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How Do I Choose the Best Wool Underwear?
Since wool underwear are not generally clothing items worn for their aesthetic fashion appeal, choosing the right kind of wool underwear comes down to getting the fit and comfort that you like. Varying thicknesses will provide different levels of warmth and air flow. Getting the right underwear shape for your body and comfort preferences is also an important part of choosing the best wool underwear. Carefully feel the fabric to make sure it is comfortable and smooth, since wool tends to be somewhat scratchy. If there is a specific reason why you need to get wool underwear, make sure the underwear you choose fits your needs in every way.
A good place to start when seeking the best wool underwear is with a simple Internet search. Researching wool underwear online will help you get an idea of the selection, colors, and price ranges available for wool underwear. It can also give you an idea of which retailers might carry wool underwear that you can purchase locally. A big part of buying underwear is the feel of it, so it is important to find a way to feel the underwear before you buy it, even if you intend to buy it online. Local stores that might carry wool undergarments include sporting goods stores, camping stores, and sports clothing stores, but you may find that they are less expensive at retail bargain stores.
Think about the shapes that you usually like in undergarments. Wool undergarments come in a variety of types, including tops and bottoms. Types of tops include tank tops, t-shirts, and long-sleeved wool undergarments. Wool bottoms can be anything from panties to full-length thermal pants. Consider how much of your body you want the garment to cover.
Usually, if you are buying wool undergarments, you are buying thermal underwear to wear in the cold, but some everyday underwear is made of wool. In any undergarment, fit is essential. The wrong underwear shape can ruin an otherwise comfortable pair of underwear. In dire weather, an ill-fitting pair of wool long johns can allow uncomfortably chilly breezes to reach your skin. Most are stretchy and tend to be one-size-fits-all.
When choosing wool undergarments, find out what percentage of wool is in the fabric. Some fabrics made with wool blends can be softer and more lightweight than underwear made completely of wool. Generally, underwear with wool blends are the most common type found in retail stores.
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![Wool is shorn from sheep.]()
By: sevaljevicWool is shorn from sheep. -
![Wool underwear can keep a person warm while outdoors during the winter.]()
By: Marina KarkalichevaWool underwear can keep a person warm while outdoors during the winter. -
![Some of the best underwear options for cold weather feature a blend of natural and synthetic fibers.]()
By: RTimagesSome of the best underwear options for cold weather feature a blend of natural and synthetic fibers.
Discussion Comments
@indigomoth - Icebreaker are good, and they do have a really good reputation, particularly as an environmentally friendly company, but they can be expensive.
There are all kinds of "generic" wool underwear sets you can get now that don't have the added cost of a brand name. If you can't afford to buy one of the brand name kinds, I would consider going for one of the cheaper ones.
When you think about it, no one is going to be able to tell what brand it is anyway, since they'll likely never see the garments.
@pleonasm - I think if you do enough research you can buy wool underwear over the internet, sight unseen.
Icebreaker, for example is one of those New Zealand companies you mentioned and they have such a good reputation that I wouldn't hesitate to buy some of their stuff, even if I hadn't been able to see it in person.
I've heard that they put one of their shirts on someone doing a long hike, and he wore it for over a month, without washing it. Then, at the end of that time, it still had no odor.
That's one of the best qualities of that kind of wool. It's just naturally antibacterial, which makes it perfect for underwear.
If I could afford it, I'd replace a lot of my clothes with merino wool blends.
There are some really good companies around now which offer all natural organic wool underwear for sale. Some of the better ones are based in New Zealand, which is, of course, famous for its sheep.
Wool seems like an old fashioned choice for a fabric but it still has excellent qualities that can't really be emulated with synthetic fibers.
And the only drawback is usually that it's too itchy to wear next to your skin. But, if you get the right kind of wool (which has been processed properly) it feels just as soft as cotton, in my opinion.
You should make sure you get a chance to feel it for yourself before buying though, since it's difficult to tell whether it will be of good enough quality over the internet.
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