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Hemp

Hemp is a natural fibre made from a distinct, low-THC cultivar of the cannabis plant, grown specifically for industrial and consumable use. Hemp was one of the first plants to be spun into usable fibre around 50,000 years ago. The fibres are used to make canvas, denim, linen and other fabrics more commonly associated with cotton today, as well as rope and a variety of other products including building materials, insulation, oils and varnishes.

Fabrics made from natural fibres are preferable to cheaper, man-made ones such as polyester and nylon which shed micro and nanoplastics at increasing rates over their lifetime. Man-made fabrics may also emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly those with waterproof, fire retardation and antimicrobial coatings or treatments. Also, these textiles are made from derivatives of petroleum (a non-renewable resource) and are not biodegradable. Buying clothes and other products that use these fabrics indirectly supports the fossil fuel industry and the destruction of the planet.

The unique benefits of natural fibres can include;

  • renewable
  • biodegradable
  • hypoallergenic
  • not producing poisonous gases when burnt
  • electrically conductive (do not produce static)

Possible drawbacks can include;

  • greater cost
  • greater weight
  • lower insulation potential
  • lower durability (dependent on quality)
  • higher water absorption
  • longer drying duration
  • higher likelihood of staining
  • a lower ignition temperature

With all of that in mind, it's clear that man-made fabrics are probably a better choice for sports, water and adventure activities such as camping, kayaking and hiking and any other activity where good insulation, low weight, waterproofing and moisture wicking are high priorities. Outside of that, assuming you can afford it, hemp and other natural fibres are, dare I say it, a natural choice.

All of that said, modern manufacturing practices mean things are not always clear cut, read on for a little more nuance.

Oeko-Tex Certification

Despite it's natural origin, hemp can still be bad for you if it has been treated with harmful chemicals such as dyes or cleaning agents. To avoid this you should look for clothes, bedding, curtains and similar that are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified. This standard tests textiles, thread, buttons and other attached accessories against a list of over 1000 harmful substances and certifies that they are not present at harmful levels.

The standard complies with;

It's worth noting that this standard can also apply and be used to certify man-made fabrics such as polyester, which is great but doesn't in any way reduce the fundamental toxicity of such man-made fabrics.

Organic Certification

If organic, sustainable, ecologically & socially sound textile production matters to you, then you should look for clothes, bedding and similar that are GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD (GOTS) certified. This standard uses third party testing and certification across a wide range of areas from prohibiting the use of synthetic pesticides to enforcing ethical labour practises. Products are traced through all processing stages from origin source material to finished product.

GOTS Is supported by the UK's Soil Association.

Washing & Drying

Hemp fabrics should ideally be washed at 30°C to prevent shrinkage, avoid possible colour loss and also to minimise energy usage. Do not wash at temperatures higher than 40°C.

You should ideally air dry (perhaps with the help of a dehumidifier in cool or colder locations) although you can tumble drying if need be. Hemp fabrics are less likely to retain odours compared to man-made fabrics.

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Created: 2026-06-30

Last Updated: 2026-06-30