Tell me more about this Grüezi wool sleeping bag

This ‘Tropical’ model of the Grüezi wool sleeping bag is lightweight and perfect to use as a summer sleeping bag. Insulated with natural alpine wool insulation it helps to ensure you get a good night’s rest whatever adventure you are taking it on. High-quality, moisture resistant and small once packed, this is the ideal wool sleeping bag for trekking, camping and biking. We’ve used it a few times in the Lakes when out camping and it’s been brilliant!

Here are some of this wool sleeping bag’s key features:

• Wool stuffing instead of down – the special thing about this Grüezi wool sleeping bag is the alpine wool insulation that is used in place of traditional down or polyester. The body needs a lot of energy to regulate its temperature. Sheep wool balances the climate and thus takes over part of the temperature regulation. The body can use the remaining energy for recovery ready for another day of activity (you can read more about this below).
• Highly water repellent – the outer part of the sleeping bag is water repellent. The material is an environmentally friendly BIONIC-FINISH ECO material that is hydrophobic but is also free from harmful substances such as fluorine (PFC), halogens, formaldehyde and APEO.
• The perfect ‘mummy’ shape – this wool sleeping bag has a ‘mummy’ shape to it which basically means it wraps you up from head to toe to keep you warm and cosy. The adjustable hood perfectly adapts to the shape of your head whilst the non-slip pillow compartment helps you stay comfy throughout the night.
• Zips and pockets galore – inner and outer pockets mean you can keep your valuables close by whilst the white, anti-snag two-way auto-lock zipper is easy to find in the dark and even easier to open and close!
• Keeps your feet cosy – This sleeping bag has an innovative foot ventilation system. A switch of the bottom zipper allows you to comfortably put your feet on the top of the sleeping back when they get a bit hot and stuffy (no one wants sweaty, smelly feet!) whilst your core stays warm.
• Practical to take on your outdoor adventure – this wool sleeping bag is light and packs small but robust enough to you can take it on your way with you!
• PFC free - no perfluorinated chemicals are used in any of the materials in this wool sleeping bag.
• Mosquito net - a mosquito net that can be added to the head area, for when you're sleeping somewhere with a lot of insects! 

We also have a few other wool sleeping bags including one for children and one for colder adventures.

What is the technical information for this sleeping bag?

Here is all of the technical ‘stuff’:

• Outer material: Breathable and water-repellent robust 40 deniers 290T nylon (100%polyamide)
• Inner material: supple, breathable 50D 320T polyester (100% polyester)
• Certification: Tested according to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®
• Filling: lavalan® AlmWolle made from 85% new wool, 15% corn starch (PLA) Ingeo™ - filling power: 60g/m²
• Size: 215 x 78 x 50 cm (suitable for body height: 185 cm)
• Weight: approx. 790 g + stuff sack
• Pack size: Ø 16 x 25 cm, compressed Ø 16 x 17 cm
• Pack volume: 5 litres, compressed 3.5 litres
• Material identification: Outer: 100% polyamide, inner: 100% polyester, filling: 85% wool / 15% polylactide
• Temperature range: T Comfort: 14°C (57°F) | T Limit: 10°C (50°F) | T Extreme: 0°C (32°F)
• Care: The Biopod Wool Tropical can be washed in the washing machine with wool detergent on the wool program.  

Tip: When the sleeping bag is unpacked for the first time, it needs some time to become fluffy. If you iron the sleeping bag loosely with a steam iron and on a silk setting before using it for the first time, the wool will rise faster and ensure it is working to its full capacity.

Where does the wool come from for this sleeping bag?

This wool sleeping bag is made by a German company called Grüezi (which is the term used by walkers in the Swiss Alps as they walk past one another). They use Lavalan® alpine wool to fill the sleeping bag. This wool comes exclusively from sheep all over Europe. They graze in the idyllic surroundings of the Austrian and Swiss Alps or they are kept in natural conditions on vast pastures in Norway and Sweden. The independent Swiss company EGOTRACE certifies the company’s supply chain, so they can prove the origin of the wool from sheep to the finished product.  

Why does wool work well in a sleeping bag?

Wool is already used in duvets, mattresses and mattress toppers so why not sleeping bags?! Wool is after all the perfect natural insulator that we’ve been using for centuries and has been proven to give you a better night’s sleep (very important after an active day!). Here are a few reasons why wool is perfect for using in a sleeping bag:

• It’s a natural insulator - Wool is a hygroscopic fibre. As the humidity of the surrounding air rises and falls, the fibre absorbs and releases water vapour. Heat is generated and retained during the absorption phase, which makes wool a natural insulator. Perfect for keeping you warm!
• It’s multi-climatic - Thanks to its hygroscopic abilities, wool constantly reacts to changes in body temperature, maintaining its wearer’s thermophysical comfort in both cold and warm weather. Perfect for the unpredictable outdoor weather!
• It’s breathable - wool fibres are crimped, and when tightly packed together, form millions of tiny pockets of air. This unique structure allows it to absorb and release moisture—either in the atmosphere or perspiration from the wearer—without compromising its thermal efficiency. Wool has a large capacity to absorb moisture vapour (up to 30 per cent of its own weight) next to the skin, making it extremely breathable. Perfect for ensuring you sweat less!
• It’s odour resistant - Wool is far more efficient than other textiles at absorbing sweat and releasing it into the air before bacteria have a chance to develop and produce unpleasant body odour. Perfect for smelling fresh at night (even after your active day!).

Wool is also renewable, sustainable and a much more ethical option to traditional down. You can read more about the wonders of wool on the Campaign for Wool website here.