Whats the difference between wool fleece and synthetic fleece?
Simple. Synthetic “fleece” isn’t fleece. Collins English Dictionary defines the word fleece as the coat of wool covering a sheep or shorn from it. In other words, if it doesn’t come from a sheep it isn’t fleece! The synthetics industry developed a fabric they call “fleece” in their efforts to compete with the beneficial properties of wool. Synthetic “fleece” is oil-based and has nothing to do with sheep. Wool is safer to wear having natural fire -retardant properties whereas synthetic “fleece”, being oil-based, ignites easily, burns fiercely and melts, and therefore has to have chemical flame retardants added to make it safer. Real wool, and Merino in particular, is also incredibly warm in winter and cool in the summer as it has the ability to breathe with the skin and can actually absorb one third of its weight in moisture before feeling wet. Synthetic “fleece” may be warm but does not breathe easily. Wool is a renewable resource that regrows on the sheep after shearing. The wool from
