Disana · Boiled Merino Wool Jacket with Hood
Disana Kids' Outdoor Jacket — 100% Boiled Merino Wool, Made in Germany
A heritage German boiled wool jacket for babies, toddlers, and kids ages 3 months to 10 years. Naturally warm, wind-blocking, and water-resistant — 420 GSM organic merino wool with a soft organic cotton lining at the hood, neck, and shoulders. GOTS certified and built to outlast siblings.
About Disana
A German wool maker since the 1970s
Disana has been knitting and finishing organic wool in Germany for over four decades. They are the brand most closely associated with boiled wool outerwear — the technique of knitting wool, then washing and agitating it in hot water so the fibers felt together into a dense, structured, naturally weather-resistant fabric. Every Disana piece is knitted, sewn, quality-checked, and shipped from their own facility in southern Germany, using only certified organic merino wool and organic cotton.
This jacket is part of their core children's outerwear range and is genuinely passed between siblings — many parents buy one piece and wear it for three or four winters across multiple children.
When to wear it
A true cold-weather jacket for fall, winter, and early spring
Boiled merino wool at 420 GSM is dense enough for genuine winter wear. Worn over a base layer or sweater, this jacket handles temperatures down to and below freezing, including light snow and brisk wind. In milder fall and spring weather it works on its own over a long-sleeve tee.
It is naturally water-resistant thanks to the lanolin in the wool and the felted construction — light rain, snow, and damp playground equipment shed off the surface rather than soaking in. It is not, however, waterproof. For heavy downpours or extended wet play, layer a rain shell over the top.
Best uses
Daily school drop-offs, stroller walks, playground play, Waldorf and outdoor nature schools, weekend hikes, sledding days, and chilly fall mornings. The longer back keeps cold air off the lower back during crawling, climbing, and bending — especially useful for babies and toddlers.
Materials & construction
What it's made of
Outer shell
100% organic boiled merino wool, 420 GSM. Knitted, then fulled (boiled and agitated) so the fibers felt together into a dense, slightly structured fabric. Wind-blocking, water-resistant, and naturally insulating.
Partial lining
100% organic cotton at the hood, neck, and shoulders — the areas most likely to touch skin. Soft, breathable, and gentle for children with sensitive skin.
Closures
Natural tagua nut buttons (a plant-based seed often called "vegetable ivory"). Large and easy for small hands to manage — no zippers to catch or break.
Origin & certification
Wool sourced from Argentina, spun in Europe, knitted and sewn by Disana in Germany. GOTS certified organic; kbT-compliant wool from certified organic livestock farming.
What 420 GSM means
GSM (grams per square meter) is the standard measure of fabric weight. Lightweight merino base layers run 140–180 GSM. Wool fleece runs 250–350 GSM. Boiled wool for outerwear runs 400–500+ GSM. At 420 GSM, this jacket is squarely in true winter-outerwear territory — substantial enough to block wind and hold structure, without being stiff or bulky.
Why parents choose this jacket
Built for active kids and busy parents
Naturally temperature-regulating
Merino wool keeps kids warm in the cold and breathes when they're moving. They don't overheat during play and don't get chilled when they stop.
Wind-blocking and water-resistant
The dense boiled-wool construction blocks wind and sheds light rain and snow. Lanolin in the wool repels surface moisture before it can soak through.
Odor-resistant — washes less
Wool resists bacteria and odor naturally. Airing the jacket overnight refreshes it. Many families wash this jacket only once or twice per season.
Designed to be passed down
Built from one of the most durable wool fabrics in regular use. A well-cared-for Disana jacket commonly serves two or three children before showing its age.
Longer cut back
The back extends below the waist so the jacket stays put when kids bend, crawl, climb, or reach — no cold drafts on the lower back.
Roomy hood and pockets
Generous hood frames the face and blocks wind without obstructing vision. Two large patch pockets stash gloves, pinecones, and pocket treasures.
Sizing
Choose by age or height
European sizing runs slightly slim. If your child is at the upper end of an age range or tall for their age, size up. Many parents intentionally size up on this jacket so it fits for two winters.
| EU size |
Age |
Approx. height |
| 62/68 |
3–6 months |
24–27 in |
| 74/80 |
6–12 months |
29–31 in |
| 86/92 |
1–2 years |
34–36 in |
| 98/104 |
3–4 years |
38–41 in |
| 110/116 |
5–6 years |
43–45 in |
| 122/128 |
7–8 years |
48–50 in |
| 134/140 |
9–10 years |
52–55 in |
Sizes 110/116 and larger are cut slightly longer and slimmer to accommodate older kids.
