plastics. When we looked for alternatives, we couldn’t find any, so we decided to take matters into our own hands. By combining design, functionality and sustainability, we aim to create the best sportswear.
A soft, breathable, absorbent, and versatile natural fiber grown from the fluffy bolls of cotton plants.
Good to know: Conventional cotton is one of the world's dirtiest crops as cultivation heavily relies on pesticides, herbicides (glyphosate), and fertilizers, raising concerns about environmental pollution, soil health, and potential health risks for farmers and consumers. This is why some brands and consumers push for "100% organic cotton." Organic cotton skips the harsh chemicals, making it a more eco-friendly and healthier choice.
A regenerated cellulose fiber derived from wood pulp, often eucalyptus, beech trees, or bamboo. This material possesses a soft, comfortable feel similar to cotton yet exhibits superior strength and durability, even when wet.
Uses: Commonly used in clothing (shirts, pants, dresses, underwear), bedding (sheets, towels, blankets) home textiles (curtains, tablecloths, etc.), and various industrial applications.
Good to know: Unlike conventional viscose or rayon, the production of lyocell uses a closed-loop system that recycles most of the solvents, minimizing environmental impact and chemical exposure. Furthermore, in comparison to other cellulose-based fabrics, lyocell uses significantly fewer and less harmful chemicals during processing. For example, in most cases, the wood pulp is dissolved in a non-toxic organic solvent, N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO), to create a solution. This solution is then extruded through fine openings to form filaments, which are solidified into fibers.
A versatile and durable natural fiber derived from the long, tough stalks of the Cannabis sativa plant known for its durability, sustainability, and moisture-wicking properties.
Uses: Commonly used in clothing (shirts, dresses, jeans, jackets), home textiles (curtains, rugs, towels), bedding (sheets, duvet covers), paper products, construction materials, upholstery, cushions, and even furniture frames.
Good to know: Hemp cultivation requires minimal pesticides and herbicides, and it returns 60-70% of the nutrients it takes from the soil. Hemp fabric also offers UV protection and has antimicrobial properties, making it a healthy choice for skin.
A type of rayon, modal is a semi-synthetic fabric known for its softness and high strength when wet. It's derived from the cellulose of beech trees and is particularly appreciated for its silky, smooth texture and lustrous finish.
Uses: Modal is widely used in clothing, such as underwear, pajamas, and sportswear, due to its breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and resistance to shrinkage and fading. It's also found in home textiles like bed linens and towels.
Good to know: While modal shares many characteristics with standard rayon, including its base in natural cellulose, it is generally considered more environmentally friendly due to more sustainable and efficient processing methods. However, like rayon, the production of modal still involves chemical processing.
