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Tag Archives: merino wool

  • Merino Wool, The Standard For Comfort and Warmth

    Posted on January 26, 2013 by olinselot

    Not all sheep are equal! Did you know that there is a complex quality grading system in place to measure and determine wool quality? Why does this matter? It actually matters a lot when you are talking about clothing and apparel. The correct grade of wool can be the difference between finishing your hike in comfort and itching and smelling the whole trip.

    Wool is classified according to its fineness because the finer the wool, the better the appearance, comfort, and style. The wool industry utilizes three different systems to determine the grade and quality of wool. Currently, there exists The American Blood Grade System (ABGS), Spinning Count System, and the Micron System. The Micron System is more or less the international standard.

    An interesting note is that the ABGS system bases its standard on the amount of Merino genetics present in the wool fiber. A pure bred Merino sheep would be considered to have the highest grade because it has the longest and finest fiber of wool available. Every other sheep that is a cross breed would fall farther and farther down the scale according to how diluted it was from the Merino. The Micron System is capable of differentiating the difference simply based on the diameter of a wool fiber.

    If you look at this table closely, you can see that pure Merino sheep produce the finest diameter of wool fiber and also the highest yield of clean wool. What does this mean? Merino wool products are warmer, more comfortable, and more attractive! Merino wool is the highest quality, most renewable, and most desirable wool available. When you feel Merino wool in your fingers the difference between it and lower grade products is tremendous. There is no doubt, in your own hands, that you will notice a major difference between low quality wool and Merino wool.

    If you enjoy the outdoors then understanding wool quality standards can be a tremendous advantage. Most average wool products are made from lower grade wool. You are probably familiar with the bulkiness and lack of comfort in low quality, course wool. Low quality wool products can make you itch, feel stiff and inflexible, and are often unfashionable. On the other hand, Merino wool products feel soft against your skin (like cotton), do not itch or smell, are warmer, naturally wick moisture way from your skin, and will fit in your day to day wardrobe.

    Hands down, Merino wool wins the contest. Merino wool products such as thermal underwear, socks, jackets and even hats are all available and affordable. Don’t waste your money on something of poor quality and comfort.  Upgrade your wool apparel to Merino wool and you will never look back!


    This post was posted in Merino Wool and was tagged with base layer, merino wool, thermal underwear, wool

  • Cross Country Ski Wear for Utah - What Counts Is On The Inside!

    Posted on January 18, 2013 by olinselot

    With temperatures lingering at a frosty 19 degrees you would think that most would cuddle up next to a warm fire and hide. But for one amazing mother in Utah, her fire seems to come from within!

    Shawna, of NatureForKids.net, shows that with the proper cross country ski wear, and a touch of scenic beauty, you can get outdoors and enjoy nature even on the coldest of days. She exemplifies the model family camper who isn't afraid to take her children along with her. Knowing how to be prepared with the right thermal layers gives her more confidence and comfort to do what she loves. What does Shawna love? She loves cross country skiing around a high altitude reservoir outside of Brigham City, Utah.

    It was no surprise to see her sporting some high quality ColdPruf Extreme Performance Thermals under her coat. Most of all she loves the comfort and bargain of her Merino Wool Outdoor Trail Socks.

    In regards to the Merino Wool Trail Socks - Shawna says, "First thing I noticed was how cushioned they were. They fit snug and the seams aren’t bothersome at the toe. They’ve kept my feet warm enough that I haven’t had to give them a second thought while outside."

    You can read the full experience, review, and get to know Shawna on her blog by visiting: Nature For Kids

     


    This post was posted in Clothing Layers, Cross Country Skiing, Merino Wool Socks, Socks, Thermal Underwear, Winter Sports and was tagged with cross country skiing, family camping, layering, merino wool, merino wool socks, nature for kids, performance thermals, polypro thermals, thermal underwear, utah

  • Layering Is Key To Staying Warm This Winter

    Posted on November 12, 2012 by

    Layering - How Does It Work

    Layering to keep warm in cold weather is really a matter of insulating your body so that you retain your body heat. Layering typically consists of two to four thermal layers depending on the temperatures you'll be exposed to. Each layer is designed to trap air. The more air that is trapped inside a material or fabric, the better it will insulate. The two most common layers are a base layer or thermal underwear layer and an outer layer. Then, depending on your level of comfort and how cold the temperature is, you can add middle layers for extra warmth.

    The great thing about layering is that it allows you to adjust your comfort level as temperatures change or as your activity level increases or decreases. As you get hotter, you can remove a layer. As you get colder, you can add a layer. Once you understand how layering works, you can adjust your own layering system based on your own comfort requirements and the weather conditions you'll be experiencing.

    Layering - Types of Material To Wear For Each Layer

    Now that you have an idea of how layering works, let's go over the different types of layers that will insulate you most effectively. Your first layer is your base layer or long underwear layer. Depending on the temperatures you're expecting to face, this layer can either be a thin single layer garment, a midweight two layer garment or a heavyweight two layer garment. As mentioned earlier, as you come to understand how layering works, you will know what weight or thickness you will need as a next-to-skin base layer. The type of fabric you wear is important. You need a material that will wick sweat, retain heat, and dry quickly. Some examples of the most commonly used materials are merino wool, polyester , and polypropylene. Each of these fabrics retain heat even when wet. Cotton thermals do not. The only time you'd consider using cotton is if you were not going to be very active.

