Polyester vs Wool: (5 Benefits of Wool Polyester Blend)
When it comes to fabrics, not everything is natural or healthy for you to wear. That is why you need to learn the differences between the many fabric options available. Then pick the clothing or bedding you want according to your preferences. Forget what fashion designers have to say.
There are a lot of differences between wool and polyester. But there are also some major benefits you will get when you wear a wool and polyester blend outfit including moisture-wicking, better breathing, and more warmth.
To learn more about the differences between wool and polyester and the benefits of the blend just continue to read our article. It explores the issues so you know what to look for when shopping for new winter clothing.
Polyester vs Wool 101
Is Polyester Wool or Cotton?
Sadly, while polyester can be woven into different styles of clothing outfits, and bedding, along with a myriad of other uses, this material is a synthetic fiber that is nowhere close to being either wool or cotton.
Polyester is made from polymers, plastic, petroleum products, and chemicals. It is not always a healthy fabric to have next to your skin. Also, it does not drape or breathe very well. While it resists wrinkles, shrinking, and other laundry ills, it will never be on par with either natural fabrics.
Plus, polyester tends to come with an artificial feel although steps have been taken to change that aspect. However, no matter how many changes they make polyester will never feel as natural as wool or cotton and probably not as soft as well.
Difference Between Polyester And Wool
Before talking about the benefits of a poly-wool blend, it is important to learn the difference between the two fabrics. Here is a quick comparison chart to help you see those differences quickly.
| Category | Wool | Polyester |
| Origin | Different animals from around the world | Chemicals, petroleum,. plastics etc |
| Winter wear | Better than polyester because of its temperature regulating ability | will keep you warm and is used in many clothing items as insulation and lining |
| Insulation ability | Will take longer to get wet, insulates while wet but takes longer to dry | Dries quicker than wool, insulates when wet but not as well as well |
| Breathability | Very good and used as a base layer because of this ability | Not as good as wool if it breathes at all |
| Durability | More durable and stronger than polyester | Not as durable as wool |
| Look | Nice, natural, sophisticated | Can be seen as cheap, artificial and shiny at times |
| Feel | Comfortable, soft, but sometimes can be itchy | Artificial, some softness but not itchy |
| Drape | Wool drapes really well | Does not drape that well at all |
| Laundry | Hard to wash, needs special care | Easy to wash doe snot need special care |
| Environment | Can be very environmentally friendly | Not environmentally friendly at all |
| Biodegradable | Yes | Not so much it will take some time to degrade |
Is Polyester Warmer Than Wool?
Yes and no. The polyester material is often used for shells in coats etc., and it works well when you live in a cool or cold moist region of the country. Wool, on the other hand, is probably better when the conditions are drier although it insulates well when wet.
Since polyester does not breathe as well as wool does it may be the warmer fabric in some cases. But if you get right down to it, then wool is probably warmer than polyester as it comes in many different varieties all known for their ability to keep you warm.
The looser weave on wool helps trap the cooler air and keep it from your body. Then wool can help regulate your body temperature, something polyester can’t do. This contest goes to wool.
Merino Wool vs Polyester Warmth
One would think that the Merino wool would be warmer than polyester but it is not always woven into a thick fabric. Thicker fabrics keep you warmer than thinner ones and here polyester beats out that classy material.
Then polyester is a tightly woven fabric and those styles of weaves tend to trap the body heat next to your skin barring cold air from getting inside your clothing and cooling you down. Merino wool is usually made of a looser weave and doe snot have that protective nature.
With polyester’s quick drying time and lower absorbency, you should stay warmer wearing that fabric over merino wool. The latter fabric may take longer to get wet and absorbs about 33% more moisture but it also takes longer to dry keeping you cooler.
Polyester vs Wool Suit
The polyester suit will be lighter as it can be woven in very thin fabrics. This keeps the weight off even though it doesn't help with polyester’s breathing issue. Merino wool or normal wool may be heavier but it breathes better.
Depending on the wool material used in creating the suit, the wool may not last as long as the polyester suit. If blended, the polyester fibers rub against the wool ones causing the latter to fray.
If you tend to sweat a lot, go with the wool as some of its varieties control perspiration odor very well and keeps you smelling fresh. Polyester suits on the other hand will encourage those not so good odors and let the world know you are perspiring a lot.
Go with wool in this instance when the weather cools down.
Polyester vs Wool Rug
One of the problems with wool rugs is that they cost a lot to purchase. The polyester, nylon, or other synthetic rugs will be cheaper as they are cheaper to produce. They can be mass-produced better than wool as well as driving the cost down.
The polyester rug is fade and stain resistant which makes it a better buy over a wool rug. The downside of polyester rugs is that it can pill, shed, and mat in high traffic areas.
