Wool

Wool, and especially merino wool, is increasingly popular in outdoor activities.

Different types of wool

Wool from sheep is of course the most common. The durable, slightly coarser wool from adult domestic sheep, the soft lamb wool from the first shearing of the lambs and the fine wool from the shaggy merino sheep. But llamas, cashmere goats, alpaca and other animal species can also give us wool that is knitted into garments with different properties and appearance.

Merino wool dominates

When it comes to functional clothing, merino wool has become the leading wool material. For base layers, socks, hats and other garments that you wear directly against your skin, the extra soft wool from the merino sheep is best suited, as it does not itch. But merino wool is also increasingly used as a midlayer and insulating material in outdoor activities.

Fine, curly wool fiber

Two units of measurement are important when looking at wool fiber. One is how fine, or thin, the wool fiber is. The diameter – or thickness – is given in micrometers, also called microns. A typical human hair is about 60 microns, while fine wool is in the range of 17–23 microns. The second aspect is the number of crimps per centimeter. With up to 40 crimps per centimeter, merino wool is superior to other wool fibers.

Wool binds heat

The thin fibers and dense crimps create a multitude of microscopic air pockets in the fabric. As your body gives off heat, an insulating, warming layer of air builds up in these pockets. (Merino wool insulates in much the same way as high-quality down and synthetic fillings.) At the same time, the dense crimps prevent heat from being conducted away from the skin.

Wool keeps you warm even when wet

When you sweat, some moisture is transported further out through the wool material, but some also stops along the way. But unlike cotton, for example, wool can absorb liquid up to about thirty percent of its own dry weight without you feeling wet. This unique property is especially good if you alternate between activity and rest, such as on the ski slope and chairlift.

Air out woolen garments

Do you think that underwear can smell bad after a few days of use? Then they are probably not made of merino wool. Wool contains the substance creatine, which breaks down odor-causing bacteria. Wool's good water-repellent properties also help prevent bacteria from growing. Another advantage is that it is often enough to air out wool garments for any odor to disappear.

Wool – a renewable raw material

One of the great advantages of wool is that it is renewable, as the sheep can be sheared several times a year. An important aspect of wool production is animal husbandry. At Naturkompaniet, we set clear requirements for our suppliers, for example, “mulesing” must not occur in production. We want both animals, nature and people in wool production to be taken care of in a good way.

Sustainable wool

Wool is biodegradable if not mixed with synthetic materials, and it is recyclable. More and more companies are now developing solutions to make use of waste materials and end-of-life wool products. They are also working to use as little water as possible when washing and dyeing the raw material and not release hazardous substances. Ask questions about the manufacturers, many do a solid job and are willing to tell you about it.

Wash wool gently

Wool's natural fat content is an important part of the material's good properties. A regular detergent dissolves fat - which therefore affects the wool negatively. Today, many wool garments can be washed in a machine, but be sure to follow the washing instructions and use a wool detergent . And if you wash by hand, don't let the garments soak for too long. Afterwards, squeeze out the water with a towel, not by wringing it out, and let the garment dry flat.