Ethically Sourced Merino Wool | Smartwool NZ (2024)

FAQs

Is Merino wool ethically sourced? ›

Most merino wool certification covers ethical sourcing and, more specifically, whether the wool comes from mulesed or non-mulesed sources. This distinction is important. Mulesing is a sometimes painful process where areas of skin are removed from merino sheep (without anaesthetic) to limit chances of infection.

Which Wool Is Ethical? New Zealand (where sheep far outnumber people) is the global leader of the ethical wool industry. The country's Animal Welfare Act strictly prohibits mulesing. There are also artisanal-scale wool processing facilities around the globe that demonstrate higher standards of animal care.

Our Growers

We were one of the first companies to create long-term contracts with our Merino wool growers to ensure that we can use ethically sourced wool.

Organic wool is ethical

Organic wool farmers must follow strict organic standards to maintain their certified status. This means cruel practices are forbidden and stress is minimised for the animals. Feed provided for animals must be organic, and no harsh chemicals are sprayed on the land which they graze.

Cruelty to Sheep

Sheep are gentle individuals who, like all animals, feel pain, fear, and loneliness. But because there's a market for their fleece and skin, they're treated like nothing more than textile-producing machines—and genetically manipulated to produce an unnatural amount of wool.

In general, the most ethical way to produce merino wool is by using sustainable practices that do not harm the animals or the environment. However, some producers still use cruel methods to shear the sheep.

Merino wool is classed as fine wool with a micron count of less than 24 - in scientific terms, this is very, very fine. Only 10 percent of New Zealand's ample sheep population are classed as Merino sheep and are distinguishable by their stately, curly horns and wrinkly necks.

Our wool comes from sheep humanely treated and sheared. Our organic wool is certified cruelty free, it is sourced from a small consortium of family owned farms in New Zealand where sheep are ethically treated and no chemicals, hormones or pesticides are ever used, and of course no mulesing is practiced, ever.

Animal Health- Healthier the sheep, finer the wool. The sheep in New Zealand are nurtured with utmost care. Fed with pure food and provided a natural hygienic habitat, the wool grown is of the best quality. Moreover, while shedding the wool off, it is done without affecting the animal's health.

North Face does not own Smartwool BUT Smartwool is owned by VF Co., the same company that owns NF, Timberland, Jansport, Eastpak, etc.

What's the difference between merino wool and Smartwool? ›

Both Meriwool and Smartwool prioritize the use of high-quality, sustainable materials in their products. However, Meriwool takes a more traditional approach by primarily using 100% Merino wool, while Smartwool incorporates synthetic materials into its products to enhance their durability and performance.

Made in America using the finest Merino from around the world. Our story starts in the heart of the Colorado Rockies where product ideas are born every time we step out our back door.

Meriwool sources wool exclusively from Australia and New Zealand, two countries that pride themselves on the humane treatment of sheep. Both countries enforce strict standards for raising sheep as well as how the wool is harvested and are committed to no mulesing, a practice that's painful and dangerous for sheep.

Mutilated, Stabbed, Kicked, and Cut: This Is the Life of a Sheep. If you wear wool, you must read about my life and understand that the material is the result of horrific abuse. I'm one of 80 million sheep in Australia, the largest exporter of wool in the world.

So, is wool cruelty-free? Really, it depends. While wool can never be a vegan product, it can be produced ethically and it can be produced without involving animal cruelty. For this to occur farms need to manage their stock well, they need to ensure sheep are well cared for and remain as stress-free as possible.

Merino Wool Is Natural & Sustainable

Eco-friendly fabric techniques are then integrated at every possible step of the process, a tradition of sustainable excellence our fans and customers have come to appreciate deeply.

By definition, vegans do not participate in any form of exploitation of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. This makes wool firmly not vegan. When it comes to wool, the hard truth is the wool industry exploits sheep, and there is evidence to show this results in significant harm to the animals.

Manufacturing merino wool fabrics starts with collecting merino sheep's fleeces. In many cases, the shearing is painful and stressful for the animal. The processes that come after fiber collection are mostly mechanical. They are energy and water-intensive, making merino wool processing less sustainable.

In addition to alpaca wool being a cruelty-free, it is also a very sustainable option for a wool product. The reason for this is that it can produce 16 times more sweaters than a goat can.