Winter weather can really bite, and there are few things as satisfying as putting on a warm hat to protect your head from the wintry winds whipping around your face. However, when you see the many different hat and beanie options available at your local retail stores and online, it’s hard to know which one will suit your needs the best!
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Whether you’re running errands, navigating your local bush track, hitting the ski slopes, or visiting a popular winter tourist destination, possum merino hats and beanies can be a go-to option for some of the following reasons.
Breathability and Moisture-Wicking Properties
Breathability and moisture are huge problems for people wearing beanies and hats made from non-porous synthetic fibres. Moisture vapours sit on synthetic fibres, rather than being absorbed by them, which means they accumulate moisture. Once you start sweating, you must wait for them to dry out.
That’s not the case with possum merino hats and beanies. Merino fibres have tiny spaces that allow for moisture absorption. They also wick away moisture from your skin towards the surface of the beanie, allowing for accelerated evaporation. Even when you’re moving and sweating, possum merino beanies keep you warm and dry.
Odour Resistance
Merino wool is a remarkable natural material for many reasons, but its odour resistance is perhaps one of its most desirable features! Because of the natural wax called lanolin that sheep produce, your merino beanie will actually repel odour-causing bacteria.
Merino wool’s antimicrobial properties, combined with its moisture-wicking abilities, also means your beanie isn’t a desirable environment for bacteria to grow. With minimal bacteria, you don’t even need to worry about cleaning your merino beanie as much!
However, when you do decide to clean merino and possum merino garments and accessories, don’t forget to refer to the care label for washing instructions. Here are a few general tips to keep in mind:
- Refrain from using bleach or spot-cleaning products
- Gentle hand wash in cool water
- Use a small amount of mild wool detergent
- Rinse well in cool water
- Squeeze or roll your garments in a towel to remove excess water
- Do not tumble dry
- Dry your garments flat in the shade
Naturally Biodegradable
If you were to lose your synthetic beanie on a nature trail, it would likely be there for hundreds of years before eventually breaking down. This can be a heart-breaking fact when we want to preserve our natural environment for future generations.
The same can’t be said for possum merino beanies. According to studies, it takes just nine months for merino wool garments to biodegrade when buried in soil. If your beanie reaches the end of its usable life or you lose it when out in nature, you don’t have to worry about it negatively affecting the environment.
Temperature Regulating Properties
Beanies can be a necessary addition to any hiking kit to ensure comfort and protection from the elements. After all, no one wants to feel an icy-cold breeze on their head while traversing a mountain track!
However, it often doesn’t take long for you to warm up, and synthetic beanies can become more of a hindrance than a help. Synthetic fibres lock in heat, while thin materials leave your ears feeling cold. Possum merino beanies are prized for these very reasons. They adjust to different temperatures for your comfort.
Merino fibres have natural kinks that trap air close to your skin to stop you from feeling the cold. However, once you heat up, the wool’s natural structure lets sweat escape, helping you stay cool and dry.
Quick Drying
We don’t have tumble dryers and washing lines in the wilderness, and very few hikers have time for thick synthetic beanies to dry after becoming drenched in sweat from a day of tramping. That’s not a problem with possum merino beanies. The fabric is so fine that it dries fast when laid flat.
Wrinkle Resistance
When you’re travelling, it’s not uncommon to have to stuff garments in your bag to make them fit. When you take them out again, they’re often creased so severely that you can’t even wear them comfortably! Merino fibres are wrinkle-resistant, which means they can look just as good as before you squished them inside your hiking pack.
Itch-Free
Many people don’t like wearing hats because their heads become itchy and uncomfortable. This problem tends to be associated with synthetic hat materials. If you were to wear a possum merino beanie, you’d likely notice how super fine and soft the natural materials feel against your head.
Paired With Possum Fibre
Merino is a luxurious and comfortable fibre on its own, but it can reach new heights when paired with possum fibres. Even when wet, possum fibres are light and provide the same odour-resistant properties and softness as merino wool. You’ll also be pleased to know that merino possum yarn is resistant to pilling.
But the benefits don’t end there. Merino possum knitwear was created as a by-product of possum control programs, which means you’re making an environmentally responsible purchasing choice. Many people also believe that enzymes in possum fibres can help combat frustrating skin conditions like eczema and athlete’s foot.
Purchase Your First Possum Merino Hat or Beanie Today
Merino and possum merino beanies can be a worthwhile addition to any wardrobe. Whether you’re dropping the kids off at school on a cold winter’s day or venturing out into the wilderness on a crisp spring morning, you’ll surely find that merino ticks all the right boxes for warmth, comfort, and breathability. Why not check out Ecowool’s range of standout options today?