Hemp vs Tencel: Which Sustainable Fabric Is Right for You?
19/03/26 12:06
Hemp vs Tencel: Which Sustainable Fabric Is Right for You?
Bamboo gets most of the headlines in sustainable clothing — and for good reason. But two other fabrics we use deserve a lot more attention: Hemp and Tencel. Both are genuinely impressive materials with strong environmental credentials. Both perform differently. And both have a place in a thoughtful sustainable wardrobe.
At Not Sponsored, we use both. Here's a clear breakdown of what they are, where they shine, and how to choose between them.
What Is Hemp Fabric?
Hemp is one of the oldest textiles in the world — humans have been making fabric from it for thousands of years. It's made from the stalks of the Cannabis sativa plant (yes, that plant — but industrial hemp contains negligible THC and has nothing to do with recreational use). There’s been a lot of unjust and basically untrue information surrounding this amazing plant for many years.
Hemp is arguably the most sustainable fabric on the planet from a raw materials perspective:
What Is Tencel?
Tencel is a brand name for lyocell fibre, produced by the Austrian company Lenzing. It's made from wood pulp — usually eucalyptus, beech, or spruce — sourced from sustainably managed forests.
What makes Tencel stand out is the manufacturing process. Unlike general viscose (which can involve harsh chemical solvents), Tencel is produced using a closed-loop system that recaptures and reuses 99% of the solvent used in processing. The result is a fibre with a very low environmental footprint from source to fabric.
Tencel fabric is:
Softness: Hemp: Gets softer over time, starts slightly textured | Tencel: Immediately very soft, silky feel
Durability: Hemp: Extremely durable, one of the toughest natural fibres | Tencel: Good durability, slightly less robust than hemp
Breathability: Hemp: Excellent — naturally porous fabric | Tencel: Excellent — superior moisture management
Odour resistance: Hemp: Good natural antibacterial properties | Tencel: Strong natural antibacterial properties
Environmental footprint: Hemp: Outstanding — minimal water, no pesticides, soil improvement | Tencel: Outstanding — closed-loop processing, sustainably sourced wood
Feel: Hemp: Earthy, textured — improves with washing | Tencel: Smooth, silky, premium feel from day one
Best for: Hemp: Durability, casual wear, warmer conditions | Tencel: Everyday comfort, active wear, sensitive skin
Thinking about the separately - When to Choose Hemp
Hemp is the better choice when durability and longevity are your priority. If you want a shirt that you'll still be wearing in five years and that'll look better for the wear, hemp is your fabric.
It's also the stronger performer in colder climates. Hemp clothing also carries a certain authenticity. It's not a manufactured fibre — it's a plant that grows in a field, cut and spun into cloth much the same way it has been for millennia. For people who want their sustainable choices to connect to something genuinely natural, hemp delivers that.
When to Choose Tencel
Tencel wins on immediate comfort and a premium feel. If you're looking for a fabric that feels luxurious against the skin from the moment you put it on, Tencel is hard to beat.
It's also the standout option for people with sensitive skin. The smooth fibre surface and natural moisture management mean less friction and irritation than most other fabrics — including cotton.
Tencel is also excellent for layering and transitional wear — the kind of shirt you wear from the beach to dinner without needing to change. The softness and drape give it a slightly more refined look than hemp, which tends to have a more relaxed, casual aesthetic.
What About Blends?
One of the best things about sustainable fabrics is that they can be blended to combine their strengths. At Not Sponsored, we use Hemp, Tencel, and Bamboo in different combinations depending on the garment and its intended use.
A bamboo-hemp blend, for instance, gives you the immediate softness of bamboo with the long-term durability of hemp. A Tencel-bamboo blend gives you exceptional softness with strong moisture management for more active use.
We're continually testing and refining our fabric combinations to find the best performance for each type of garment. The goal is always the same: the most comfortable, best-performing gear made with the smallest environmental footprint we can achieve.
The Bottom Line
Neither Hemp nor Tencel is universally 'better' — they're different tools for different jobs. Both are dramatically better than conventional cotton or virgin polyester from an environmental standpoint. Both perform excellently as activewear and everyday clothing for Australian conditions.
If you want durability and a fabric that gets better with age — go Hemp. If you want immediate luxury and silky softness — go Tencel. If you want the best of both — look for a blend, which is why we offer a blend of both plus a bamboo blended with both materials.
At Not Sponsored, we've done all the hard work and all the testing so you don't have to worry about it-We’ve already designed the right blend for the right job.
Check out our current range of hemp, Tencel, and bamboo clothing at notsponsored.com.au and feel the difference for yourself.
notsponsored.com.au | @notsponsoredsurf | Free shipping Australia over $120 🌿
Bamboo gets most of the headlines in sustainable clothing — and for good reason. But two other fabrics we use deserve a lot more attention: Hemp and Tencel. Both are genuinely impressive materials with strong environmental credentials. Both perform differently. And both have a place in a thoughtful sustainable wardrobe.
