Merino wool, what are the advantages of this material?
What is wool?
Wool is a natural fiber that comes from the fur of sheep. In summary, after being shorn, this fleece will be washed, degreased, combed, and then transformed into yarns. This wool will then be woven or knitted to obtain textiles used in making various garments.
What are the advantages of wool?
Wool is often found in warm clothing compositions because it has a strong thermal insulation power. The irregular fibers of wool trap "air bubbles". These bubbles have insulating power compared to the outside air.
Wool fibers are hydrophilic and absorb moisture very well while drying quickly. This keeps you dry, and therefore warm!
Today, unlike in our grandmothers' time, the wool fibers used are becoming finer and longer. This brings flexibility and softness to this material. Wool has an antibacterial effect due to its absorption power, but also due to the structure of its fiber. This helps reduce bad odors, and even reduce the frequency of washing!
Composed of natural keratin, a protein that makes up our hair and nails, wool is a healthy and hypoallergenic material that we tolerate very well.
Its thermoregulatory properties will keep your feet at the right temperature regardless of the season. Contrary to popular belief, wool can also be worn during hot seasons! Its fibers provide an “air cushion” that insulates from both heat and cold.
What is merino wool?
Merino wool comes from a sheep called Merino, originating from Asia Minor. Today, these sheep are mainly raised in Australia, Uruguay, Argentina, and New Zealand.
What sets Merino wool apart from so-called “classic” wool is primarily the fineness of its fibers. It is indeed the finest wool fiber, with an average thickness of 18 microns, while a hair measures between 45 and 55 microns in thickness!
What are the advantages of merino wool?
Its softness: Its surface is covered with scales, like traditional wool, but it is three times finer! Its scales do not stick to the skin, so it does not itch. In addition to being soft, it is lightweight and provides a second skin sensation. Its fiber is hypoallergenic and takes care of your skin.
Its high thermal insulation capacity: Merino sheep can withstand temperatures ranging from -20 °C to +35 °C. The scales covering it make its surface irregular, easily trapping air. It is this “fluffy” warm air that insulates.
It is also thermoregulatory: which means that merino wool will also regulate your temperature when it is hot! The fibers absorb moisture from your body and release it outside the fabric. When it evaporates, it creates a refreshing effect.
Its strength: Merino wool is 6 times stronger than cotton: each fiber can be folded over itself more than 20,000 times, compared to 3200 times for cotton. The core of the fiber is twisted like a helix, making it elastic.
Its rapid moisture absorption capabilities ensure breathability and reduce odors.
Renewable, durable, and biodegradable: Wool is a material that regenerates naturally: sheep are shorn once or twice a year, and their fleece grows back thanks to the water, grass, sun, and fresh air they enjoy daily in their pasture.
Its durability allows you to keep your Merino wool fabrics much longer than a cotton fabric, for example. Finally, wool is biodegradable: it takes about three months to disappear in the soil.
Care Instructions: One might think that Merino wool is demanding in terms of care, but that's just a misconception. Its fibers are like springs and are stretchable. They easily regain their original shape.
With a few precautions, you can easily wash your wool in the machine:
- Turn the clothes inside out before washing
- Use a special wool detergent
- Choose a delicate cold wash cycle or a maximum of 30°C
- Prefer flat air drying. Avoid using a tumble dryer.
- No need for ironing: Merino wool naturally regains its shape
By the way, we use Merino wool for our socks: the finest and warmest of all wools. Additionally, we use the mercerization process: Mercerizing our socks allows us to gain even more softness.