We love cotton for its softness and breathability. We use it in almost all of our clothing, both as the main fabric and as a substitute for polyester in our labels and zippers.

Despite its many advantages, cotton has one major drawback. Its impressive absorption capacity, up to 27 times its weight in water, can prove problematic in certain situations. After intense exertion, such as a run, this property can create significant discomfort if you can't change quickly. Even more worryingly, in mountain environments, wet cotton clothing can represent a real danger, considerably increasing the risk of hypothermia.This is why, for activities such as trekking or climbing, it is strongly recommended to choose wool over cotton, for obvious safety reasons. Nevertheless, for everyday use in normal conditions, cotton remains unrivalled, retaining its title as the king of softness and comfort.

Cotton's reputation for water consumption needs to be qualified. Although images of the Aral Sea, which has lost 90% of its volume since 1960 to irrigate Uzbek cotton fields, have left their mark on people's minds - illustration below, with dimensions similar to Switzerland's territory - the figures often quoted are misleading.

Contrary to the popular belief that it takes 20,000 liters of water to produce a kilo of cotton, the reality is closer to 8,000 liters, 6,000 of which comes directly from natural rainfall. This leaves only 2,000 liters of irrigation water, ten times less than the figure commonly put forward. This worldwide average includes all types of cotton, but organic cotton requires considerably less water. Although the 91% water saving estimate seems exaggerated, it's reasonable to talk of a halving.

To further minimize our impact, we select our cotton from regions with high rainfall and renewable water reserves. For example, in the southeastern United States, growing cotton requires an average of just 234 liters of irrigated water per kilo, placing organic cotton at consumption levels comparable to, or even lower than, other crops such as cereals or corn. There are even countries like Brazil, where irrigation is minimal (17 liters per kg), or certain African countries (Benin, Mali, Tanzania) where it is virtually non-existent.

Our current choice of American organic cotton is motivated by the superior quality of its long, resistant fibers, essential for our technical products. However, we remain on the lookout for alternatives that combine optimum quality with minimal environmental impact.

1. True. Cotton bolls do indeed emit an audible sound when they open at maturity. This phenomenon is the origin of the expression “cotton-pickin' time”.
2. False. The first Levi's jeans were made of heavy cotton canvas, not denim. Denim was introduced later in the manufacture of jeans.
3. False. Cotton is naturally fire-resistant. It will burn slowly rather than ignite quickly, making it a safe material for clothing.
4. True. A single cotton plant produces around 300,000 fibers, enough to make a T-shirt.
5. True. Cottonseed is often fed to dairy cows as a source of protein and energy.
6. True. NASA astronauts wear cotton clothes in space because of its fire resistance and ability to absorb perspiration.
7. False. American banknotes are made from 75% cotton and 25% linen, not paper.
8. True. There are varieties of cotton that naturally produce colored fibers, including pink, without the need for dyeing.
9. True. The Wright brothers used cotton to cover the wings of their first successful airplane, the Wright Flyer.
10. True and false. The cotton plant can accidentally behave like a carnivorous plant, even though it isn't one per se. Its sticky leaves can trap small insects, which are then decomposed and absorbed by the plant.