The Natural Breathability of Wool: A Key to Comfort and Well-being
One of wool’s most useful natural properties is its ability to “breathe.” Wool can absorb up to 35% of its own weight in moisture due to its hydrophilic core, which is then released as vapour into the air. This in-built characteristic is permanent and is one of the reasons that wool is such a versatile fibre, with so many applications.
This natural and high level of breathability makes wool ideal for a wide range of end uses, enhancing comfort and promoting well-being:
- Next-to-Skin Activewear: Wool’s ability to breathe offers sustained comfort during extended sport, outdoor, travel, general work, and everyday activities. Whether it’s underwear, socks, base layers, or performance t-shirts, wool keeps you dry and comfortable.
- Sleepwear: Wool continually absorbs moisture away from the body and releases it as vapour into the air, keeping the sleeper dry and comfortable, and improving sleep quality and duration. Experience a more restful night’s sleep with wool.
- Bedding and Mattresses: Wool’s breathability reduces humidity and keeps temperatures from rising in the immediate environment, limiting the opportunities for dust mites to develop. This creates healthier sleeping conditions, particularly beneficial for allergy and asthma sufferers.
Wool’s breathability is natural, inherent, and permanent. It comes hand in hand with wool’s excellent odour resistance, which also makes product care more straightforward. While synthetic clothes must be washed regularly to sustain properties such as breathability, wool can easily be freshened up through airing. This natural advantage not only enhances comfort but also contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Discover the enduring benefits of wool’s breathability and experience the difference it makes in your daily life.
Focus on: Wool’s Dynamic Breathability
Dynamic breathability refers to the ability of a fabric to manage moisture and temperature changes during periods of both activity and rest. This is important for athletes who participate in stop-go sports, such as hiking, cycling, and rock climbing, as they need clothing that can help them regulate their body temperature and stay comfortable.
The importance of dynamic breathability
Dynamic breathability is important because it helps athletes to:
- Stay comfortable during both activity and rest
- Avoid overheating and sweating
- Stay warm in cold weather
- Perform at their best
Wool and dynamic breathability
Wool is a natural fibre that is well-suited for dynamic breathability. It is able to absorb up to 35% of its weight in moisture, which helps to regulate body temperature. Wool is also a good insulator, which helps to keep athletes warm in cold weather.
Research on dynamic breathability
A study by North Carolina State University found that wool is more effective at buffering temperature changes than other fabrics, such as cotton and polyester. This is because wool is able to absorb and release moisture more effectively than other fabrics.
Benefits of wool for dynamic breathability
The benefits of wool for dynamic breathability include:
- Comfort: Wool helps to regulate body temperature and keep athletes comfortable.
- Performance: Wool can help athletes to perform at their best by keeping them cool and dry.
- Health: Wool can help to prevent overheating and sweating, which can lead to health problems.
How to test for dynamic breathability
There are a few different ways to test for dynamic breathability. One way is to use a sweating guarded hotplate. This device measures the amount of heat and moisture that a fabric can transfer.
The future of dynamic breathability
The future of dynamic breathability testing is likely to involve the development of new and improved methods. This will help to ensure that athletes have access to the best possible clothing for their needs.
Read more about wool’s performance in IWTO’s Fact Sheets. We’ll have a new one on this topic coming soon!