Has anyone else heard of wool knops?

LBV - October 18, 2021

Gear

During our most recent lockdown I discovered a product called wool knops. They are springy, can be compressed and bounce back, stick to each other.

I am planning on using them to fill my sleeping bag, as well as a puffer jacket. Their texture and form means they hold a good deal of air so to me they could be a better alternative to both polyester and down – warmth, water resistant as well as fire resistant.  Is anyone else familiar with these?

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That looks very soft! I had not heard of wool knops before but after looking into it I saw people using it as pillow fill and one company that sells it as  a sustainable housing insulation. https://www.wool.life/insulation/

Natural Wool Insulation is available in knops and pure wool batts, suitable for a range of domestic and commercial applications. The hollow core of wool fibres creates airspace, providing higher resistance to heat flow (high R-value) that lasts indefinitely.

Natural Wool Insulation can be used like any other insulation system. It lasts for decades without breaking down or losing effectiveness, making it a truly affordable safe, sustainable long-term option. Wool insulation is suitable for residential and commercial applications and can be installed quickly, easily, and without health risks.

Our knop manufacturing process combs wool into small balls (called knops or clusters), which can be easily blown into insulation spaces. The knopped wool has the elasticity needed to resist compression and packing, and it expands to fill the space once inside an insulation space.

Pure wool batts resemble traditional batt insulation, but without the toxic chemicals or fire risk of conventional batt products.

It looks like it would be heavier than a synthetic alternative or down, but wool does have some superior characteristics such as that it doesn’t break down over time and will provide more warmth if it gets wet.

How much was that box of knops and where did you get it from?

 

I got it from wool life and they sent it to me as a sample. Lots of other peop,e I know were unaware of the product, which is weird considering that its a NZ product. I will do a comparison with down vs knops to check the packed weight as best I can. I will use chicken down, as that’s what I have available.

 

How do you fill a sleeping bag or puffer jacket with this and not have it all sink to the bottom over time?

 

You compartmentalise the sections using baffles, the same way they do with down products.

 

Two words come to mind……wool moths. Being a spinner and having LOTS of fleeces and wool in other preps……moths are a PITA. Unless this is treated which would blow the idea of no chemicals. Don’t get me wrong, I love wool for things. Just the idea of walls full of moths..ICK.

liebrecht

 

Although we have some in NZ, I have never come across them. With both items the wool would be sealed inside baffles as well as the outer fabric. I don’t view it as an issue.

 

I did a brief comparison. Loosely down takes up more room per weight, but when compression is applied the end up much the same in volume.

 

My down products have lasted longer than comparable wool products -twenty plus years vs. five or so…..

The insulating value of down is significantly higher than wool or even synthtics

 

However, we are looking at articles for survival kits. If you look at the gear review on sleeping bags this site recommends synthetic over down due to the loss of insulating ability of down when wet. Wool does not have that issue, so could be a viable option for those who prefer to use natural products whenever possible.

 

Yes, wool will hold about 30% of it’s weight without “feeling” wet. Heat + moisture +agitation will cause it to felt thus compacting the fibers.  FOREVER. Silk batts were used in China as insulation in clothing. Angora is 7-8 times warmer than wool. Baffles and outer layer will not stop moths.  Seems like you have already decided so good luck.

liebrecht

 

The right sort of wool is naturally very fire retardent, but in some places it gets treated with chemicals when its being used for loft or cavity wall insulation, they MAY be carcinogenic.  Its good for sleeping bags until it gets wet, but its thermally efficient.  Make sure you get the right type.

 

Most natural fibers are inclined to self extinguish. Can you clarify what you mean by ” right type” as there are approx 1500 types of sheep. I have around 100 types of wool.  

Alpaca is finer than most wools. But it will compress and lose insulative value. Plus it lacks the crimp of many wools thus has less air space to insulate. Cashmere is lovely but $$. Orenburg shawls are made from cashmere and either silk or cotton. VERY fine yarns and very warm. For my jackets, I prefer down and since I have animals, synthetic that goes in the washer ( a LOT) works for my barn coats.

liebrecht

 

By right type I mean wool that has been prepared for use in clothing, bedding, sleeping bags etc regardless of breed, and not the stuff meant for use in construction insulation.

 

did’nt I read some place that alpaca wool is superb for sleeping bag use? ,  found this advert

AlpacaSack 100% Alpaca Filled Compressible Sleeping Bag

 

I would like to raise Alpacas someday. I have had some neighbors over the years raise them for their fiber and they are cute walking around in a field. These were taken in July a few years ago and I like seeing their crazy hairdos.

 

Us older folks still call em Pushme Pullyous 🙂

 

Alpaca #2 sure has a interesting face doesn’t he? Thanks for sharing these cute guys.

 

Yep…..pacas  are cute. I got myself pacas for my birthday one year. They have since passed of old age tho.  I also have judged paca and llama fleeces so am quite familiar with them. It is a bunch easier for Fed Ex to deliver fleeces tho<smile>. Esp in Feb in the rain and cold! 

liebrecht