Brand Spotlight: Wildhaven Wools

Kids grow ridiculously fast, so buying quality outdoor gear can be tough (especially on the wallet). Thankfully, one of our most recent brand additions to our online shop, Wildhaven Wools, has you covered with their “growth-spurt-proof” clothing designs. Their 100% Merino Wool clothing lines will grow with your kiddos, and last long enough to be passed down to younger siblings and friends. We sat down for a conversation with Julia, the founder of Wildhaven Wools, to learn more about how she developed her clothing designs and why it’s so important to promote a childhood spent outdoors.

Wildhaven really started because I wanted to stay outside longer with my young kids. I needed base layers for them that worked and were easy for them to wear.

 

I was raising little ones in Alaska, where the weather is pretty intense. It’s rarely easy to get outside in the winter between the cold, snow, rain, and wind. I kept running into the same issue where my kids would either get cold fast, or too hot, or complain about how their clothes felt, often before we even got out the door. And most of what was available was either polyester layers or wool that just wasn’t designed well for kids.

 

So I decided to make them some base layers from some super soft merino wool that I had in my fabric stash. I used "grow-with-me" design techniques that help kids' clothes fit for longer, and color-blocking to make them fun and something my kids were excited to put on. My toddler loved them, friends started to see them, and so... Wildhaven was born.

 

Our mission is really simple: help families spend more time outside by making clothing that supports an outdoor childhood. We make wool base layers designed for kids with features kids need: reinforced knees, super soft wool, wide stretchy waistbands, and extra long cuffs designed to roll up without bulk.

So many reasons: physical health, mental health, and I think the health of our planet also depends on raising kids who love nature, value it, and want to preserve it.

 

Plus, I find everything is easier as a parent outside. The moods are better. The meltdowns are fewer. Kids move their bodies, use their imaginations, and come home tired in the best possible way. Whenever my kids start to get grumpy, we bundle up and get out the door. It really helps.

We make base layers that kids love to wear, and they work really well. Kids are more likely to go outside without a battle and stay comfortable for hours. Anyone who lives in a cold place knows how important your base layer is to your happiness outside.

 

Our clothes are designed to be a "second skin", the extra layer kids need to stay warm, but so comfortable, they forget they are even wearing them. Our woolies are super soft, and kids love to wear them. It's like they get to wear their pajamas all day long. And who doesn't want to do that!

 

We also design our pieces to last multiple seasons because I know how quickly kids grow and how frustrating it is to constantly replace gear. I want parents to feel like once their kids are dressed, they’re set. No overthinking. Just go.

Wildhaven is built around the idea that kids deserve a childhood spent outdoors. You don’t need to do epic things to provide that. Just go outside more often. Let kids be a little wild. Let them test themselves. Let them get dirty and get lost in nature.

 

We try to make gear that makes that feel easier. Clothing kids don’t fight you on, pieces that last, materials you can feel good about, wool that is easy to care for. That’s how we do our part to encourage an outdoor childhood.