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Wool in Summer

Posted on by grandforest

Beat the heat in Woolpower

Can you wear Wool in Summer? It’s a question we get fairly often! When warmer temperatures roll in, it is not the time to put your merino wool in storage. Choosing the right clothes for summer activities can be difficult. The mornings are cool, the days are long and hot, and the evenings are warm. With such a range in temperature change throughout the day, it can be difficult to decide what to take with you on your adventures without packing a variety of alternative clothes.


We’ll let you in on a little secret:

Lightweight merino wool clothing can be the best way for outdoor enthusiasts to stay cool in the summer.

No, we aren’t talking about a big wooly sweater, we are talking about Woolpower LITE. A thin wool base layer is lighter and far superior to a cotton t-shirt in the summer. Cotton retains moisture and is ineffective at drying. Merino wool wicks sweat and effectively transports heat away from your body. This keeps you both cool and dry in warmer conditions. When it’s warm or hot, ventilation is key. That’s why hikers, bikers, and all outdoor adventurers LOVE Woolpower. With naturally antimicrobial properties, Merino also deters odor-causing bacteria so your clothes won’t smell.


The Woolpower LITE Tee is your best option for activities such as hiking. It lays flat on your skin so it optimally regulates the body temperature in response to the activity level. For cooler summer nights, LITE insulates while sitting next to the campfire. It will keep you warm, but not too warm – remember, it regulates your body temperature! For outdoor sports where you’ll be on your feet, we have the formula to keep your feet happy. Our Skilled Liner socks are specifically designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. They keep your feet dry with targeted compression and breathability.

Beanie LITE – Nordic Blue | Long Johns Protection LITE – Men’s


Woolpower LITE base layers are lightweight and versatile. They offer cooler alternatives for high-level activity in varying climates such as hiking in the mountains, biking in the forest, or kayaking on the river. When worn in direct contact with your skin, Woolpower LITE optimally regulates the body temperature in response to the activity level. Check out the Woolpower LITE Collection.

We know you’ll find your new favorite base layers to beat the heat!

Holiday Gift Guide: Top 5 Must Haves for Your Outdoor Adventurer

Posted on by grandforest

The holiday are looming and we’re back with a few ideas…

Here’s our Holiday Gift Guide with our top 5 picks

for your Outdoor Adventurer!

1. Tube LITE

This is an ideal gift for anyone on your list! Designed for year round versatility and comfort, Tube LITE can be used interchangeably as a neck gaiter, headband, or cap in a variety of conditions. The Woolpower Tube is our most versatile accessory, making it one of our best sellers.  The Woolpower LITE flat-knit construction creates a cooling effect as sweat and moisture are wicked away. Although thin and breathable, the Tube LITE also works to regulate your body’s core temperature on chillier days. Thus, the all-season accessory is born. Regular price: $47

Mittens 400 - Navy

2. Mittens 400

Boasting ultimate comfort and insulation, Mittens 400 are designed to help you attack the cold before it starts. These are warm, comfortable, and great for skiers, hikers, snowboarders, runners, and anyone who loves the cold! Lined with our terry-loop knit, this handy accessory provides a powerful layer of heat-trapping action to help you know you’re always in good hands. Regular Price: $52

Kids Sock Logo 400 in Forest Green

3. Woolpower Logo 400 Socks

SOCKS! Everyone loves socks! This is Woolpower’s most versatile sock. Woolpower 400 Logo Socks are ideal for year round activity. They have terry knit feet and the shaft features a knitted-in Woolpower logo. We have Woolpower socks in 5 different weights for warmth, sizes ranging from kids to adults, and a variety of colors to choose from – for everyone on your list! Regular Price: $27.50

Balaclava 400 - Navy

4. Balaclava 400

Balaclava 400 is not your average accessory. It is a great gift for your outdoor enthusiasts including skiers! Lined with a powerful layer of Ullfrotté terry-loop knit, our heaviest weight head garment delivers serious insulation. With a versatile opening and an elongated neck, Balaclava 400 has one job… to protect you from the elements. So if you’re looking to come ahead in your next excursion, you’ve come to the right place! Also offered in LITE (one size fits all) & 200gm (sizes Small & Large). Regular Price: $56

Woolcare

5. Woolcare

Woolcare is a perfect and practical gift for any Woolpower owner! Pair it with any Woolpower garment for a complete gift. Made from lanolin, Woolcare is both gentle to the environment and your clothes. Woolcare contains no enzymes and only low-impact renewable surfactants and will pro-long the life-time of your Woolpower garment. Regular Price: $27

The Original Woolpower Base Layer

Posted on by grandforest

Ullfrotté – the “Original” Woolpower Base-Layer

Before Woolpower was called Woolpower, it was known around the world as Ullfrotté Original.  The exact translation of Ullfrotté is wool loops, referring to the terry loop technology used to knit the fabric for the earliest Woolpower garments. It was first developed for the military in the 1970’s.  Specialists, engineers, and doctors were integral in contributing to the design and manufacture of this fabric.  

