10,000 years of outdoor life
When it comes to making raw materials for functional outdoor use, sheep are better at it than we humans. By hanging out in the open air – according to archaeological finds – for at least 10,000 years, sheep have succeeded in developing a raw material that contains so many functional benefits that others do not even come close. Wool is not only one of the oldest natural materials, it is also one of the most technical. It offers excellent functionality when you are out and about, it is durable yet soft to the touch. It is also warming when it is cold and pleasantly cooling when it is hot. It is odor resistant and e ectively wicks away body moisture. In short: wool is a great functional material. And not just for outdoor use. It is no surprise that Fjällräven uses different types of wool in many different applications across the product range. The three sources of Fjällräven's wool are: recycled, recovered and traceable. All with a focus on sustainability. Moreover, traceable wool is not simply traceable. It is also certified and monitored to high standards of animal welfare, the environment and social and economic sustainability for farmers.
Fjällräven uses three types of wool sources: traceable wool, reclaimed wool and recycled wool. The types of use and applications are diverse and range from technical base layers, midlayers such as wool sweaters to jackets and backpacks.
10 interesting facts about wool:
1. Man has been wearing wool since the Stone Age, which says something about the quality of the fiber!
2. Wool can absorb and repel water at the same time.
3. Because it's much more efficient at absorbing sweat before bacteria have a chance develop, wool is basically odor resistant.
4. Wool has a natural UV lter and thus protects against sunlight.
5. Unlike nylon and polyester, wool will not drip or melt if it catches fire. It is basically fire resistant. Good news for everyone who likes to be close to the campfire sit.
6. Wool is a 100% renewable fiber source. Each sheep produces a new coat as long as there is grass to graze on.
7. Wool fiber is biodegradable. It is composed of a natural protein, similar to that in human hair.
8. Wool can stretch to about 70% of its natural length and then spring back in its original form. As a result, it retains its durability and appearance much longer than other materials.
9. Because it is so stretchy, wool ensures that garments are naturally wrinkle free. The wool fiber is made up of feather-shaped molecules that ensure that the fibers return to their original shape after being twisted.
10. Wool products last as long as a wool fiber can be bent 20,000 times before he breaks. Cotton breaks after 3,000 bends.
