BAM Clothing Review UK: Bamboo Activewear Worth Knowing About
Finding sustainable activewear that actually looks good and holds up to real use is harder than it should be. I’ve tried a few brands over the years where the eco credentials were front and centre but the clothes themselves were a bit of an afterthought: stiff, shapeless, or made from fabrics that sounded impressive on paper and felt scratchy in practice. So when BAM got in touch, I was curious but cautious.
I’ve been wearing three of their pieces for a while now, and this is my honest take: what I liked, what I’d note before you buy, and whether bamboo sportswear is actually better than the synthetic alternatives it’s competing with.
Updated October 2026. This post contains gifted items from BAM. All opinions are my own.
What Is BAM?
BAM is a British B Corp certified brand making activewear and everyday clothing from bamboo viscose and other nature-based fabrics. They’ve been going for over fifteen years, which in sustainable fashion terms is significant. A lot of eco brands have a short runway and disappear when the trend moves on. BAM have stuck around and built a proper range.
Their core claim is no polyester and no PFAS. PFAS (sometimes called “forever chemicals”) are used in a lot of synthetic sportswear for stretch and water resistance. They don’t break down in the environment and have been linked to health concerns. Removing them from activewear requires reformulating from scratch, which most big brands haven’t bothered to do. BAM have.
Every label also comes with a traceability code so you can see who made your clothes and where. It’s one of those transparency features that sounds like a small thing until you realise how many brands won’t even tell you which country their clothes are made in.
Why Bamboo Sportswear?
Bamboo as a fabric gets used a lot in eco marketing and it’s worth understanding what it actually means for clothing.
Bamboo grows extremely fast without pesticides or fertilisers, and requires significantly less water than conventional cotton. The resulting fibre, bamboo viscose, is soft, breathable, and naturally temperature-regulating. It sits well against skin and drapes rather than clinging, which makes it a good fit for yoga, pilates, and lower-intensity movement where you want to feel comfortable rather than compressed.
It’s not the same as bamboo linen (a less processed but rougher fabric) and it’s not the same as polyester with a bamboo marketing label (yes, that exists). What BAM make is proper bamboo viscose, and it really does feel different from synthetic sportswear. Less sweaty, less plasticky, less likely to hold odour after washing.
The case for bamboo sportswear over conventional synthetic alternatives isn’t perfect: the viscose manufacturing process does involve chemicals, and the environmental picture depends on how that process is managed. BAM use OEKO-TEX certified factories, which sets limits on harmful substances in production. It’s not zero impact, but it’s meaningfully better than a standard polyester legging.
The Three Pieces I Tried
Effortless Balloon Yoga Pants in Mariner Navy
These are the standout piece. The fit is a relaxed, wide-leg balloon shape that sits comfortably at the waist without digging in, and a length that works well for movement or just pottering around the house. I’ve been wearing them for pilates and they pass the test I always use for activewear: do I actually want to move in them, or do they sit in the drawer?
The bamboo-soft feel that BAM describe is real here. There’s a proper drape to the leg that makes them feel more considered than a typical workout trouser, and they don’t pull or cling when you move. The Mariner Navy is a deep navy that goes with everything and doesn’t look gym-specific, which matters if you want pieces that work for more than one thing.
I’d buy these again, without hesitation.
Shop the Effortless Balloon Yoga Pants
Tie-Back Short Sleeve Top in Cirrus Print
The Cirrus Print is softer and more wearable in person than it photographs. The tie-back detail works without being fiddly, which isn’t always the case with tops like this.
One honest note: the back is fairly exposed with just the top on its own. I wear a vest underneath, which sorts it, and with a layer the print really comes into its own. If you’re planning to wear it to a class or out and about, rather than at home, a layer is worth thinking about. Not a deal-breaker, just worth knowing before you buy.
Shop the Tie-Back Short Sleeve Top
Cosy Gifting Socks in Damson Mix
They’re socks, but they’re soft socks, and that’s saying something. I’ve had bamboo socks before that felt great in the shop and scratchy after three washes. These have stayed soft and the ribbed style is relaxed rather than tight. The damson mix is a nice colour. These are the kind of socks you reach for at the end of a long day, or after a run when your feet need a bit of kindness.
