FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Out in nature it is nature's own materials that are best suited. Many have tried to imitate the good qualities of the wool - without luck. Wool is an incredible commodity that has been used for generations. Wool has a number of unique and very good properties. Here you can read more about the properties of the wool. 

The fineness of the wool is indicated in microns. Micron is the diameter of the wool fiber. 1 micron = 1 thousand millimeters = me. If there is a low micron count, it is fine wool and if there is a high number, the wool is coarser. It is often said that itchy wool has a micron which is 22 microns or higher. Coarser wool claws because it is not soft enough to bend in contact with the skin. Merino Wool in Ulvang's collections is normally 16-19.5 microns. For comparison, Norwegian wool, which is coarser a roughness of approx. 28 microns upwards. Low-micron garments are well suited as the first layer directly against the body, but products with a coarser micron are better suited for sweaters. In all our socks we also use wool with a slightly higher micron as we are not so sensitive to itching of the legs. Higher microns also normally provide more durable products.

Merinosau is a sheep type that is bred for wool production. The species originated in Spain, but the modern merinosau was domiciled in New Zealand and Australia, where it is also referred to as "jackson'sau". The wool from the merino seed is particularly fine (low micron), itchy and soft. Merino wool is thinner and finer than the Norwegian wool which is exposed to a rougher climate normally in substantially coarser grazing areas with colder temperatures, more twigs and brooms usually high in the mountains.

No, much less now than before .. Merino wool, which is very soft with long fibers with a low micron, is used for baby clothes, underwear and socks and garments directly on the body. We normally define fibers with microns highter than 21 as itchy. This wool does not irritate the skin unless you are very sensitive. There will always be users with very sensitive skin that will react to wool. For them, garments with polyester inner and wool can ultimately be a good alternative. Our 50Fifty quality underwear is a good example. Also other blend qualities with e.g. Tencel can be good alternatives.

It has also emerged in a new research report from BJD (British Journal of Dermatology, 2017) that wool relieves atopic eczema.

Woolmark was founded in 1964 as a collaboration between Australian authorities and Australian wool producers / spinners. The need arose primarily because much recycled, old wool was used in products that would appear with pure new wool. The Woolmark logo is one of the world's most famous logo, and refers to quality wool used on clothing and interiors. There are three different Woolmark logos that can be worth knowing:

• Woolmark: Contains 100% pure new wool.
• Woolmark blend: Contains a minimum of 50% pure new wool, but may have 50% other fibers.
• Wool blend: Contains a minimum of 30-49% pure new wool, but may have up to 70% other fibers.

When a product has one of the above mentioned logos, it does not only ensure the quality and content of the wool. As time has passed, Woolmark has gained an increasingly important role in technical quality assurance and today ensures that properties such as color fastness, fiber content, washing instructions, pilling and wear resistance are within strict tolerance limits. Woolmark no longer only includes wool of Australian origin, but deals with all wool regardless of land and which animal the wool originates from.

Click HERE for our size guide. Also note that on our underwear series we have divided the fit into 3 levels 1) Slim fit, 2) Medium fit, and 3) Relaxed fit. Remember also wool is a natural fiber that can shrink somewhat when washing in high temperature. However, the garments may be stretched in wet condition after washing back to their original size. See HERE for more tips on washing wool.

Yes, Ulvang will offer garments that fit all shapes and sizes. We have selected models that come in large sizes, 3XL for men and 2XL for women. 

TENCEL® is an environmentally friendly fiber that is regenerated from the equalyptus plant. Tencel has many of the same properties as wool eg. good moisture transport. In addition, TENCEL® is durable and has good antibacterial properties. Read more about Tencel HERE

Polyester fiber has many good properties which in some of the Ulvang garments are used in combination with wool. Polyester has good strength and elasticity and absorbs little water. Polyester fiber is synthetic fiber made from oil. The thermoplastic properties of the fibers are utilized by heat fixing to produce garments that curl little and retain their shape by washing and use.

More info about Polyester can be found HERE.

Polypropylene (PP) is a polymer, a light synthetic fiber developed from plastic with good moisture absorption. Used frequently in sports underwear where it is important that moisture transports away from the body.

More info on polypropylene fiber can be found HERE

LYCRA®: is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity. LYCRA® is both stronger and more durable than rubber and was invented in 1959. It is often used in socks to make them more elastic. By using as little as 2-3% LYCRA®, the elasticity is increased by 25%. This in turn leads to an optimal fit and ensures that they sit well on the foot, even after many washes.

Products labeled with Safe Textiles should not contain allergenic dyes or carcinogenic dyes. The brand also guarantees that the product is tested according to the EU directive's REACH list which is updated annually. Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is an international testing and certification system for textiles for raw materials, intermediates and end products in all production phases. Fabric, dye, sewing thread, buttons, zipper etc. This means that all the components of the finished product are tested within the same strict limit values.

