A vest solves a simple problem in a thoughtful way: it provides warmth where you need it—across the chest, back, and shoulders—without restricting arm movement. The vest is the garment that takes you from your morning walk to afternoon gardening without needing to be put on or taken off.
In this guide, we’ll go through the differences between our vests in 100% felted wool, merino wool, and wool/tencel blends, and help you find the right model for women or men.
Three questions are usually enough to narrow down your choice:
The answers will guide you to either a knitted wool vest for warmth in multiple layers, a felted wool vest when you want wind protection and structure, or a lighter wool/tencel vest for cooler weather and transitional seasons.
We work with four materials in our vests. The differences are not only about how they look, but also how they perform on the body and in different weather conditions.
Felted wool - dense, wind-resistant, and shape-retaining
Felted wool (also called boiled wool or Walkwolle in German) is wool that, after knitting, is treated with warm water and friction so that the fibers interlock. The result is a dense surface that retains its shape, breathes, and offers good resistance to both wind and rain.
A felted wool vest is cut more like a jacket than a knitted sweater – it maintains its silhouette year after year. It is perfect for those who want a functional garment for everyday outdoor use.
Merino wool, soft warmth close to the body
The fibers of merino wool are finer than regular wool, making it soft even directly against the skin. It also keeps you warm when damp and regulates temperature well during activity. A merino vest works as a mid-layer under a shell jacket or over a t-shirt at the office.
Wool/Tencel – lighter and cooler
The wool/tencel blend creates a garment that is lighter and cooler than pure wool, with a softer surface and a more fluid drape. Tencel is a cellulose fiber made from wood pulp. This type of vest is perfect for spring and autumn – when it’s too warm for a felted wool vest but too cool for just a shirt.
Undyed wool (NLS) – pure wool in its original form
NLS is our collection in completely undyed wool. The shades come directly from the sheep’s fleece – gray, white, brown, natural beige – with nothing added or washed away. The material is compostable and contains no microplastics. For those who want wool in its simplest form, without any color chemicals.
Vests for women
Our range of knitted vests for women includes classic V-neck styles, crew necks, full-zip vests, and longer cuts. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the right one:
See the full range in our women’s vest collection or take a closer look at felted wool for women.
Vests for men
For men, we have three main categories of vests:
See our full men’s vest collection or go directly to full-zip vests for men if fit is what you’re looking for.
Wool vests for hunting and outdoor use
There are concrete reasons why a wool vest for hunting has been an obvious choice for generations:
Our felted vests are especially suited for hunting and outdoor life. The dense material blocks the wind, retains its shape even in wet weather, and withstands heavy backpack straps without losing form. For colder days, they work well over a merino wool base layer.
Huovutetut liivit sopivat erityisesti metsästykseen ja ulkoiluun. Tiivis materiaali estää tuulta, säilyttää muotonsa myös märässä säässä ja kestää raskaat reppuhihnat menettämättä muotoaan. Kylmemmillä päivillä ne toimivat hyvin merinovillaisen alusasun päällä.
For real cold, we recommend a felted wool vest as an outer layer over a knitted sweater, or a knitted vest in pure wool over a merino wool base layer. Layering is more effective than wearing a single thick garment.
Yes, if the machine has a wool program and you use wool detergent without enzymes. Wash rarely – wool benefits more from airing out.
Knitted wool is yarn looped together with knitting needles – the garment has distinct stitches and a softer drape. Felted wool is knitted wool that, after production, is treated with heat and moisture so the fibers lock together. The result is a denser, more shape-retentive material that resembles felt more than knitting.
No. Merino fibers are finer than regular wool and feel soft even directly against the skin. The itchiness in older wool sweaters comes from coarser fibers – it is not the same material.
Yes. A felted wool vest is designed to withstand movement, backpack straps, and daily wear without losing its shape. Wool is also quiet, warms even when damp, and is static-free – qualities that are hard to find in synthetic materials.
