How Wool Regulates Body Temperature in Warm Weather
Key Takeaways
Wool fibres manage temperature by insulating and releasing heat.
It draws moisture away from the skin, keeping you cool and dry.
Airflow through wool’s natural crimp improves breathability in hot conditions.
Wool can outperform synthetic fibres when it comes to staying cool in summer.
Strong wool used in furnishings and bedding brings summer-ready comfort indoors.
“It is a myth that wool can only keep you warm in winter - NOT TRUE - wool is an amazing fabric in summer as it breathes and allows air to flow keeping you cool”
-Nicky Hansen
What makes wool thermoregulating?
Thermo-regulating means automatically keeping temperature within a healthy, comfortable range, neither too hot nor too cold, by sensing heat changes and adjusting accordingly. Wool does this naturally.
Wool’s thermoregulating ability comes down to the structure of its fibres. Wool fibres are naturally porous, allowing air to flow through the wool material. Each wool fibre also has a naturally crimped shape, creating tiny pockets of air when bundled together. This air acts as a buffer between the body and the environment, helping trap warmth when it’s cold and releasing excess heat when it’s hot.
The key feature? Wool adjusts to your microclimate. When your body heats up, wool allows heat and moisture to escape. When your body cools down, it insulates to maintain a comfortable temperature.
This adaptability makes wool effective not just in fluctuating environments but also in consistently hot or humid climates.
How does wool manage moisture and sweat?
Wool is a hydrophilic fibre, meaning it can absorb large amounts of moisture, up to 30% of its own weight, without feeling damp. This allows it to wick sweat away from your skin and release it into the air through evaporation.
Unlike synthetics, which can trap heat and moisture close to the body, wool stays comfortable and dry. That’s a major advantage in hot climates, where managing perspiration is key to staying cool.
And because wool is also antimicrobial and odour-resistant, it keeps you feeling fresher longer, a feature valued in both clothing and bedding.
What about airflow and breathability?
Breathability is a major factor in thermal comfort, especially in summer. Wool’s naturally open structure allows air to flow through the fibre network. This helps cool the body by facilitating air exchange, especially important in bedding and upholstery applications.
This means that even in warm indoor conditions, strong wool can contribute to a cooler and more breathable environment.
Is strong wool too heavy for warm weather?
Not necessarily. While strong wool has more rigidity than fine wool like merino, strong wool has a larger fibre diameter that can create more air gaps, but its performance depends on how it’s processed and applied.
In bedding and furniture, strong wool is often layered to create volume without bulk. This maintains airflow and moisture management, even in thicker configurations.
Wisewool™'s design approach uses layering and natural loft to enhance breathability in filled products. When structured correctly, strong wool can offer cool support and cushioning, making it suitable for summer sleeping, sitting, or lounging.
“ When Wisewool(™) WiseLayer(™) is used within duvets, you never overheat as the wool breathes on top of you, controlling the temperature surrounding your body and creating a comfortable microclimate to ensure a superior quality of sleep”.
-Nicky Hansen
How does wool compare to synthetic options in the heat?
Many synthetic materials are marketed for summer use, but they often lack breathability and the natural moisture buffering and temperature control that wool offers.
Synthetic fills like polyester may insulate at first but tend to trap body heat and moisture, creating a clammy microclimate and a lack of breathability. In contrast, wool continues to draw moisture away and release excess heat even after prolonged use.
Final Thoughts
Wool’s ability to regulate body temperature is one of its most underappreciated strengths, especially in warm weather. Far from being a winter-only fibre, wool is an all-season performer that helps cool the body when it’s hot, absorbs sweat without odour and feeling wet, and maintains airflow through its crimped structure.
At Wisewool™, strong wool is engineered into breathable, resilient forms that perform across climates. Whether used in bedding, furniture, or summer accessories, wool offers a cool, natural alternative to synthetics, proving comfort doesn’t have to come at the cost of breathability.
