Pros and cons of Possum fibre
Natural fibre pulls ahead in the fibre race for us every time.
We believe in sourcing fibres that are sustainable, high quality and really comfortable. This is why possum fibre is one of our top picks.
Conservation features heavily in New Zealand Natural Clothing’s mission statement which is why we are so invested in being transparent with our customers and our manufacturers. It’s a critical part of who we are as a business.
Possum fibre is no different although this has been challenged previously - we’ll talk more about this later.
In this blog we’re going to get an idea of what possum fibre is (and why it’s so great) plus we’ll assess the advantages and disadvantages of using possum fibre. We’ll also share our top recommendations!
What is possum fibre?
Possum fibre is harvested from possums. These possums aren’t originally from New Zealand and pose quite a threat to our local ecosystem.
Possums were integrated into New Zealand’s ecosystem back in 1837 from Australia to hype up the fur trade. This first introduction failed initially and they tried again in 1857, which was so successful that there’s a complete overpopulation of possums here in NZ today.
Culling possums is encouraged in New Zealand and instead of their coats going to waste, we make products from them.
The fibre we get from possums:
- Is very silky! The texture of knitted possum fur is luxuriously soft, easy to wear and exceptionally comfortable.
- Will not freeze, even when exposed to periods of prolonged cold. The only other fibre on the planet known to have the same characteristic is polar bear fur.
- Is low-pill and anti static which means that each garment can be worn throughout the years and still look as new as the day it was purchased.
- Is odour-resistant
This is just a few of the fantastic properties of possum fibre!
Advantages of possum fibre
Possum is a favourite at New Zealand Natural Clothing and we have a whole range of products created with possum fibre.
This is what we love about it:
Light as a feather
Possum fibre is hollow which makes it really light even when wet. A smart choice if you’re wearing it out in the elements!
Really warm
Hollow fibre traps heat which means that when wearing it your temperature will be regulated by this clever insulation technique.
Super soft
There isn’t much that rivals the softness of silk but possum fibre really does. It hugs the body without being itchy or irritating to the skin.
No breeding for harvesting
Possum fibre is very popular but thanks to the constant growth in the pest’s population there is no need for breeding specifically for their fur. It’s a much more natural process this way.
Positive contribution to ecosystem
Every coat we use to make quality products is another possum not attacking our native species. A big plus for us. We’re stocking our shelves with products we’re proud of and helping to protect our ecosystem.
Blends really well
It’s a brilliant blender! We like blending it with merino wool because when you do it is 14% lighter than wool, a figure which gives it the distinction of being one of the most lightweight natural fibre fabrics in the world!
Anti pilling
There is nothing worse than investing in a quality jacket or scarf only for it to wear over the years! Possum fur is a low-pill and anti static which means that each garment can be worn throughout the years and still look as new as the day it was purchased.
Odour resistant
Smelly is never in. Possum fibre wicks moisture away from the body keeping your skin dry and the odours at bay!
Disadvantages of possum fibre
We are biased towards the advantages of possum fibre but we take transparency seriously so we did a lot of research into what the cons, disadvantages and negatives are.
We struggled but this is what we managed to collect:
Requires special washing
Possum garments can’t just be thrown in the wash with everything else. They need particular care similar to merino products. You have to be religious about following the care instructions or you won’t enjoy all the wonderful advantages of possum fibre.
Shrinkage
A consequence of not taking care of possum appropriately is shrinkage. No one wants a product that can no longer serve its purpose.
Ethical debate
When it comes to natural fibre there are always two sides to the story. At New Zealand Natural Clothing we support fur for function, not for fashion.
The New Zealand Fur Council say: “New Zealand sourced possum fur is recognised globally as being green and ethically sound. Possum fur is a natural product that comes from renewable resources. It has a 20 to 30 year life span. In comparison fake fur is made from petroleum-based products derived from non-renewable resources. New Zealand sourced possum fur is 100 percent from wild pest populations."
Our possum fibre recommendations
In our opinion, the advantages of possum fibre massively outweigh the disadvantages!
Have you added a possum product to your wardrobe yet?
These are our absolute favourites:
Seamless Wrap Jacket
Eco Possum Wool Jacket
Full Zip Jacket
Possum fibre is lightweight, warm, odour resistant and silky soft. The New Zealand Fur Council has deemed it ethical but it does need specific care to ensure longevity. Overall a worthy investment!
If you have any specific questions about our possum products then pop into our store or drop us an email.
Be part of supporting the ecosystem and wear true quality when you buy possum fibre.