STAYING WARM, DRY & NOT SMELLY!

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This article highlights some amazing Merino Wool thermal wear from Sweden. I do not go anywhere without my Woolpower. It keeps me warm and dry by trapping warm air and wicking moisture away from my skin. It also helps to make the ride home from a week long canoe trip a little more pleasant as it does a great job of absorbing odor! Take a few minutes to read on and if you like visit The Canadian Outdoor Equipment Co.Canada's source for high quality, hand crafted outdoor gear and equipment to get some!

WOOLPOWER: A THERMAL SYSTEM

Products manufactured using Ullfrotté Original are sold today under the brand name Woolpower. Ulfrotte Original is the material developed by Ullfrotté AB in Östersund in the early 1970's in collaboration with the Swedish military, scientists, doctors and survival experts. The textile is highly wear resistant and consists of fine Merino wool, polyamide/polyester and air. These garments are used by most NATO forces stationed in the harshest of climates. Woolpower is also the thermal wear of choice for many Ski Patrollers, Rescue Units and Utility workers world wide. It is the perfect layering system for any back country expedition or afternoon hike.

All Woolpower garments are part of a system. UllfrottÉ AB has developed an entire collection of garments for the whole body, to be combined differently depending on the temperature and form of activity. The material, Ullfrotté Original, is produced in varying thickness for different functions and benefits. The thickness of the material is measured in grams per square meter and comes in 200, 400, 600 and 800 g/m2.

WOOL

WOOL IS NATURE'S OWN FUNCTIONAL MATERIAL and so far no one has succeeded in producing a synthetic fiber with the characteristics of wool. In all Woolpower garments we use Merino wool, a perfect fiber to insulate against both heat and cold. Wool has several characteristics that contribute to its excellent insulating properties: the loftiness and scaly surface of the fiber, the fatty substance lanolin that surrounds the fiber, and its degree of moisture absorption.

TRAPS PLENTY OF AIR

The crimpy structure of the wool fibers trap large quantities of air and provides good heat insulation. Air between the fibers reduces the conduction of heat in the material, and therefore has an insulating effect against both heat and cold. A larger quantity of crimps in the fiber provides better insulation. Merino wool can have up to 40 crimps per centimeter, which provides a high degree of insulation. The crimps of thefibers also mean that there are fewer contact points between the material and the skin, another benefit when it comes to trapping air. Wool is also hygroscopic, meaning that it is capable of absorbing moisture from the atmosphere. An increase in air humidity brings higher humidity to the fiber. Wool can retain moisture both in and between its fibers, while synthetic material can only retain moisture either in or between fibers.

WOOL WICKS AWAY MOISTURE

During increased levels of activity or in warmer temperatures, the body produces perspiration to cool down, thereby raising the moisture level. The air trapped around the wool conducts heat better and the insulating effect of the wool diminishes. The drier the air in the intersections of the fibers, the better the wool insulates. The degree of insulation adjusts to body temperature and humidity. The protein nucleus of the fibers has a water repellent shell that prevents fluids from penetrating the fiber. When humidity is higher inside the wool garment than outside, the wool works hard to absorb the moisture and transport it through the material until a balance is reached. Since moisture is transported to the outside of the garment, heat insulation increases and you stay dry.

WOOL WARMS EVEN WHEN MOIST

The heat generated by a textile during moisture absorption is called absorption heat. Energy is released as water molecules slow down when entering the fiber so when a garment gets wet it feels warm. Wool generates very high absorption heat and can absorb up to 30% of its dry weight without feeling damp or losing its shape.

WOOL IS EASY TO CARE FOR AND IS SELF-CLEANING

Wool garments do not need frequent cleaning, but rather can be aired out in humid weather with good results. The vapor passing through the garment will remove soil particles and odors. The core of the wool fiber consists of two types of cells that absorb different quantities of moisture. As a result, one type swells more than the other and they move in constant friction. This gives the wool fiber a mechanical, self-cleaning effect.

