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We’re unabashedly big fans of merino wool. And while we love Australia for its great wine, beautiful beaches, and glorious red center, we always wondered why the country has the monopoly on the wool-for-clothing market. And New Zealand, its antipodal neighbor, is also big player in the game thanks to Icebreaker. Part of the reason comes down to population—New Zealand has a lot of sheep (enough to inspire a sheep zombie move), while Australia has enough real estate to take on 80 percent of merino wool used in apparel.* But the clever folks at Ibex realized that, with all the transportation costs of sourcing wool half way across the world, it might make sense to talk to some U.S. sheep ranchers about state-side production.
The result? The White River, VT-based company has started working with Montana sheep ranches to source wool entirely form the United States in an effort to both reduce the company’s carbon footprint and to help create and retain jobs in the country. The sheep are raised in the tiny town of Lavina on a ranch run by the Lehfeldt family. For more than a century, the family has raised Rambouillet sheep (think big, fluffy, and curved horns). The breed, known for super-soft, ultra-fine wool, originated from Spain’s famed merino flock. After shearing, the wool travels to South Carolina, where it is combed and scoured, then it heads North Carolina where it’s spun into yarn and knitted into fabric. Finally, the fabric is sent to Ibex’s factories near San Francisco, where it is cut and sewn into finished garments.
This Fall, Ibex’s best-selling Shak Lite line of upper layers are made from the 100 percent U.S.-raised wool. The tops are so versatile that you’ll wear them as a skiing mid-layer, a top layer for hiking, and pretty much every day you want to look good and feel comfortable—and they’re so well built that you’ll probably pass them down to your kids. We hope other products, like the Gearzilla All-Star Long Trail Sweater, will follow suit.
*Updated from previous post. Thanks to Eric H
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“a monopoly on the wool for clothing market”????
Australia produces 80% of the worlds apparel wool.
Eric H
Yep, you’re right! Australia does produce the majority of merino, most of it used by state-side brands. Icebreaker, originating in New Zealand, is the most prominent brand in the States, but they certainly don’t give us the 80 percent that you mention. Thanks for the clarification! Suspect our love for that sheep zombie movie clouded our perspective.
Either way, state-side merino wool production is a great trend to see.
~The Gearzilla Editors