 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Clothing |
| Founded | 1994; 30 years ago (1994) |
| Founders | Peter Duke, Patty Duke |
| Headquarters | Steamboat Springs, Colorado, U.S. |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Wool clothing |
| Parent | VF Corporation |
| Website | www |
Smartwool is an American clothing company. It was founded in 1994 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado by ski instructors Peter and Patty Duke. In 2005 The Timberland Company acquired Smartwool and in 2011 Smartwool became a subsidiary of VF Corporation upon VF Corporation's acquisition of The Timberland Company.
Overview
The company makes eponymous products primarily from treated merino wool. Smartwool claims that this is a proprietary chlorine-based* treatment that makes its products itch-free and resistant to shrinking. Smartwool is also claimed to have moisture-wicking performance and odor-reducing, anti-microbial properties; it is thus marketed primarily as performance apparel. Reviews for Smartwool products are typically found in the context of equipment for hiking and other outdoor activities. They offer products for women, men, and kids.
Hercosett is a *chlorine-based shrink proofing treatment invented in the 1950s by the Wool Board in the UK to make wool more commercial.
In 2005, Smartwool implemented the requirement that its New Zealand wool suppliers no longer practice mulesing. In 2010, Smartwool signed a contract to exclusively source its Merino wool from the New Zealand Merino Company. Smartwool now uses merino wool sourced from China and other as yet undisclosed sources. It also has moved to blended yarns.
References
- Kelly Bastone, 2005: Going global, Steamboat Springs on the Move: Official Business and Relocation Guide for the Yampa Valley, 2005. Retrieved April 26, 2007
- Paul McHugh, Once mighty wool makes comeback in outdoor gear, San Francisco Chronicle, November 23, 2006. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
- SEC Info, Timberland Press Release, November 7, 2005. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
- "VF Completes Acquisition of The Timberland Company". VF Corporation. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
- ^ Unknown author, Efficient Merino Wool Clothing by SmartWool, Metaefficient, unknown date. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
- Dave Hunter, Smartwool Base Layers: Men's Lightweight Crew and Lightweight Bottoms, Rock + Run, October 26, 2004. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
- Kristin Hostetter, SmartWool Next-to-SkinWear: Smooth-as-Silk Wool Long Johns., Backpacker.com, April, 1999. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
- "Smartwool® | Socks, Clothing & Accessories". Smartwool USA - English. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
- Justin Thomas, Smartwool requires wool suppliers to end "mulesing", treehugger.com, October 8, 2005. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
- "New Zealand given smart wool nod - National Rural News - Wool - General - the Land". Archived from the original on 2011-08-30. Retrieved 2011-01-20.
