What is merino wool

10 December 2024

Merino wool is a clothing revolution, changing the fabric of modern apparel. This premium quality, natural fibre is famous not only for its comfort, softness, and odour resistance but also for its exceptional temperature regulation and moisture management properties. It stays warm when wet and offers lasting durability and true versatility from a sustainable source.

If you’re wondering: is wool natural or synthetic? Our merino wool is 100% natural, eco-conscious, and as plastic-free as possible. Named after the hardy Merino sheep who thrive in New Zealand’s harsh climate - enduring freezing winters through to baking summers - their prized wool offers a resilient, breathable, and hard-wearing clothing and textile solution that helps keep you cool in the heat and warm in the cold. icebreaker harnesses the power of 100% natural merino to bring you incredibly soft, high-performance clothing that shuns synthetics and prizes the welfare of these amazing animals.

How is merino wool made?

If you’re wondering: what is merino wool and where does it come from? Let’s take you to the rugged slopes of New Zealand’s breathtaking mountain ranges. There, Merino sheep flock peacefully between icy lakes and thick brushland year-round. Their amazing natural fleece coats cocoon them from fluctuating temperatures and rapidly changing weather patterns. It is these very special Merino sheep who provide us with their incredible natural wool, made from fine merino fibres, which are then woven into everything from breathable active-wear to ultra-soft underwear.

icebreaker works in partnership with Merino growers to ensure our wool provides premium performance and comfort, unlike anything you've experienced. We believe that by partnering with sheep stations and respecting the Merino sheep, the growers and the natural environment, our products offer premium quality as well as comfort and effortless style. After all, good wool comes from good soil, clean water, and fresh grass, fueling healthy, happy sheep.

Characteristics of merino wool

Merino sheep are famously hardy, which makes their wool incredibly durable too. As well as naturally regulating its own temperature, the fine fibres are softer than traditional wool, feeling comfortable and less itchy against your skin, as well as providing natural odour resistance. Its breathability, strength, and longevity make it a popular choice for base layers, activewear, and essential clothing for everyday wear - whether it’s adventurous outdoor activities or simply cosying up at home in the evening. What’s more, it’s easy to care for, so you can keep your favourite pieces for longer, reducing your impact on the environment.

What is Merino wool used for?

Merino wool is a popular choice for jumpers and cardigans, as its superior softness, comfort, and insulating yet breathable fibres help keep you cosy even on the chilliest days. However, it’s also an excellent base layer, as it helps to manage moisture away from your body when you sweat.

Due to its famous quality, softness, and lightweight properties, it’s a truly versatile material to make everything from luxury apparel and outerwear to underwear and dresses. Sports and leisure wear made from merino offers premium performance with natural thermoregulation, and accessories, ski wear, and walking separates are designed to last whilst offering year-round comfort and practicality.

Merino wool benefits

The top five reasons for choosing merino wool are its unparalleled combination of softness, breathability, temperature regulation, moisture management, and resilience. As well as odour control, it also offers long-lasting quality, a lightweight finish, a stylish and versatile fabric to make a wide range of clothing and apparel, as well as being sustainable and easy to care for.

Premium merino wool has a wide range of benefits, and choosing to buy from an environmentally conscious retailer will give you peace of mind that you’re supporting sheep growers and purchasing a unique product that aims to offer true value for money in the long run.

Softness and comfort

Merino wool is famous for its soft fibres which won’t irritate your skin like traditional wool or synthetic alternatives might. Merino fibres are, on average, half as thick as other sheeps’ wool, and significantly thinner than a human hair. It’s these delicate layers which avoid the ‘prickly’ sensation that other materials can have, and the wool’s cleverly crimped design helps to not only keep strands lying flat but to trap tiny air pockets for effective insulation against extreme heat or cold.

