Wool For Winter

Wool For Winter

By Bob Ryan

“Winter is coming”. Those three words can cause some people to shudder with the thought of cold weather and others to grab their winter toys and run outside. No matter which group you fall into, staying warm is the key to winter well being.

Staying warm can be accomplished by wearing the right clothes and layering them properly. This layering system also allows you to make adjustments based on changing weather conditions. By simply adding or removing layers, you will stay warm and comfortable all winter long. The most important part of your layering system is the base layer. This is the layer next to your skin, and its job is to move moisture and perspiration away from your body, keeping you dry. But what fabric is best for the all important base layer, synthetic fabrics like polyester and fleece or natural fabrics like silk or wool.  You even have options that blend several fabric types. Each fabric has its benefits, but only one fabric can claim that it has been keeping humans warm for over 10,000 years.

Wool, according to some historians, has been used for clothing by humans since 10,000 BC. Wool comes primarily from sheep, but can also come from alpaca, goats and other animals. So if wool comes from animals, is it hair or is it fur? Wool is composed of Keratin, which is a protein that is also found in fingernails and animal hooves. It grows in clumps, called staples, which are held together by lanolin. This is why wool, when sheered from an animal, appears to be a single thick blanket. This is also why wool is considered a fiber and not hair or fur.

The quality of wool is determined by the diameter of its fibers. Fibers are measured in microns, the smaller the diameter of the fiber the softer the texture of the wool. Wool fiber also has natural bends or crimps along its surface. The more crimps, the softer the wool will feel against your skin.

When Sir Edmund Hillary made the first accent of Mount Everest in 1953, wool kept him warm. But the coarse, heavy wool he wore is much different than present day wool fabrics. And it all has to do with the source that wool, used in modern base layers, comes from.

Today’s wool comes from the Merino sheep. Originally from Spain, now most Merino sheep are raised in the higher elevations of New Zealand. The Merino sheep wool is finer and softer than most human hair. Merino sheep have 4 times more fibers per inch of skin than other sheep breeds. All of this makes merino wool a soft, not scratchy, dense and warm option for your comfortable base layer.

We now know what wool is and where it comes from, but how will that knowledge keep us warm and happy this winter? Here are a few reasons:

Temperature Control: Warm but not too warm. Wool has tiny pockets between its fibers that trap warm body air and release it in small amounts, which keep your temperature regulated. It even works when wet by producing small amounts of heat as it absorbs and condenses moisture.

Breathability and Wicking: This is probably the most important aspect of your base layer. The key to staying warm, when you are active, is to stay dry. Wool will keep you dryer than synthetic fabrics because wool moves moisture while it is still in vapor form. The inner section of the wool fiber, the cortex, can absorb up to 1/3 of its weight in moisture. It is then released through evaporation leaving you dry and warm.

Odor Resistance: As you have learned, wool is composed of the protein keratin. This protein is a natural antibacterial, so wool fibers will not allow the bacteria that cause odors to grow. You can wear your wool base layer a few winter days without offending yourself or anyone around you.

Your wool base layer will also be durable and packable without getting wrinkled and easy to care for. Always follow label instructions, but most wool base layers are machine washable. They can also be put in a dryer on certain settings, but will air dry quickly.

The 100% merino wool base layers by Smartwool are a good choice for people trying wool for the first time. Their “Next-To-Skin”garments come in 3 different weights. This allows you to fine tune your base layer to your personal comfort.  Smartwool’s Microweight, Lightweightor Midweightlayers will have you covered for all levels of activities. The Microweight layer works well alone, or can be used as a thin, cooler day layer during high energy activities. The Lightweightlayer works best when the temperature drops and you still remain active. If, when the weather gets colder, your activity is more stop and go then the Midweight layer would be your choice.

If you are about to purchase your first wool base layer and notice that it costs a little more than other base layers that you have used, Smartwool takes the worry out of the purchase. If your new base layer does not perform to your satisfaction, they will make a full refund of the purchase price.

If you are planning to be active in moderate to very cold conditions, you may want to consider a base layer that combines merino wool and polyester. The Acclimate Wool Base Layerby PolarMAXis one such layer. Made from 50% merino wool, 40% PolarMAX’s Acclimate Drypolyester and 10% high performance recycled polyester, this garment brings together the best of both fabrics. The wool wicks away moisture while it is still in vapor form while the polyester moves the moisture quickly away from your skin to evaporate. The combination keeps you warmer and drier on cold winter days. The fabric is comfortable next to your skin with flat stitching at all seams and a relaxed fit. The Acclimate Dryfabric is also odor resistant through PolarMAX’santi-microbial process that kills the bacteria that cause odors. Another plus with PolarMAXbase layers is the fact that they are 100% made in the USA.

Both Smartwooland PolarMAXbase layers are available in men’s and women’s tops and bottoms in a range of colors and styles. When the temperature drops this winter, put on your wool base layer and Take ItOutside.Visit your local Mast General Store Outfitters; they can answer all your questions about wool and everything else you need to stay warm this winter.