Non-woven fabric made by compressing and matting wool fibers (or wool/synthetic blends) using heat, moisture, and pressure. Dense, insulating, and easy to cut without fraying — used for hats, crafts, and industrial applications.
Material Score Breakdown
7-axis material rubric, not a garment verdict — see disclosure below.
How long the fabric lasts with regular use
Softness, feel against skin, wearability
Air flow and ventilation
Heat retention and insulation
Ability to pull sweat away from skin
Environmental impact of production and disposal
How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain
Products with felt
We don't have any felt products in our catalog yet — it's a rare natural fiber. Here are top-rated natural alternatives:
Merino Cardigan
100% Merino Wool
Merino Long-Sleeve Sweater Polo
100% Merino Wool
Merino Sweater
100% Merino Wool
Merino Johnny-Collar Sweater Polo
100% Merino Wool
Slim Merino Ribbed Sweater
100% Merino Wool
Merino Crew-Neck Sweater
100% Merino Wool
What this score doesn't measure
This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from felt. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.
- ×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
- ×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same felt feel and last very differently.
- ×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.
Best For
Good warmth (80) for cold weather
Good durability (60) and comfort (55) for office wear
Good sustainability score (65)
Detailed Use Case Scores
Pros
- ✓ Dense structure provides excellent insulation
- ✓ Does not fray when cut — no hemming needed
- ✓ Naturally water-resistant due to wool's lanolin
- ✓ Moldable into complex shapes — ideal for hats
Cons
- ✗ Shrinks dramatically if washed in warm water
- ✗ Can pill and attract lint
- ✗ Heavy compared to woven fabrics
- ✗ Moths target wool felt — requires protective storage
Better alternatives
Higher-scored natural materials. Same category — what to consider instead.
+30 vs Felt · 92/100
BiodegradableThe rarest and most expensive animal fiber in the world, from the vicuña of the Andes. Finer than cashmere, incredibly soft, warm, and lightweight. A single coat yields only 250g of usable fiber every 2-3 years.
+24 vs Felt · 86/100
BiodegradableUltra-fine wool from Merino sheep. Softer and less itchy than regular wool, with excellent temperature regulation and moisture management.
+20 vs Felt · 82/100
BiodegradableExtra-long-staple cotton historically grown in the West Indies (Barbados, Jamaica) and Sea Islands of Georgia/South Carolina. Among the rarest commercial fibers on earth — staple length up to 2.5", silky hand feel, intense color saturation when dyed. Used in heritage luxury shirting and bespoke menswear.
Care Guide
Special Notes
• Spot clean only — never submerge
• Store with cedar to deter moths
• Steam to reshape
Additional Care Tips
- • Spot clean or dry clean only — never machine wash
- • Brush gently with a soft clothes brush to remove dust
- • Steam to reshape — felt molds when damp and warm
- • Store with cedar or lavender to deter moths
- • Keep away from direct heat — felt can shrink and harden
Cost
$$$$$
Budget-friendly
Shrinkage
Significant risk — hand wash or dry clean
Eco Rating
Moderate impact — consider eco alternatives