THIS GENERATION'S HIKER CHOOSE ALPACA WOOL
In our opinion, the makers of the products are also responsible for the products. In this case that means us.
To us at Wølmark it is important to build a supply chain that doesn't harm the surroundings in any way, socially or ecologically.
We think that it is really fun and meaningful to be entrepreneurs when we can create value to different parts of our supply chain.
DESIGN AND MANUFACTURINGOur products are designed in Finland. We take the responsibility to design the products ourselves with professional designers. Our first line of sweaters was designed by Elsa Hietanen. Also some of our logos have been designed with Elsa and her graphic designer husband Ismo.
We are manufacturing our products in Finland and Lithuania. In Tampere, Finland there is a family business called Nevil Oy. Nevil Oy manufactures smaller products like Skutsi for us. In Lithuania, Garlita knitting makes our sweaters. Sweaters are knit with Stol knitting machines which enable knitting in shape. So that there is no wool loss in manufacturing.
MATERIALIn our products we use 100% alpaca fiber which inspired us to start the company in the first place. Alpaca fiber originating from Peru keeps you warm and dry on cold nights as well as warmer days. Sweaters, ponchos and other products made of alpaca fiber are more breathable and moisture repellent than products made of any other fibers.
Research tells us that alpaca fiber is a more efficient insulation material than merino wool and because of its fiber structure it is very soft on skin. The material is naturally lanolin free (lanolin causes wool allergy) and that is why the yarn manufacturing process doesn't harm the environment so much. Shearing alpaca fiber doesn't include any cruelty (unlike with merino and cashmere wool) and most of the alpacas live half wild in the Andes which are a natural part of the ecosystem.
PACKAGING AND LABELING
NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATIONFinnish Natural Heritage Foundation protects Finnish nature. The foundation works to preserve endangered natural forests. The foundation acquires nature areas and guarantees funding in line with Nature conservation law.
We want to make our products to be enjoyed in the forest. That is why we want to make sure there are forests left to enjoy. We donate 5 € of every sold sweater to preserve Finnish natural forests. With one sweater you can protect 10 m2 of forest.
Read more about the Foundation.
What makes alpaca wool superior to Merino sheep's wool and why is Merino sheep's wool often coated with plastic?
The amazing benefits of alpacas come from their thousands of years of living in the rugged environment of the Andes Mountains. In this environment, the alpacas have naturally developed a fiber that can withstand drastic temperature changes, from the freezing temperatures of the night to the scorching sun of the day.
Almost all Merino sheep's wool is processed in order to remove the characteristic scales from the wool, which make the sheep's wool sting. The result of the treatment is a smoother coat, but at the same time the properties of the wool deteriorate. For example, wool's ability to repel and transfer moisture is significantly reduced or completely removed.
The so-called Superwash method has either one or two steps, depending on the method. In the first step, the fiber scales are smoothed using a chemical process. In the second step, the fiber is coated, often with plastic, so that it can be machine washed.
Responsible brands use sustainable methods, but according to research, up to 70-75%(1,2) of washable Merino wool products on the market are also covered with plastic to enhance production and soften the skin feel.
Alpaca wool is not chemically treated, as the fiber is naturally fine-scaled. When scales are not removed e.g. the wool's ability to repel and transfer moisture is preserved and it is possible to make knitwear even in demanding conditions.
This is another major structural difference between Merino and Alpaca. Basically, all wools contain air, which creates the characteristic ability of wool to insulate heat. Both wools have this structure, but Alpaca wool contains significantly more of these air pockets and insulates its wearer better.
Although Merino's fiber is longer and thicker, wool is a less effective thermal insulator compared to alpacas(5). Depending on the source, the secretion capacity of alpaca wool compared to Merino is 20-400% (3,4). Airy fibers make the product lighter and enable a warm product with less material.
The differences in the thermal insulation of the wools are related to the differences in the internal structure of the fibers. Merino sheep's wool consists of one type of fiber that does not have a core, while only a small part of alpaca fibers are coreless(4). This core creates air spaces in the fiber and increases the heat insulation of the wool, making alpaca an effective heat insulator(5).
"Depending on the source, the insulating capacity of alpaca wool compared to Merino is 20-400%"
In the end, there are only a handful of Merino sheep wool brands that can really guarantee the product's quality and ethics. When you buy alpaca, you know that the quality of the materials is always top notch.
We create gear for this generation of hikers. Alpaca wool is a genuine high-performance fiber that has evolved naturally, shaped by its environment in the rugged mountains of the Andes. No chemicals, no plastic, no animal abuse - 100% alpaca wool.
