Wool is a natural and annually renewable resource that is not only sustainable, but also has numerous benefits that are inherent to the fiber. Some people think that wool is uncomfortable, and think that they can’t wear it because they are allergic to the fibers. However, many people with wool “allergies” are often just reacting to a low-grade, itchy wool. And you haven’t done wool, unless you’ve done Merino. Merino wool is a higher quality and actually a hypoallergenic material, with fibers that are smoother, so that they don’t stick out and irritate your skin; when woven, they create a high-quality fabric that is silky-soft.
Using wool fibers to make base layers is like borrowing a natural resource that can be returned to the environment. Wool can be recycled and even composted! Merino wool fabric is lightweight and highly breathable, which is great for warmer weather or exercise. In addition, this eco-friendly cloth is great at trapping heat and pulling moisture from your skin to keep you warm and dry. Unlike synthetics that don’t wick sweat until it is in a liquid form, wool is able to pull the moisture away from your body in its vapor form. Because of this, it is very difficult for odor-causing bacteria to settle in. Imagine that, stink-free long underwear! Now you can go without washing for a whole week in the Alps!
Wool also boasts some added safety features over synthetics. If you get too close to your campfire, don’t worry. Wool is difficult to ignite and does not melt, so if it does burn, it will not stick to your skin like a synthetic would. And for another, bigger fire, wool provides natural UV protection. Plus, most merino wool garments can be washed and dried in your machine, along with your regular laundry. And here’s a tip for the first cleaning. Wash your merino wool base layer inside-out with a heavier fabric, like denim jeans, to remove the loose fibers and make it even more silky smooth!
Take a look at these suggestions for some great sustainable companies using eco-friendly Merino wool for their long underwear:
Icebreaker: Sustainability from Sheep to Shirt
A company that some say saved the Merino wool industry in New Zealand, Icebreaker knows where it comes from. To keep their supply chain “narrow and deep”, Icebreaker values fewer partners and stronger relationships. This is obvious in the way that they treat their high country wool stations, which are spread across the southern Alps of New Zealand. By getting to know farmers personally and locking forward pricing for years to come, Icebreaker offers wool stations the security and income to manage their farms sustainably and with animal welfare at the front of their mind. Icebreaker has taken great pains to insure that each step of their supply chain and manufacturing process is sustainable and responsible, resulting in some of the highest quality Merino wool base layers in the world. Because Icebreaker uses 100% natural Merino wool, their high-quality base layers benefit form the inherent properties of this renewable resource. You can see many of Icebreaker’s great products at Altrec.com.
Patagonia: Taking a Hard Look, and Inspiring Others to Do the Same
I think that Patagonia says it best with their mission statement, “Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.” Patagonia is a company that really walks the talk. They support grassroots environmental groups by donating 1% of their sales every year to the cause; to date Patagonia has given over $35 million to help. They also take the time to examine their product and their impact by refusing to use colors that require toxic dyes, and using renewable Merino wool and recycled polyester fabrics in their products. Patagonia has also stepped up their transparency and now allows customers to follow products through their entire life cycle, with stats on: energy consumption, distance travelled, carbon dioxide emissions, waste generated, and water used for specific products. Patagonia offers both 100% Merino base layers as well as layers made from Merino wool and recycled polyester for increased wicking ability. Plus, all of their long underwear can be recycled under their Common Threads Recycling Program. Check out their entire line of green base layers at Patagonia.com.
SmartWool: Animal Friendly Incentives
In an effort to focus on improvements to sheep treatment and sustainable practices, SmartWool has established a long-term relationship with the New Zealand Merino Company. This relationship guarantees minimum price levels for the wool growers and insures their ongoing profitability. SmartWool also provides financial incentives for farms to employ animal friendly practices. SmartWool sheep are hormone-free and graze in free range conditions all year round. SmartWool also contributes significant financial support for research and development, to help find ways to improve sustainability and environmentally friendly practices for the wool industry as a whole. And the company actually pays its employees to give back. Last year SmartWool paid employees for over 1,000 hours of their time spent serving their communities. Instead of using nylon in their garments for added durability, SmartWool utilizes a densely spun wool yarn, making their pieces more sustainable and able to take advantage of more benefits of wool. Explore SmartWool’s sustainable garments at REI.com
Ramblers Way: Domestically Grown and Produced
Ramblers Way uses only Rambouillet wool, which is farmed and produced in the U.S. This allows for a lower impact alternative to overseas Merino wool. Their wool comes from their own sheep farm in Maine, as well as their partner farms in Colorado, Montana, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas and Utah. The garments are manufactured in the States, in factories in the Carolinas and New England. Ramblers Way works to use minimal packaging that is made from reclaimed materials that are both compostable and recyclable. They also generate their own solar and geothermal energy to fuel their productions. Ramblers Way gives 10% of their profits back to the community and also works with Clean Air Cool Planet to get some help in addressing their carbon impact and to implement sustainable solutions. Ramblers Way offers a narrow line of super-fine wool garments that are simple and beautiful. Explore the Ramblers Way farms and “meet the sheep” at Ramblersway.com
