Woolpower Ostersund

Merino Wool

In the age of technical performance fabrics, merino wool still proves superior in many ways to it’s synthetic counterparts. Woolpower uses this natural, functional material to protect the body from both hot and cold environments. Merino wool’s fibre has a lofty core and a scaly surface make it an excellent insulator, and wool’s fatty lanolin shields the fibre and helps facilitate moisture absorption.

Traps Plenty of Air

Merino wool fibres have the capacity to trap large amounts of air and reduce heat conduction thanks to their wavy and crimpy structure. This provides superior insulation against both heat and cold with up to 40 crimps per centimetre. It also means less contact of the wool on the body - which trap even more air.

Another benefit of merino wool over synthetic materials is it’s ability to absorb and retain moisture from both in and between the wool fibres simultaneously (called hygroscopy), whereas synthetics can retain moisture only either in or between fibres.

Wool Wicks Away Moisture

Our body perspires to try to cool us down when we increase our activity level or when the temperature around us increases. Merino wool worn against the body regulates this additional moisture through heat conduction by transporting moisture to the exterior. If the body is in a drier, cooler state than its environment , the water repellent shell of the fiber’s protein nucleus will better insulate and keep the body dry.

Wool Warms Even When Moist

Absorption heat is the process of energy generated when water molecules enter the merino wool fabric. This process is what gives the fabric a warm feel when it gets wet. Merino wool gets top marks for absorption heat capacity with the ability to take on more than 30% of it’s dry weight in moisture without feeling clammy on the skin or losing its shape.

Wool is Easy to Care for and is Self Cleaning

Merino wool self cleans through its two fibre cells absorbing moisture in differing quantities. One swells more than the other, and creates friction as it absorbs moisture, providing a mechanical, self cleaning effect. This allows users to air out garments in humid weather and save on the time and expense of frequent cleanings as moisture passing through the fabric eliminates odours and transfers dirt particles away from the fibres.

The Fineness of the Wool Fiber is Defined in Microns

The type of the wool (coarse to fine) is measured in thousandths of a millimetre (microns). Finer wool is 17-23 microns in thickness, and coarser, wool in excess of 28 microns. The coarser, more rigid larger fibres contacting the skin is what gives wool its itchy nature.

Ullfrotté Original merino wool is 22 microns, resulting in a soft and non-itchy touch to the skin without loosing it’s tensile strength.

Ullfrotté Original is Certified By Öko-Tex

Woolpower is certified by this international human-ecology association which grants certification for companies manufacturing garments containing no toxic or harmful substances.