The terry loop technology used in creating Ullfrotté Original resulted in a 200 g/m2 garment with superior insulating and moisture management properties.  But that wasn’t enough, the company then further developed a unique way of constructing their Ullfrotté garments, utilizing circular knitting machines to eliminate the need for side seams. The result was a garment perfectly engineered for maximum comfort.

Ullfrotté Original is still what constitutes all Woolpower 200 g/m2 base layer garments today. Technology in manufacturing equipment and innovations in synthetics have advanced the product over the years to make it the most technical “original”. The unique construction and fiber content allows for flexibility of movement.  Active or stationary you are always going to feel comfortable in the Ullfrotté Original 200 base layer garments and accessories. This weight provides a warmer alternative to Woolpower LITE base layers. No matter which you choose it is recommended that they be worn in direct contact with your skin.

Which Woolpower base layer to use, LITE or 200?

Woolpower LITE is the base layer choice when the cold is less extreme or when you know you will be exerting yourself in the cold and therefore generating more body heat.  It will keep you warm but will more rapidly transport some of that generated heat away from your body so you don’t overheat.

Woolpower’s Ullfrotté Original 200 g/m2 is the base layer choice for colder conditions or when you know you’ll be stationary outside in the cold; situations when superior insulating properties are needed.

Pacific Crest Trail Days 2019

Posted on by grandforest

Woolpower is a proud headline sponsor for another year at 2019 Pacific Crest Trail Days. We love the community and celebration that comes with this festival and we always meet incredible and adventurous people. The countdown is on! We hope you’ll join us this year at Pacific Crest Trail Days!

Pacific Crest Trail Days is an annual summer festival that celebrates and promotes hiking, camping, backpacking & outdoor stewardship.  Attendees can participate in activities, games, & presentations, win awesome gear at the raffle, watch a series of films, and get great deals on the latest outdoor products from sponsors at the Gear Expo.  If you’re into car camping, day hiking, long distance hiking, or just curious, a wide-range of gear and info will be here!  Don’t miss out on a great time at the 13th annual PCT DAYS, located in the Marine Park of Cascade Locks, Oregon…the heart of the Columbia River Gorge!

PCT DAYS is free to attend, with a suggested donation of non-perishable food, personal care products, or a monetary contribution to the FISH food bank, which serves the local community.  All raffle proceeds support the American Long Distance Hiking Association-West, the Pacific Crest Trail Association, and the volunteers working to restore trails damaged by the Eagle Creek Fire.  Overnight camping is available for a fee and the event is family-friendly. Vendors will be offering great food, beer, cider, coffee, and non-alcoholic beverages.  No glass or alcohol may be brought to PCT DAYS and parking is free.

For more info, visit http://www.pctdays.com

Woolpower

Explaining The Power of Wool

Posted on by grandforest

Wool is not the itchy hot sweater your mom made you wear when you were young. In actuality, the natural features of wool make it an excellent choice for outdoor apparel.

Let’s break it down.

Wool at its foundation, was created for keeping our furry friends warm, making the perfect fiber for outdoor apparel. Many synthetics attempt to duplicate the properties but fall short of creating the strength, resilience and odor resistance inherent in wool. 

Starting with its structure, wool has an outer layer of overlapping scales. These scales are made of protein and allow for the fiber’s most unique features.  On the animal, the scales facilitate the movement of foreign matter away from the body so it works its way out of the fleece, keeping the animal clean. When the fibers are spun into yarn these same scales create a unique property which enables the fibers to lock with one another, creating a stronger more durable yarn. This is the key to wool’s strength and the reason why wool is the only fiber that can be felted.

An up-close look at a merino wool fiber

The natural fibers are irregular and non-cylindrical in shape, encouraging them to stick together. Along each individual fiber are “crimps” or curves that occur naturally. This natural waviness not only allows the wool fiber to have high resilience, the ability to bounce back, but it creates little pockets where air is held.  This increases the warmth and add a level of temperature regulation that is needed when going from warm to cold temperatures. 

