Interesting Facts about Wools
- The inner core of wool fibers can absorb 35% of its own weight in moisture!
- The wicking properties of wool fibers draw moisture away from the skin, helping to keep the body warm.
- Merino wool is a natural fiber that inherently possesses superior breathability and wicking properties.
- Merino wool fibers have a complex, scaly structure with a hydrophilic (water holding) interior, known as the cortex and a hydrophobic (water repelling) exterior, known as the cuticle.
- Merino wool fibers are the closest in microns and structure to Alpaca fibers, but still have the memory necessary for stretch and rebound. Alpaca does not.
- Alpaca fibers are said to be ten times warmer with greater wicking capability than other wool fibers.
- Wool is fire resistant. Wool does not burn well because each wool fiber retains a certain amount of air moisture, even wool that is several years old.
- Wool is the winner when it comes to wicking. Because wool fibers are “crimped” up next to each other, wool retains an ideal balance of moisture regardless of how much or little water is it exposed to.
- Wool is mildew and mold resistant. Another benefit of moisture wicking is that it creates a naturally anti-microbial environment. This prevents mold, mildew and other odor causing environments from ever infiltrating and destroying and otherwise luxurious fabric.
- Wool is flexible and durable. A single wool fiber can be bent back and forth up to 20,000 times before it will eventually break. The same cotton fiber can only be bent about 3,000 before the same will happen.
- The balance of air moisture retained by wool keeps it from getting brittle over time like cotton or other fibers.
- Wool is an entirely sustainable resource that requires no harm to animals or planet.
- Wool is harvested annually or bi-annually from animals and is produced organically without the use of any refinement or chemical treatment along the way.
- Wool keeps you cool on hot days. The breathable “air pocket” characteristics of wool mean that sweat doesn’t weigh down your insulation layers, which causes you to feel consistently warmer the more you sweat.