The Merino&Cotton project was born from the desire to combine the thermoregulating characteristics of the best merino wool with the crisp coolness of organic cotton to offer the consumer a new well-being experience during sporting activity.
The yarn used in fact consists of 55% of the same merino wool chosen by Bioma for the Merino100 project and the remaining 45% of the best organic cotton on the market.
The resulting yarn thus maintains those characteristics of thermoregulation, wicking, and elasticity that are typical of merino wool, again pushed to new heights thanks to the H2DRY treatment.
Organic cotton is a type of cotton that has not been genetically modified and is cultivated using environmentally friendly methods and materials.
Organic cotton fibre grows stronger and longer than its conventional counterpart. This is achieved without the use of toxic pesticides or chemically synthetic fertilisers. Using these cultivation methods, organic cotton production is able to restore and maintain soil fertility, while creating a biologically diverse agriculture that contributes to a healthy ecosystem for wildlife and local communities.
What are the benefits and advantages of organic cotton?
Organic cotton cultivation practices have a low impact on the environment, as they eliminate pesticides and harmful chemicals that affect local wildlife, the soil where it is grown and the inhabitants of neighbouring communities, thus creating a healthy ecosystem for the area.
A major problem with ordinary cotton is in fact water pollution. The runoff of pesticides and chemicals usually used for these crops contributes to the pollution of local waters, creating health problems for communities and the entire ecosystem. Choosing organic cotton instead supports a clean ecosystem, healthy drinking water for local communities, and greater longevity for future crops, because the soil is not damaged by harsh, man-made chemicals.
Organic cotton is safer for the skin, due to the previously discussed processes on the absence of harmful pesticides. For people with sensitive skin that is easily irritated by contact with certain fabrics, organic cotton can be an excellent choice. Organic cotton fibres are softer due to their longer length; they are breathable and help regulate body temperature when it is hot outside, maintaining comfort especially on hot summer days.
Organic cotton to invest in the future
The absence of pesticides and harmful chemicals has a positive effect on the strength and length of the fibre, compared to conventional cotton. Once harvested and processed for production, organic cotton fabric needs less water for the dyeing process as it absorbs dyes much more easily than conventional cotton. This allows organic cotton garments to be more durable and last longer, allowing you to invest in your wardrobe for a longer period of time and not just for a single season.
The merino wool we use for our garments is the result of a lengthy research and selection process, and it offers a unique array of properties that make it the ideal sportswear option.
The characteristics of breathability, elasticity and inelasticity, already inherent to this fibre, are pushed to new limits thanks to H2DRY treatment. Merino wool offers a unique set of properties that make it an ideal option for sportswear.
Merino wool is thermoregulating.
Wool fibres are curled by nature, allowing body heat to be compressed into air chambers, thus promoting optimal thermal insulation against heat and cold in both summer and winter. The fibres are also hydrophilic, so the surface remains dry while moisture is transported into the core. Wool can store up to 35 per cent of its specific weight in moisture without feeling wet, thus allowing effective heat dispersion through evaporation. Sweat and its natural function of cooling the body are thus not hindered.
Merino wool is breathable.
This property is due to the fibres’ ability to absorb water vapour from the microclimate directly through the skin and to release it again when the humidity level drops, i.e. when it becomes drier. Of course, wool also dries quickly, which is why it remains comfortable even on hot days.
Merino wool is odourless.
The reason lies in the structure of its fibre: the surface configuration is such that bacteria have little chance of nesting. And it is precisely these bacteria or more precisely, their waste, that are responsible for unpleasant odours. Keratin, the filamentous protein at the base of Merino wool fibres, annihilates odour-causing bacteria. This self-cleaning function is truly unbeatable and reduces the need for frequent washing.
Merino wool is soft and practical.
The Merino wool fibres used are so fine that they are well below the 25 micron level where they begin to irritate the skin. The fibres are so soft that they bend on contact with the skin, and contact is not perceived as unpleasant. Merino wool proves practical: simply machine-wash it at 30°/40°. Only the outer structure of the wool fibre is washed, thus preventing it from shrinking.
Merino wool is sustainable.
Merino wool embodies this concept perfectly. The sheep from which the wool used for our garments comes are sheared painlessly and naturally, contributing to the growth of a new fleece without the need for chemical additives. Wool is biodegradable and only requires natural resources such as water, air and sunlight. When you choose Merino Wool, you are choosing comfort, performance and commitment to the environment.
Our merino wool is treated with H2DRY
a new technology that further improves the performance of wool in terms of breathability and elasticity. Tests performed in the laboratories of the Polytechnic of Turin have shown that merino wool yarns subjected to H2DRY are able to exceptionally wick body moisture to the outer side of the garment, remaining dry and comfortable, even in the most demanding conditions. H2DRY maintains the characteristics of the yarn over time, without the need for special care. Even in intensive use or after frequent washing, the fibres retain their natural elasticity and the garment offers all its aesthetic qualities intact. The fabric obtained by weaving these yarns offers excellent comfort and fit, as well as making it possible to create “crease-proof” garments, which easily regain their fresh, intact appearance.
Bioma
- Use of precious natural Italian yarns
- Unique attention to detail achieved though refined manufacturing processes
- Maximum commitment to reducing environmental impact