At Not Sponsored, we use both. Here's a clear breakdown of what they are, where they shine, and how to choose between them.
What Is Hemp Fabric?
Hemp is one of the oldest textiles in the world — humans have been making fabric from it for thousands of years. It's made from the stalks of the Cannabis sativa plant (yes, that plant — but industrial hemp contains negligible THC and has nothing to do with recreational use). There’s been a lot of unjust and basically untrue information surrounding this amazing plant for many years.
Hemp is arguably the most sustainable fabric on the planet from a raw materials perspective:
- Grows incredibly fast — a crop matures in 60–90 days
- Requires minimal water — roughly 50% less than cotton
- Needs no pesticides or herbicides — it's naturally pest-resistant
- Actually improves soil health through a process called phytoremediation
- Sequesters carbon as it grows — more so than most crops
- Every part of the plant can be used — nothing is wasted
What Is Tencel?
Tencel is a brand name for lyocell fibre, produced by the Austrian company Lenzing. It's made from wood pulp — usually eucalyptus, beech, or spruce — sourced from sustainably managed forests.
What makes Tencel stand out is the manufacturing process. Unlike general viscose (which can involve harsh chemical solvents), Tencel is produced using a closed-loop system that recaptures and reuses 99% of the solvent used in processing. The result is a fibre with a very low environmental footprint from source to fabric.
Tencel fabric is:
- Exceptionally soft — often compared to silk in texture
- Highly breathable and moisture-managing
- Naturally resistant to bacteria and odour
- Biodegradable at end of life
- Produced with verified low environmental impact through the closed-loop process
Softness: Hemp: Gets softer over time, starts slightly textured | Tencel: Immediately very soft, silky feel
Durability: Hemp: Extremely durable, one of the toughest natural fibres | Tencel: Good durability, slightly less robust than hemp
Breathability: Hemp: Excellent — naturally porous fabric | Tencel: Excellent — superior moisture management
Odour resistance: Hemp: Good natural antibacterial properties | Tencel: Strong natural antibacterial properties
Environmental footprint: Hemp: Outstanding — minimal water, no pesticides, soil improvement | Tencel: Outstanding — closed-loop processing, sustainably sourced wood
Feel: Hemp: Earthy, textured — improves with washing | Tencel: Smooth, silky, premium feel from day one
Best for: Hemp: Durability, casual wear, warmer conditions | Tencel: Everyday comfort, active wear, sensitive skin
Thinking about the separately - When to Choose Hemp
Hemp is the better choice when durability and longevity are your priority. If you want a shirt that you'll still be wearing in five years and that'll look better for the wear, hemp is your fabric.
It's also the stronger performer in colder climates. Hemp clothing also carries a certain authenticity. It's not a manufactured fibre — it's a plant that grows in a field, cut and spun into cloth much the same way it has been for millennia. For people who want their sustainable choices to connect to something genuinely natural, hemp delivers that.
When to Choose Tencel
Tencel wins on immediate comfort and a premium feel. If you're looking for a fabric that feels luxurious against the skin from the moment you put it on, Tencel is hard to beat.
It's also the standout option for people with sensitive skin. The smooth fibre surface and natural moisture management mean less friction and irritation than most other fabrics — including cotton.
Tencel is also excellent for layering and transitional wear — the kind of shirt you wear from the beach to dinner without needing to change. The softness and drape give it a slightly more refined look than hemp, which tends to have a more relaxed, casual aesthetic.
What About Blends?
One of the best things about sustainable fabrics is that they can be blended to combine their strengths. At Not Sponsored, we use Hemp, Tencel, and Bamboo in different combinations depending on the garment and its intended use.
A bamboo-hemp blend, for instance, gives you the immediate softness of bamboo with the long-term durability of hemp. A Tencel-bamboo blend gives you exceptional softness with strong moisture management for more active use.
We're continually testing and refining our fabric combinations to find the best performance for each type of garment. The goal is always the same: the most comfortable, best-performing gear made with the smallest environmental footprint we can achieve.
The Bottom Line
Neither Hemp nor Tencel is universally 'better' — they're different tools for different jobs. Both are dramatically better than conventional cotton or virgin polyester from an environmental standpoint. Both perform excellently as activewear and everyday clothing for Australian conditions.
If you want durability and a fabric that gets better with age — go Hemp. If you want immediate luxury and silky softness — go Tencel. If you want the best of both — look for a blend, which is why we offer a blend of both plus a bamboo blended with both materials.
At Not Sponsored, we've done all the hard work and all the testing so you don't have to worry about it-We’ve already designed the right blend for the right job.
Check out our current range of hemp, Tencel, and bamboo clothing at notsponsored.com.au and feel the difference for yourself.
notsponsored.com.au | @notsponsoredsurf | Free shipping Australia over $120 🌿
