What You’re Wearing, Part 2: Wool

What You’re Wearing, Part 2: Wool

Author: BLISTER August 23, 2019 Duration: 52:17

Why are more and more companies making products out of wool? 

In part two of our “What You’re Wearing” miniseries, we’re taking a closer look at the fabric that was once most associated with itchy old sweaters and fancy suits, but that’s now being used in some of the most comfortable and highest-performing apparel on the market. But how exactly does wool naturally suppress odor? How does the species of sheep affect the finished product? And is wool actually more environmentally friendly than other fibers?

To answer these questions and more, we’re talking with Josh Vaughan, head of Wholesale Sales at Icebreaker. We walk through every step of making wool garments (from sheep to shirt); discuss some exciting new uses for wool in apparel, and Josh provides some incredibly in-depth answers about the secrets behind wool’s unique natural properties.

Topics & Times

  • How climate affects wool quality (2:55)
  • The process: from herding sheep to the final fabric (9:03)
  • How & Why is wool blended with other fibers? (18:40)
  • Environmental benefits & drawbacks of wool (24:02)
  • Wool from other animals? (32:04)
  • Can wool be recycled? (36:13)
  • Why is wool odor resistant? (38:12)
  • Thermoregulation vs. Insulation (40:15)
  • Why is wool more commonly knit than woven? (43:53)
  • Icebreaker’s transparency report (45:03)
  • Two biggest misconceptions about wool (49:00)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


For anyone who has ever stood in a shop debating the merits of a new jacket or stared at a trail map while thinking about their skis, GEAR:30 is that conversation. This BLISTER podcast goes far beyond basic specs and marketing claims, offering a nuanced, often technical look at the equipment that defines our time outside. The discussion is driven by the people who live with these products: our own reviewers who are putting gear through its paces in real conditions, the designers who obsess over materials and intent, and the athletes whose livelihoods depend on performance. We also check in with the seasoned folks from our network of recommended shops, who see what works and what doesn’t after a season of hard use. Episodes dig into specific items, broader trends in innovation, and the sometimes-surprising realities of long-term testing. It’s a deep, authentic resource for anyone who appreciates the intersection of sports, design, and technology, and who believes the right tool can transform an experience. Tune in for honest, detailed talk that treats outdoor gear with the seriousness and curiosity it deserves.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 391

GEAR:30
Podcast Episodes
Outdoor Photography: Tips, Tricks, & Gear with Taylor Ahearn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:17
Taylor Ahearn has been photographing skiing, snowboarding, biking, and day-to-day life in the Gunnison / Crested Butte Valley for many years now, and in this conversation, Luke Koppa chats with him about how he turned th…
Reviewer Reports: Travel Gear, Dinosaurs, & Camcorders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:57
For this episode, Luke Koppa sat down with Kristin Sinnott to go over some of the products they’ve found useful, surprising, or otherwise noteworthy while on the road or hurtling through the sky. They also discuss extrem…
Alaska’s Epic El Niño Season, Ski Bindings, & More with Powder Hound [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:48
We’re back with Eric Helmbrecht, co-owner of Powder Hound in Girdwood, AK, to discuss Alaska’s banner El Niño season; the gear he enjoyed most; the gear Kara Williard brought to Girdwood; what’s changed at Alyeska Resort…
Whiskey, Murder, and a Bunch of New Skis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:28
Luke Koppa and Jonathan Ellsworth discuss some of the new skis they’ve been testing this springRELATED LINKS:Blister Rec Shop: Powder HoundGet Yourself Covered: BLISTER+TOPICS & TIMES:Intro & Updates (2:36)Blizzard Anoma…
New Tech to Simplify Decision Making in the Backcountry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:03
After years in the backcountry and a near-death experience, IFMGA Guide, Jeff Banks, wanted to build a tool that could simplify and improve the decision-making of any backcountry user. The result is Aspect Avy. Kara Will…
Icelantic & Moment Skis on Ski Design & U.S. Ski Manufacturing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:51
What’s in and what’s out in ski design? And how have U.S. ski companies been doing over the past few years? At Blister Summit 2024, we discussed this and much more with Moment Skis CEO, Luke Jacobson, and Icelantic Skis…