Sizing and Fit
BAM run a size 6 to 18 in most styles, which covers a decent range without being the most inclusive sizing on the market. The fit tends to run slightly generous: the yoga pants in particular have a relaxed cut that works well if you’re between sizes. Their website has a detailed size guide and customer photos are mixed into the product pages, which helps give a real sense of how things sit on different body shapes.
A few reviewers on their site note that jersey and fitted styles can run a little small, so sizing up is worth considering for those. For the looser, yoga-style pieces, true to size works well.
Price and Value
BAM sit at a mid-to-higher price point: the yoga pants are around £65, the tie-back top around £45, and socks from around £10. That’s not cheap, but it’s comparable to other quality activewear brands and considerably less than some.
The case for the price is the fabric quality and the brand values. These aren’t pieces you replace every season: the bamboo viscose holds up well to washing and the styles are classic rather than trend-led. If you’re moving away from fast fashion and buying fewer, better things, BAM fit that approach well.
They do run regular sales and have an active discount section on the site, worth checking before you pay full price. They occasionally offer first-order discounts too, so it’s worth checking if you’re a new customer.
My Verdict
The yoga pants are the standout piece on this list and I’d buy them again. The top is lovely with a layer and the print is really pretty in person. The socks are a solid everyday staple that’s held up well to washing.
BAM make clothes that feel considered: the fabric quality is there, the brand’s values are real rather than marketing-only, and the pieces are designed to last rather than to be replaced. If you’re thinking about making the switch to more sustainable activewear, this is a good place to start. The bamboo sportswear feels different from synthetic alternatives in a way that’s hard to describe until you’ve worn it: lighter, more breathable, and noticeably less plasticky.
It’s not perfect at every price point, and the sizing could be more inclusive. But as an introduction to bamboo clothing in the UK, BAM are one of the more credible options out there.
Have you tried BAM before, or are you weighing up the switch to more sustainable activewear? I’d love to hear what you think in the comments.
FAQs
Is BAM clothing good quality?
Yes, the quality is solid and the bamboo viscose fabric holds up well to regular washing. The yoga pants and sock styles in particular feel properly durable. The fabric is noticeably softer than synthetic activewear and doesn’t hold odour the way polyester can. As with any brand, specific styles vary, and it’s worth checking recent reviews for the individual piece you’re looking at.
Is BAM size-inclusive?
BAM run from size 6 to 18 in most styles. It’s a decent but not exceptional range. They’re more inclusive than some comparable activewear brands, and their size guide is detailed. For very inclusive sizing, brands like Sweaty Betty and some smaller sustainable brands cover a wider range. If you’re between sizes, the looser styles (like the yoga pants) tend to work across a broader fit.
Is bamboo sportswear actually better for working out?
For yoga, pilates, and lower-intensity movement, yes. Bamboo viscose is breathable, soft against skin, and doesn’t cling. It’s naturally temperature-regulating, which makes it comfortable for extended wear. For high-intensity exercise, compression-heavy sports, or activities where you need specific technical performance features, a bamboo fabric may feel less supportive than engineered synthetic alternatives. BAM’s range is well suited to the former.
Is BAM ethical and sustainable?
BAM is B Corp certified, which is one of the more rigorous third-party assessments of a company’s overall environmental and social performance. Their activewear is PFAS-free and polyester-free, uses OEKO-TEX certified fabrics, and comes with supply chain traceability on every label. The bamboo viscose manufacturing process does involve chemical processing, but BAM are transparent about this and work with certified facilities. It’s not zero impact, but it’s a meaningfully more considered option than most mainstream activewear.
How do you wash BAM bamboo clothing?
BAM recommend a 30°C wash on a gentle cycle. The fabric doesn’t need fabric softener (it stays soft without it) and air drying is better for longevity than tumble drying. The bamboo viscose is fairly low-maintenance in practice.
Does BAM have discount codes?
BAM run regular sales on their website and have a permanent sale section worth checking. They occasionally offer first-order discounts for new customers. It’s worth signing up to their newsletter or checking the site before buying at full price, particularly on higher-ticket items like the yoga pants.
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