Rethinking Wool for Next-Generation Performance Fabrics
Wool has long been appreciated for its natural warmth. But what if you could combine the natural warmth of Merino wool with advanced moisture management, fast drying and easy-care technologies?
drirelease® Wool brings together the natural comfort of wool and engineered fiber technology to create fabrics designed for today’s performance and lifestyle apparel.
More Than Warmth: Performance That Keeps You Comfortable
drirelease® Wool is engineered to help move moisture away from the skin and support faster evaporation. This helps manage perspiration, reduce the feeling of dampness, and maintain comfort throughout the day.
Its performance goes beyond thermal comfort:
- Moisture Wicking: Helps transport perspiration away from the skin.
- Fast Drying: Supports faster moisture evaporation for a more comfortable wearing experience.
- Soft, Comfortable Feel: Designed to deliver a pleasant feel against the skin, without the scratchy sensation often associated with traditional wool.
- Easy Care: Designed for convenient everyday care, including machine washing when permitted by the garment’s care instructions.
- Less Weight, Comparable Warmth: Independent third-party testing demonstrates thermal insulation comparable to 100% Merino wool at a lighter fabric weight.
Proven Performance: Comparable Warmth, Less Weight
Can an engineered wool blend deliver the warmth of 100% Merino wool while weighing less? Independent third-party testing provides encouraging evidence.
Using ASTM F1868, Procedure Part A, to measure thermal resistance (CLO), drirelease® WOOL – Merino was compared with a 100% Merino wool fabric.
The results:
| Test parameter | drirelease® WOOL Merino | 100% Merino Wool |
| Thermal resistance (CLO) | 0.65 | 0.69 |
| Fabric weight (oz/yd²) | 4.67 | 4.91 |
| Fiber composition | Polyester/Wool | Wool |
The results show that drirelease® WOOL – Merino achieved a comparable thermal insulation value while being approximately 5% lighter than the 100% Merino wool fabric tested.
This demonstrates an important advantage: the opportunity to develop lighter fabrics while maintaining a similar level of thermal insulation.
Natural Comfort, Made for Everyday Life
With its combination of wool’s natural characteristics and engineered moisture-management performance, drirelease® Wool offers versatility for a wide range of applications.
From base layers and activewear to outdoor apparel, travel clothing, and everyday essentials, it allows brands to create garments that deliver warmth, comfort, and functionality without unnecessary weight.
And with its easy-care characteristics, drirelease® Wool brings added convenience to consumers who appreciate the benefits of wool but want garments that fit seamlessly into modern lifestyles.
The Best of Wool, Enhanced by drirelease®
Why choose between natural warmth and performance?
drirelease® Wool combines the comfort of wool with moisture-wicking performance, fast drying, soft feel, and easier care—all while delivering comparable thermal insulation at a lighter fabric weight.
Natural warmth. Enhanced performance. Comfort without compromise.
Test reference: Independent third-party testing using ASTM F1868, Procedure Part A – Thermal Resistance (CLO). Results compare the specific drirelease® Merino polyester/wool blend and 100% Merino wool fabric tested. Results may vary depending on fiber composition and fabric construction.
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About Optimer Brands
Optimer Brands, the makers of drirelease®, DRICOMFORT®, and FRESHGUARD® continue as a pioneer in textile technology and part of the best performance fabrics and activewear in today’s marketplace. It’s what lets you move more comfortably as you pursue your passions by wicking, drying, cooling, and freshening. The best brands and retailers in the World utilize Optimer’s expertise, sophisticated fabrics, smart performance, and eco-friendly advances. As a company, Optimer Brands is committed to its promise of comfort.