Australian Merino wool is much finer than other types of wool, with 50% of the clip 20 micron or finer*.

For fibres of the same length, a reduction in fibre diameter will allow the fibres to bend more easily and reduce the sensation of prickle.

In comparison, a human hair is 100 microns in diameter. Such fineness means Australian Merino wool is flexible and softer than other types of wool*.

* (1 micron equals 1 thousandth of a millimetre in diameter). AWI Wool Production Forecasting Committee: September report. Report quotes Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA).

Although highly regarded as one of the most lavish natural fibres in the world, Australian woolgrowers are committed to further enhancing the natural attributes of this dynamic fibre.

Evidence of this can be seen by the significant change in the fibre diameter (or micron) of the Australian clip. In 1993-94, only 8.5% of the total clip was 19 micron or finer, while in 2007-08 this ratio increased to an impressive 35%*.

Extra fine Australian Merino wool vs cotton

• Merino wool is more pliable and can be extended five times more than cotton.
• Merino wool has better natural odour and moisture management properties than cotton.
• Merino wool is far more fire resistant than cotton, which is a cellulose and burns rapidly.

Fine Australian Merino wool vs silk

• Silk has three times the stiffness and half the extensibility of flexible Merino wool.
• Merino wool has better moisture management properties than silk.
• Silk is best known for its sleek and shiny appearance, a look which can be recreated in Australian Merino wool garments.

Extra fine Australian Merino wool vs cashmere

• Cashmere is a shorter, low crimp version of Merino wool; making it difficult to control in the spinning process.
• In comparison with Australian Merino wool, cashmere is extremely inefficiently produced; each goat produces only around 50gms per year and requires extensive dehairing (which breaks fibres and is expensive).

* AWI Wool Production Forecasting Committee: September report. Report quotes Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA).

Visit Natural benefits of Australian Merino wool for more information.