Merinowool: natural and functional sport apparel

Merino wool has been increasingly used in outdoor clothing and fashion for years, and for good reason. But what is merino wool and how does it differ from other types of wool? We take a closer look at this popular natural fibre.

What is merino wool?

Merino wool is the name given to the new wool produced by Merino sheep. The Merino sheep is a fine-wool breed of sheep that originated in North Africa and later came to Australia and New Zealand via Spain. Although Merino sheep are also bred in other countries, including Germany, New Zealand and Australia have become the world’s dominant producers of Merino wool.

Merino wool is particularly sought after compared to other types of wool because it is the finest sheep’s wool. Merino fibres, which are significantly finer in diameter, are particularly soft against the skin. The wavy fibre structure creates more air pockets and therefore insulates better than other sheep’s wool fibres.

These merino fibres are made from the protein keratin, which is also found in our hair, skin and nails. A single Merino fibre is on average 17 to 19 micrometres thick. For comparison, a human hair is about 50 to 100 microns thick. A conventional sheep’s wool fibre is usually just over twice as thick as a Merino fibre.

Merino Wool: Properties

In addition to the fineness of the fibres and the resulting comfort, Merino wool has many other good qualities.

Temperature regulation

Body temperature regulation is particularly important for outdoor sports. Merino wool insulates very well because there are small air chambers between the many fine, crimped wool fibres. These do not conduct heat or cold. When the temperature outside is high, merino wool has a cooling effect. Sweat is first absorbed by the merino fibre. When the air is warm, the absorbed moisture dries faster and evaporation is ultimately responsible for the cooling effect. Airy, lightweight Merino shirts are therefore ideal for summer sports.

Does merino wool keep you warm?

Because of its wavy fibre structure and the air chambers it creates, merino keeps you warm better than conventional sheep’s wool. So if you are looking for a garment with extra warming properties, you can choose Merino.

Odour control

Anyone who frequently wears synthetic fibre clothing for sport knows the problem: odour-causing bacteria feel right at home in it. Not so with Merino wool. Merino fibres provide a relatively unsuitable habitat for bacteria because the special fibre structure of merino wool makes it difficult for bacteria to take hold. Bacteria also need moisture to grow, so it is difficult for them to multiply on Merino’s fast-drying fibres. The protein keratin also helps to break down odour-causing bacteria. Merino fibres are naturally antibacterial. Even after being worn several times, the products keep their promise: the clothes dry quickly, don’t smell and therefore need to be washed less often. This is particularly beneficial on multi-day trips.

Merino wool regulates moisture

When we exercise, we sweat and our body releases moisture to the outside. Merino wool offers very good moisture management: It can absorb up to 35% of its own weight in moisture without the garment feeling damp or clammy. When the temperature drops, the merino fibre releases the moisture it has absorbed. That’s why merino wool is considered to be fast drying and breathable.

Does merino wool itch?

One of the most common questions about merino wool is whether it itches. In most cases, the answer is no. Due to its fineness and softness, Merino wool is generally non-scratching and can be worn by people with sensitive skin, unlike the often scratchy and rough wool of other sheep breeds.

UV protection

Merino sheep have always been exposed to the elements. Merino wool absorbs UV rays and has a natural sun protection factor of up to 50, depending on its density and weave.

Merino wool is water and dirt repellent

The wool fat, lanolin, surrounds the merino fibre and acts as a protective layer. Merino wool fibres are also highly crimped and offer a small surface area for water droplets to attack.

Merino’s benefits at a glance:

Extra soft
moisture regulating
breathable
Odour resistant
insulating
Dirt & water repellent
naturally renewable raw material
Protects against UV rays
Hardly wrinkles
Needs washing less often. Frequent airing is enough

Disadvantages of merino wool

Unlike synthetic clothing, merino clothing can be damaged by improper washing. That’s why you should always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for merino and use a suitable detergent without enzymes. While moths cannot harm synthetic fibres, their larvae love the fine merino wool. The butterflies don’t like lavender sachets and cedar wood – a natural remedy against the pests! When merino wool garments become infested, it is also annoying because they are usually more expensive than synthetic garments due to the valuable natural fibre.

The disadvantages of merino wool at a glance:

More expensive than synthetic fibres
Requires more care in washing and maintenance
As an animal fibre, susceptible to moths
Can shrink or mat if not cared for
Possible animal suffering due to mulesing

Mulesing

As much as merino wool scores in terms of functionality, its production is controversial from an animal welfare perspective. The main reason for this is mulesing: Merino sheep are bred to have as many skin folds as possible, so that they produce a particularly large amount of wool. The problem is that these folds of skin make the sheep susceptible to maggot infestation. The maggots are mainly found in the anus and genital areas. They can carry a disease that kills millions of animals every year.

To prevent this, during mulesing, special scissors are used to cut out the skin folds around the anus, vulva and tail without anaesthetic or painkillers. The wounds are not treated afterwards and are left to heal on their own. A terrible procedure.

Mulesing free

Mulesing is only practised in Australia. It is forbidden in New Zealand, South Africa and Germany. It is simply not done in Argentina because the special fly does not exist there. So when you buy merino wool, make sure you know where it comes from. In our online shop, for example, you can filter for the Fair Wool label, which is only awarded to products that are mulesing free.

Leading merino wool manufacturers are already very transparent about the issue. Icebreaker is one of them. On its website, the brand provides very clear information about its farmers and their animals, as well as insights into its production. The merino wool that Icebreaker uses comes mainly from New Zealand and is mulesing free.

Ortovox is also a well-known name when it comes to functional clothing made from merino wool. The company has introduced its own wool standard – the Ortovox Wool Promise (OWP) – and provides information about its Tasmanian merino wool on its website.

And one more thing: if a piece of clothing made from merino wool is very cheap, it’s worth taking a closer look at where the wool comes from.

Merino wool underwear

Because of its many positive properties, merino wool is often used in outdoor clothing and now also in equipment such as the back of backpacks. However, it is most commonly used in underwear due to its fineness, moisture management and odour control properties. Merino wool underwear is available from Icebreaker, Ortovox, Devold and Kari Traa.