Come the Nordic winter, natural warmth beats synthetic every time. But “wool” isn’t one thing. Merino, regular wool and alpaca behave differently, and the right one depends on the job.
Merino Wool
From merino sheep, with very fine fibres (around 17–22 microns). Fine enough not to itch, temperature-regulating, and odour-resistant. Best for base layers and anything worn against the skin, babies included.
Regular Wool
Coarser sheep’s wool, thicker in fibre. Hard-wearing and very warm, but can prickle against bare skin. Best for outer knits, blankets and structured pieces where durability matters more than softness.
Alpaca
From the alpaca, not a sheep. Warmer than sheep’s wool at the same weight, lighter, and soft without the itch. It contains no lanolin, so it suits many people who react to wool. Best for scarves, hats and layers where warmth-to-weight counts.
Quick Comparison
Softest against skin — merino and alpaca.
Warmest for its weight — alpaca.
Most hard-wearing — regular wool.
Best for base layers — merino.
Best for wool-sensitive skin — alpaca.
The Short Version
Merino next to the skin, alpaca for warmth without weight, regular wool where toughness matters. All three beat synthetics for real winter warmth — the trick is matching the fibre to the job.
Related reading
Is merino wool safe for babies?
Natural vs synthetic fabrics
Linen in summer
How to store wool for the off-season
Snøluv Atelier. Written to be useful — not to sell you something you don’t need.
