Isobaa Merino Honeycomb Throw – Review

Material and Comfort

The Isobaa Merino Honeycomb throw is, as the name implies, made from 100 % Merino wool fibers, woven beautifully into a honeycomb pattern on one side and a diagonal striped on the other. It was exactly the material and its qualities, which made me so excited to review the Isobaa throw after an unsuccessful search for a blanket for our home. When it comes to blankets, you usually have the following run-of-the-mill options: Cotton quilts, polyester fleece throws, and regular wool or lambswool blankets – and I liked neither of them. Cotton quilts are very heavy for the warmth they (don’t) provide; I don’t like the overly supple feel of fleece on the skin, and although I love woolen blankets, many of them can’t be machine-washed or are Dry Clean Only. Having a non-washable throw would be especially problematic for us – not just because we have a messy toddler – but because Blaz is allergic to dust.

The Isobaa Merino Honeycomb throw is different from most woolen blankets in that it can be machine-washed as long as you choose a gentle cycle (max. 30 ºC and 600 spins per minute) with a non-bio detergent and dry it flat (you can read more about how to wash Merino wool in our article How to wash Outdoor Clothing). It also differs from regular woolen blankets by softness as these are made from coarser wool fibers, up to 40 micron in diameter, while the Isobaa Merino throw is made of fine 19.5 micron Merino wool fibers. For reference, a human hair is about 100 micron (0,1 mm) in diameter and I personally can tell the difference in softness between an Isobaa base layer made with 18.5 micron wool fibers and the Boob Design Merino bra made out of 19.5 micron wool. So, a variation of up to the 20 microns in fiber diameter of the wool used for regular woolen blankets and the Honeycomb Merino throw respectively is definitely something you can feel!

The fabrics used for Merino base layers are knitted rather than woven as the blanket, so of course the feel of Isobaa throw is unlike that of any base layer, regardless of fiber diameter. As such the fluffy surface is similar to that of a regular woolen blanket in texture, but much much softer to the touch. Although the front (honeycomb) and the backside (diagonal stripes) of the throw are visually different, they feel almost equally soft to the touch with the honeycomb side feeling just a nudge more fluffy and velvety. If you like the idea of a Merino throw, but would prefer a different pattern, Isobaa also offers a Herringbone throw in three color combinations, similarly made out of 100 % fine Merino wool. On that throw, front and back are identical.

Functionality

The Isobaa Merino Honeycomb throw is rather large (2 x 1.4 meters) compared to the standard throw size (60’’ x 50’’) as well as regular woolen blankets, which often measure 1.7 x 1.3 meters (67’’ x 51’’). This makes it suitable for two adults or a small family like ours to all cuddle up together. However, due to its density of merely 240 GSM (=g/m²) on the whole it weighs a bit less than standard woolen blankets which usually have a density of around 340 GSM. In terms of warmth, this also makes the Isobaa Merino Honeycomb throw more versatile as it can also be used to cuddle up in on chilly summer evenings as well as providing extra insulation on top of a duvet or sleeping bag, if you are camping outside in the cold season.

Although the throw is machine-washable, we chose the darker Petrol color over the Mustard version to lower the chances of irredeemable visible stains with a toddler in the house! That brings us to the topic of the range of uses for the Isobaa Merino throw. The brand writes that you can use the throw as a picnic blanket, but I’d say that I would only use it to sit on in nature on a clean sandy beach. Any sharper cliff edges or rocks could cause tears or holes, and with regards to removing stains from dirt, grass, food, drinks etc. it is important to remember that (Merino) wool is a delicate material, which can’t be washed at high temperatures or handle heavy-duty stain removers or detergents. It is also beautiful and not inexpensive, so I think it would be a pity to expose to dirty surfaces. Thus, I would mainly use the Isobaa Merino Honeycomb throw to cuddle up in, whether indoors or outdoors, and simply enjoy the luxuriously soft material and warmth on the body rather than under it.

Verdict

All in all, I simply have nothing bad to say about the Isobaa Merino Honeycomb throw. It is soft, warm, big enough for two to cuddle up, and relatively light compared to other woolen blankets. I would thus wholeheartedly recommend the Isobaa Merino throw to anyone looking for a soft washable woolen blanket.

If you have any questions about this product, drop me a line in the comments below.