Is natural fibre a good choice for winter workwear?
Posted by Team NZNC on 29th Jun 2022
The great outdoors is a spectacular place to be. Rolling hills, beautiful skies and glorious landscapes can leave us breathless. As the seasons come and go, they bring an ever-changing array of scenery and experiences.
Winter reintroduces us to dark mornings, frosty starts and those bone-chilling temperatures that make getting out of bed just that little bit harder! For many of us who work outdoors, having the right winter workwear is essential for staying warm, comfortable and protected from the elements.
With so many clothing options available, choosing the right gear for the coldest time of year can feel a little overwhelming. But finding clothing that shields you from the winter chill doesn't have to be a headache!
In this blog, we'll explore the key features to look for when choosing winter workwear and explain why natural fibres are such a fantastic choice for warmth, comfort and practicality.
To make things even easier, we'll also look at several common outdoor occupations and recommend suitable clothing to help keep you warm and comfortable throughout the working day.
Characteristics of winter workwear
What Should You Look for in Winter Workwear?
What are you looking for in your winter workwear?
Three essential things immediately come to mind:
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Warmth
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Durability
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Protection
Warmth
When you're faced with a bitterly cold day, staying warm is essential. And we're not just talking about comfort, although that's certainly important! Keeping warm is also about protecting your health and wellbeing.
Our bodies work hard to maintain a core temperature of around 37°C, which is essential for our vital organs to function properly. When our core temperature drops below 35°C, hypothermia can set in, and a further drop can become life-threatening.
That's why having the right winter clothing is so important, particularly when you're spending long hours working outdoors.
Durability
All workwear needs to be durable, but winter workwear needs to be especially hard-wearing. After all, you're not only dealing with the usual demands of your job but also battling rain, sleet, frost, wind and sometimes even snow!
Investing in quality garments that can withstand the demands of your working environment makes good sense. You want clothing that works as hard as you do, stands up to the elements and lasts for years to come.
Protection
Protection covers quite a bit of ground, and we're not just talking about keeping your fingers and toes safe from frostbite!
We're also talking about protecting your feet from uncomfortable blisters, managing perspiration so you don't become cold and clammy, and ensuring your clothing allows you to work safely and comfortably without compromising your wellbeing.
The right combination of garments can make a world of difference when you're spending your days exposed to the elements.
Don't Forget About Layering!
Another important consideration is how easily your clothing can be layered.
If you're regularly moving between heated buildings and the great outdoors, you'll want the flexibility to add or remove layers without too much fuss.
Good layering allows you to adjust to changing temperatures and activity levels, helping you stay comfortable without overheating or getting too cold.
And remember, when you're out there facing everything Mother Nature has to throw at you, your clothing is one of your most important lines of defence.
So choose wisely, invest in quality and make sure your winter workwear is up to the job!
Is natural fibre a good choice for winter workwear?
Why Choose Natural Fibres for Winter Workwear?
Here at New Zealand Natural Clothing, we're passionate advocates for natural fibres. But what makes them such a great choice for winter workwear? Let's take a closer look at some of our favourites and the qualities that make them so special.
Possum Fibre
Possum fibre is one of our favourites, not only because of its exceptional warmth and comfort but also because controlling introduced brushtail possum populations helps protect New Zealand's native forests and wildlife.
Possum fibre has a unique hollow structure that helps trap insulating air, providing remarkable warmth without unnecessary weight. It's an excellent choice for cold-weather clothing, particularly when you want to stay warm without feeling weighed down by bulky garments.
Possum fibre also helps manage moisture and, when blended with other natural fibres such as Merino wool, can contribute to comfortable, breathable garments.
And as an added bonus, possum fibre is wonderfully soft and luxurious, offering warmth and comfort in one beautiful package!
Merino Wool
Another top contender for winter workwear is Merino wool!
Merino is well known for its natural temperature-regulating properties, helping you stay warm when it's cold and comfortable when your activity levels increase.
It also absorbs and releases moisture vapour, helping to manage perspiration and reduce that uncomfortable, clammy feeling.
Thanks to its exceptionally fine fibres, Merino wool feels wonderfully soft against the skin, making it an excellent choice for base layers. Many people who find traditional wool uncomfortable also appreciate the gentler feel of fine Merino.
Warm, breathable and comfortable, it's easy to see why Merino is such a popular choice for hardworking winter clothing.
