Why is merino wool an unbeatable material?

Outdoor activities, Winter sports, Trekking by Varuste.net / Toimisto-Jorma, 12.1.2023

This article has been written in cooperation with Devold.

What is merino wool?
Wool is a 100% natural fibre with about 8000 different wool types.

Thanks to the long fibres of merino wool, clothes made of it are extremely soft and pleasant to wear. Merino has some protective properties: the natural keratin makes it fire-proof, it won’t burn or melt. It is also an extremely good thermal insulation material, creating the best protection against coldness and heat. It is very breathable, it dries fast and does not feel unpleasant or cold on skin even if it was a little bit moist.

So, merino wool is one of nature’s wonders
Merino wool is 100% natural material whose properties cannot be produced synthetically. Merino wool is obtained from merino sheep which have acclimatized to difficult weather conditions, warm summers and cold winters. Sheep living in conditions like this have developed an outstanding wool quality, breathable in summer and insulating in winter.

Devold underwear is made of the finest, long-fibre merino wool.

This natural and soft wonder fibre is used to manufacture protective garments which keep the body temperature pleasant in any climate and weather condition.

Characteristics

1: Ability to transfer moisture
The wool absorbs moisture and keeps your skin dry. Dryness prevents growth of bacteria. Bad smell is caused by bacteria stuck on fibres, not only by sweat. Bacteria like to grow on even surfaces, and synthetic fibres are quite smooth by nature. Wool fibres are “squamous” or coarse, which is why bacteria causing bad smell don’t thrive in them.

2: Thermal insulation
The amount of the air that gets through the fibre depends on its insulating capacity. Wool fibres are curly, so wool contains more air than synthetic materials. This is why wool is a better insulator.

3: Heat production
Wool produces heat when it gets wet, and wool fibres can absorb moisture an amount equal to 35% of its own weight, the fibre still feeling dry against the skin. Merino wool can absorb a huge amount of moisture compared to synthetic fibres.

Animal welfare
When you are choosing high-quality and responsible merino wool products, make sure that the wool is traceable and that the brand makes sure that the wool they purchase and the wool producers they work with have strict working principles.

Devold's farms follow strictly the following principles for their sheep:

1. Freedom of hunger or thirst by access to fresh water, and diet to maintain full health and vigour.
2. Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
4. Freedom to express normal behaviour by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.
5. Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering. Mulesing free treatment.
6. Devold’s sheep don’t end up in meat production. They live in the mountains until 9 years old, when they retire and graze in peace for the rest of their lives.

Almost every Devold product includes a tag that tells you which farm the wool used in the garment in question comes from and even a picture of the farming family.

Properties, care, and cleaning
Merino wool has natural thermoregulating properties which absorb and evaporate moisture. Thanks to them, the user stays dry even in humid conditions. Unlike synthetic fibres, merino wool won’t smell bad even after several days of use. If you sweat in merino garments, the first thing to do to freshen them is airing. But naturally, you will need to wash them at some point.

All Devold garments can be washed in a washing machine with a wool programme. Total Easy Care garments can also be tumble dried at low temperature.

Turn garments inside out before washing. Normal detergents contain enzymes which can harm wool fibres. That is why it is recommended to use liquid detergents meant for wool and silk. They don’t contain enzymes and they have a pH neutral composition designed for wool.

Wool garments can support a few washing times with normal detergents but in a long run, the enzymes will end up harming wool fibres.

Devold Expedition
Devold® Expedition is an underwear garment designed for extreme weather conditions. The inner layer is made of 100 % merino wool, while the outer layer is 90 % aquaduct treated merino wool, combined with 10 % polyamide to improve durability. Weight: 235 g/m2.

Expedition insulates extremely well and has a unique ability to transport moisture. The Aquaduct Merino wool is specifically designed to move moisture away from the skin side of the fabric to the outer surface where it evaporates.

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Why is merino wool an unbeatable material?

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