Boiled wool vs. fleece wool

What's the difference? Which should I buy?

We get these questions a lot. In some respects, it comes down to personal preference, but there are some key differences worth highlighting. So here we go… 

What’s different: 

Boiled wool is created using a process called fulling. Knitted wool is treated with moisture, heat, and pressure. The result is a dense, robust fabric that provides excellent protection against wind, cold, falls, and even light rain and snow — making it ideal outdoor clothing for crawlers, toddlers and active kiddos. For our outerwear, the boiled wool has a material density of 420 g/m². We also sell items made of a lighter weight boiled wool, like our boiled wool dress, with a material density of 260 g/m². This lighter fabric is still rugged, but more breathable, making it ideal for warmer weather.   

Wool fleece also starts out as knitted, but is then brushed, transforming it into a very soft and fluffy material. Wool fleece isn't quite as wind- and water-resistant as boiled wool, but it’s snuggly, cozy, and still quite serious about warmth! The material density of the fleece we sell is  280 g/m² -- significantly lighter than the boiled wool! Note that the original polyester wool fleece was introduced to try to mimic the properties of wool fleece, but nothing beats the lightness, breathability and warmth of the original wool fleece! 

What’s the same:

Both are 100% natural materials that allow moisture to escape and help kiddos regulate their temperature, keeping kids comfortable and cozy even in very cold temperatures.

Neither is waterproof. However, boiled wool can withstand a light rain or misting due to its denser construction, giving it an edge over fleece for chillier or wetter weather. We’ve used both for our kids, and have yet to buy a plastic snowsuit, even in the snowy Boston area where we live.  

Takeaway

In our opinion, boiled wool is our first choice for children on the move, who don't have additional protection from a stroller or carrier. Whereas we find wool fleece to be especially well-suited for babies, who will appreciate the plushness and coziness of the material. 

Layering with proper base layers enhances the benefits of both fabrics and keeps kiddos comfortable year-round.

Needless to say, we are massive fans of both boiled and fleece wool! Please don't hesitate to reach out with additional questions!

Shop our collection of boiled wool.

Shop our collection of wool fleece.