Temperature regulation

Unlike synthetic materials, merino wool stays warm when wet, as it generates a small amount of heat whilst it dries to speed up the evaporation process. It’s also extremely breathable, and the fibres successfully trap air to insulate you in both warm or chilly conditions. These clever natural benefits ensure that you won’t stay wet, cold, or sweaty for long, so it’s a great choice for various weather conditions and climates.

Moisture management

The natural structure of merino wool makes it ultra absorbent, so the fibres are able to trap sweat, which your body produces, and manage moisture to help keep you cool and dry. The breathable nature of the wool stops you from feeling wet and clammy, making it an ideal choice for sportswear or base layers during all seasons.

Odour resistance

Merino’s unique properties, which allow your skin to breathe, mean that odours won’t hang around like they do when you wear synthetic fabrics, making it suitable for extended wear. Its breathability means your clothing won’t be trapping sweat and odours in the same way as synthetics, which is when bacteria can build up and lead to unpleasant odours. Merino is therefore a great choice for daytime casual or sports wear.

Environmental impact

At icebreaker, we value our natural environment, and we are striving to be plastic free. We’re not quite fully there yet, but our products are proudly environmentally conscious and we aim for 100% natural merino wool fibres whenever possible. This makes our fabric kinder to skin, and the planet, as well as being long lasting and more biodegradable than some materials. For icebreaker, sourcing fibres responsibly is a given, not an exception. We can trace the origin of 100% of our merino wool, which is what makes us stand out; against microplastics and disposable fashion, and all for premium quality clothing that comes from a sustainable source.

Merino wool layering system

The ideal way to wear merino is to layer separates to enjoy the benefits of this special fabric. As it helps to manage moisture, it’s even possible to layer merino wool in warmer weather. A popular choice for adventure sports and outdoor activities, your layering system will vary depending on your climate and leisure choice, but you can easily adapt it to suit your activity level and comfort. You can begin with a merino underwear layer in all weathers.

It’s recommended to then add a lightweight base layer or vest, and add additional layers depending on your activity and conditions, all the way through to mid and outer layers. In warmer weather, opt for lighter weight layers, which can be removed as and when needed. For cooler weather, you can even layer leggings to protect your whole body from the elements. It’s important to first ask: is wool natural or synthetic? Synthetic wool options are not breathable, and don’t usually offer moisture-management properties, making them unsuitable as a base layer. Natural merino is the clear, comfortable choice.

Conclusion

We’d love you to discover the benefits of merino for yourself. Whether you’re striving for softness, quality, longevity, or tough performance on all terrain, merino has the answer. Plus, it’s not just cosy jumpers and knitwear accessories to keep you warm in winter - but our range includes everything from delicate children’s wear, merino t-shirts, and stylish summer skirts. Discover a more sustainable fabric solution from icebreaker, which is designed by nature to keep you comfortable, cool, and dry all year round.

Merino wool - FAQ

What is so special about merino wool?

Merino wool comes from the special Merino sheep breed, which are native to New Zealand. The fibres are extremely fine, offering luxurious comfort all year round, as well as being easy care. Soft, breathable, more odour-free, and with natural moisture management, it’ll keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.

Is merino wool better than regular wool?

Merino wool feels very different to traditional wool, which can be itchy on your skin and feel bulky and heavy. Merino is super soft, lightweight, and can safely be machine washed. Its finer fibres won’t itch your skin, and it can be worn year-round thanks to its amazing thermoregulation properties.

Merino wool versus cashmere

Wondering what is merino wool versus cashmere’s benefits? Although cashmere is famously soft and luxurious to wear, it is much less durable, and prone to damage through wear-and-tear. Merino offers a sustainable alternative that’s often preferred for its breathability, making it versatile yet still warm and gentle on skin.

Is 100% merino wool expensive?

Although 100% natural merino wool can be more expensive than its fast-fashion equivalent, its superior quality is designed to last. Your carefully crafted merino separates not only provide performance apparel, but they support a natural, more sustainable alternative that not only looks good but feels great against your skin.