It was my five-days-without-a-shower (TMI?) trip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon that taught me about the amazing properties of wool. Most of us think of wool as the fabric for our winter sweaters or hats, but as I shopped at outdoor and camping stores for my trip, wool was everywhere. Wool underwear, wool hiking socks, wool base layers, wool running tights, wool everything. "What's with all this wool?" I wondered? Since then, I've learned (and experienced) what an extremely versatile material wool really is. Beyond winter fashion, wool is one of the best materials for exercise clothing—and not just in the winter. I now have a wool neck gaiter, wool base layers for running, and socks, which are not only the socks I wear every day but also the only socks I'll wear while running. Still not convinced? Allow me to share the six amazing reasons you should be adding more wool to your workout wardrobe (plus tips for choosing the right wool).
Intrigued? Do it right, as not all wool is created equally. That wool sweater you bought at the Gap or received from Grandma isn't the same as performance wool. Work out in that and you'll find yourself overly sweaty and super itchy/uncomfortable. Regular wool is much too thick and scratchy for working out. What's the difference? Weinstein explains: "First off, there's traditional wool, like granny wore, and then there's merino wool. Merino insulates naturally because it comes from the sheep. Icebreaker's merino wool is grown in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, where it must work for sheep in extremely hot days, yet be insulating and warm when temperatures at the 12,000 foot level drop below freezing. Merino wool comes from a much smaller fiber, as a result it doesn't itch, and feels wonderfully soft a supple against your skin. It's fantastic for exercise -- it naturally wicks moisture, plus it doesn't hold odor like synthetics or cotton. You can literally wear your Icebreaker merino workout apparel for days or weeks without a wash, saving you on detergent and more." The two biggest names in wool workout apparel are SmartWool and Icebreaker (pictured above), both of which use soft merino wool in their products. (I'm sure there are many more brands that I'm not mentioning, so please share your favorites in the comments!). You can find some wool workout clothes at big-box sporting goods stores, but specialty workout/running stores along with camping/outdoor stores (especially REI) generally have the best selection. You'll definitely spend more money for wool apparel than you will on non-performance clothing (think cotton T-shirts or socks) and performance clothing alike, in my experience. Wool socks will set you back $12-$20 per pair on average, which may seem steep but when I think about how many pairs of cotton socks I would have bought and replaced the last three years, I realize I'm probably spending less on the wool ones, which I can wear multiple days in a row. The long-sleeve wool running shirts I recently purchased were about $85 each, a little more than I'd spend on a brand new performance shirt for winter layering. But I don't need additional shirts because I can re-wear the same one several times in the week. Plus my experience tells me that the wool product will last years longer and be more versatile overall (I also wear merino not working out!), so I consider it worth the higher cost. If anything, it's a nice splurge every so often when I want to treat myself. Curious about trying wool but don't want to pay the high price tag? Late winter and early fall are both great times to buy the merchandise that retailers want to clear out. I just say a summer tank top on sale at my local running store for 75% off, which made it less than $20, and now is the time to look for sales on the thicker wool layering pieces designed for winter. Photo Credit: IceBreaker.com (Everything on the model is wool workout clothing by Ice Breaker.) Have I convinced you? Would you (or do you) work out in wool?
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I buy 100% wool products at sweaterchalet.com where they have Dachstein Woolwear 100% wool socks, gloves,, mittens, tees, and sweaters at
sweaterchalet.com/quality-woolen
s/wool-socks/
Thanks and love the spark program Nicole Report
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I like smartwool socks but I wear them with liners. Report
Wool also holds color better than other fabrics. It's just great stuff. Report
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This new generation of wool is so much different. It is EASY care for sure. My Smart wool socks from LLBean have made a major difference to me. having warm feet in Maine winters. I used to wear 2 pairs of socks and still often cold feet, these are standalone socks and work really well.
Merrino is not itchy, I am allergic to wool but wool itchiness is not a real allergy for me. The old wool had many short hairs poking out and tickling the skin. The finer merrino actually behaves more like the silks I used to wear in winter. These are about to be replaced with merrino as soon as the winter mark downs are in the sales. Pat in Maine. Very informative Blog Thanks Nicole Report
Is the wool being used in these workout clothes treated or processed in some way to remove the itch factor, or is it a particular type of wool (merino, cashmere, etc.)?
Ha, ha, answered my own question by clicking on the SmartWool link in the blog: it's merino wool! Report
during long workouts on the trail, it would take a long time for my
hands, feet and head... to feel warm.
So, being a knitter, I fashioned a snug pullover hat,
socks, and mittens in bright red merino wool.
Now I am so warm, I often pull off the hat and mitts
as my work out warms down.
But absolutely: the warmth maintained is excellent,
there is not stink factor,
it wicks moisture,
and it is so cozy and longlasting.
AND I save $$$ my knitting my own!
Next winter: I plan to knit on overvest to wear
over a turtleneck but under my fleece.
Works, and its all organic too! Report
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You just outed my SmartWool secret!
Now I'm going to have to pay top dollar..... Report