FabricIQ
Reading the label…
Recycled Wool
B
Reclaimed wool fibers sourced from post-consumer garments or mill waste, mechanically shredded and re-spun into new yarn. Preserves most of wool's properties with a fraction of the environmental cost.
Material Score Breakdown
Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.
74/100
DurabilityTypical62
How long the fabric lasts with regular use
ComfortAbove-average72
Softness, feel against skin, wearability
BreathabilityAbove-average70
Air flow and ventilation
WarmthAbove-average80
Heat retention and insulation
Moisture WickingTypical65
Ability to pull sweat away from skin
Care EaseTypical58
How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain
Sustainability (separate Eco score)
SustainabilityStrong88
Environmental impact of production and disposal
Brands using recycled wool
8 brands have products in our catalog whose composition contains recycled wool. Sorted by how many garments they offer with this fiber.
Pangaia
25 products
Astrid Wild
17 products
Reformation
3 products
Outdoor Voices
3 products
Topo Designs
2 products
Colorful Standard
2 products
Banana Republic
1 product
Universal Works
1 product
Brand grade = average overall score across all of their products containing recycled wool.
Products with recycled wool
See all →Top-scored garments in our catalog whose composition contains recycled wool. Click through for the full quality + health + eco breakdown.
Minus33B
Clearance Wool Throw Blanket - White Mountain Woolen
55% Wool, 55% Recycled Wool
$30
PangaiaB
Mens Recycled Wool Trousers—Mercury Grey
85% Recycled Wool, 15% Wool
$159
Colorful StandardB
Women Light Merino Wool Crew - Bubblegum Pink
100% Recycled Wool
$95 · EU
PangaiaB
Womens Regenerative Merino Wool Hoodie—earth blue
100% Recycled Wool
$169
PangaiaB
Mens Regenerative Merino Wool Track Pants—black
100% Recycled Wool
$159
PangaiaB
Womens Recycled Wool Long-Sleeve Shirt—Desert Camel
85% Recycled Wool, 15% Wool
$199
PangaiaB
Womens Regenerative Merino Wool Track Pants—black
100% Recycled Wool
$159
PangaiaB
Mens Regenerative Merino Wool Hoodie—earth blue
100% Recycled Wool
$169
Colorful StandardB
Women Light Merino Wool Crew - Polar Blue
100% Recycled Wool
$95 · EU
PangaiaB
Womens Recycled Wool Trousers—Desert Camel
85% Recycled Wool, 15% Wool
$199
OuterknownB
The Woolaroo Shirt Jacket
100% Recycled Wool
$328
PangaiaB
Womens DNA Utility Wool Gilet—black
100% Recycled Wool
$169
What this score doesn't measure
This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from recycled wool. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.
- ×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
- ×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same recycled wool feel and last very differently.
- ×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.
Best For
🌱Sustainable Fashion
ExcellentExcellent sustainability (88) and biodegradable — great eco choice
🏃Athletic Wear
GoodGood breathability (70) and moisture wicking (65) for light activity
🧥Winter Outerwear
GoodGood warmth (80) for cold weather
👕Everyday Casual
GoodGood comfort (72) and care ease (58) for casual wear
👔Formal/Office
GoodGood durability (62) and comfort (72) for office wear
😴Sleepwear
GoodGood comfort (72) and breathability (70) for sleeping
🩲Underwear
GoodGood breathability (70) and comfort (72) for undergarments
🌧️Rain/Weather
GoodGood moisture wicking (65) and durability (62) for weather protection
Detailed Use Case Scores
outerwear78
everyday72
activewear50
Pros
- ✓ Diverts textile waste from landfills
- ✓ Retains wool's natural warmth and moisture-wicking properties
- ✓ Requires no new animal grazing or shearing
- ✓ Significantly lower water and carbon footprint than virgin wool
Cons
- ✗ Shorter fiber staple length — less durable than virgin wool
- ✗ May pill more easily due to mechanical processing
- ✗ Color options limited to what's available in source garments
- ✗ Can feel slightly coarser than fine virgin wool
Better alternatives
Higher-scored natural materials. Same category — what to consider instead.
VicuñaA
+18 vs Recycled Wool · 92/100
BiodegradableThe rarest and most expensive animal fiber in the world, from the vicuña of the Andes. Finer than cashmere, incredibly soft, warm, and lightweight. A single coat yields only 250g of usable fiber every 2-3 years.
Merino WoolA
+12 vs Recycled Wool · 86/100
BiodegradableUltra-fine wool from Merino sheep. Softer and less itchy than regular wool, with excellent temperature regulation and moisture management.
Sea Island CottonB
+8 vs Recycled Wool · 82/100
BiodegradableExtra-long-staple cotton historically grown in the West Indies (Barbados, Jamaica) and Sea Islands of Georgia/South Carolina. Among the rarest commercial fibers on earth — staple length up to 2.5", silky hand feel, intense color saturation when dyed. Used in heritage luxury shirting and bespoke menswear.
Care Guide
Washcold (30°C)
Cycledelicate
Detergentmild
BleachDo not bleach
Dryflat dry
Ironlow
Dry Cleanrecommended
SoftenerNo
Special Notes
• Shorter fibers — handle gently
• Reshape while damp
Additional Care Tips
- • Hand wash in cool water (20°C/68°F) with wool-specific detergent
- • Gently press out water — never wring or twist
- • Lay flat on a towel to dry; reshape while damp
- • Store folded with cedar or lavender to deter moths
- • Spot clean minor stains with diluted wool wash
- • Air out between wears — wool naturally resists odors
Cost
$$$$$
Mid-range
Shrinkage
May shrink 2-5% — wash cold
Eco Rating
Strong environmental credentials