A: Wool blends are generally regarded as good winter insulation because they are highly water-resistant and non-porous. However, they are not as warm as down or mohair, which are the best insulators found in coats, so be careful if you plan to wade or do other strenuous outdoor activity in the winter.
Even though sheep’s wool is more natural and breathable than that of goats, sheep’s wool is still a highly-skilled, well-crafted, well-known material. If you’re not quite familiar with it, the good news is that it comes from the vicuna, a llama-like creature found in South America and known as ‘Queen of the Andes’.
If you’re not quite familiar with it, the good news is that it is one of the few materials a person can count on receiving regular breaks from the elements. El Niño and La Niña storms can break up your monthly wool supply, leaving you to rely on whatever you’ve got lying around the house.
On the other hand, if you’re a realist and know what exactly winter is like outside of the realm of cold weather, you might want to get your wool fix early.
Are wool blend coats good for winter?
Wool blends are typically less warm than alpaca or even cashmere but they are a good investment option for those living in warmer climates with sunny winters and icy winters.
What makes a coat Warm?
The answer to this question depends on your own body temperature, activity level, and activity level of the next day.
“It’s important to know that natural fibres and fillers can have benefits in warm weather, even if they are less comfortable on the skin than synthetic fibres and fillers.
What’s the best synthetic fibre for winter?
There are several synthetic fibres and fillers on the market that have been shown to be as warm as man-made fibres and fillers.
What’s the best natural fibre for winter?
There are many types of fibres and fillers on the market, some of them better than others. The best ones to avoid during winter are synthetic fibres and fillers with a silky or downy texture. Synthetic fibres and fillers are less warm than man-made fibres and fillers, but they are warm enough for coats anyway.
“The toastiest of them all, feathers trap air (and as a consequence, heat) like nothing else. This pick from The North Face uses down which has been tracked from farm to factory to ensure the feathers have been ethically sourced.
Are wool blend coats good for winter? Definitely not if they are not lined or have less than a 3/4 length. Wool blends are usually more warm than puffer-style coats, but both are uncomfortable on the skin and can be ruined by cold air.
What makes a coat warm often isn’t the fill as much as the parka-like construction with fitted wrist cuffs, snug collar, longer length, longer width, and, often, an attached hood. A well-constructed, well-designed, quality wool coat with similar features–inner wrist cuffs, fitted inner layer to keep out wind, longer length, longer width, and snug collar probably is more warm than a puffer in winter.
It also depends on your own body temperature, what you wear with the coat ( scarf, hat, gloves, boots, under layers), activity level (brisk walking vs. sitting on a cold bench, for example), and the actual weather conditions besides the temperature (wind, sleet, humidity).
From my own experience, I’d have to say my heavy, full-length, wool duffle (worn with the right outer and inner layers) was my choice on sunny cold days with temperatures hovering around -30, my fleecy, thinsulate-lined raincoat was my choice in sleety, damp winter weather, and my Canada Goose parka was what kept me toasty in winter storms when the wind was howling and exposed skin could freeze in seconds.
Are wool blend coats good for winter? The short answer is a resounding YES! Being a natural fibre, wool does not absorb moisture, so unlike some fabrics, wool does not become full of water when it is mowed or swept. Rather, it looks and feels like it has been water-resistant all of winter long. This means you can feel comfortable if you get caught in a blizzard in your will coat.
It’s a myth that wool will only last as long as you spend plenty of time in direct sunlight. Wool can be damaged by the elements, but it also comes from the mohair family, which includes the famous Peruvians
Wool can be damaged by the elements, but it also comes from the mohair family, which includes the famous Peruvians
It’s that time of the year again when temperatures drop and it’s time to pull out your winter woolies. But have you ever wondered why some coats (no matter how thick they are) just aren’t as warm as others? One of my favourite coats in the wardrobe barely gets a outing each winter because no matter how cosy & warm it looks… it just doesn’t cut the mustard once I step outside my front door #Impractical
So I’ve decided to get to the bottom of it all and invest some time into researching what wools and fibres make the warmest coats PLUS which are best for thermals and layering too.
