Get to know
merino.

Meet the merino — one of the world's toughest sheep breeds.

Surviving New Zealand's harsh climate, they have ingenious fleece engineering that protects them in the freezing winters (-10°C) and cools them in the scorching summers (+30°C). icebreaker's 25 years of experience showcase nature's incredible merino wool, providing performance and comfort, unlike anything you've experienced.

5 reasons to choose merino wool.

Merino wool is the ultimate choice for unbeatable performance, no matter the season. It helps provide temperature regulation and moisture management, and is naturally odour-resistant.

01

Temperature
regulation.

The thermo-regulation properties of merino wool adapt to your body and external conditions, so you can stay warm in the cold and cool in the heat.

02

Natural odour resistance.

Merino wool actively resists unpleasant odours by absorbing odour molecules into its fibres, making them less detectable by the human nose.

03

Moisture
management.

Merino fibres efficiently manage moisture, absorbing it from your skin and releasing it into the atmosphere. It can absorb up to 35% of its weight in water without feeling wet.

04

Resilience.

We design our clothes to endure and withstand whatever adventure you have next. icebreaker merino fibres are resilient, stretching over 30% without breaking.

05

Unbelievable
softness.

When icebreaker merino fibres touch your skin, they bend, offering an incredible sensation of softness and comfort that you have to experience to believe.

Feel the benefits
of icebreaker merino.
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The merino
difference.

Traditional wool provides warmth but is bulky and itchy, while synthetic fabrics are low-maintenance but can induce sweat. Merino wool is the optimal solution – lightweight, soft, itch-free, resistant to odours, and environmentally friendly. Unmatched comfort and sustainability.

icebreaker merino
Traditional wool
Synthetic

Natural fibre

Warm when wet

Doesn't smell after use

Stays warm

Soft, no itch

Lightweight

Machine washable

 
icebreaker
merino
Traditional
wool
Synthetic
Natural
fibre
Warm
when wet
Doesn't smell
after use
Stays
warm
Soft,
no itch
Lightweight
Machine
washable

Merino pioneers
from day one.

Since 1995, icebreaker has recognised merino's potential to surpass synthetics and plastics for a better future. Our relationship with nature and our growers enables us to nurture the highest quality merino wool.

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All your merino questions answered.

Merino wool is unlike anything you've tried before. It's perfect for keeping you cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather. Thanks to its thermo-regulating properties, it adjusts to your body's temperature needs. Naturally odour-resistant, it also pulls moisture from your skin and releases it into the air. Made up of ultra-fine fibres that gently bend upon contact, you'll love how soft merino feels against your skin.

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Merino wool won't shrink after washing due to its internal spring-like coil that holds its shape. Our machine-washable garments containing merino wool maintain their softness and performance. Hang to dry and store folded for best results. With its natural stretchiness, merino wool retains its shape wear after wear. As always, follow the care guide for your garment.

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Merino wool is generally not itchy because of its smaller and finer fibres that bend when they touch your skin, unlike traditional wool fibres that stay rigid and irritate the skin. icebreaker sources superfine merino fibres, carefully hand-picked by growers, ensuring softness and comfort. These luxurious fibres make merino wool suitable for next-to-skin layers, as they help provide less itchiness, resist odours, and move sweat away from your skin. To maintain the softness of your merino wool garments, follow the care guide for your garment. Experience the softness and comfort of merino for yourself.

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Yes, absolutely! It may seem strange to imagine wearing wool in the heat, but merino is not like other wools. Its lightweight fibres are designed to manage moisture — naturally.

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icebreaker garments are designed to make caring for them easy. Be sure to follow the care instructions on your garment's label.

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Click below to learn more about our icebreaker layering system.

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