Wool vs Cotton for winter

In this article, we’ll explore the tales of wool and cotton—their strengths, their differences, and the reasons why one might be chosen over the other. So you can make better decisions for yourself, whether it’s socks to warm your feet or a jacket to shield your shoulders from the changing skies.

Throughout history, garments made from natural fibers like wool and cotton have provided protection and comfort in a variety of climates and needs. Both natural and sourced renewably, a consumer can find wool and cotton knitwear in sweaters, pants, tops, socks, hats and more - but understanding which to choose (and why) often leaves people with more questions than answers.

From our experience as a knitwear manufacturer, we’ll guide you through the key differences so you can make the best choice for every season.

Cotton

Cotton is a cellulose fiber just like linen and hemp which means that it’s grown from a plant. Now it has this pros: it’s inexpensive often. You’ll find a cotton piece to be half the price of the exact same thing made out of wool.

Depending on the weave, cotton can actually be more breathable than wool. It is also very strong. It can be spun very tightly to form very fine yarns which could then be woven into nice lightweight fabrics making it ideal for the warmer climates.Cotton is also great for people with sensitive skin.

Some of the cons of cotton do not insulate well, especially when compared to wool especially when it’s wet and even if it’s warm outside, cotton is also less durable than wool. You can bend cotton about 3,000 times before it breaks. Wool, on the other hand, can go over 20,000 bends before it breaks.

Finally cotton is actually worse for the environment compared to wool due to the huge amount of land and the huge amount of water that you need to yield a decent cotton crop. Cotton is also hydrophilic or water-loving which means that it loves to absorb water.

Now this could be a good thing depending on its use. If you’re looking at something like say a handkerchief which you’re wiping your brow with then that can be fine. But if it’s against your body like a shirt more than likely you’re gonna want something that wicks moisture away.

Wool

Wool is a protein fiber which means that it comes from an animal just like hair or fur. It can hold a shape very well. And this is why you see a lot of fine garments made out of wool which suits and out of where.

Wool is also more durable so if you go to the thrift shop and you find something that’s made out of 100% wool, chances are it’s taking a beating.

Depending on the weave, wool can also achieve a better loft, which means that I could trap warm air against your skin making it a better insulator. Wool also has moisture wicking properties which means that it gets sweat away from your skin fast. Getting that moisture away from your skin is essential to comfort.

Another advantage is that wool is fire retardant and it’s also water-resistant due to the lanolin that naturally occurs. Now this is only if it hasn’t been washed and that lanolin has been removed. If it’s natural wool then it still sheds water nicely.

Wool is also naturally antimicrobial and renewable and even though it seems like the perfect fabric, there are a few cons.

Wool is expensive and it can be difficult to clean. Wool really isn’t very strong when it’s wet. So you have to take care when you have these nice woollen products and they’ll last you a long time.

So, which one is better, wool or cotton?

Wool for when you face the biting winds and cold adventures, and cotton for when you seek the breeze and lightness of summer days. Both are gifts from nature, each spun with its own strengths and shortcomings, offering warmth or coolness, resilience or simplicity, depending on the path you’re walking.

We hope you enjoyed this article! At Knitlab Peru, we are committed to creating premium knitwear that blends modern technology with ancestral tradition. Contact us if you want to obtain alpaca knitwear! We have the certification of Fair Trade Good Practices in Peru and we can help you with any doubt.