All of our products are manufactured according to the European REACH Regulation and the SVHC List. We require all manufacturers to sign that they deliver within these requirements each year. Production of Ulvang products should not be harmful to the health of factory workers, the environment or customers. Through our membership in the Chemicals Group / Swerea, we ensure that we are updated at all times on hazardous chemicals and applicable Restricted Substances List or (RSL).

Yes, definitely. Wool is ingenious for training even though it does not dry as fast as more synthetic materials. Wool for exercise has many other advantages such as less odor, can be used several times before being washed as long as it is well ventilated between each time and regulates the temperature according to conditions. Wool insulates when it is cold and cools when the temperature rises. Read more about why you should use wool while running. 

All Ulvang products can be machine washed on wool program, 30 ° C or 40 ° C. Modern washing machines have good wool programs that wash very gently and give a better result than hand wash. Regular washing powder is alkaline and contains enzymes and will therefore damage the fibers of all wool garments. It is therefore recommended to use wool detergent such as Toko Wool Wash (should be added to our online store). We do not recommend drying wool products on the floor. It is best to use the centrifuge at high speed to get all the water out. The garment can then be hung on a solid clothes hanger or over several cords on the drying rack without losing its shape. However, it is important that the drum is not completely filled. Follow the washing machine supplier's recommendation. If you do not have access to a centrifuge, squeeze out the water without twisting or stretching the garment. Very important that the garment is not wet when it is hung to dry. If the garment is wet and heavy, the garment will extend out of its original shape.

Important that you carefully read the washing instructions on your wool product specified on the washing instructions on each product.

The beauty of wool is that you don't have to wash wool as often as synthetic fiber products. Wool products can also be washed at lower temperatures which also require less energy and thus also more environmentally friendly.

Click HERE for more details, washing films and Ulvang's washing guide

The beauty of wool garments is that they can most often be repaired and used, often for generations. Ulvang develops quality products that will last as long as possible. In the case of frequent and rough use, the garments become worn and there may be holes etc. Then we recommend repairing, giving the garment a new life instead of throwing and buying new. Here are some tips and instructions on how to easily repair small holes etc.

All our products come with quality zippers. However, there may be instances where the lock fails and must be repaired or replaced. Before sending the product into service, we recommend you try to fix yourself using some smart tricks:

If it still does not want to close, contact your dealer or send the product to:
Brav P.O. Box 814 N-2626 Lillehammer Norway

Ulvang is constantly growing and is one of several attractive Brands in Brav.
Check out Brav's website for updated info on vacancies and contact info.

Ulvang is very concerned with not only good, warm and functional products but also ours social responsibility. Our ethical guidelines are communicated to all our suppliers and are embedded in the contracts. Our suppliers must sign the valid Code of Conduct (COC) agreement. Ulvang has its own employees whose main task is to visit all our textile manufacturers to follow up on our routines, the COC and that ethical guidelines are followed. 

Ulvang is very concerned with not only good, warm and functional products but also our social responsibility. We work closely with all our suppliers to ensure that we have control over the country of origin and guarantees for mulesing-free wool. 

Most products are manufactured in Europe and in China. We wish we could produce more locally, but today it does not allow us to do so. We are aware of the choice of raw materials and try to use local resources where possible. 

Yes, but only with certified treatments such as. Superwash which is a very common finishing of wool. Plain wool should be washed by hand, while superwash treated yarn can be machine-washed on wool. Recommend dropping softener when washing superwash yarn. The fibers will then lose their elasticity. All of our suppliers are obliged to provide detailed information including “product sheets” with an overview of which chemicals are used in this process.

Ulvang has 0 tolerance for mulesing. All our suppliers must provide guaranteed mulesing free wool. We require certificates for this that follow all our deliveries. Mulesing has been a common practice among other things. in Australia. Mulesing is a surgical removal of skin pieces around the sheep's tail section to avoid skin rashes as flies lay eggs in. Mulesing does not occur in Norway, here predators are a bigger problem.

Ulvang has been a member of the Initiative for Ethical Trade (IEH) since 2005. Through our membership, we ensure internal focus and allocated resources for this important work. We commit ourselves to work according to IEH's ethical guidelines for procurement, to create improvements in our own supply chain in relation to human rights, labor rights, development and the environment. Our commitment is well-rooted among all employees, including the management and is a natural part of our daily work and our ethical guidelines.

We are very careful to document all aspects of the value chain to ensure sustainable production. We regularly visit all our suppliers to ensure that our ethical trade requirements are followed. If we find defaults, we immediately initiate measures and, in the event of gross errors, we end our cooperation. Read more about our work HERE.

Click HERE for a copy of our IEH membership certificate.