The Ultimate Merino Wool Guide

Australian Merino wool is the most supremely soft and finest wool in the world. No other natural nor man-made fibre comes close to matching its natural properties. When designing our dynamic apparel systems, we have partnered with Nuyarn to enable ultimate human performance. Let’s explore how and why.

What is Merino Wool?

Merino wool comes from Merino sheep on farms throughout Australia. The wool is a 100% natural fibre grown all year-round using sustainable farming practices. This means Merino sheep only consume natural ingredients- water, fresh air, grass, and sun. Opposed to synthetics manufactured with non-renewable fossil energy.

Merino fibres are 100% biodegradable as they will naturally decompose in the earth's surface over time dispensing healthy nutrients during the process. They are also 100% renewable as every year, Merino sheep grow a new fleece of fresh wool ready to be transformed into quality activewear.

The Advantages of Merino Wool

Wool's unique chemical structure is what permits it to have so many intrinsic advantages. Here we’ll break down all the unique benefits to help you understand why Merino wool is superior to lambswool, being great for layering up for your sporty pursuits.

100% Natural

Merino wool is completely naturally grown by Australian Merino sheep who consume only natural ingredients- fresh air, water, grass, and sunshine. Therefore, what is Merino wool made of? It’s built-up of proteins containing amino acids and natural compounds.

100% Biodegradable

After around 12 months, merino wool fibres will decompose in the ground, giving back protein filled with amino acids. The process of decomposition will release carbon and valuable nutrients back into the earth's soil.

100% Renewable

Merino sheep can produce four to five pounds of wool every year which is pretty impressive. The wool fibres have developed overtime to keep the sheep happy and comfortable in their environment supporting them to grow a new fleece all year-round.

Regulates Body Temperate

One of the most advantageous qualities of the wool's properties is the way it reacts to body temperature. When wearing Merino wool is in cold conditions, the natural movement in its fibres harbour air and insulate body heat. Contrastingly, when worn in a warm environment, the wool avoids sweat touching skin keeping you dry and cool.

Keeps You Dry

Merino wool is incredible for outdoor activities as it helps to keep you dry. The wool fibres can absorb mass moisture vapour then transport it away from the skin and into the air to evaporate. It can do this because Merino fibres are extremely porous, meaning it has tiny holes that allow air or liquid to pass through. As you sweat, the wool allows it to move through the material keeping you from feeling wet.

Odour Resistant

Merino wool intelligently absorbs moisture and odour caused by bacteria, unlike synthetic materials. This unique property means less sweat is left on the skin and the smell is prevented from building up. Athletes and explorers don’t have to worry about bodily odours during performance activity, they can relax and enjoy the adventure no matter how far they travel.

Super-fine and Soft

One of the reasons why Merino wool is more advanced compared to traditional wool is that it’s super-fine and soft. One fibre is a third of the diameter of a human hair. This makes Merino wool feel great against bare skin, comfortable, and sensationally soft.

Fire-Resistant

Merino wool is naturally flame resistant due to its chemical structure. This makes it great for outdoor campfires and public spaces such as hospitals and hotels. When you compare wool to cotton for example you can see why. Cotton catches fire at 255°C whereas wool will only ignite at 570-600°C. Wool will never melt and stick to the skin bringing safety features to the material.

Stain Resistant

Another property of Merino wool is that it's stain resistant. The natural compound has an outer layer that protects the wool and prevents stains from being absorbed. It also attracts less dust as Merino wool generates less static than synthetics.

Flexibility

The wool’s fibre has natural elasticity making it ideal for sport and movement. Merino wool clothing will move and stretch with you, reacting to your shape and actions. The elasticity then allows the wool to return to its original contour preventing garments from looking stretched and worn. This makes merino great for climbing, especially if woven in a smart, Nuyarn structure.

Wool Care

Another fantastic advantage of Merino wool is that it’s easy to care for. Most Merino wool clothing can be machine-washed and tumble-dried. Before washing any of our garments, make sure you read the care label found inside each piece of clothing. All our clothing is made up of a unique compound, therefore washing instructions can differ.

Want to Learn More?

We already know Merino wool is incredible which is why we have developed our Merino apparel system to ensure it performs during all outdoor pursuits, even the most extreme. But, if you would like to know more about Merino wool and our gear, drop us a line here!