According to Australian wool industry experts, the’ next-to-skin’ wool garment industry is set to be transformed by two ground-breaking new fabric testing devices available for commercial use through the Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA). Used together the Wool ComfortMeter and Wool HandleMeter are said to allow manufacturers and retailers to produce and market vastly improved next-to-skin garments.

According to AWTA, the new devices objectively and accurately measure the comfort and handle of light-weight wool garments, and provide an effective method of assuring next-to-skin comfort and predictable feel for the consumer.

The Wool ComfortMeter and Wool HandleMeter were developed by the Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation (Sheep CRC) in conjunction with the CSIRO, Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), AWTA, Deakin University and the Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA).

“Wool is renowned throughout the world as the next-to-skin fibre of choice in many markets, including the premium active-wear markets - however, variation in fabric quality has too often left consumers with mixed feelings,” Sheep CRC Chief Executive James Rowe said.

“These technologies will take the guess work out of achieving elite quality garments, which consistently exceed consumer expectations and generate demand throughout the supply chain.”

“The Wool ComfortMeter and Wool HandleMeter will set a new standard for the next generation of next to skin knitwear – brands and manufacturers which embrace the technology will benefit from increased trust, improved positioning and greater customer loyalty. They will allow minimum standards to be set for next-to-skin comfort, which manufacturers and retailers can then link to price points and product type.”

The Wool ComfortMeter and Wool HandleMeter technologies are now available for commercial use by all wool processors, knitwear manufacturers and retailers, as part of a pilot project between AWTA and the Sheep CRC designed to introduce these new measurements to the market.

According to AWTA Managing Director Michael Jackson, the Wool ComfortMeter counts the number of fibres protruding from a fabric that could cause wearer discomfort, and then accurately predicts a consumer’s response – “crucial information for next-to-skin fabric manufacturers,” Mr Jackson adds.

“Handle had traditionally been measured subjectively by judges, who often had differing views on a fabric’s smoothness, softness, warm feel, dry feel, hairiness, tightness and perceived weight. The Wool HandleMeter overcomes these problems.”

”The Wool ComfortMeter and Wool HandleMeter add significant value to traditional measurements of fabric quality which cannot account for the effects of processing and finishing and don’t accurately predict comfort and softness,” he said.

Download the Wool ComfortMeter fact sheet

Download the Wool HandleMeter fact sheet