Is Tencel better than cotton?
For drape and moisture handling, yes; for crisp structure and easy care, no. They do different jobs.
Tencel (lyocell) is a regenerated wood-pulp fiber that absorbs moisture about 50% better than cotton and feels cooler and smoother - it excels in drapey dresses, shirts, and bedding. Its weaknesses: it wrinkles in structured cuts, can weaken when very wet unless blended, and pills under abrasion more than good cotton. Cotton wins for anything needing crispness (poplin shirts), ruggedness (denim, canvas), or simple hot-wash care. Tencel wins for anything that should flow. In blends (cotton-Tencel denim is common) you genuinely get both. Sustainability-wise Tencel's closed-loop solvent process is cleaner than conventional cotton farming, though organic cotton narrows that gap.