Later this month, Softstar will proudly unveil its newest footwear, the Zen Moccasin made with ecologically-friendly Merino wool. While wool has been an important textile for eons, this superfine, ultra-comfortable material has seen a skyrocketing trend in footwear due to customer demand for more sustainable fashion. High quality, ethically harvested merino wool is more expensive to produce than leather which is why it had not seen much use in footwear previously. Softstar has spent over a year researching the best merino wool and wool producers to discover the most ethically produced, pure and durable product. We know you will love our new Zen Moccasin and we want to share why merino wool is so perfect for footwear...
Lightweight
Wool is one of the lightest footwear materials available. Its intricate, knitted fibers trap copious amounts of air to insulate our feet with minimal thickness and pillowy softness. At Softstar, where our footwear mimics barefoot-like movement, the lighter, the better!
Sustainable
Wool is a renewable and biodegradable material, but it is also important to consider how it is harvested and processed into a textile. Our wool is sourced from Germany for the highest quality of soft, durable wool with ethical animal welfare standards and Oeko-Tex certification. The high quality of our merino wool means minimal stretching and pilling with excellent durability.
Balanced Temperature
Wool is naturally homeostatic, meaning it keeps your feet at an even, comfortable temperature with no build-up of excessive heat. The wool fibers wick moisture away from your feet, which work through the network of fibers outwards to evaporate, helping keep you cool when it's hot and warm when it's cool - and no extremes of either temperature. Most synthetic footwear materials do not have this natural wicking and evaporation ability.
Odor Control
Foot odors are usually caused by the reaction of our skin to the chemicals in non-wicking synthetic materials. This smell is not only outwardly off-putting, but it is also your skin's way of telling you it is unhappy. Natural products that are untreated with chemicals are a simple and natural solution to foot odor since they add less chemicals to the mix and often provide better ventilation. This applies not only to ecologically-sourced merino wool, but also the non-toxic premium leathers used fin our other Softstar shoe styles. Many people with lifelong foot odor issues are delighted when they realize their Softstars are odor free!
Sock-Free
The natural wicking and breathability of wool keep your feet dry and comfortable...perfect for those of you who prefer barefoot, sock-free options. That being said, even the best merino wool has fibers that some people with high skin sensitivities may find itchy. If you are sensitive to wool then you may prefer to wear socks with these new moccasins.
Naturally Fire Resistant
Hopefully you are not setting your feet on fire in any way except metaphorically, but it is one of wool's resistance to fire is one of its super powers. Better safe than sorry!
- What is the difference between regular wool and merino wool? Wool fibers, or sheep "hair" vary greatly in coarseness. Merino wool comes from a specific breed of sheep with much smaller, ultra-fine 17 micron fibers. This makes it softer than regular wool. Some products can be labeled "merino" and still be a blend of merino and non-merino wool. Our Merino Zen moccaisn are made from 100% merino wool.
- What is the difference between cashmere and merino wool? Cashmere comes from cashmere goats and is gathered by combing rather than clipping as with a sheep. This fiber provides excellent insulation, but not as much airspace and can lead to overheating in footwear.
- Why do some people have skin sensitivities to wool? Approximately 20% of people report they are allergic to wool, but it is actually an itchy skin reaction that we incorrectly label as an allergy. Saying you are allergic to wool is akin to being allergic to your own hair. While people are not allergic to their hair, their neck and back usually do feel itchy after a haircut. The itch is because the ends of your hair fibers can "poke" your skin. The finer the hair thickness, the less "pokey," which is why most people can wear thin fibers like merino wool compared to coarser wool. If you have sensitivities to wool fibers, wearing a cotton, silk, or bamboo shirt or socks underneath a merino wool textile will usually be enough to prevent irritation.
