Winter is knocking at our doors once again and its time to sip on some hot cocoa and stay warm in those comfy winter wears. Winter shopping is indeed a tedious task.
With a wide variety of furs, wools and fabrics the stores and boutiques just get into a festive mood and the sundry styles and specifications might probably leave you dazed.
If you are out shopping to revamp your winter wardrobe, wool and polyester must certainly be having a tug of war in your mind. Both known for their warmth, wool and polyester are probably the most sought out fabrics in winters.
Wondering if wool is warmer than polyester or if polyester can replace wool?? Well, bid adieu to such questions as we have brought you all the right information that you need.
Is wool warmer than polyester?
Once the degrees start dropping steadily, we have no other option but to reach out for a sweater or a jacket. Staying warm during the frosty winters is not a luxury, but a necessity.
But no one said that you can’t stay warm in style, so the trendy woolens and polyester jackets are bound to adorn your wardrobe. But a question that usually pops up in such a situation is, “Which one is warmer, wool or polyester?”.
The prior is an expensive natural fabric while the latter is a durable and inexpensive synthetic one. When the various pros and cons of the two are laid down there can indeed be a lot of surprises but in case of warmth wool emerges as the clear winner.
Wool is much warmer than polyester and probably the better fit for cold winters.
Why is wool warmer than polyester?
Wool is a natural fabric with excellent breathability and moisture resistant features. Water and moisture cannot easily penetrate the fluffy wool as the water drops tend to bead on the surface and roll off rather than get soaked in.
Even in the presence of excess moisture, the wool can absorb moisture up to a third of its own weight before it becomes wet.
Wool also has the capability to trap air in little pockets in the fabric, which adds to the insulating capacity of the fabric. Because of these reasons wool provides more warmth than polyester.
Pros and cons of wool
Pros:
1.) Very warm
Due to the moisture repellant nature and the ability to trap air within the small pockets of the fabric, wool is a very good insulator. It can keep you really warm at even extremely low temperatures.
2.) Breathable
Wool is thick and provides a lot of warmth, but it is also a very breathable fabric and hence adds to the comfort of the fabric.
See also: Do Wool Socks Keep Your Feet Cool in the Summer?
3.) Moisture wicking
Wool is water resistant. It do not absorb moisture but the moisture tend to bead up on the surface instead of getting soaked in.
4.) Odor resistant
Being a natural fibre, wool do not really promote germ build-up nor does it attract dust and dirt. Therefore wool do not produce foul odor and keeps you fresh, warm and comfortable for days.
5.) Soft
Wool is a very soft fabric and is very gentle against the skin. A good woolen sweater will make you feel like you are wearing a fluffy cloud.
6.) Feels good/good for skin
Wool is a natural fabric that is soft and breathable and therefore do not irritate the skin or cause rashes or allergies.
Cons:
1.) Expensive
Wool is made using the fur of animals and due to the expense of animal rearing, woolen clothes do cost a lot.
2.) Harder to wash and take care of
Wool has to washed with special care and dried with great caution as well.
3.) Not available in a lot of colours
Wool does not really take up dyes that well so woolen clothes are usually available in the natural colours of the fur.
Pros and cons of polyester
Pros
1.) Water resistant
Polyester is a water resistant fabric and does not really absorb any water or moisture. Even when it does get wet, the fabric dries up in a jiffy.
2.) Inexpensive
Polyester is a factory made polymer and hence is available at a very cheap rate.
3.) Easy to take care of/wash
Polyester is machine washable. They do not wrinkle or shrink on washing and tend to dry up very fast too.
4.) Available in every colour imaginable
Polyester can be dyed in every single color imaginable and they do retain the color for ages.
5.) Very durable
Polyester is a very easy to use, synthetic fabric that is extremely durable.
Cons:
1.) Might cause allergies/rashes
Polyester is a synthetic fabric and can at times feel rough against the skin. Polyester is not that breathable either, therefore they can cause skin irritations in people with sensitive skin.
2.) Not a sustainable option
Polyester is basically a synthetic polymer which is made up of chemicals. It is a plastic and is hence non-biodegradable. Therefore it is not a sustainable option as it would do nothing but harm to our earth.
3.) Can’t wash or dry at really high temperatures
As mentioned earlier, polyester is a synthetic polymer with plastic like properties and therefore they will melt at very high temperatures. Washing and drying Polyester at very high temperatures can burn the fabric and ruin the clothing.
4.) Not warm or breathable enough
When compared to wool, Polyester is not that breathable or warm.
Comparison of wool and polyester
| Features | Wool | Polyester |
| Breathability | Yes | Not very |
| Durability | Durable | Durable |
| Water resistant | Yes | Yes |
| Easy to dry | No | Yes |
| Cost | Expensive | Inexpensive |
| Softness | Very soft | Some can be soft |
| Good for people with skin allergies | Yes | No |
| Available in many colours | No | Yes |
| Ease of care | Has to be carefully washed and dried | Easy to care for |
| Warmth | Warmer | Warm |
| Sustainable option | Yes | No |
Which is the better option: polyester or wool?
Wool is much more comfortable and warmer than polyester. Being a natural fabric, wool is softer, safer and more preferable when compared to the man-made polyester. But the decision comes down to your specific needs and wants.
If you are willing to pay a good amount and spend ample amount in washing and drying the clothes, wool is the perfect option for you. Even though they cost a lost, they provide unparalleled comfort level and can last a long time if taken good care of.
If you are on a budget and do not have the patience or time to carefully wash and dry your clothes polyester would be a better fit for your winters.
Polyester clothes are warm and inexpensive and easy to maintain. You can add layers of polyester to get the warmth you require this summer if you do not want to spend a hefty sum.
Investing in a good woolen jacket will never be a loss but in the end it all comes down to your preference and convenience.
Be it with fluffy woolens or smooth polyester, enjoy a warm and comfy winter.
See also: Which is Warmer Polyester or Cotton?
