UK-made wool jumpers that bring outdoor clothing production back home
We're proud to introduce Pennine and Iona - two new wool jumpers made in the UK from 100% British wool designed to be worn anywhere. They represent something we've been working towards for years: outdoor clothing that's manufactured locally, uses natural fibres, and treads lighter on the planet.
Two Jumpers, One Philosophy
Pennine wool jumper
Classic seamless knit in natural, undyed British wool. The seamless construction means no rubbing under pack straps during long days with a rucksack - we know from experience that shoulder seams can make or break a midlayer's comfort. The traditional fit works equally well as your warm outer layer on crisp autumn mornings or as a midlayer under a shell when the weather closes in.
Wooly greatness:
- Seamless construction - no seams to rub under pack straps
- Classic fit - layers beautifully over base layers or under shells
- Undyed British wool in a natural tone
- Made in the UK from British fleece
Iona wool jumper
Relaxed roll neck design that keeps the cold wind off your neck on exposed ridges. The boxy fit with side slits gives you freedom of movement whether you're scrambling, hiking, or simply reaching for another log for the campfire. Like Pennine, it's made from undyed British wool - authentic natural colours that vary slightly between batches, each one unique.
Wooly greatness:
- Roll neck design keeps draughts at bay
- Relaxed, boxy fit with side slits for movement
- Undyed British wool with natural colour variations
- Made in the UK supporting local manufacturing
Technical Performance: Why Wool Works
These jumpers need to work on the hills, not just in principle. Here's why wool remains one of the finest outdoor materials ever developed:
Temperature Regulation
Wool actively regulates your body temperature. When you're working hard on a climb, it increases evaporation to cool you down. When you stop for lunch on a windswept summit, it slows evaporation to retain warmth. This dynamic response is something synthetics simply can't match.
Moisture Management
Unlike synthetics that wick liquid sweat away from your skin, wool absorbs moisture vapour before it even becomes sweat - up to 35% of its weight without feeling damp. This means you stay drier and more comfortable during variable-intensity activities like hillwalking where you're constantly heating up on climbs and cooling on descents.
Odour Resistance
Let's be honest: after three days on a multi-day hike, a synthetic fleece can get pretty ripe. Wool naturally resists bacterial growth, meaning you can wear it for days without it becoming offensive. This isn't just comfort - it's practical. Fewer clothes to pack, less washing required, more time outdoors.
Warmth When Damp
The cellular structure of wool fibres retains its insulating properties even when wet. Plus, an exothermic reaction when wool absorbs moisture actually generates heat. It's why shepherds have trusted wool for centuries in our damp British climate.
Durability
Wool fibres are incredibly resilient. A well-cared-for wool jumper can last decades - literally. We're not interested in creating clothing that's obsolete in three years. These are investment pieces that should see you through years of adventures.
Why UK-Made Matters
Performance matters, but it has to be delivered sustainably. When we say these jumpers tread lighter, we mean it. Here's what making them in the UK actually achieves:
Minimal Processing
The undyed yarn is key. No chemical dyes means no dye-house water pollution. No colour fixing means lower energy use. The natural wool colours - soft creams, warm greys, subtle browns - are exactly as they come from the sheep. What you see is authentic British wool, minimally processed, honestly presented.
Lower Transport Emissions
British wool, processed in the UK, manufactured in the UK. Everything happens within a few hundred miles. The carbon savings are substantial.
Preserving Textile Skills
The UK was once the world's textile powerhouse. That industry has contracted dramatically, but skills remain. By manufacturing here, we're supporting those remaining textile workers and keeping traditional knitting expertise alive for future generations.
Supporting British Sheep Farming
British sheep breeds - from hardy upland Swaledale to the iconic Herdwick - have been managing our moorlands and mountains for centuries. By buying British wool, you're supporting the farmers who maintain these landscapes. Without sheep farming, much of our upland Britain would look very different.
In Your Layering System
Both Pennine and Iona are designed as versatile midlayers that adapt to conditions:
Cool, Dry Days
Wear them over a base layer. The wool breathes beautifully, keeping you comfortable during active days without overheating. Perfect for autumn hillwalking when it's too cold for just a base layer but not cold enough for a full winter setup.
Cold, Windy Conditions
Layer them under a waterproof shell or windproof. The bulk is minimal - both jumpers layer easily - and the insulation is substantial. The seamless construction of Pennine particularly shines here, eliminating any pressure points under pack straps.
Campsite & Bothy
When the day's done and you're settling in for the evening, these jumpers come into their own. Warm, comfortable, and naturally resistant to the smoky campfire smell that clings to synthetics. The relaxed fit of Iona is particularly good for layering over everything when temperatures really drop.
Transitional Seasons
British spring and autumn are unpredictable. A wool midlayer handles these variable conditions better than almost anything else - regulating temperature as the day warms up, providing backup if weather deteriorates, comfortable enough to wear all day without thinking about it.
Knitted to Last
These jumpers are designed for decades of use, but wool does need some care:
- Air between wears - Often all that's needed. Wool's natural properties mean it stays fresh far longer than synthetics
- Wash at 30°C or below - Hand wash or gentle machine cycle with wool detergent
- Never tumble dry - Air dry flat or hanging. Wool hates excessive heat
- Store clean and away from moths - The only real enemy of wool clothing
- Darn any holes promptly - Small repairs prevent bigger problems
We have Repair Stations in all our stores. If your jumper needs attention in years to come, we're here to help keep it going.
Natural Colour, Natural Variation
Because Pennine and Iona use undyed wool, each batch has slight natural colour variations. This isn't a defect - it's a feature of authentic, minimally processed wool. Different sheep, different seasons, different natural tones. We think that's something to celebrate, not standardise away.
The wool also retains more of its natural lanolin, giving it a slightly waxy feel when new. This softens with wear and washing while providing natural water resistance. Again, this is what real wool feels like before excessive processing.
Connecting Past and Present
There's something satisfying about wearing British wool on British hills. Victorian alpinists wore wool on their Alpine adventures. George Mallory wore multiple wool layers on Everest in 1924 - layers that modern testing proved would have been sufficient to reach the summit. Edmund Hillary summited Everest in 1953 wearing a Shetland wool jumper.
We're not claiming Pennine and Iona will get you up Everest. But they are part of a tradition of British textile craftsmanship that's seen people through the most demanding adventures. Modern outdoor clothing with deep roots.
But wait, there's more. Five New Wool Jumpers This Autumn
Pennine and Iona join three new RWS certified wool jumpers in our Autumn 2025 collection:
- Norge (Mens) - Classic half-zip with moss knit yoke for easy temperature control
- Stora (Womens) - Fair Isle pattern with raglan sleeves and Scandi-inspired style
- Rago (Womens) - Modern boxy fit with contrast moss stitch detail
Plus fresh seasonal colours for our heritage favourites Brenin and Tryfan.
Explore the full range in our mens and womens natural performance collections.
Clothing That Matters
We could have manufactured these jumpers overseas for less money. We could have used dyed yarn for more colour options. We could have cut corners.
We didn't.
Pennine and Iona represent what we believe outdoor clothing should be: designed and made to performing brilliantly on the hills. They're jumpers with a story you can trace from British moorlands to British manufacturing to your British adventures.
This is outdoor gear made right. And it works.
Available Now
Pennine Mens Wool Jumper - Made in the UK from British wool
Iona Womens Wool Jumper - Made in the UK from British wool
Visit one of our stores to try them on and feel the quality of British wool for yourself. Our team can help you find the right fit and answer any questions about layering and care.
Read more about why wool makes such a great midlayer and our commitment to responsible wool sourcing.