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Linen

Linen is a natural fibre made from the fibres of the flax plant. It is very absorbent and dries faster than cotton. This makes it very comfortable to wear in hot environments. Flax plant was probably spun into usable fibre around 30,000 years ago (more recently than hemp). The word is derived from the latin name for the flax plant: linum.

Other materials woven in a 'linen' weave, such as cotton and hemp, are often referred to as linen, despite not being made of flax plant fibres.

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 (235°C/420°C except wool at 570-600°C)

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, linen 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, linen 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

Linen 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. Linen 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