Merino Wool’s Benefits and Disadvantages Shrek was too cool, despite and because of his natural merino wool coat. Merino wool contains crimps which hit each other as you move, creating pockets which trap air. The moisture then moves through the fabric and evaporates through the exterior. In the typical 3-layer ski clothing system, the midlayer is given the all-important insulating duties. Originally from Spain, merino sheep are most commonly found in Australia, but also are being raised in the United States, New Zealand, South America, and elsewhere. Merino wool socks, however, are a very different story. Merino is a breed of sheep highly prized for its soft and finely crimped wool. First, it’s moisture-wicking, so when the sun is sizzling merino fibres wick-away moisture leaving you feeling fresh and airy instead of damp and clammy. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookie settings at any time. No matter how hard the fan blows or how fresh the breeze is, sometimes it’s impossible to stop the sticky warmth of the stale summer air. When it’s warm outside, it can be hard to dress appropriately and remain comfortable. Well, merino does the same for you when you wear clothing made of it. We hike, run, and bike in our lightweight merino shirts in the warm months and turn to long-sleeve merinos in the winter for skiing and other cold-weather activities. We’ve found the most breathable articles to be lightweight and thin (like the Smartwool Merino 150), which makes sense because air can pass through easily, allowing the fabrics to dry out. Goose and duck down fill are among the premier insulators on earth, trapping air and creating pockets of warmth around your body... Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. Because of its thin diameter, merino isn’t itchy or rough like thicker wools but still offers impressive warmth and moisture wicking capabilities. From the Everday Exploration collection to the Merino 150, Smartwool’s products are designed to keep you feeling comfortable under the sun at the park, on the trail, and when you’re hanging around the city. Merino wool can also wick-away moisture mechanically. The shirt is extremely expensive at $129 (and $149 for the hoody), but offers a fit and performance that 100-percent merino can’t match. The shirt is extremely expensive at $129 (and $149 for the hoody), but offers a fit and performance that 100-percent merino can’t match. But it’s also good in the heat as merino regulates your body temperature really well. In particular, Darn Tough hiking and ski socks hold up well to a lot of wear and even come with a lifetime guarantee. The thinner the diameter, the more dense the yarn is per oz. and thus, the warmer it is. From months of daily drizzle to heavy downpour in the mountains, we’re acutely aware of the benefits of a quality waterproof and breathable jacket. Hiking and skiing socks made with merino run from about $20 to $30 and merino shirts can easily exceed $100. Among the many benefits in using a natural fiber is one that both you and your adventure partners surely will appreciate: avoiding stink build up. Merino will also maintain it’s insulating properties when damp. A single Merino wool fiber is ⅓ the diameter of a human hair. Jokes aside, there are many different kinds of sheep meaning there is no one-type of sheep wool… But is it worth the hype? If your ski gear is even a few years old, there’s new technology out there that will help make good days on the snow even better. Keep in mind that merino is not for the weary: despite the high price, holes eventually will develop and you may have to move on from your pricey gear more often that you would like. Regular coarse wool can be 40 micron or more, but merino is much finer, starting at about 24 micron down to 15 micron and below. Lightweight merino tops are most prone to developing holes, and our mid and heavyweight shirts have held up far better. The most important thing to keep an eye on when choosing a piece of Merino wool clothing: make sure that the textile has a high wool percentage. In addition to the incredible softness, a big driver is the fabric’s stink prevention, which makes them great for multi-day backcountry trips, high-exertion activities, and travel. Their fleece is built for these extremes; insulating and warm in … Merino turns the notion that wool is itchy and uncomfortable completely on its head. Merino Wool Sweaters. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. Merino wool stays warm when moist or damp, protects us across a range of weather conditions, and helps provide our body with excellent temperature regulation. Merino’s ability to absorb moisture without creating an environment to grow smelly bacteria is one of its “miracles.” To be clear, we’re not saying that you cannot make a merino shirt stink—we surely have—but it’s a night and day difference from a synthetic (even one with an odor fighting treatment). Merino wool fibers have a natural crimp which works to trap body heat. The same goes for socks—we love merino and all we do is move to thicker designs as needed when temperatures drop. While synthetics garments are also capable of mechanical moisture wicking, only wool or merino wool garments can whisk-away moisture when it’s in a vapour state. 50% Bison and 50% Merino Boot Socks by Buffalo Wool Company — a very warm … That’s where Merino wool’s cooling effect comes from when it’s used in warm weather—when the water evaporates, it leaves your skin feeling cool. Your email address will not be published. Durability is merino’s Achilles Heel, particularly for the lightweight varieties and areas prone to heavy wear. What is Merino wool better at than traditional wool? “Regular wool” comes from, well, regular sheep. It’s no secret that merino wool has taken over the outdoor industry, because what’s not to love from a soft-to-touch material that breathes as well as it fights odour-buildup? Whether you’re headed out for a hike or just enjoying a game of bocce during a picnic at your local park, choosing merino wool over your regular cotton T-shirt or tank top is a cool idea for summer. A mid or heavyweight shirt, sock, or pant can feel muggy when you’re working hard, but the performance still is good and compares well with high-end polyester. From a technical perspective, the diameter of wool is measured in microns, and the lower the micron the finer and more expensive it is. It is both warm and cool. Merino wool is expensive and there’s no way around it. It’s not a perfect comparison because socks require nylon in the construction to create their structure, but the high-density knitting is proof that merino wool can be long lasting. The fabric has a natural loft that traps heat very efficiently between the fibers, making it warmer than a synthetic of the same weight. Every sock that made our “best of” list for 2019-2020 accomplishes this and more... You just can’t overvalue a great pair of hiking socks: they keep your feet comfortable and dry while helping to prevent blisters and hotspots. The more your body heats up, the more evaporation occurs, equating to a more substantial cooling effect. Merino fibers are much finer and softer than standard wool and easy to wear all day.