Cuddly warm and 100% free-range - these are our products made from alpinewool. But what exactly is hidden behind them? Together with our partner Lavalan, we explain to you what the use of lavalan - the wool insulation or alpine wool is all about.
What is lavalan?
lavalan - the wool insulation is a fibrefill made from 100% natural and renewable raw materials. It combines the unique properties of virgin wool with the easy-care features of corn-based polylactic acid (PLA) fibres.
Quite often synthetic materials are used to insulate clothing, whereas nature already offers highly functional and complex raw materials. Wool is one such natural “high-tec” fibre and possesses a number of advantages:
Wool is able to uptake and release moisture vapour up to 36% of its dry weight, while being water-repellent at the same time. This makes lavalan highly breathable, quick drying and keeps you warm even when wet or sweating. Since wool is thermoregulating it also provides a cooling effect and prevents one from overheating even during intense exercise or unexpected warm weather conditions. So wool is able to always deliver comfortable, cozy warmth regardless of activity levels or altering temperatures.
Another important aspect is the odour neutralization. Since wool wicks moisture away, it can never build up the bacteria that causes bad odours, for a longer use without unnecessary wash cycles, i.e. during travels, outdoor adventures and several-day mountain trips.
The wool is solely sourced from European countries after highest quality and animal welfare standards. The sheep graze in the idyllic surroundings of the Austrian and Swiss Alps and they are kept under natural conditions on pastures in Germany, France and Scandinavia. European wool is mulesing-free. For lavalan it is crucial that no sheep are tortured, neither during breeding nor the shearing process.
Sheep farmers supply their freshly shorn wool to so called collection points where it is sorted after color and quality and pressed into bales. Afterwards the wool gets scoured at traditional plants in Belgium and the United Kingdom. Plant residues, sheep dung and lanolin are removed in order to get a clean, soft and consistent lavalan wool filling. Back at Baur Vliesstoffe in Germany about 60 experienced employees with a knack for wool take care of the subsequent lavalan production. The independent Swiss company UniqueTrace certifies our supply chain, so we can prove the origin of our wool from sheep to the finished product – true to the motto “from sheep to shop”.
Even at the end of its lifecycle our filling doesn’t turn into waste because lavalan – the wool insulation in a row is renewable, recyclable and biodegradable.
Which ZIENER products contain alpine wool?
The complete MINIS SKIWEAR uses cosy warm alpine wool from Lavalan. The lining always keeps the body temperature within the comfort range and ensures a pleasant, comfortable wearing feeling. Perfect for the little snow dwarves when they are out on their sledges, skis or just building a snowman in winter.
Also in our glove collection you will find lavalan - the wool insulation. For extra cold days the Alpine wool from 100% free range keeps your hands warm and provides an optimal wearing comfort. Matching the MINIS SKIWEAR there is the children's glove LANUP AS® AW MINIS glove in three different colours. For freeride-oriented skiers we recommend the GANZENBERG AS® AW glove ski alpine and as modern, young ski gloves the GETTERO AS® AW MITTEN glove ski alpine. Of course there are also gloves with lavalan insulation specially developed for ladies and kids, such as the KOMILLA AS® AW MITTEN lady glove and for kids the LOX AS® AW glove junior.
All other ZIENER gloves with alpine wool are available in the heading GLOVES ALPINEWOOL.
