Bartlett vs. Fisherman's wool

[guestmama9907]

Maybe you saw the cute red soaker shorts on Ebay right now? She is knitting my dd a pair and wants to know if I want Bartlett, which is what the red is or kool aid dyed Fisherman's wool. She says the Bartlett is a bit more "sturdy" and I am not sure what that means. This is my first soaker so I don't know which to pick. What do you prefer? Is there a big difference?

TIA:

[Knittin' in the Shade]

the bartletts is woolen spun, and it will probably hold up better over the long haul, than the fishermans, but along with that sturdiness comes a bit more scratchiness. Not a ton, the bartlett definitely softens up nicely with washing, but at first (second, third) touch, it feels not-so-soft. It's a bit thicker than the fisherman's as well.