Why We Chose It: UK-sourced wool, recycled shell, understated design
Like most great ideas, HebTroCo was formed in a pub. Conceived by Brant and Ed in Yorkshire – self-described as ‘two dickheads in a shed’ – the idea was to support local clothing manufacturers, and get more people wearing UK-made goods without compromising on eco-conscious ideals.
And that they did. Whilst supporting local environmental projects like ‘Curlew Action’ and ‘Slow The Flow’, HebTroCo have also created some mighty good products using mostly locally sourced materials, recycled fabrics where possible, and a whole lotta love.
Take the HD wool used in the HebTroCo body warmer, for example. It can be entirely traced back to local farmers based in the historic Salts Mill in Saltaire near Bradford. It’s also Woolkeepers certified, meaning farmers are paid properly and, in turn, ensuring that regenerative land management is practiced through the Land to Market standard. Pretty cool, we reckon.
What Is the HebTroCo Body Warmer Best Suited To?
Based in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, the HebTroCo body warmer is used to the unique climates of northern England, and should hold up against most weather conditions the UK will throw at you. It’s very compact and portable too, so should be just as handy on blustery days in spring as in the depths of winter (when paired with a good waterproof jacket and some thermals).
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The outer shell is also both water repellant and windproof, and unlike a lot of body warmers and down-esque midlayers, it won’t spoil – or, according to HebTroCo, smell of ‘sheep arse’ – if you get the quilting wet. That’s a check, then, for rainy days in autumn too.
Eco Credentials
As mentioned before, a big plus here is the HD wool quilting. This is because, as well as supporting local farmers, wool is also a very durable, plastic-free form of insulation. It’s naturally comfy, temperature-regulating (meaning it can both trap air and retain a solid level of breathability) odour-inhibiting, and anti-bacterial too. Whilst doing its job of keeping you toasty, the anti-bacterial qualities also mean you won’t need to wash it as much which is a big plus in terms of water wastage.
This kind of wool is also naturally elastic and compressible for comfort, and can absorb up to 30% of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet. That’s perfect for those drizzly days when you’re not too sure which way the weather’s turning.
The lining and outer shell, on the other hand, are made using recycled polyester. As a lot of raw materials are no longer made in the UK anymore, HebTroCo uses high-quality European alternatives where needed. In this instance, the recycled polyester comes from a Olmetex mill in Italy, though they hope to source materials closer to home in the future.