An up-close look at many merino wool fibers together

Wool is the original wicking fiber. The surface of the fiber repels water allowing wool fabric to feel dry even when in a wet environment. Hollow tubes in the center of the fiber absorb moisture pulling it  away from the skin and holding it to keep skin from feeling damp. Due to the presence of lanolin, a natural wax produced by wool animals, the fibers are water repellent. The moisture stored inside the fiber can be released in either a warming or cooling manner, protecting against sudden temperature changes. This allows wool to become the natural temperature control fiber.


merino wool is naturally water repellent

One of the great features of wool is that it doesn’t stink. This is due to the surface of the fiber. The overlapping scales and the natural presence of lanolin, means that it is resistant to dirt and mildew. Since moisture is repelled from the surface of the fiber, sweat and bacteria cannot sit and grow. Allowing wool garments to air out lets water vapor pass through the fibers, removing bacteria and odors. Garments made from wool need far less washing than synthetic or other natural fibers.

To this day, wool is nature’s most technical fiber. Don’t believe in wool’s natural ability to protect you from the elements? Just ask him.

First Day of Summer

Posted on by grandforest

Happy first day of summer!

We all know that Woolpower keeps you warm in the colder months, but did you also know that Woolpower can keep you cool too? We know this sounds odd, WOOL in the SUMMER? But Woolpower uses the amazing natural fiber, Merino wool. Merino wool naturally helps to regulate body temperature, wicks moisture away and it is antibacterial! This means all Woolpower clothing is odor resistant. There is no immediate need to wash Woolpower after each time you wear it making it the perfect take along for summer time hiking! The wicking properties prevents feeling sticky in a humid environment leaving you dry and comfortable, while enjoying your favorite outdoor activities.

Merino wool also absorbs UV rays allowing an extra layer of protection when the sun is out in full force and you’re on the trail! Woolpower is comfortable and durable, allowing you to look and feel your best all while taking on your greatest adventures!

Woolpower LITE is a cooler alternative for high level activity and warmer climates. Woolpower LITE is flat-knit, in contrast to the terry loops found in Ullfrotté Original. This construction allows for efficient heat transfer away from the body. Woolpower LITE is constructed with a rib-knit fabric consisting of 80% Merino wool in combination with 20% polyamide fiber to create a stronger, athletic garment. Our LITE wool shirts, pants, and accessories are perfect for any aerobic activity.

The most important part is that you can know you’ve given back to the environment while you are enjoying the beauty around us because Merino wool is a renewable source and biodegradable. Enjoy your summer days!

Pacific Crest Trail Days

Posted on by grandforest

Pacific Crest Trail Days is a 3-day summer festival that celebrates and promotes outdoor recreation, with a focus on hiking, camping, and backpacking. Attendees get to participate in activities, games, classes & presentations, win awesome gear at the raffle, watch a series of films, and get great deals on the latest outdoor products from exhibiting sponsors at the Gear Expo. Whether you’re into car camping, day hiking, or long distance hiking, the gear and info you are looking for will be here!
All raffle proceeds are donated to the Pacific Crest Trail Association and the American Long Distance Hiking Association-West. PCT DAYS is free to attend, with a fee for overnight camping on Thunder Island. Don’t miss out on being a part of a great time at the 12th annual PCT DAYS, located in Cascade Locks, Oregon, the heart of the Columbia River Gorge!

For more info, visit http://www.pctdays.com/

PCT DAYS

Posted on by grandforest

We’re just under two months from PCT DAYS and everything is lining up to make this a great summer festival!

Pacific Crest Trail Days is a 3-day summer festival that celebrates outdoor recreation, with a focus on hiking, camping, and backpacking. Attendees are able to learn about outdoor products from exhibiting sponsors, participate in activities, games & presentations, win awesome gear at the raffle, watch a slideshow and a film, listen to live music, enjoy local food & beverages, and get great deals at the largest gear expo in the country. Whether you’re into car camping, day hiking, or long distance hiking, the gear you are looking for will be here!

All raffle proceeds are donated to the Pacific Crest Trail Association and the American Long Distance Hiking Association-West. PCT DAYS is free to attend, with a small fee for overnight camping on Thunder Island. Don’t miss out on being a part of a great time at the 11th annual PCT DAYS, located in Cascade Locks, Oregon, the heart of the Columbia River Gorge! For more info or to register to camp, visit pctdays.com.

Woolpower Gear Review: Traversing

Posted on by grandforest

If you were to tell me your number one reason why you don’t spend more time outdoors in the Winter, what would it be? I would guess it is the same reason I would give… it’s too cold! I know, that’s not very ‘Canadian’ of me, but being cold can sap the fun out of any adventure.

Take an inside look at layering and how we made Traversing’s list of making winter weather all the more bearable.