On the other hand, after you get past the cost, wool rugs are soft, environmentally friendly, great for indoor use, resists compacting or crushing, repels dirt, resists flames, and doesn't melt.
The downsides of wool carpets are that bugs like to eat it, laundry soap ingredients can damage it, and it costs more. So the negatives of wool do not outweigh the positives and if you can afford it going with wool may be the better choice as polyester will fuel flames and melt on you.
Polyester vs Wool Blanket
For durability and long-lasting good looks, you would want to go with the polyester blanket. It is like the other polyester products and resists fading even after a multitude of washings. It is also strong and should hold up under normal winter treatment.
On the other hand, wool is warm, good insulation, and if the temperatures drop it somehow adjusts and keeps you warmer. With its moisture-wicking properties and breathing ability, you should stay warm all night long under a wool blanket.
Then with its fire resistance, you can use wool blankets around the campfire or other heat sources. Polyester cannot provide you with that protection and will fan the flames as well as melt when sparks hit it.
Polyester vs Wool Socks
The unique aspect in this category is that it is said that you cannot get 100% polyester or 100% wool hiking socks. They are usually blended with other materials to facilitate stretching and comfort.
For other types of socks, polyester has all the positives properties other polyester clothing has. It resists shrinking, fading, is lightweight, and can be washed very easily. They also come in a large assortment of colors and designs.
Wool is very breathable, warm, and provides you with great insulation even when wet. What makes this sock better than polyester is its antibacterial qualities. The winner here would boil down to your personal preferences and which fabric you want next to your skin.
Keep in mind that some wool options cut down on odor which polyester does not do. That is something to think about when it comes to feet.
Wool vs Polyester Pants
Here again, you have the positive factors of both fabrics squaring off. But it is more the negatives that will play a major role in which pant style is better. Polyester is still not flame resistant here while wool is and if you like fires at home or at your campsite, this is a major issue.
Then on hot days polyester sticks close to your skin trapping body heat as well as moisture. The tightly woven material doe snot breathe as well as wool does making the latter the better choice for those hot days.
Finally, polyester captures those odors that come when you sweat. If you are not looking to end your date quickly, then go with wool pants over polyester every time.
Polyester vs Wool Base Layer
In this competition, the winner depends on the activity you are doing. For example, if you are a runner, then polyester is the better material to wear as a base layer because it is lighter.
But if you are hiking, then wool should be better as it breathes better than polyester plus it is antimicrobial. Yet, if you sweat a lot in those activities, polyester dries faster although wool will absorb moisture more and stay dryer longer.
For polyester to keep up on the odor control it needs extra help from more chemicals. That may be the clincher here as chemicals used to make polyester and make it odor-resistant are not always non-toxic.
Those chemicals may be the deal clincher even though both materials as abase layer can keep you nice and warm.
Why is Wool Mixed With Polyester?
The reason why is found in what both fabrics bring to the mix. Polyester adds wrinkle and shrink resistance while maintaining a good crease to the clothing. Wool brings antimicrobial help along with warmth, drape, and breathability.
Then polyester makes the wool stronger. But the results you get will depend a lot on the percentages in the mix. Those positive aspects of either will be diminished due to the lack of fibers in the blend.
Plus, the negatives of each fiber is increased if one fabric is used more than the other. In addition, the blends will create a better texture, a better feel, and sometimes the cost of the clothing item is reduced. The less wool the cheaper the price.
Finally, the fabrics are blended to make the look of the fabrics more attractive.
Benefits of Wool Polyester Blend
There are always benefits that come when you blend materials together. Here is a short list of some of the benefits you get when wool fibers are mixed with polyester ones:
- The material becomes stronger and lasts you longer. Although polyester fibers may cause the wool ones to fray.
- The material becomes stronger and lasts you longer. Although polyester fibers may cause the wool ones to fray.
- Get a better look- more colors, designs are possible plus the polyester doesn’t feel so artificial but more natural.
- You get better texture- which translates into smoother against your body, better drape, less itchiness, and so on.
- You get better performance- the wool lasts longer, shrinks less, fades less as well as holds up better in the laundry not to mention any active activities you participate in.
- You save money- this is the main reason many fabrics are blended. The cheaper fabric helps bring the price down so you can afford to look sophisticated without breaking the bank.
Some Final Words
The two fabrics are as different as fabrics can get, yet when blended together they make a good team. One fabric strengthens the weaknesses of the other helping the clothing item last longer. This saves you money and time as you do not need to continue to run out and buy new clothes.
Separately, wool is better than polyester but as a team, they are a good combination when the temperatures drop.
