Wool
🐑 Natural: animal Also called Merino, Lambswool, Virgin wool.
Warm even when damp, and it resists odor.
What it's made from
Sheep’s fleece, sheared, cleaned and spun. Merino is a breed with especially fine, soft wool.
At a glance
| BreathabilityLets air and heat through | High (4 of 5) |
|---|---|
| WarmthFor its weight | Very high (5 of 5) |
| Absorbs sweatPulls moisture off your skin | High (4 of 5) |
| DurabilityResists wear and pilling | High (4 of 5) |
| Wrinkle resistanceStays smooth | Very high (5 of 5) |
| Easy careMachine wash and dry | Low (2 of 5) |
| Sheds microplasticsWhen washed | No |
| Biodegradable | Yes |
A general guide. The weave, weight and finish of a fabric matter as much as the fiber.
How it feels
Ranges from itchy (coarse wool) to very soft (fine merino).
Good for
- Sweaters and coats
- Base layers and hiking socks (merino)
- Suits
- Cold, wet weather
Watch for
- A "wool" sweater can be mostly acrylic. Look for the wool percentage, not the word.
- Felts and shrinks with heat and agitation unless labeled machine washable.
- Moths like it. Store it clean.
Care
Hand wash or wool cycle, cold, then lay flat to dry. Air it out between wears; it needs washing less often.
Often blended with
What those blends mean: Wool + acrylic · Wool + nylon · Wool + cashmere
Compare
Guides
More natural: animal fabrics
cashmere · alpaca · silk · mohair
See it before you buy
TruTag reads the fabric on every clothing listing at Amazon, Target and Walmart and shows how much wool is really in it, right under each search result. See how it works →