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Staple (length and quality of Pima)
The longer the staple of the cotton, the better the quality of the product. The image above visually illustrates the difference in length between Pima and regular cotton. For those who like numbers, pima cotton measure between 1.375 to 2 inches in length while short staple cotton fibers measure up to 1.125 inches long. Pima cotton fabric comes out softer and more durable than if it were to be made from a shorter staple cotton. Manufacturers say that pima cotton has a 50 percent longer life expectancy than other cotton products. Additionally, because of the softness of this fabric, pima fabric is ideal for people who have sensitive skin.
Where is Pima Cotton Grown?
Pima Cotton is primarily grown in 3 different areas: the southwestern regions of the United States, Australia, and Peru. Pima cotton originated in Peru but it gained its name after the Pima Indians who helped raise the cotton in the United States.
Verification of Pima Cotton
The Wall Street Journal released an article stating that "The Cotton Egypt Association, which licenses the trademark and certifies suppliers, estimates that 90% of products labeled ‘Egyptian cotton’ are fakes". There are similar issues with Pima cotton where the cotton is often not verified. A high quality product is always under threat from imposters as both Egyptian cotton and Pima cotton have experienced. Some manufacturers blend pima cotton with lower quality cotton, yet they still market their products under the name pima, giving the illusion of a high quality and trustworthy product.
| Pima Cotton |
| Pros: |
| Long-staple cotton that is above average quality |
| Above average consistency |
| Generally good quality and often grown in USA |
| Cons: |
| May be grown abroad |
| Not monitored by 3rd party organizations |
| Not as consistent as Supima cotton |
| May be blended with cheaper cotton |
| Supima Cotton |
| Pros: |
| Verified by the Supima® Association |
| Extra-Long Staple for strong & soft fibers |
| Grown ONLY in America |
| Consistent quality |
| One of the longest staple cottons available |
| Cons: |
| Expensive!! Pricier than Egyptian cotton. |
| Nearly 3x the Price of USA-grown upland cotton |
| Egyptian Cotton |
| Pros: |
| Long-staple cotton if it is real Egyptian cotton |
| Above average consistency |
| Good quality if you're getting the real thing |
| Cons: |
| 90% of Egyptian Cotton is Fake |
| Grown in China or India more than Egypt |
| Expensive for cotton of questionable origin |
| The 'mystique' of Egyptian cotton is greater than the reality |
If you're going to pay a premium for quality you should choose Supima® Cotton over Pima. It is verified by the Supima® association so you know you are getting what you pay for. California-grown Supima, also known as American-Egyptian cotton, is 35% longer than regular cotton, which makes the fiber 45% stronger and considerably softer. Supima® accounts for less than 3% of the cotton grown in the United States, and comes fully certified by the Supima® association. And while that makes it nearly 3x more expensive than regular cotton, the expense is well worth it.
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