In the far north of the British Isles lies the Scottish Archipelago of the Shetland Islands – where the native sheep yield one of the world’s most sought-after types of wool.
Due to the wind-battered climate and harsh terrain, the sheep are bred and farmed, and the wool they yield has a centuries-old reputation for being soft, particularly fine, and quite long and wavy, resulting in supreme comfort as well as durability. Shetland Wool is indeed so highly valued that in 2011 it became the first non-food product in the UK to receive the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) indication from the European Union.
Though it’s most often used to produce items such as sweaters, hats, as well as blankets, and pillows, English bed makers Vispring became the very first company to integrate Shetland wool into its mattresses and divans, using four full sheep fleeces per mattress to create a heavier than average product, resulting in a more comfortable night’s sleep.
Why Vispring Uses Shetland Wool
First off, Shetland Wool is as strong as it is soft. While it’s one of the softest types of wool from the UK, making it perfect for a mattress of superior comfort, Shetland Wool is famously durable. Because of this, having it integrated into a mattress or divan guarantees that its quality will last for years.
Secondly, the weight and fineness of Shetland Wool make it ideal for all seasons. It withholds heat in cold conditions, yet stays cool in the height of summer, helping to regulate your body temperature.
However, one of the major reasons that Shetland Wool is so intrinsic to Vispring’s heritage is one of social responsibility. As the first UK bed maker to be granted the Woolmark quality assurance certification, the company has a long-established fair-trade policy with the Shetland Wool industry. By agreeing to purchase such a large amount of wool every year, the tradition of sheep shearing is kept alive. Indeed, shearing is a necessary part of sheep husbandry, so the company’s commitment to putting it to good use helps promote a circular local economy.
A Company of “Firsts”
That Vispring led the way in using Shetland Wool as a luxury filling in their goods should not be a surprise to those who know the company. After all, there’s a long-held commitment to constant research, development, and improvement – a set of values that helped launch the company in the first place, when it became the first to produce the now-celebrated pocket sprung mattress and divan.
Around a decade after its formation at the beginning of the 21st century, Vispring then became one of the very first suppliers of bespoke, handmade beds to be used on luxury ocean cruisers like the Titanic and its sister ships, the Britannic and the Olympic.
Natural Materials For Added Comfort & Performance
Though the leading principles behind Vispring’s approach – pocket sprung coils, handcrafting, and fine natural materials – have never wavered, the exact materials sourced and teased throughout their mattress and divan fillings are always subject to experimentation, all in the pursuit of a better night’s sleep.
It’s all about finding the right blend of natural materials and using them expertly. Worsted wool, horsetail, cashmere, mohair, and even rare Vicuna from the Andes feature in Vispring mattresses and divans.
The Shetland collection may well be one of their best yet though. A blend of certified British fleece wool and hand-teased Shetland wool, all covered with a pure wool ticking creates a uniquely soft and springy surface. Coupled with the company’s signature pocket spring coils which respond much more readily to the user's body contours and weight, the Vispring Shetland collection guarantees a better place to rest, and a better night’s sleep.
For a generation that’s becoming increasingly prone to sleep issues, it may be just what’s needed.