{"id":5893,"date":"2021-05-22T19:25:34","date_gmt":"2021-05-23T00:25:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/?p=5893"},"modified":"2022-03-15T06:44:41","modified_gmt":"2022-03-15T11:44:41","slug":"fleece-vs-wool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/fleece-vs-wool\/","title":{"rendered":"Fleece vs. Wool: Warmth, Protection, Care, and More"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What we now call fleece in modern clothing is a relatively new invention from Patagonia in the 1960s. Is it possible for this new clothing material to be better than sheep’s wool? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pink-fleece-next-to-sheep-wool\" <\/picture>
fleece and wool side by side<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fleece and wool are similar in insulation properties, however, fleece garments dry faster than similar wool garments. Furthermore, synthetic fleece garments are cheaper than wool garments of the same type, although there are more environmental concerns for fleece since most fleece garments have synthetic materials which rub off into microplastics as a byproduct of laundering. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fleece vs. Wool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I’m going to compare fleece and wool based on how warm the two fabrics are as well as other factors that might help you decide between the two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, fleece and wool garments can be made in such a way to keep you warm. If you choose one or the other you won’t be disappointed with whether they keep you warm or not.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only substantial difference from a warmth perspective between fleece and wool is in drying time which I talk about later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is Fleece the Same As Wool? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now, before I jump into the comparisons, you might be wondering what the difference is between fleece and wool. This is what’s confusing… 100 years ago, fleece and wool meant very similar things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fleece, in general, is just a warm coat of something. Wool is wiry hair that grows on some animals, but we primarily get it from our sheep. So, you could say that a coat of wool on a sheep is a fleece. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, the 1828 Webster’s dictionary has this to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fleece: The coat of wool shorn from a sheep at one time.<\/p>1828 Webster’s Dictionary<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

However, in the 1970s, the company Patagonia experimented with a synthetic fleece meant to copy the warmth of wool (source<\/a>). Thus, fleece<\/strong> was used to describe this new fabric preparation technique where the fabric is “brushed” using equipment which essentially makes the fibers more bushy and thus have better insulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can see fleece in the making here:<\/p>\n\n\n

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Brush finishing and Fleece Shearing Process || French Terry to Fleece Fabric Making Process<\/div><\/div>
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