A more modern approach - Merino for Military Applications

Merino is being tested for greater military use around the world. Wool is a logical choice for military use due to the heat and moisture management, flame-resistant qualities, comfort, odour suppression, ease of care and UV Protection.

Heat and Moisture Management

• Merino fibre has a hydrophobic (water repelling) exterior and hydrophilic (water loving) interior that confer its unique moisture management properties resulting in enhanced wearer comfort and performance.
• In contrast to most synthetic fibres, wool has the capacity to remove large amounts (up to 35% of its own weight) of moisture from the skin surface, before the fibre even begins to feel wet.
• A fabric’s ability to allow the transmission of water vapour through its structure will significantly affect the comfort of the wearer. The ability of Merino fabrics to do this surpasses that of synthetics.
• The chemical structure of Merino fibre means that it has the ability to absorb and desorb moisture and to gain and release heat depending on the external and internal environment – thus buffering wearers against environmental changes.
• As it absorbs moisture, Merino fibre releases a small but perceptible amount of heat. In an apparel or hosiery application this prevents the wearer from chilling in wet, cool conditions. In hot conditions the reverse effect occurs, affording a natural means of buffering the body’s microclimate.

Flammability

• Merino fibre is naturally flame resistant, and its performance exceeds that of all other commonly encountered textile fibres, making it ideal for usage in military and protective services applications.
• In the unlikely event it does ignite, Merino has a low heat of combustion and a low rate of heat release compared with other textile materials.
• If Merino comes into direct contact with a burning substance, it won’t melt or stick, and will self-extinguish once the ignition source is removed.
• Wool forms an insulating char when it burns and evolves less smoke and toxic gases than formed during combustion of most synthetic fibres.

Foot Health and Comfort

• Managing relative humidity and temperature within footwear and providing cushioning to the feet are key to maintaining foot health and comfort.
• Wool socks provide a means of managing the foot micro environment, effectively reducing relative humidity and the propensity for blister formation.
• The natural resilience and bulk of wool means wool socks provide a mechanism for cushioning the jarring impact of the foot during strenuous walking/running activity.
• Wool socks have been shown to have odour suppression properties far superior to socks made from synthetic fibres or cotton.

Odour Suppression/Ease of care

• Body odour arises as a by-product of bacteria, which proliferate in warm moist environments (e.g when sweat is allowed to remain on the skin for a period of time).
• Merino fibre, through its complex chemical and physical structure, resists the development and proliferation of odour to a much greater extent than synthetic materials or cotton.
• Merino apparel and hosiery is readily laundered to remove soil or other contaminants of potential relevance to health – and efficient shrink resist processes are employed to enable full machine washability.

UV Protection

• UV radiation reaching earth from the sun can have deleterious effects on human health when overexposure occurs.
• Merino fibre is a very efficient absorber of potentially harmful UV-A and UV-B radiation.
• Fabric construction is also a key determinant of the extent to which textiles will protect a wearer from UV radiation.
• Summer-weight Merino garments have been consistently shown to offer a higher degree of UV protection than similar fabrics constructed of competing materials.