Alpin wool collection

Do you know true natural heat? Try it yourself please…
In the Sir Joseph menu since 2017

From October 2020 with the new Softex® NIUS XT upper material with a higher water-resistant DWR treatment of 1,000 mm H 2 O.

You can buy in selected outdoor stores

Why wool insulation?

We constantly test new thermal insulation materials, both natural and synthetic, in laboratories and in the field, and gather experience so that we can bring you products of the highest quality.

  • Goose down forms the basis of the Sir Joseph® collection, because the warmth / weight ratio is unmatched.
  • After intensive and successful wool insulation tests, Tirol Wool (today in the finer version Alpin wool 3000) convinced us of its qualities so much that we decided to abandon the tried and tested insulation material Primaloft and developed a separate line of clothing with wool insulation.

Why did “wool” win over “synthetics” in our country? How does wave work?

Look for air behind everything. The primary task of all insulation materials is to keep a layer of warm air around the body, therefore hollow, curly fibers were developed … Not the fibers, but the air contained between them is the key.

Sheep’s wool fiber absorbs water vapor and emits water vapor – a magic that no synthetic material can do (absorbency of fibers is up to 30% in relation to their weight).

  • Sheep wool can absorb body moisture and subsequently evaporate it, keeping the body in so-called dry heat. Unlike any synthetic material, it wicks moisture away from the body even in vapor form. Moisture penetrates inside the fiber, so air remains in the space between the fibers and the material retains its warmth.
  • Synthetic material can transport moisture mainly in liquefied form. Body moisture in the insulating layer condenses, the resulting drops fill the space between the fibers and displace the air. Less air = less heat. In addition, liquid moisture acts as a conductor and dissipates heat away from the body even more.

Insulation from wool actively contributes to the body’s thermoregulation. Thanks to the structure of the fiber, it can maintain a balance between the amount of heat generated by the organism and the heat transferred to the surrounding medium.

Feathers or wool?

Both insulation materials are close and increasingly popular for:

  • 100% natural origin, 100% degradability, 100% recyclability
  • long service life while maintaining the original properties

FEATHER

The quality goose down used by Sir Joseph® can keep you warm even in extreme conditions .

  • High thermal resistance with a low weight of the insulating filling. Feathers maintain a layer of motionless air around the body, which acts as thermal insulation and thus warms us. The better the quality of the feathers, the more air they are able to absorb. More air, higher thermal resistance, more heat.
  • Feathers are able to absorb moisture to a certain extent and wick it away from the body, while even wet feathers still have sufficient thermal resistance.
  • Small transport volume
  • More demanding maintenance
  • Feathers may cause an allergic reaction *

FLEECE

Wool has a longer tradition of warming the human body than feathers, and today’s promotion of a healthy lifestyle is becoming more and more common.

  • Optimal thermal comfort under most temperature and humidity conditions
  • ALPIN WOOL 3000 used by Sir Joseph® is hypoallergenic – The structure of the fiber prevents the accumulation of dust mites and minimizes possible allergic reactions.
  • ALPIN WOOL 3000 used by Sir Joseph® contains the active antibacterial and fungicidal component zinc pyrithione, therefore it resists odors and the multiplication of bacteria .
  • The ability to retain its original properties even after repeated washing
  • Worse warmth / weight ratio **

* At Sir Joseph® we only use goose feathers with a hypoallergenic treatment to prevent the presence of dust mites. ** The Sir Joseph® 8000 II expedition jacket for polar and alpine expeditions down to -40C filled with feathers weighs 1120g, while maintaining the insulating properties filled with wool, it would weigh approximately 2500g.

For what conditions and activities do we recommend sheep wool?

When choosing clothing, we orientate ourselves according to the conditions of the surrounding environment (place, weather, temperature) and the activity being performed:

With the ambient temperature dropping down to freezing temperatures (-10 to -40 °C) and the aerobic load decreasing, feathers have a clear advantage.
Although the body heats up, it is not so intense that it can cope with the cold and we feel “at ease”. Therefore, high-quality insulation with minimal heat loss, preferably with the lowest possible weight, is necessary. Ideal conditions for a down jacket.

The temperature rises (-10 to +5°C), the person moves faster and the body radiates more heat and emits more body moisture.
The need to insulate continues, but in order to maintain a sense of comfort, it is already necessary to address the issue of sweat and vapor absorption and transport.
It is possible to use a lower filling weight (take a weaker down jacket) or reach for a jacket filled with ALPIN WOOL Sir Joseph®.
Alternatively, combine wool and feathers (jacket + vest). ALPIN WOOL will provide lasting comfort throughout the activity. Instant and quick warm-up on the stand when climbing or at the top of a hill will provide feathers.

As the ambient temperature rises (above 0 °C), the wave begins to dominate for all kinds of activities.
During aerobic exercise, you throw away the insulation and need to address the issue of humidity (thermal insulation comes into play only after exercise, in the rest phase).
In warmer environments, wool is more suitable for all aerobic activities.

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Conditions ACTIVITY GOOSE DUST FEATHERS ALPINE WOOL INSULATION
Extremely low temperatures, the so-called dry frost (up to -40°C) Extreme expeditions High mountain climbing and hiking Aerobic / anaerobic table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20 For any sub-zero temperatures, feathers are an unsurpassed insulator table-plus-20-20x20 As an intermediate layer
Low freezing temperatures (up to -15°C) Skiing Ski alpinism Tourism Mountaineering sports table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20 Less active movement, Anaerobic (slopes, climbing) table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20 Active movement, Aerobic (cross-country skiing, skiing) … and climbing into a down jacket on the hill
Lower temperature, medium and higher humidity (-10°C to +5°C) Ski alpinism Hiking Nordic walking Climbing sports Running Cycling … table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20 Anaerobic activities Quick warm-up layer table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20 Aerobic activities (ski alpine, Nordic walking, climbing…) Active thermoregulation throughout the activity
Warmer conditions, medium and higher humidity (0°C to +15°C) Hiking Nordic walking Climbing sports Running Cycling … table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20 Backup layer for quick warm up table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20table-plus-20-20x20 Active thermoregulation throughout the activity

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