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Swisswool – the name stands for the natural product of sheep’s wool from Switzerland. The initiative has given a new value to the wool of Swiss sheep farmers. Today, the different qualities of wool are used to make products such as mattress pads and padding for sportswear. There are now around 15 collection points in the Swiss Alpine valleys, where sheep farmers deliver their hand-picked wool twice a year. The yield is over 400 tonnes of Swiss wool per year.
Insulation from the Swiss alps
More than 400,000 mountain sheep live in the rugged high mountains of the Swiss Alps. From Graubünden to Valais, they serve as natural helpers against bush encroachment and contribute to the biodiversity of flowers, grasses, and herbs. Far from civilization, they spend the summer months in the rugged high mountains. In winter, they are sheltered in spacious stables and fed nutritious dry grass. The sheep are traditionally sheared by hand twice a year, in spring and autumn. The mountain farmers look after their land and sheep with dedication, traditional customs and great care. The high quality of life of the mountain sheep makes the wool unique – and highly functional: The natural fibre is characterised by its excellent thermal properties and climate comfort, as well as its sustainable, regional origin.
Social responsibility
Until a few years ago, Swiss sheep farmers could hardly make any money from sheep’s wool. It was simply not considered competitive on the world market, and some even had to be disposed of. In addition, the Swiss government cut subsidies for wool processing. Many sheep farmers were on the verge of collapse; their natural product no longer seemed worth anything. The SWISSWOOL initiative was founded to preserve mountain farming. Wool is a natural, high-quality raw material with a wide range of uses. Swiss wool is an ideal natural insulation material. And it stands for the history of the Swiss Alps: a history of originality, love of country and tradition.
Made in Europe
The routes to the SWISSWOOL collection points are short – as is the route to the finished product: ORTOVOX products with SWISSWOOL are manufactured entirely in Europe. After collection, the bales of wool are transported to Belgium, where the wool is cleaned from natural dirt with soap and soda. The wool is then refined with a corn fibre and processed into a fleece in a thermal process. Ortovox uses this fleece in various thicknesses, also known as grammages, in insulation products such as jackets, trousers and accessories such as gloves and rucksacks.
Ortovox SWISSWOOL PRODUCTS
ORTOVOX uses functional new wool in three different weights (grammages): 60 g/m², 90 g/m² and 150 g/m². The black sheep wool is also used in the SWISSWOOL BLACK line: It is rarely used in industry because white wool is easier to dye and does not show through the outer material when used as a lining. Black wool is therefore often a “waste product”, although it has the same properties as white wool.
Advantages of Swisswool
ORTOVOX has been using Swisswool as a natural insulation material since 2011. The wool fibre from the rugged high mountains is not only sustainable, but also highly functional. Because the natural fibre is:
- Odour resistant
- Easy to clean
- Regulates temperature and humidity
- Sustainable
MOISTURE REGULATION
Wool fibres are hydrophilic. This means they can absorb up to 35% of their own weight in moisture without feeling wet. Unlike down, SWISSWOOL keeps you warm even when wet.
ODOR CONTROL
Wool has an antibacterial effect because it is not a “good” breeding ground for odour causing bacteria. The structure of the wool fibre makes it difficult for bacteria to settle and multiply. It is therefore difficult for unpleasant odours to develop. When the wool is washed, the H2O molecules can quickly break down the bacteria and are more easily broken down.
AVOIDING THERMAL BRIDGES
SWISSWOOL insulation is made up of bonded layers that prevent the material from clumping and creating thermal bridges.
TEMPERATURE SPECTRUM
Wool offers a wide range of thermal comfort. It warms when it’s cold and cools when it’s hot.
SUSTAINABLE
SWISSWOOL makes use of natural resources and is characterized by its regional processing.
EASY CARE
SWISSWOOL is particularly easy-care and can be washed at 30° on a wool cycle.
Swisswool products at Ortovox: Alpine mountaineering backpacks
For the 2023 summer season, Ortovox has improved the back construction of its Peak mountaineering backpacks. In the Peak Light models, the Swisswool Hybrid Back System ensures comfortable carrying. Soft padding with Swisswool is used at three contact points.
On Peak’s heavy-duty 3D Back System backpacks, Swisswool is used over the entire surface of the full-contact back. The Swisswool pads can absorb a lot of moisture without feeling wet:
NATURE AGAINST ODOR
Many people ask themselves: “Why don’t my woollen clothes smell, even though I’ve been sweating? The answer is simple: It is because the protein molecules in the wool fibre have a self-cleaning function and help to kill odour-causing bacteria. After a strenuous and sweaty tour, simply air the garment and put it back on the next day. Your companions and the environment will be happy!
Interested in more? How about detailed blog posts with these topics:
→ Sport Conrad Material Encyclopedia