The Noble Wilde Beanie (often referred to as the 'Ray Mears Beanie') has fast become a firm favourite among Woodloreans the world over. Thanks to its incredible warmth, breathability and luxurious softness, this winter hat has proven to be one of our best sellers, year after year. Created from a special blend of fine merino wool and insulating possum fur, this double-thickness beanie provides a superb amount of warmth while remaining extremely light in weight. The idea of blending these two natural fibres was first developed by a New Zealand knitter as a by-product of the possum control programme, making the merino/possum blend an environmentally sound choice. Possum fur is one of the most extraordinary natural fibres in the world, thanks to its hollow core; this cavity traps a tunnel of air that provides extraordinary warmth (up to 30% more than standard woollen garments), while keeping the fibre's weight to a minimum. As a sign of how effective this feature is, the only other animal with a hollow core fibre is the polar bear. Merino wool also has unique characteristics; each fibre is exceptionally fine, long and densely crimped, helping to retain heat close to the skin while keeping out cold air. The fibre also wicks moisture away from the skin, allowing the wool to stay warm and dry. The combination of merino wool with possum fur results in a fabric that is lightweight, twice as warm as wool, highly resistant to pilling and opulently soft to the touch. Details: Material: 53% merino wool, 40% possum fur, 7% silk One size fits all Extremely lightweight Warm, durable and fast-drying Made in New Zealand Available in Black, Charcoal, Oyster, Avoka, Pumice, Jungle, Kauri, Moraine and Port Hand-wash only
