Wondering if merino wool is warmer than normal wool? The answer is yes!
One of the main reasons why merino wool is so well-liked is that it is warmer than normal wool despite its lightness.
The fabric has a natural crimp that retains heat in the garment, making it warmer than your usual wool garments
. Even though merino wool is warmer, it is also suited to wear during summer, as it keeps you cooler than normal wool.
Read on to find out why merino wool is warmer than normal wool!
Table of Contents
Wool and Its Characteristics
All types of wool have a different use. Different breeds of sheep produce different types of wool due to the characteristics of their fleece. Wool is a protein fiber with crimp and scales that spin into yarn.
The crimp in the fiber allows wool to hold air and retain heat. It can also absorb one-third of its weight in water, which makes wool perfect for wicking moisture.
This is why people would usually wear wool socks for hiking. The fibers are also elastic, meaning wool can hold its shape for a long.
The characteristics of wool are:
- Felt-ability
- Strength/durability
- Luster
- Diameter (microns)
- Staple length
- Uniformity of fleece
- Elasticity
(basket of wool)
Merino Wool vs. Regular Wool – What is the Difference?
The Merino wool gets all the glory due to its favorable characteristics and suitability for both summer and winter, compared to regular wool, which is usually used in winter only.
Merino wool is luxurious, warm, and less itchy; other types of wool match these standards.
Lambswool vs. Merino Wool
Lambswool is the wool from a sheep’s first shearing of around 7 months. It is no longer than 50mm.
Merino lambswool is softer, lighter, and finer than an adult sheep. It is produced in small quantities, which makes it more expensive.
Lambswool may also be warmer than merino wool; however, this depends on the type of garment that you are comparing.
(two lambs)
Cashmere vs. Merino Wool
Cashmere wool comes from the undercoat of the Cashmere goat. Gathering the undercoat is a difficult process.
The produce is much smaller than merino wool, which makes it more expensive.
There are fewer Cashmere goats than Merino sheep, and they are smaller than the sheep.
Cashmere is 7 to 8 times warmer than merino wool and is lighter and softer.
However, some people like to wear merino wool because it is more durable and has greater value for money.
(cashmere sweater)
Alpaca vs. Merino Wool
Alpaca is a potential rival to merino wool as people can produce this wool in high volumes at a low cost.
It is also the same as merino, but it is better than cashmere and wool by having good-sized fibers, lighter, smoother, and great tensile strength.
Which Type of Wool is the Warmest?
Cashmere wool is the warmest wool as it can be 8 times warmer than lambswool and merino wool. However, it is delicate and too expensive, so customers avoid it.
On the other hand, lambswool is enjoyably warm to wear. It has a natural crimp that creates air pockets to trap heat.
It also has a high lanolin content, a wax that provides insulation.
Merino wool is still preferred as it is more durable than other types of wool while being soft and light.
They also have a natural crimp in the structure that retains our body heat and keeps us warm in the winter.
Merino sheep can endure temperatures as low as 5 degrees. We will be fine if the wool keeps them warm in extreme temperatures!
By retaining our body heat, merino wool also performs another important function. They do not allow the entering of cold air.
This is why most people prefer merino wool sweaters as their top layer during fall and their base layer during winter.
(cozy merino rug)
Conclusion
Now you know that merino wool is warmer than normal wool.
While cashmere wool may be the warmest of all the wool we looked at, it is significantly costly and delicate, which makes it hard to take care of.
This is why most people still prefer to use merino wool garments.