Short answer: Icelandic sheepskins have a double fleece — a long, glossy outer coat (tog) that repels moisture and a dense, fine underwool (þel) that insulates. That makes them thicker, springier and warmer than most other sheepskins; they come in dozens of natural colours and, well cared for, last for decades. This is why Monroe Life makes its patchwork rugs exclusively from Icelandic skins.

A breed isolated for 1,100 years

The Icelandic sheep descends from the animals the Vikings brought over in the ninth century. Because Iceland never imported other breeds, it has remained genetically almost unchanged. The breed survived centuries of snow, rain and wind in the open — and that is exactly what produced the fleece we value today.

Tog and þel: two layers, one fleece

Tog (outer coat) — long, slightly wavy hairs of 10 to 25 cm that repel water and give the rug its characteristic, luxurious sheen.
Þel (underwool) — a short, extremely fine and dense layer that traps air and insulates. This is why an Icelandic rug feels so warm under bare feet, even on a cold tiled floor.

Ordinary sheepskins (from British or New Zealand breeds, for example) usually have one uniform layer. You feel the difference immediately: an Icelandic skin springs back when pressed and stays full for longer.

Natural colours, no dye

Icelandic sheep naturally come in white, off-white, cream, beige, honey brown, grey, moorit (reddish brown) and black — often with several shades in a single skin. Our Melange rugs and the new light-brown variant consist entirely of these undyed natural tones. Only the Coloured rugs (camel, olive) use dyed skins.

What does the research say?

Temperature regulation. Wool doesn’t just hold heat, it actively regulates it: the fibre absorbs up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling wet and releases warmth as it does so (heat of sorption). A University of Sydney study (Chow et al., Nature and Science of Sleep, 2019) showed that participants fell asleep faster in wool and woke less often than in cotton or polyester.
Air quality. Studies by AgResearch (New Zealand) show that wool binds volatile compounds such as formaldehyde and does not re-emit them; a recent TU Delft study (Bluyssen et al., 2024) confirmed the odour-absorbing effect of wool floor coverings.
Biodegradable. Wool is keratin, the same protein as human hair. In a 2024 study (Water, Air & Soil Pollution), wool clearly degraded in seawater while polyester, nylon and polypropylene remained virtually untouched.

Durable in practice

A well-made Icelandic patchwork rug lasts 15 to 25 years. At Monroe Life we stitch every seam with gold thread, offer lifetime service and repair free of charge in our own workshop. All skins are tanned ecologically in Europe, chrome-free and in line with the European REACH regulation — read more in our article on sustainable tanning.

What does a Monroe rug cost?

A white or off-white patchwork rug costs €529 (125 × 185 cm) to €2,880 (305 × 405 cm). A Melange starts at €629, a Coloured rug at €649; the rare light brown runs up to €3,699 for 300 × 400 cm. Bespoke on request, free delivery in Belgium. If you want to start small: the mini patchwork costs €99 to €119.

Frequently asked questions

Are Icelandic sheepskins softer than others?

The underwool is exceptionally fine and soft; the outer coat is longer and slightly firmer. Together they give a full, springy fleece that feels softer and thicker than most single-layer skins.

Can I lay an Icelandic sheepskin rug on underfloor heating?

Yes. Wool tolerates underfloor heating well and doesn’t insulate so strongly that heat is blocked. Lay the rug flat for the first few days and let it acclimatise.

Does an Icelandic sheepskin shed?

In the first weeks a few loose hairs may come out; that is normal and stops by itself. Regular beating and combing keeps the rug full.

Where do Monroe Life’s skins come from?

From Icelandic sheep; the skins are a by-product of livestock farming and are tanned ecologically in Europe. The handwork happens in our own European fur workshop.

Still unsure? Send a photo of your room via WhatsApp and within a day you get a free trial image of the rug in your own interior, no strings attached. Or come and feel it in the shop, Dumortierlaan 115, Knokke. See the rugs · Size guide · Rug Studio