    Now, let's skip to the outer layer. The outer layer's job is to block wind, snow, or rain from penetrating your inner layers and robbing you of heat needed to keep you warm. Your outer layer would be a coat, jacket, or parka that is waterproof, windproof, and breathable. Many coats will have built in insulation while jackets and parkas may just be a shell with the option to zip in an insulating liner.

    The reason I skipped to the outer layeris because what you wear in between the base

    Layering for winter temperatures Pick The Correct Layer According To Temperature

    layer and the outer layer all depends on your level of activity as well as how cold the temperature will be. A good base layer and outer layer is often sufficient for most winter weather conditions. During an average winter season, a good base layer and outer layer would be sufficient for skiing and snowboarding. However, if your combined base layer and outer layer are not warm enough, then you'll need to add an additional middle layer. This layer is typically a thicker layer of fleece. A merino wool, polyester or polypropylene fleece jacket and pants are recommended. A fourth layer is only needed in extreme cold weather conditions such as winter snow camping or summitting a high mountain peak. A fourth layer would be a heavyweight baselayer over a lightweight or medium weight base layer.

    Layering - Thermal Base Layer Is Critical

    Your next-to-skin thermal base layer is key to your comfort in cold weather. You want something warm, soft and dry against your skin.  Not just any fabric can give you this. Cotton is still a very popular as a base layer because it is so soft. The problem with cotton is that if you begin to sweat, it absorbs all of that moisture holding it next to your skin. Cotton does not dry very quickly. When it gets wet, cotton loses it's ability to retain heat. This condition can lead to hypothermia if exposed long enough.

    You need a performance fabric like merino wool, polyester, or polypropylene. Merino wool thermal underwear is super soft and 100% natural. It does a great job of managing moisture and keeping you dry. It also retains heat even when wet. It costs more than other thermals, but is well worth the price. Polyester and polypropylene are very similar. Both can be spun into a very fine thread making it extra soft and comfortable. Both of them are hydrophobic which means they repel water and dry quickly. Polypropylene retains more heat than any other fabric and it dries much quicker too. Polypropylene is probably the least expensive of these performance layering fabrics.

    Layering - It's Never Too Cold With The Right Layers
    Now that you know how to layer properly in cold weather, you can go out and enjoy the winter season. Don't be like so many others that sit inside depressed all winter long because they hate the cold. There is plenty of fun to be had throughout winter. All you need is the right layers!


    This post was posted in Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Thermal Underwear, Winter Sports and was tagged with base layer, cold weather, layering, merino wool, polyester, polypropylene, thermal underear

  • Merino Wool Socks - Ideal For Winter Sports

    Posted on October 26, 2012 by

    Merino Wool Socks - Why They Are Better Than Regular Wool

    Merino wool socks shouldn't be new to you if you hike, camp, fish, ski, snowboard or any other outdoor activity. Merino wool has been a part of the outdoor industry for a number of years now. If you're not familiar with it, then I'm guessing you are new to outdoor recreation or you don't know there is a difference between merino wool and regular wool. Either way, you've been missing out on the most popular fabric for outdoor clothing products available.

    Merino wool socks provide non itchy thermal insulation for your feet Merino Wool is finer and softer than standard wool

    Merino wool is different from regular wool. As you can see in this picture, merino sheep have thinner finer wool than other sheep. This provides a couple benefits that make merino wool ideal for use in outdoor clothing. First, after the wool fibers are knit into a fabric, the fabric is able to trap more air providing superior thermal insulation. Studies have shown that merino wool is actually able to keep you warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. The second reason the thinner fibers are better for outdoor clothing is that it makes for a non itchy wool. Unlike standard wool, merino wool is super soft. You get all of the great properties of standard wool, but without the annoying itch.

    Merino Wool Socks - Merino Wool Vs Cotton

    Instead of merino wool socks, I've notice that many people still stick to 100% cotton socks for everything they do. 100% cotton is definitely soft and comfortable. But cotton has a very limited comfort range. The reason for this is that cotton absorbs water like a sponge. It retains that water like to a sponge too. When cotton gets wet, it no longer retains heat. So if you are wearing cotton socks to do anything active, the socks just absorb all that moisture from your feet. Before long you are cold, damp, and miserable. Merino wool socks on the other hand absorb little water. Merino wool is naturally hydrophobic which means that it hates water. Merino wool also retains your body's natural heat when it does get wet. When you wear merino wool for high activity sports, the merino wool is able to dissipate the moisture and keep your skin warm and dry.

    Merino Wool Socks - Nature's Protection Against Cold

    There are plenty of other fabrics that are able to do what merino wool does. But, the reason merino wool is so popular is because it is a natural fiber. This means that any product made from merino wool is earth friendly to produce and earth friendly to dispose of. Additionally, many people are allergic to synthetic or man made fibers. Since merino wool is a natural fiber, it is uncommon and almost impossible for people to have an allergy to it. 

    So, if  you are still wearing anything but merino wool socks for your outdoor adventures, it's time to try on a pair. Once you try them out you'll find  yourself replacing other parts of your wardrobe with merino wool as well.


    This post was posted in Merino Wool Socks, Socks, Winter Sports and was tagged with hiking socks, merino wool, merino wool socks, snowboarding socks, snowmobile socks

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