For climbers, keeping warm can be a matter of life and death. Amongst all the high-tech clothing they wear one natural fibre is becoming more popular, merino wool. It is used as a baselayer, in other words for the clothing next to the skin. Outdoor pursuit specialists have discovered that merino undergarments regulate humidity so wearers sweat less and keep a more constant temperature in a wide range of conditions.
By sleeping with merino wool blankets you benefit from these superb properties with much less effort! But merino wool bedding can vary in quality so how do you know which to choose?
Here are a few things you should consider.
Duvet or Blanket? Wool duvets are great but a good merino blanket is at least as warm and it has other advantages. Blankets are easier to clean and they are much more versatile. They can add style and comfort in the lounge, car or conservatory. If you own a motorhome, caravan or even a tent a merino wool blanket is a great way to take home comforts with you. Arelle Blankets can give you advice about the right sort of blanket for any situation.
Which Fibre? Not all wools are equal and merino really is the best so make sure that is what you are getting. “wool” or “wool filled” is NOT the same. Merino can be blended with other fibres to achieve different textures. Some of our blankets contain cashmere to give a silkier feel but we reckon that our finest blankets are made with a blend of merino and camel hair. The camel hair adds softness and resilience. It also adds a fair bit to the price but as the blanket will last a lifetime it’s an investment that repays in lasting comfort.
Does the Texture Matter? Definitely. Merino wool can be spun into threads and woven just like any other fabric but to really benefit from its amazing properties look for blankets with a deep fleecy texture that mimics the fleece on the sheep. All Arelle Blankets have two layers of deep fleecy texture that provides support and warmth. It’s that texture that also keeps air circulating around you to prevent uncomfortable overheating. Avoid blankets with the texture of a “fleece” jacket which has very little depth.
How much Merino? This can vary a lot, particularly in mattress toppers. Poor quality toppers are often sold with a wool fleece on only one side and are described as “reversible” for use in different seasons. Avoid these toppers! Merino wool adapts to different temperatures and provides support so just sleep on as much as you can! Look for the gsm (grams per square metre) number. This can vary from a miserly 300 to a sumptuous 1000. Needless to say Arelle Blankets contain more merino than any other blanket we have seen for sale in the UK.
What Size do I need? Don’t rely on terms like “king” or “queen” as they do not guarantee the size of the blanket. Don’t skimp on the size. Your top blanket should hang well over the sides and allow an extra 20cm for each person. A topper should be just smaller than the bed. And if your bed is not a standard size or shape we’ll make a blanket especially for you.
Service: An Arelle Blanket is a very special piece of bedding and we try to back this up with a personal service.
We like discussing your requirements so that you receive the right product for you. That’s why it’s FREE to phone us.
We will send you FREE SAMPLES of the materials we use.
We can make blankets to ANY SIZE OR SHAPE. You get a 10 year guarantee with most Arelle Blankets.
Arelle Blankets offers a wide range of materials and textures, all based on the finest merino wool.
A high quality Merino wool blanket can be expensive but don’t forget that it will cosset you for the third of your life that you are in bed so it is not worth compromising. Just consider it as a family heirloom!