The Best of Both Worlds: Warmth and Softness. The Gentle Appeal of Sheepskin

Leather goods tend to give an impression of durability, but sheepskin is a type of leather with a relatively soft texture. It's also known for its high insulating properties, which is why it's often used in clothing. Let's take a closer look at the appeal of sheepskin, which feels plush and settles gently against the skin when worn.

Among sheep leathers, sheepskin refers to leather taken from sheep that are at least one year old, while leather taken before that age is called lambskin.

In the past, sheep leather was mainly used as parchment in everyday life. Because it contains a lot of fat, sheep leather is somewhat less durable than cowhide, for example, but in exchange it has a fine texture and softness. Additionally, air trapped between its fibers gives it excellent heat-retaining properties. Because of these characteristics, it gradually came to be used for cold-weather clothing, gloves, and hats.

The term "mouton," now in common use, comes from the French word for sheep and refers to sheepskin products that retain the wool. Wool, as is well known, is one of the materials long favored by people in extremely cold regions for its high insulating properties as winter wear. As a wisdom born from the need to withstand cold weather, sheepskin has become an indispensable leather material used around the world.

Gloves are an item that pairs particularly well with sheepskin. Coming into direct contact with the skin and used by hands that move constantly, sheepskin's soft, fine texture fits gently around them. Owen Barry is a brand that makes full use of this quality of sheepskin.

Owen Barry was founded in 1948 in Somerset, in the southwest of England, as a brand specializing in sheepskin tanning. The Barry family, who had been involved in tanning for generations, consisted of three brothers: the eldest learned tanning, the second learned dyeing, and the third learned leather goods manufacturing, which together led to the founding of Owen Barry. While the brand's history as Owen Barry spans about 62 years, the family's expertise in sheepskin specifically spans five generations, and the brand now produces a wide range of items, including indoor slippers, gloves, handbags, and interior goods.

As if to symbolize sheepskin's warmth, these sheepskin mittens feature suede-finished sheepskin paired with sheep fur. The gloves are packed thoroughly with plush, soft fur on the inside beneath the smooth sheepskin exterior. Because they cover all the way to the wrist, there's no worry about wind slipping in through the cuffs of your outerwear, making them a true champion of cold-weather protection even in the depths of winter.

These fingerless 2-way sheepskin mittens, featuring a button as a stylish accent, are a 2-way type mitten that allows you to pop your fingers out from inside. Being able to expose your fingers means you don't have to remove your gloves when you need fine motor control, such as when operating a smartphone or jotting down a quick note. The wrist area is a rib-knit type, but the inside, like the sheepskin mittens, is lined with fur.

Owen Barry offers not only gloves but also earmuffs made with sheepskin. The part that touches the ears is fur, and the band is also made of sheepskin. Since wool is soft, another welcome point is that it doesn't feel prickly even when it touches the ears directly.

Sheepskin also plays a role in keeping your feet warm. From Sweden in Scandinavia comes a pair of mouton ankle boots that makes full use of sheepskin.

SHEPHERD got its start in Sweden in 1982. In Sweden, sheepskin has long been a part of daily life, used as a material for protection against the cold. The brand was born out of a desire to bring sheepskin's excellent properties, such as its insulating and moisture-permeable qualities, into a form suited to modern life. The brand's signature item, the sheepskin mouton ankle boot, is a boot that guarantees warmth, with fur generously wrapped all the way up to the ankle.

The plush fur extends thoroughly, all the way to the insole. These sheepskin mouton ankle boots pair easily with socks, of course, as well as thin stockings or tights. They may feel a bit tight when you first start wearing them, but the fur will gradually mold to the shape of your feet. While the wool fur offers insulation, it's also excellent at absorbing and releasing moisture, so it adjusts the humidity caused by perspiration. This means you get the benefit of being able to wear the boots comfortably without your feet becoming stuffy or damp inside.

The outsole uses EVA soles. EVA soles are known for being lightweight and soft, and one reason the sheepskin mouton ankle boot itself is so light is precisely because it uses an EVA sole. It also has a fully grooved pattern, which helps prevent slipping and absorbs impact when you step down, combining with the insole's fur to create a gentle, comfortable fit.

To keep sheepskin's softness and warmth lasting a long time, here are some tips on regular care and points to keep in mind during use.

■A Key Point for Gloves and Earmuffs: Don't Use Them Every Day

To keep sheepskin items like gloves and ear muffs lasting a long time, it's important not to let moisture remain in them. This is especially true for gloves—the single most important point is not to wear them every single day, so that moisture doesn't build up on the inside. Also, when taking off your gloves, rather than pulling on the fingertips or turning the cuff inside out, try pressing down on the palm area and removing the whole glove in one motion. This puts less strain on the gloves.

After use, reshape the gloves and let them air out temporarily in a well-ventilated spot before putting them away in storage.

■ For boots, brushing is the basic care method

Sheepskin boots with a suede finish can easily pick up fine dust and dirt, so we recommend gently brushing them with a shoe brush after wearing.

Shoe Brush (Horsehair) / G.B.KENT

First, brush from bottom to top against the grain of the hair to lift out dust. Then brush from top to bottom, following the direction of the hair, to smooth it back into place. The trick is to keep your strokes light and rhythmic, rather than pressing too hard.

■ Caring for surface dirt and fur

If dirt ever gets on the surface of the gloves or the fur becomes soiled, dissolve a small amount of neutral detergent in lukewarm water and gently dab at the dirt with a soft towel or cloth. Afterward, wipe with a dry cloth and let the item dry completely before storing it.

■ Protecting against water

Leaving sheepskin wet can lead to odors and mold. If your gloves or boots ever get caught in the rain, wipe the surface with a soft cloth and let them dry thoroughly in a shaded, well-ventilated spot. When storing them, avoid humid places and choose a location with good airflow instead.

■ Avoiding direct sunlight

In addition to being sensitive to moisture, sheepskin is also vulnerable to heat. You can, of course, use your gloves or boots as usual even on sunny days, but when storing them for an extended period during the off-season, keep them somewhere out of direct sunlight.