America’s Cup: Why Wool Gear Is The Ideal Partner
There are so many reasons why choosing wool is a great idea for your outdoor and sports gear. A natural option for both sustainability and performance, wool is fast becoming the future for technical clothing. The Woolmark Company’s partnership with the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team shows just how well this remarkable fibre can adapt to a diverse range of material, and human, challenges.
Wool for Technical Clothing
When it comes to wool, Mother Nature has done a great job of making a fibre that delivers under pressure. The Woolmark Company now takes wool to the next level by providing technical clothing for the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team.
At a time when other teams are wearing synthetic fibres and trying to get the same properties, members of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team have chosen to compete and work out in wool. This decision has come from their desire to don sustainable materials when competing: the uniforms that the team sport to all official events, regattas and activities will include a waterproof jacket, a soft-shell jacket, a polo shirt and a wetsuit amongst others, all tailored from Merino Wool.
The exceptional performances of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team in past regattas, particularly in the America’s Cup, has earned them the respect of athletes around the world. By making the decision to switch to Merino Wool as their technical clothing material, the team paves the way for others to do the same.
Why Wool Works
For the 36th America’s Cup, the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team requires clothing that will be both waterproof and breathable, a quality combination difficult to find in active wear.
The Luna Rossa gear must stand up to the rigors of ocean competition, keeping the team warm and dry when needed while staying light and breathable at the same time.
Using a blend of 54% wool bonded with a waterproof membrane resistant to eleven water columns, the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team’s uniform gives the wicking abilities Merino wool is known for. By moving sweat away from the body, the team stays dry and comfortable within, while waterproof fibres maintain a dry exterior.
It’s this combination of insulation where needed, cool and light fibres for other gear, and a forward-thinking approach to performance wear that makes the team’s uniform not just fit for the purpose, but perfect for the job and beneficial for the planet.
Wool and Sustainability
The America’s Cup is watched by millions across the world. By competing in wool gear, the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team promotes an important message about sustainability and ocean health.
Unlike synthetic fibres, wool does not contribute to the microplastic pollution that plagues our oceans. Research shows that wool fibres biodegrade in aquatic systems, whereas nylon fabric can take as long as 30-40 years. Made of keratin, a protein, the same as human hair, the wool fibre takes four to five months to completely break down. Wool that has been superwashed and treated breaks down in even less time.
Wool Is the Future of Performance and Technical Clothing
Wool continues to prove that it is a diverse material that can be used for multiple purposes. The Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team uniform heralds a new breed of natural, sustainable performance apparel. We wish the team the best of luck – racing starts 6 March, for those who wish to tune in- follow the link!