Five advantages of using woolen underwear - all year round!

In Norway, where Kari Traa comes from, there are long traditions of using wool both for everyday life and various activities. For years, Norwegians and women have used the three-layer principle, with wool as the innermost layer – and it is no accident.

Despite the fact that new technical materials are constantly being researched in the clothing industry, the advantages of wool have proven to be hard to beat. In addition to being one of the most environmentally friendly materials we have, there are also these five reasons why we swear by wool:

1. Woolen underwear Keeps you warm even when you get wet

You have probably tried to get really cold after sweating due to activity. Unlike other materials, which become cold from liquid from sweat or rain, wool actually manages to insulate heat – even when it is damp! In fact, wool can hold up to 35% of its own weight in moisture before it feels wet. You will therefore feel warmer and more comfortable in wool when it rains or you sweat a lot.

2. Wool underwear regulates your body temperature

Wool is made for the Nordic conditions, where temperatures and weather conditions can change quickly. We all know how uncomfortable it is to get too hot or cold when we're out on an adventure, and that's why wool's ability to regulate body heat is worth its weight in gold. The wool fibers have the unique property that they insulate both against heat and cold by absorbing and transporting the moisture out. In this way, your body temperature is adjusted to a comfortable level, regardless of the conditions.

When it's cold and we sweat, the wool fibers will absorb the moisture and start a process where it generates heat. The heat is stored in air pockets in the wool fibers - and thus does not freeze - even when it is 100 degrees Celsius.

When you get hot, the wool fibers correspondingly cool the temperature by evaporation - just like our body does to cool us down. Wool is therefore equally comfortable to use in summer and winter.

3. Woolen underwear is self-cleaning and prevents the smell of sweat

Wool has a natural resistance to the growth of microorganisms and odors, and can be used for several days without smelling. The reason for this is a combination of the wool fibers absorbing moisture and having a negatively charged, scaly surface. The bacteria that lead to bad odors thrive best on smooth, positively charged surfaces – like synthetic fibers, for example. All you need to do after use is to air your wool well. This way you avoid both wear and unnecessary washing. This is precisely why wool is perfect for longer trips with overnight stays, where you want to pack light and still feel fresh and clean.

4. Wool underwear is more sustainable

Much of our training clothing consists of polyester, which is actually plastic. You've probably noticed that it doesn't take much for these materials to smell after exercise, which means they need to be washed more often. In the washing machine, microplastics escape into the water, which then ends up in the oceans and harms life there. Wool, on the other hand, is 100% recyclable and natural and therefore one of the most sustainable materials. As mentioned, it also does not need to be washed as often, which in turn contributes to less strain on the environment. All merino wool in Kari Traa's products is of course mulesing-free.

5. Wool underwear feels soft against the skin

There may still be some people left with bad memories of prickly, scratchy and thick sweaters and socks made of coarse wool from childhood. The merino wool used in Kari Traa's woolen underwear is silky soft and comfortable against the skin. This is because it has longer and thinner fibers than other types of wool. The fibers are also more elastic and curl less, which means the products keep their shape. If a wool product has shrunk in the wash, you can pretty much just stretch it back into shape.