Understanding the Comfort Threshold
The sensation of “prickle” against skin is not a characteristic of wool — it is a characteristic of coarse wool. At 17 micron, Superfine Merino fiber bends before reaching the skin’s tactile sensitivity threshold (approximately 22 micron). The result: a softness comparable to cashmere, without the fragility.
If a wool garment causes discomfort, it means the fiber is too coarse for next-to-skin wear. This is not a personal sensitivity — it is physics. The prickle threshold is the same for everyone.
What to Look For
Micron count is the single most reliable indicator of wool comfort. Below 18.5 micron: Superfine classification. Below 17.5 micron: the gold standard for all-day, all-season comfort against bare skin. Always ask for the specification — if a brand cannot provide it, that is information in itself.
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