Wool fabric
Wool is a renewable animal fibre that stays warm even when damp, resists odour, and biodegrades. The old reputation for itch is mechanical, not allergic: fine grades like merino feel smooth and are well tolerated even on eczema-prone skin.
On your skin
Wool is not an allergen. Research debunking the wool-allergy myth shows the prickle comes from coarse fibre ends, not an immune reaction. Fibres finer than 19 microns (merino, superfine) feel smooth, and grades of 17.5 microns or finer reduce eczema symptoms. Lanolin sensitivity affects under 0.5 percent of people.
Comfort and performance
Warm even when wet, naturally odour-resistant, and breathable with good moisture management. Merino is the soft, fine grade used next to skin.
Durability
Resilient and elastic, springing back into shape. Hand wash or use a wool cycle and never tumble dry.
Environmental impact
Biodegradable and renewable, but sheep farming drives most of wool's footprint through methane. Look for non-mulesed certification such as RWS or ZQ.
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Download for iPhoneWool FAQ
Is wool itchy or allergenic?
Wool is not a true allergen. Coarse wool can feel prickly, but fine grades like merino under 19 microns feel smooth and are tolerated even by people with eczema.
Can you be allergic to wool?
Genuine wool allergy is extremely rare. A small share of people react to lanolin, the wool wax, not to the fibre.
Is wool sustainable?
It is renewable and biodegradable, but farming emissions are significant. Certified non-mulesed and responsibly farmed wool is the better choice.
- Sources
- Zallmann et al. (2017), Acta Dermato-Venereologica, debunking wool allergy.
- CSIRO prickle research (Naylor et al.); IWTO sustainability data.