We use 100% all-natural Merino wool felt, because it is durable and resilient, strong and soft, and it has a natural elasticity. In all these ways, wool felt is far superior to synthetic felt. Wool felt is one of the oldest human-made textiles. To produce felt, raw wool undergoes a wet felting process that involves matting, condensing, and pressing the fibers.
Merino sheep are prized for their fine hair and considered to be the highest quality sheep's wool. We use Merino felt primarily sourced from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The outer skin of wool fibers acts as a protective film, providing abrasion resistance. Lanolin, the thin waxy coating on wool fibers, makes wool naturally water and soil resistant. Sheep's wool is also a rapidly renewable resource (it grows back!). Since wool felt is made of sheep's wool, it can be safely disposed of and it is 100% biodegradable.
Wool felt is a surprisingly dense and padded material. While wool felt will barely wrinkle, synthetic non-woven materials crease dramatically when folded and they tends to be stiffer on one side. The flexibility of wool felt contributes to its durability. Synthetic felt tends to thin, fray, fuzz, and even tear over time. When new, wool felt will shed slightly, but with use the shedding will stop over time.
Compared to synthetic felt and other natural fibers, the production of wool has very little environmental impact. Felt lasts considerably longer than other materials. How about LEED? Wool Design Felt qualifies for LEED® certification as MR Credit 6.0 Rapidly Renewable Resource as the sheep's wool is harvested in a sustainable manner. Our felts have tested and certified to meet the human-ecological requirements of the standard presently established for products with direct contact to skin according to Product Class II of Oeko-Tex® Standard 100.
The Magic Sleeve is made of two 2 mm layers of wool felt. Many of our other products are made of wool felt that is 3 mm in thickness. Our special edition Magic Sleeves often have 3 mm felt on the exterior and 2 mm felt on the interior (there is more color variety for 3 mm felt). Per yard, synthetic felt is considerably cheaper (approximately one-fourth of the price of wool felt). But synthetic felt is not nearly as durable, strong, or soft. And it is difficult to recycle!
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Jiatong.
The Magic Sleeve would not be possible without magnets. Each Magic Sleeve is lined with dozens of small, strong magnets. Magnet cost is contingent on the fluctuating value of certain raw materials (i.e., neodymium, a rare-earth metal). Prices for raw materials have been on the rise for over a year.
No, our magnets will not harm your computers or tablets. Most computers, tablets, and a variety of computer/tablet accessories contain magnets.
Since the thread was brought up again ...
I am a very conservative person, but on this topic I have to swing the other way by saying, "Just do what feels good, man!"
You already know the facts: you know it won't last as long, you know you'll have to treat it with rain repellant once in awhile, you know its cheaper ...
I have a $15 wool fedora from Burlington Coat Factory that I literally try to abuse, but so far it has lasted. At $15 I treat it like a ball cap. I wear it when I play with or walk my dogs, when my neice is around (4 year old who'll immediately grab my hat, slam it on her head, and run around like mad), and even in light rain.
AND It looks pretty good. Even my untrained eye can tell it is not a "nice" hat, but this "test run" hat gives me a feel for style and size of crown and brim (for instance, it has a 2.5" brim and I can tell from it that I could not go any smaller).
You also mentioned not wanting to go out with garbage on your head. Honestly? Most people cannot tell what hat is junk and what is nice. Mine is 15 stinking dollars and I get more compliments on the hat because of its style than any other hat I own (and I haven't worn ball caps for years). Anything that your spending $30-50 on (your numbers), should look decent enough to make you happy.
Sorry if I'm ranting or rambling, but some are a bit snobbish about this. In summary I say why not? If, as you said yourself, you're low on money, then just buy what you can afford and enjoy the heck out of it! :fedora:
We use 100% all-natural Merino wool felt, because it is durable and resilient, strong and soft, and it has a natural elasticity. In all these ways, wool felt is far superior to synthetic felt. Wool felt is one of the oldest human-made textiles. To produce felt, raw wool undergoes a wet felting process that involves matting, condensing, and pressing the fibers.
Merino sheep are prized for their fine hair and considered to be the highest quality sheep's wool. We use Merino felt primarily sourced from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The outer skin of wool fibers acts as a protective film, providing abrasion resistance. Lanolin, the thin waxy coating on wool fibers, makes wool naturally water and soil resistant. Sheep's wool is also a rapidly renewable resource (it grows back!). Since wool felt is made of sheep's wool, it can be safely disposed of and it is 100% biodegradable.
Wool felt is a surprisingly dense and padded material. While wool felt will barely wrinkle, synthetic non-woven materials crease dramatically when folded and they tends to be stiffer on one side. The flexibility of wool felt contributes to its durability. Synthetic felt tends to thin, fray, fuzz, and even tear over time. When new, wool felt will shed slightly, but with use the shedding will stop over time.
Compared to synthetic felt and other natural fibers, the production of wool has very little environmental impact. Felt lasts considerably longer than other materials. How about LEED? Wool Design Felt qualifies for LEED® certification as MR Credit 6.0 Rapidly Renewable Resource as the sheep's wool is harvested in a sustainable manner. Our felts have tested and certified to meet the human-ecological requirements of the standard presently established for products with direct contact to skin according to Product Class II of Oeko-Tex® Standard 100.
The Magic Sleeve is made of two 2 mm layers of wool felt. Many of our other products are made of wool felt that is 3 mm in thickness. Our special edition Magic Sleeves often have 3 mm felt on the exterior and 2 mm felt on the interior (there is more color variety for 3 mm felt). Per yard, synthetic felt is considerably cheaper (approximately one-fourth of the price of wool felt). But synthetic felt is not nearly as durable, strong, or soft. And it is difficult to recycle!
The Magic Sleeve would not be possible without magnets. Each Magic Sleeve is lined with dozens of small, strong magnets. Magnet cost is contingent on the fluctuating value of certain raw materials (i.e., neodymium, a rare-earth metal). Prices for raw materials have been on the rise for over a year.
No, our magnets will not harm your computers or tablets. Most computers, tablets, and a variety of computer/tablet accessories contain magnets.
Since the thread was brought up again ...
I am a very conservative person, but on this topic I have to swing the other way by saying, "Just do what feels good, man!"
You already know the facts: you know it won't last as long, you know you'll have to treat it with rain repellant once in awhile, you know its cheaper ...
I have a $15 wool fedora from Burlington Coat Factory that I literally try to abuse, but so far it has lasted. At $15 I treat it like a ball cap. I wear it when I play with or walk my dogs, when my neice is around (4 year old who'll immediately grab my hat, slam it on her head, and run around like mad), and even in light rain.
AND It looks pretty good. Even my untrained eye can tell it is not a "nice" hat, but this "test run" hat gives me a feel for style and size of crown and brim (for instance, it has a 2.5" brim and I can tell from it that I could not go any smaller).
You also mentioned not wanting to go out with garbage on your head. Honestly? Most people cannot tell what hat is junk and what is nice. Mine is 15 stinking dollars and I get more compliments on the hat because of its style than any other hat I own (and I haven't worn ball caps for years). Anything that your spending $30-50 on (your numbers), should look decent enough to make you happy.
Sorry if I'm ranting or rambling, but some are a bit snobbish about this. In summary I say why not? If, as you said yourself, you're low on money, then just buy what you can afford and enjoy the heck out of it! :fedora: