We carefully select two distinct types of wool from different sheep breeds, each drawn from a specific breed and selected for a precise function in the design, structure, and performance of our clothing.

For insulation in parkas and jackets, we selected Lavalan European wool, sourced exclusively from Norwegian and Swiss sheep. This choice is particularly significant, as outerwear requires substantially more insulation material than lightweight garments.

European wool is often assessed using global databases that apply a single carbon value to all wool types. This approach fails to distinguish between Australian Merino wool and European wool, despite fundamentally different farming models.

In Europe, sheep are not bred primarily for wool production. As a result, wool represents a byproduct rather than a primary output. Assigning the full carbon footprint of sheep farming to wool alone therefore overstates its impact.

European sheep, as well as New Zealand sheep, are never subjected to mulesing, a practice used exclusively in certain regions outside Europe. As a result, European wool does not require a specific non-mulesed certification.

Recognising this distinction, Climate Partner attributes European wool a specific value of 5.9 kg CO₂ per kilogram, substantially lower than the commonly used benchmark for Australian Merino wool.

Lavalan wool supports landscape maintenance, biodiversity and soil stability. Despite mandatory annual shearing, a large share of European wool remains unused due to low demand. Lavalan aims to restore value to this resource by ensuring fair compensation for farmers and highlighting the functional qualities of locally sourced wool.

We've partnered with Lavalan and Trace My Wool to provide our customers with detailed insight into the origin of their insulation wool. We're also developing a similar feature to track the sourcing of all wools used in our garments, especially wool from Southern Hemisphere countries producing the high-quality merino wool we use in base and mid-layers. The map below provides detailed information about the sources and processing locations of our wool.

1. True. A typical sheep's annual wool yield of 2.3-3.6 kg is indeed sufficient for making about 20 sweaters.
2. True. Wool, nails, and horns are all composed of keratin, a protein that forms various biological structures.
3. False. Itchiness is caused by coarser fibers and doesn't correlate with warmth; fine wools can be very warm without being itchy.
4. True. Wool's high nitrogen and water content make it naturally flame-resistant and self-extinguishing.
5. True. Overgrown wool can cause overheating, mobility issues, and skin infections in sheep, potentially leading to illness or death.
6. False. When performed by skilled shearers, the shearing process is not painful for sheep.
7. False. While Merino is very fine, cashmere is generally finer with fibers typically 14-16 microns in diameter compared to Merino's 17-24 microns.
8. True. Wool fibers can absorb up to 30% of their weight in moisture without feeling damp, thus maintaining insulation even when wet.
9. True. The complex fiber structure of wool can trap and neutralize odor molecules, naturally reducing odors.
10. True. Lanolin, a natural moisturizer and emollient found in wool, is widely used in skincare and cosmetic products.