It seems a little counter-intuitive to throw on gym clothes made of wool (a typically warm fabric), right? Wrong. Australian activewear brand Vie Active fashions its styles out of Merino wool and for good reason: The fabric can actually help regulate temperature.
Vie Active co-founders Noa and Bryan Ries help explain.
“[Merino wool is] natural, super soft, breathable, temperature regulating (keeping you cool when it’s super hot out and warm when it’s cold), odor resistant and anti-microbial. Once you work out in Merino and see that you can literally wear the same top all day (even after an intense sweat session) and feel as good at the end of the day as you did at the start of the day, you will never wear anything else!” Noa says.
In conjunction with the Australian Woolmark Company, the natural activewear brand produces a line of workout tees and tanks; Vie Active also makes sports bras, shorts, jackets, tights and more.
Is it healthy?
Sure, it’s aesthetically pleasing to sweat a bit less (pit stains anyone?), but is it OK health-wise? Fret not, lovelies, Merino wool and other activewear materials aren’t some kind of drastic medical cure, says Fountain MedSpa Attending Physician and Board Certified Physiatrist Dr. Todd Schlifstein. You’d need some heavy duty medical help (like armpit Botox injections) to drastically quell workout sweat. The wool is simply an extra bit of sweat insurance (along with your go-to deodorant).
“Controlling moisture and quick-drying material is good for your skin. Skin that stays moist for long periods of time in warm temperatures is at higher risk for skin breakdown, skin infections (such as fungal infections) and skin irritation,” Dr. Schlifstein says. “If the skin and clothes remain dry you reduce the risks of these skin problems. Clothes that dry quickly allow you to be able to continue to wear the clothes without irritating your skin and being comfortable.”
Don’t be surprised if you sweat a touch more in other areas when wearing a moisture-wicking material though, Dr. Schlifstein says: “If your body is cooled through a material, it will sweat less. If you sweat less in one area you may sweat more in other areas if your body temperature is elevated.”
Now that we’ve gotten the health clearance, go forth and enjoy your wool activewear, lovelies. We know we will.
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