Vetted Review 001: MARO Plastic-Free Organic Cotton Boxers

The Technical Teardown

MARO enters a crowded "natural" underwear market with a specific, technical claim: Truly 100% plastic-free. While many brands market "100% cotton" boxers, they often use the industry-standard loophole "exclusive of trim," which hides a polyester or spandex waistband. MARO eliminates this by utilizing a proprietary hybrid elastic made of 60% Organic Cotton and 40% Natural Rubber.

From a material science perspective, this is a significant engineering shift. Most natural rubbers lack the "snap-back" longevity of synthetic elastane, but MARO’s blend maintains structural integrity while ensuring that the endocrine-disrupting chemicals associated with synthetic elastics never touch the skin.

Health & Wellness Impact

• Hormone Health: By removing the synthetic waistband, MARO eliminates a primary source of microplastic friction against the skin. This is a critical win for those concerned with the dermal absorption of phthalates often found in synthetic trims.

• Skin Sensitivity: The use of OEKO-TEX certified dyes and GOTS organic cotton ensures that the "wet processing" phase (dyeing and finishing) is free from heavy metals and formaldehyde-releasing resins that trigger contact dermatitis.

Auditor’s Spec Sheet

• Origin: Ethically made in Istanbul, Turkey.

• Material: 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton (Main Body); 60% Org. Cotton / 40% Natural Rubber (Waistband).

• Certifications: GOTS, OEKO-TEX (Dyes).

• Packaging: 100% plastic-free recyclable paper.

OVERALL VETTED GRADE: A

MARO sets the gold standard for purity in the intimate apparel sector. By engineering a natural rubber waistband, they have successfully removed the final plastic barrier between our skin and our clothes.

Vetted independently. Supported by readers