Research proves Merino wool has superior thermoregulation advantages for athletes

A new scientific study confirms that 100% wool base-layer garments provide greater thermal comfort for outdoor ‘stop-go’ sports including hiking, cycling and rock climbing in both activity and rest phases. Wool’s unique natural structure allows the fibre to react to changes in body temperature, ensuring the wearer maintains an optimal microclimate in dynamic environments.

Until recently, only anecdotal evidence has long argued that wool base-layers are more comfortable for high intensity stop-go sports, before, during and after exercise, compared to base layers of made of other fibres. However, a four-year PhD study undertaken at North Carolina State University now validates this unique benefit of wool’s superior thermal comfort as unmatched by fabrics of non-wool fibre compositions of similar thickness and weight.

Outdoor sports such as hiking, cycling and rock climbing encompass multiple activity and resting phases, and are also known as ‘stop-go’ sports. Stop-go athletes experience alternating cycles of activity and rest, perspiring during the active periods with their clothing absorbing the sweat, which subsequently evaporates during rest intervals. When sweat evaporates from clothing, this can have a cooling effect which becomes uncomfortable for the athlete.

The solution is to select clothes that enable the body to maintain stable thermal comfort. Wool’s natural thermoregulatory capabilities makes it the ideal fibre to create a buffer between fabric and skin, insulating athletes against cold and releasing heat through the wool fibre’s breathable structure.

Study proves wool’s superiority during resting phases

Garments tested as part of the study included 100% wool, cotton, viscose and polyester of similar fabric weight and thickness. To investigate the robustness of the study, each fabric was tested using ‘sweating manikins’, and then humans.

The sweating manikin study demonstrated that wool has the highest capacity to support the transition from an environment of 45% relative humidity to 80% humidity, with efficiency surpassing that of viscose, cotton and polyester. With the ability of the fabric to breathe and dry quickly, the study demonstrates the premier natural capabilities of wool to maintain enhanced comfort and thermal sensation, in comparison to other fabrics tested.

Source: AWI