How wool keeps us warm

British weather is anything but predictable. Our climate is incredibly varied – sometimes we’ll have warm sunny days in February, and sometimes freezing rain in the middle of summer!

Whatever the weather, you’ll always see British sheep happily grazing in the countryside. With a host of natural insulating properties, their fleeces are designed to keep them warm in winter, and cool in summer, but how exactly does this work?

Natural Insulation

Wool fibre is incredibly complex and made up of lots of different layers of keratin, a protein all animal hair contains which helps maintain body temperature.

In the centre of each fibre is a cluster of hollow, spongy cells. Which create pockets that trap air and help to circulate heat, enhancing insulation and warmth. Since air conducts heat, this means the warmth you might generate through exercise or general movement also gets trapped by wool, which keeps you even warmer.

Wool breathes naturally, and constantly adjusts to external conditions, which helps to regulate temperature and ensure comfort.

Moisture Management

Even when wool is damp, it will still keep you warm. Wool can hold moisture for longer than other fabrics before starting to feel wet, which is why it does such a good job protecting sheep in wet weather. Wool naturally absorbs moisture when the atmosphere is damp, and then releases it when the atmosphere is dry.

These features are great for clothing, and also bedding, helping to regulate your temperature naturally as you sleep. Ready to invest in some woolies? Click here to browse our online shop