Glossary

Products made from bamboo fibre, which is also a natural material, feel really pleasant on the skin. Like wool, bamboo fibre doesn’t harbour dust mites, which makes it a suitable material for allergy sufferers. In summer, it keeps you pleasantly cool, while in winter, it makes you feel nice and warm.

Hemp processed into textile fibre has similar properties as linen though it is slightly coarser and stiffer. In addition, hemp is both antibacterial and antifungal. Like other natural materials, it is great at temperature control.

Unlike other materials, felt is not made by weaving but by rolling or matting wet fibres. Felt is usually made from 100% polyester, Merino wool or a wool blend.

Cork is a material harvested from the cork oak. Cork products are extremely light and durable. At Woolville, we use this material mostly for our cork sliders. This type of footwear is suitable for longer walks as well as for wearing at work. Cork absorbs impact shock experienced when walking, thus providing comfortable support for the arches and ankles.

Cashmere is an extremely soft kind of wool, thinner than sheep’s wool but much warmer. The quality of cashmere is based on where the cashmere goat, from which the cashmere fibre is obtained, lives.

Rubber is a highly flexible material that can be made from rubber latex or by synthetic means. Natural rubber is obtained by cutting the bark of the Brazilian rubber tree. It is then coagulated, for example using formic acid, or washed with water and dried over a fire.

The special short fibre finish makes this material very soft and lustrous. Velour is most often made of cotton, wool or silk. Because of its sumptuous appearance, it was known as a material used for making clothes for the royalty.

A natural material created by thinning and splitting leather, which is then brushed or buffed. Suede is a very thin and delicate material used to make shirts, dresses, jackets, handbags and shoes.  

The structure of hollowfibre means that this material retains heat and doesn’t crumple. Hollowfibre products are very light and breathable, which is why you will most often find it in quilts and pillows.

The properties of camel wool are similar to sheep’s wool. It is good at temperature control, it is breathable, it wicks moisture away from the body and it is also a bit lighter than sheep’s wool. Camel wool is used to make bedding, slippers and clothing, for example for the space and maritime industries. 

At Woolville, we sell products made of certified wood which guarantees that the wood comes from sustainably managed forests. Wood is a long-lasting material, often used for kitchen utensils. A wooden chopping board protects the work surfaces when using a knife, a wooden spoon doesn’t scratch the finish on a non-stick pan, and so on.

This material is a realistic imitation of natural leather, it is environmentally-friendly and breathable. It is also easy to care for and the material is highly durable and has good abrasion resistance.  

Each piece of sheepskin is an original. During processing, the wool is not bleached which means that each product is a slightly different shade.

A type of soft visco-elastic material mainly used for pillows and mattresses. It is popular for its properties, such as its ability to change shape and mould to the contours of the body. It is also antibacterial and reduces the risk of dust mites.

Socks with a loose top do not restrict blood flow and are very comfortable. They are especially appreciated by people who have problems with circulation in the legs.

A shaped insole follows the natural contour of the foot thus providing support for the arches and promoting correct posture. An insole should be strong and durable yet pleasant to step on.

A bunion is a deformity of the base joint of the big toe, often caused by badly fitting shoes. It is easily noticed when the big toe bends into an unnatural position. It is important to choose footwear that provides enough space for the toes so they aren’t pushed together.

Lanolin is a substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep. It is often processed into an excellent cleaning and washing detergent. Because it is greasy, it is also widely used good in cosmetics, its properties resembling petroleum jelly. 

Textile fabric made of breathable fibres of natural or synthetic origin. Breathable textile is a hardwearing material, often used in combination with other materials such as leather or leatherette.