Not all wool is grown equal

The Right Breed for the Right Need

Not all wool is created equal. At Woolroom, we believe the secret to better sleep starts with selecting the right breed for the right need - matching the natural properties of each wool type to the product it’s best suited for.

It’s a simple principle, but one that makes a world of difference.

Understanding Micron: Fibre Thickness

The quality and feel of wool are determined by its micron count (the measurement of each individual fibre’s thickness). The lower the micron, the finer and softer the wool; the higher the micron, the stronger and more durable it becomes.

Here’s how that plays out across different uses:

Merino wool (15–26 micron) is beautifully soft and ideal for next-to-skin wear such as base layers, sleepwear, and knitwear. Finer Merino (around 21 micron) is perfect for clothing and blankets - but it’s too fine for bedding or mattresses, where loft, structure, and thermal regulation are essential. Most Merino is grown in Australia and New Zealand.
Bedding wool performs best at a minimum of 30 micron, ideally around 33 micron with a staple length of 8–10cm. This slightly coarser fibre traps more air, creating natural loft and insulation. The most suitable wools are best found in the UK, where climate and the landscape both play a crucial role.
Strong wools (35+ micron) are used for mattresses and carpets, offering durability and natural resilience. This wool is best found in the hill breeds of Scotland, Wales and Northern England, where the sheep are a little hardier and tend to have coarser wool.

So, while beautiful Merino has its place in fashion and wool throws, finer fibres simply don’t deliver the bulk and breathability required for bedding. That’s why our duvets, pillows, and mattress toppers are filled with the right kind of wool - not just any wool.

Geography Shapes the Fleece

Wool quality doesn’t just depend on the breed - it’s also shaped by the land, climate, and history.

The UK is home to 67 native breeds of sheep - more than any other country in the world. Each breed has evolved to thrive in its environment, from the rugged hills of Scotland to the rolling downs of southern England.

This incredible diversity allows us to select the perfect fibre for every purpose:

Hill Breeds (e.g. Radnor, Beulah Speckled Face) from the hills of Central Wales produce coarser, hardier wool — perfect for mattresses where strength and structure are key.
Downs Breeds (e.g. Suffolk, Southdown, Oxford, Texel, Clun, Dorset, Lleyn) thrive in lowland areas and deliver the shorter, bulkier fleeces ideal for bedding — naturally lofty, insulating, and wonderfully breathable.

Together, these native wools form the backbone of our bedding collections, offering the best in natural comfort and performance - without compromise.

When Only Merino Will Do

For our blankets, we use either Pure New Wool (around 29 micron) or Merino (23–25 micron) sourced from Australia or New Zealand. These wools are beautifully soft and drape effortlessly, qualities that make them perfect for layering and comfort, but not for insulation-heavy bedding. The difference in fibre type is intentional and essential.

The Woolroom Difference

While others chase trends with “luxury” Merino bedding, we take a more informed approach - sourcing wool that’s naturally suited to its job. It’s how we create bedding that’s genuinely more breathable, more durable, and better for your sleep.

At Woolroom, we don’t just make bedding. We craft it from the ground up - starting with the right breed, for the right need.

All the wool used in our bedding and mattresses is truly traceable through our Wool ID® traceability program, right back to the finest UK farms.

Discover a selection of our farmers below: