Why is possum fur so warm?

The go-to yarn from New Zealand, possum merino is the latest luxury blend which is 35% warmer than cashmere and 50% warmer than merino.

New Zealand Possum fur is said to be the third warmest fur in the world, after the polar bear and arctic fox. Like polar bears, possums have very fine, hollow fur fibres which trap warmth, giving exceptional insulation. When possum fur is blended with fine Merino wool, air is also trapped within the fabric, giving further insulation.

Possum fibres have a complex structure made up of a water holding core which will draw moisture away from the body, as well as a water repelling exterior. These unique properties mean that sweat will take longer to condense and so the wearer will be significantly more comfortable. Similar again to polar bear fur, the hollow hair structure does not allow possum fur to freeze, even when exposed to extreme cold.

Possum fibre has no scales are therefore there is no friction within the fibre, thus possum yarns is highly resistant to pilling. The more possum fibre content in a garment, the lesser the likelihood of unsightly bobbles. The combination of the smooth hollow fibres and unique finishing process mean that the finish of the fabric is super soft and exceptionally comfortable as well as featherlight in weight.

With these exceptionally properties, possum fur and possum merino knitwear is exceptionally warm and without the weight making it popular with sufferers of Raynaud’s disease, arthritis, diabetes and simply wonderful for those who feel the cold.