Honest assessment
What to know before you buy
Who this jacket works best for
Families who want one durable, natural-fiber winter coat that lasts multiple seasons and multiple children. Kids who play outside daily in cool to cold weather. Parents avoiding synthetic outerwear and chemical finishes. Waldorf and nature-school families.
Trade-offs to be aware of
This is not a rain jacket. Boiled wool sheds light moisture, but heavy rain or wet snow over long periods will eventually saturate the fabric. For monsoon climates or extended wet play, plan to layer a rain shell over the top. The button closure is intentional but takes a few extra seconds compared to a zipper — some toddlers love this for independence, some parents miss the speed.
Care commitment
Wool requires hand washing or a wool cycle in cold water — never hot, never tumble dry. Done wrong, wool will felt and shrink. Done right (and this jacket needs washing only occasionally), the care routine takes a few minutes and the jacket lasts years.
Care instructions
Wash rarely, air often
Hand wash or wool cycle Cold water only Wool wash detergent Lay flat to dry No tumble drying Brush off surface dirt
Boiled wool rarely needs a full wash. For surface dirt, let mud dry completely and then brush it off with a soft brush — the dense felted surface releases dry dirt easily. Spot-clean stains with a damp cloth and a small amount of wool wash. Between wears, air the jacket overnight or hang it in the bathroom while showering; the humidity refreshes the fibers and removes odors.
When a full wash is needed, hand wash in cold water with a wool-specific detergent such as Eucalan, Sonett, or another lanolin-friendly wool wash. Press water out gently — never wring. Roll in a towel to remove excess water, then lay flat to reshape and air dry away from direct heat or sun. Treat wool the way you'd treat your own hair: gentle temperatures, gentle handling.
Frequently asked questions
Questions parents ask
How warm is this jacket? Is it really enough for winter?
Yes, for most climates. At 420 GSM, this is genuine winter-outerwear fabric. Over a long-sleeve base layer it handles freezing temperatures and light snow comfortably. For deep-cold climates (well below freezing for hours, or windy below-zero days), pair it with a merino base layer and a sweater underneath, and consider Disana's boiled wool walker overall for the lower body. For most of the US and Europe, this jacket alone over a base layer covers fall through winter.
Is boiled wool itchy?
Boiled wool isn't meant to touch skin directly — it's a structured outer layer worn over other clothing. The hood, neck, and shoulders (the areas that do touch skin) are lined with soft organic cotton, so children with sensitive skin are well covered. Worn over a base layer or top, even children sensitive to coarser wools are typically comfortable in this jacket.
Is it waterproof?
It is water-resistant, not waterproof. Light rain, snow, and damp surfaces shed off because of the lanolin in the wool and the dense felted construction. For heavy or sustained rain, layer a rain shell over the top. Many families find that for typical fall and winter weather — flurries, light rain, wet playground equipment — the jacket handles moisture on its own.
How do I size it? Should I size up?
Disana's European sizing runs slightly slim. If your child is at the upper end of an age range or taller than average, size up. Many parents intentionally buy one size larger than current age so the jacket fits for two winters — the sleeves can be rolled at the cuffs in year one.
What does GOTS certified organic merino wool mean?
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is the leading worldwide certification for organic textiles. It covers the entire production chain from the farming of the wool to the spinning, knitting, dyeing, and finishing — including a ban on toxic chemicals and dyes. The wool itself comes from kbT (kontrolliert biologische Tierhaltung) farms, which require certified organic livestock farming and strict animal welfare standards.
How often do I need to wash it?
Less than you think. Wool is naturally odor-resistant and self-cleansing — surface dirt brushes off once dry, and airing the jacket overnight refreshes it. Most families wash this jacket only once or twice per season, even with daily wear. Spot-clean stains as they happen; reserve full washes for end-of-season storage or after a particularly muddy day.
Why are the buttons made of tagua nut?
Tagua nut (sometimes called "vegetable ivory") is a hard, plant-based seed from a South American palm tree. The buttons are biodegradable, plastic-free, and large enough for small hands to manage independently — which is the main reason Disana chose them. Many toddlers learn to button their own jacket on this style.
Will it really last for multiple children?
Yes, with reasonable care. Boiled wool is one of the most durable fabrics in regular use — the felted construction resists abrasion, pilling, and snags. As long as it's washed correctly (cold water only, no tumble drying), it commonly lasts two to four winters per child and is often handed down to younger siblings.
