Wool Underwear, Socks for Warm or Cool Travel

Miracle Fabric Not Smelly and Keeps Body Comfortable in Any Weather

Dec 2, 2008 Grace Lichtenstein

Wool is the clothing of choice for many senior cyclists, hikers, skiers in all seasons, muggy or dry heat. It's not itchy and doesn't smell like microfibers do.

Active boomer and senior travelers remember when wool was itchy and tough to wash. That was then. But now, wool is hot again because it stays cool. In its latest versions, wool underwear, socks and clothing is non-itchy, as comfortable as microfiber, and a lot more pleasant to wear. Unlike the “miracle” microfibers like polyester and polypro, wool wicks away sweat without absorbing body odors. And it can be washed in a machine.

The newest active wear from manufacturers like SmartWool are made of remarkably soft fabric that comes from special New Zealand-bred merino sheep, and can be transformed into everything from base layers worn next to the skin to sweaters for a variety of activities and climates. It can be worn for warm weather hiking and cycling, while different weights are cuddly warm for winter skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing.

No Itch or Shrink

The company SmartWool, famous for its socks but now producing an entire range of wool winter and summer base layers, mid-layers and even dressy sweaters, says its unique “production process” helps “remove all itch and shrink” from the fibers. In addition, “each fiber harbors thousands of tiny air pockets which, like insulation in your house, act as a buffer against heat and cold. The fibers naturally regulate temperature, whether you’re climbing an 8,000-meter peak or running an Arizona marathon.”

Ibex, known for its wool cycling clothes, was the brainchild of a Vermont sheep farmer. The company says that with “finer weaves, with improved designs, by pairing it off with complementary fibers, we’re constantly pushing wool further.” Patagonia, noting that “most wool fabrics are treated with chlorine” to do away with itch and shrinkage, claims it now produces 100% merino wool active layers that are chlorine free, because chlorine is not good for the environment.

Several senior and boomer testers recently raved about the softness and temperature regulation properties of SmartWool microweight base layers for warm weather running, Lightweight and midweight long sleeve tops and longjohn bottoms are “amazingly snuggly” for winter sports, in the words of one cold-weather climber.

Better than Synthetics? Yes, Say Testimonials

The key word in wool’s appeal – antimicrobial. While synthetic fibers shed body moisture but not body odor, wool sheds both. “You can actually ride your bike to a coffee shop and sit indoors without driving the other customers out,” writes blogger Cody Montgomery.

Ron Bernstine of Woolrich says it stands to reason that wool is warmer than many synthetics, even when wet: "That's why God put it on sheep.”

Perhaps the ultimate compliment came from Fraser, who ran the New York marathon in a pair of SmartWool socks “and I got zero blisters, rubbing, anything…[nothing except] a personal best time.”

Cost $60-100 for SmartWool, Patagonia or Ibex men's or women's zip-T or crew base layers. SmartWool or Woolrich 100 % wool high Socks, $15 and up per pair.

The copyright of the article Wool Underwear, Socks for Warm or Cool Travel in Senior Travel is owned by Grace Lichtenstein. Permission to republish Wool Underwear, Socks for Warm or Cool Travel in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

SmartWool Zip T