What is TENCEL™ and why it is a more sustainable alternative to cotton and bamboo

Anyone looking into sustainable clothing quickly comes across a variety of materials. Cotton, organic cotton, bamboo, recycled fibers and, increasingly, TENCEL™. It sounds technical, almost abstract, but it is precisely the material that forms the basis of how sustainable a garment really is.

At Undiemeister, material choice is not a detail, but a starting point. Not because it sounds good, but because it determines how a product feels, how long it lasts and how much impact it has over its entire lifespan.

Sustainability starts with the fiber

Every boxer shorts starts with a fiber. That fiber determines how soft the fabric is, how well it breathes, how it responds to washing and wearing, and perhaps most importantly, how long it lasts. When a fiber loses its quality quickly, the finished product disappears prematurely, no matter how sustainable the label sounds.

That's why at Undiemeister we look not only at where a fiber comes from, but also at how it performs in everyday use.

What exactly is TENCEL™?

TENCEL™ is a brand name for fibers made from wood pulp sourced from sustainably managed forests. Unlike many traditional textile fibers, TENCEL™ is produced in a process that makes efficient use of raw materials and largely recycles solvents.

But what makes TENCEL™ especially distinctive is that you notice it not in the factory, but in wearing it. The fiber feels naturally soft, breathes well and remains stable even after frequent washing. This makes it particularly suitable for clothing worn directly on the skin, such as boxer shorts and T-shirts.

Why cotton is often stronger than its image suggests

Cotton has a familiar image. It feels natural, breathable and comfortable on the skin, and has been valued for its strength for generations. It is precisely this strong fiber structure that makes cotton, if of good quality, contribute to the lifetime of a garment.

At the same time, 100% cotton is not always the most future-proof choice. The fiber can shrink, harden or lose its fit after frequent washing, reducing wearing comfort and appearance. Growing conventional cotton also requires a lot of water and agricultural land, which increases the ecological footprint.

Organic cotton takes a clear step forward in this regard. By avoiding harmful pesticides and using more sustainable farming methods, the impact on soil and environment is smaller. When combined with other fibers, organic cotton can be even more beneficial: it retains its natural strength, while comfort, shape retention and longevity are further enhanced.

What about bamboo?

Bamboo is often presented as the sustainable alternative. It grows quickly and requires little water. But the step from bamboo plant to soft textile fiber is more complex than is often told. In many cases, bamboo is chemically processed into a viscose-like fiber, where sustainability depends heavily on the production process.

In addition, again, the material must not only sound green, but also perform for a long time. A fabric that quickly loses its softness or shape contributes little to true durability.

Why Undiemeister chooses TENCEL™ in Mellowood

At Undiemeister, we use TENCEL™ Modal as an important basis for our fabric quality Mellowood. Not as a marketing argument, but because it works better in practice. The fiber remains soft, retains its shape and feels comfortable on the skin even after a long time.

Combined with other carefully chosen fibers, the result is a fabric that is not only comfortable, but also withstands daily use. That means less wear, less replacement and ultimately less impact.

The material thus supports the broader sustainability story: boxer shorts that last longer are, by definition, more durable than an alternative that needs to be replaced more often.

Comfort and sustainability reinforce each other

What is often overlooked is that comfort and sustainability are not opposites. On the contrary. The more comfortable a garment wears, the more likely it is that it will actually be worn for a long time. And the longer something is worn, the lower the overall environmental impact.

TENCEL™ contributes to this naturally. The fiber regulates moisture, feels cool to the touch and remains comfortable even after many washings. This ensures that comfort is not a temporary benefit, but a permanent feature.

Material choice as part of a bigger picture

At Undiemeister, we don't view material selection in isolation from product development. It is one part of a larger whole in which fit, construction and finish also play a role. Only when all of these elements are in tune with each other does a product emerge that delivers on its promise.

Sustainability is then not in one claim, but in the coherence of choices.

No hype, but a conscious basis

TENCEL™ is not a trend for us. It is a conscious basis. Because it aligns with how we look at sustainable men's underwear: replace less, wear longer, perform better.

Not because it sounds sustainable but because it works sustainably.