Advnture Verdict
Eco friendly, comfortable and affordable, BAM's Huckaby leggings offer good levels of performance and functionality at a reasonable price – we really liked these bamboo leggings.
Pros
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Extremely soft and comfortable
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Breathable
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Suitable for warm or cold conditions
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Environmentally friendly
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Zipped back pocket
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Durable and machine washable
Cons
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Heavier than some performance-end leggings
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Stretchy around the waist, but not as much around the knee
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Not as durable for hiking in harsh, technical terrain
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Not as skintight for some activities like cycling
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First impressions
Nicely designed for outdoor active use, BAM's Huckaby leggings are made from 200g bamboo material (68% bamboo, 28% organic cotton and 4% elastane). The cotton content helps with durability, and the elastane keeps them in leg- and waist-hugging shape.
Although not quite as light as some synthetics (especially when wet, when the thermal properties drop a bit too), as a technical clothing fabric, bamboo is a good performer. It’s naturally breathable, moisture wicking and odour resistant.
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Being natural, and therefore biodegradable, bamboo has the added bonus of being a much more environmentally friendly material than man-made synthetics. In fact, the people at Bam Bamboo Clothing calculate that buying one pair of these tights is equivalent to saving 360 days of drinking water (compared to other production methods and materials, presumably).
So, from a fabric point of view, these leggings got a big thumbs up from us. Just watch out for hungry pandas out on the trails.
• RRP: $53.80 (US) / £39 (UK)
• Weight: 200g / 7oz
• Colors: Black / Grey
• Compatibility: Trail running, road running, hiking, skiing, orienteering, cycling, field sports
On the trails
If you’ve worn bamboo clothing before, you will know what you’re getting with these leggings. If you haven’t had the pleasure, we can confirm that bamboo is as soft as a baby’s bottom when worn as a fabric against the skin.
Straight off the bat, these looked and felt warm, snug and comfortable. The Bamboo Huckaby’s calf panels help set them apart from the often monotone world of men’s leggings and they are easy to get on or off, with their elastic waist pull. This is useful for a cold winter mornings and evenings, when your fingers are raw with cold. No hopping on one leg and swearing at the dog in a stiff breeze, with these leggings.
They can be used as a base layer, but they’re aesthetically appealing and tough enough to be worn on the outside too, and bamboo’s natural properties mean they are suitable for warm or cold conditions. The zipped back pocket is also very handy for stashing gels or a key.
They seemed perfectly breathable in an English coastal winter, where sweat loss is sometimes masked by the cold. There were no issues to report over durability, although it would be interesting to see how they respond to warmer, more humid climates.
We also love the fact you can bundle them into the washing machine with the rest of the wash without worrying about shrinkage.