Sheep's Wool
Sheep's wool is a true champion when it comes to traditional winter workwear!
Naturally warm, resilient and hard-wearing, wool has been keeping outdoor workers comfortable for generations.
Coarser wool varieties are particularly well suited to robust outer garments, while blends of sheep's wool and nylon can provide additional strength and durability.
These hardworking combinations are ideal for jerseys and other garments that need to withstand the demands of outdoor work.
When you need reliable warmth and clothing that's made to work as hard as you do, traditional woollen knitwear is certainly worth considering!
Alpaca Fibre
Alpaca fibre is another wonderful natural option, prized for its softness, warmth and lightweight feel.
Its insulating properties make it an excellent choice for cold-weather garments, while its natural strength can contribute to clothing that lasts for years when properly cared for.
Alpaca fibre contains very little lanolin, making it an appealing alternative for some people who find traditional sheep's wool uncomfortable.
It also offers a degree of natural moisture resistance and, like other animal fibres, has useful flame-resistant properties.
Soft, warm and wonderfully comfortable, alpaca fibre is a luxurious choice for anyone looking to invest in quality winter clothing.
Specific winter workwear
Now that you know what to look for in your winter workwear and have had a brief introduction to some of our favourite natural fibres, it's time to put that knowledge to good use!
Let's take a look at five professions that involve spending plenty of time outdoors, along with our recommendations for practical, comfortable winter clothing to help keep you warm and protected from the elements.
Construction
Construction Workers
Now there's a hard graft if ever there was one!
Whether you're up on scaffolding, laying foundations or putting up buildings, you're out there getting the job done, whatever the weather throws your way.
From frosty mornings and biting winds to rain-soaked afternoons and those shorter winter days, construction workers face some pretty challenging conditions.
When you're working hard outdoors all winter, having warm, durable and practical workwear isn't just a luxury – it's a necessity!
Farming
Farmers
When you're a farmer, you spend more time outdoors than in! After all, crops and animals don't take a day off just because the weather turns nasty.
Come rain, hail, frost or shine, you're out there 365 days a year, making sure your land and livestock are well looked after.
From those early morning starts to long days battling the elements, farming demands plenty of hard work and determination.
That's why you need winter workwear that's every bit as hardworking, durable and dependable as you are!
Delivery drivers
Delivery Drivers
In and out of heated vehicles, battling the wind, rain, sleet and sometimes even snow as you make your way from one doorstep to the next!
With your hands on the wheel for much of the day and long stretches spent sitting behind the wheel, staying comfortable can be a challenge, particularly when temperatures are constantly changing.
That's why you need practical, comfortable workwear that helps regulate your body temperature, keeps the winter chill at bay and provides plenty of warmth and protection for those hard-working hands!
Dog walking
Dog Walkers
Come rain, hail, frost or shine, those eager hounds will still be desperate to get out for their daily walks!
With up to six walks a day, you'll be spending plenty of time outdoors, often braving chilly winds, frosty mornings and whatever else Mother Nature decides to throw your way.
That's why a lovely warm pair of gloves, a snug hat and a reliable outer layer are absolute essentials for keeping you warm, comfortable and protected from the winter chill.
After all, the dogs might not mind the cold, but that doesn't mean you have to put up with it!
Park Ranger
Pandemics, snowstorms or fingers frozen to the bone – the animals still need looking after!
Whatever the weather throws your way, the responsibility of keeping animals safe, healthy and well cared for doesn't simply disappear. Whether you're feeding, checking on or tending to animals in the bitter cold, there's always something that needs doing.
That's why warm, durable and practical winter workwear is essential for keeping you comfortable and protected while you look after those who depend on you.
Of course, a little break from the cold every now and then wouldn't go amiss!
Natural fibres are a fantastic choice for winter workwear, thanks to the remarkable insulating and protective properties that help keep the animals they come from warm and comfortable in their natural environments.
Winter can certainly be challenging, with its dark mornings, frosty starts and bone-chilling temperatures. That's why it's so important to be prepared and invest in quality clothing that will keep you warm, comfortable and protected from the elements.
Here at New Zealand Natural Clothing, we're a little nutty about natural fibres! So, if you need a hand choosing the right garments for your particular needs, don't hesitate to give us a shout. We're always happy to share our knowledge and help get you properly kitted out for whatever winter throws your way!
Just drop us a line if you have any questions. We're here to help!