THE FINENESS OF THE WOOL FIBER IS DEFINED IN MICRONS

The number of microns, i.e., the measurement of the wool fiber in thousandths of a millimeter, is used to indicate quality. Fine wool is between 17 and 23 microns. When wool is perceived as itchy, the reason is that there are coarse fibers in the wool, which do not yield to the skin but prick right in. Coarse fibers in excess of 28 microns may itch. The Merino wool used in Ullfrotté Original is 22 microns, meaning that the thickness of the wool fibers is 22 thousandths of a millimeter. This results in a comfortable material with sufficient tensile strength.

ULLFROTTÉ ORIGINAL IS 80% AIR

The material is knit so that one side is smooth, and the other has terry loops. The material's lofty terry loops, in combination with its crimpy wool fibers, forms a knitwear capable of trapping a lot of air. Up to 80% of the material actually consists of air, which means that the material has an excellent capacity to insulate body heat. The more air you can keep still around the body, the more heat you can retain. Air does not to any large extent transport heat away from the body, but textiles do. The lofty knit- wear has few contact points with the body, which reduces the number of points where body heat can be wicked away. The permeable material easily lets out moisture from the body. As you become hot and perspire, pressure builds up inside the clothes. The moisture molecules strive to get outside where the air is colder and the pressure lower. If the material is loose and the fibers have the right properties, they will help transport moisture away from the body. The capacity to transport moisture facilitates the radiation of heat during physical activities and helps keep the body dry and its temperature in balance. The soft terry surface of the Ullfrotté Original material offers the maximum benefit of regulating body heat and moving moisture away from the skin. Ullfrotté Original retains body heat, even when wet.

THE MATERIAL IS HARDWEARING

Wool is a material with excellent properties but its wear resistance is not optimal. In order to add maximum wear resistance to the material, the wool has been mixed with one third polyamide. In the thinnest garments, polyester is added on the outside, for best possible wear resistance.

HARDLY ANY SEAMS

Ullfrotté Original is knitted on specially designed machines where everything from the size of the terry loops to the density of the stitch is carefully tested. Each garment part is knitted on circular knitting machines and comes out in tubular shape, completely free of seams that can both abrade and break. The large number of machines and a wide array of tube sizes ensures that garments in many different sizes can be produced.

WASHING

Wool is to some extent self-cleaning and does not retain odor even after long periods of use. This means that you will not have to clean your Woolpower garments that often. Woolpower garments can be machine washed at 60°C (140°F) and tumble-dried at medium heat. This is a requirement from the Swedish and Norwegian armies and several major industrial clients. Humid conditions promote bacteria growth at temperatures between 20°C and 40°C (68°F and 104°F) and certain soil bacteria will not die until the clothes are washed at 60°C (140°F). In the case of mid-layer garments made from Ullfrotté Original, washing at 40°C (104°F) is often sufficient since they are not worn directly on the body and do not absorb as much soil from the skin. When washing wool garments you can use either a mild soap-based detergent or none at all. The garments should be tumble-dried or dried flat for best results. The garments will contract a little, but are form fitting and will adjust in a comfortable way.

WOOL IS HARD TO IGNITE

and only catches fire at very high temperature. Wool is based on protein, which in itself is a fire deterrent, and it's property of trapping vapor also contributes. Once wool catches fire, the flame is not fed, but the fibers are charred and the fire dies. Since Ullfrotté Original consists mainly of wool, it is not a very flammable material, in contrast to purely synthetic products. This is why Woolpower garments are used not only by outdoor enthusiasts, but also by professionals like firemen, welders, smiths, and utility workers to add protection against heat and burn injuries.

A SPECIAL FR COLLECTION IS PRODUCED

in a special blend of Ullfrotté Original material to provide extra flame protection. Aramid fibers have been added to the wool yarn, further augmenting the ability to resist heat and fire. These products are marked FR (Flame Resistant) and are CE certified in accordance with standards for this type of protective clothing.

ULLFROTTÉ ORIGINAL IS CERTIFIED BY ÖKO-TEX

Öko-Tex is an international human-ecology label that shows that the garments contain no toxic or harmful substances.