Considering Australia is the biggest global provider of Merino Wool, that there is close to 70 million sheep across our country and that slow fashion is a continually growing trend, it astonishes me how many people still think wool is only good for Winter. I get so many people doubting its wearability during exercise or in warmer months and I find this really sad, because these people have no idea what they’re missing out on.

For this reason, education is the biggest component of my marketing. I talk a lot about the benefits of wearing our Merino activewear, in fact you probably read it over and over on our social media pages, because I’m really trying to ram it home (pun intended!) So I thought I’d introduce you all to a resource I refer to often.

Australian Wool Innovation is a not-for-profit enterprise that conducts research, development and marketing along the worldwide supply chain for Australian wool.

I have used direct quotes from their fact sheets and there are links to all of the fact sheets and their website at the end of the blog.

So whether you question the validity of my statements or are just interested in the science behind it all I hope you enjoy taking a deep dive into the science behind what I talk about.

And be sure to share your experience and thoughts on these topics in the comments section

What I say:

Australian Merino is super breathable so it is the perfect fibre for activewear.

The long version:

‘Wool fibres are naturally breathable. They can absorb large quantities of moisture vapour and allow it to evaporate, making wool garments feel less clingy and more comfortable than garments made from other fibres. In contrast to synthetics, wool is an active fibre that reacts to changes in the body’s temperature, keeping the wearer comfortable. Accordingly, wool garments are one of the most breathable of all the common apparel types.’

gd2405-wool-breathable-_134.pdf (woolmark.com)

What I say:

Our Merino activewear is great for exercising all year round!

The long version:

‘Wool helps to protect the body against changes in temperature and moisture levels during exercise. Exercise causes the body’s metabolic rate and temperature to increase, and the body responds by initiating cooling mechanisms to maintain its core temperature’

‘In contrast to synthetics, wool is an active fibre that reacts to changes in the body’s temperature, keeping the wearer comfortable.’

‘In warm environments, wool fabrics can feel up to two times cooler to touch than synthetic fabrics, because wool conducts more heat away from your skin. When it is hot and dry, wool keeps you cooler, by transferring moisture vapour away from the skin and allowing it to evaporate. Wool fabrics can move 25% more moisture away from your skin than polyester fabrics, equivalent to an ambient temperature drop of up to four degrees Celsius’

What I say:

It reduces those post exercise chills in the cool mornings or cold seasons.

The long version:

‘Wool reduces the rate of skin cooling and the severity of post-exercise chill, which can range from uncomfortable to dangerous. When you stop exercising in cold conditions, you can experience three times more chilling in synthetic garments than when wearing wool garments. This is due to wool fibre retaining – and only slowly releasing – moisture from within its structure, helping to maintain a higher skin temperature and less rapid cooling’

‘As absorption occurs, wool releases heat, keeping the wearer feeling warmer and drier in cold damp conditions’

gd2405-wool-breathable-_134.pdf (woolmark.com)

What I say:

Our Merino activewear is odour wicking. Don't worry about changing between morning run and brunch with the gals!

The long version:

‘Wool garments and textiles are naturally odour resistant due to the fibre’s unique properties. Wool’s complex chemical structure enables it to absorb and lock away odours within the fibre, only releasing them upon washing.’

'Wool has a number of unique moisture management properties that allow it to minimise the effects of body odour.

1. Wool is hygroscopic fibre, meaning it readily absorbs moisture - up to 35 per cent of it's own weight - keeping the skin surface drier and discourage bacterial growth.

2. Wool absorbs and locks away the odours during wear. The wool fibre actively binds odours within the fibre where bacteria do not thrive. As a result, the garment remains fresh for much longer.

3. These odours are then significantly released by wool  garments when laundered, with wool garments retaining less odour than cotton and synthetics after washing.'

wool-naturally-odour-resistant-131217.pdf (woolmark.com)

Be sure to check out the AWI website for some other great facts on Merino wool and be sure to give our activewear a try to see what all the fuss is about.

Part two of this blog will dive into the ethical, eco friendly and circular fashion components of why we chose to use wool for our activewear.

If you already own some merino activewear I’d love it if you would share your thoughts on the topics above in the comments section.

Find all of the fact sheets here: Wool Fact Sheets | Woolmark

Specific fact sheets I quoted from in this blog can be found here: gd2405-wool-breathable-_134.pdf (woolmark.com)

wool-naturally-odour-resistant-131217.pdf (woolmark.com)

The AWI home page can be found here: About Australian Wool Innovation | wool