Merino wool is an excellent fiber. Merino T-shirts in some way handle to be snug in 95-degree-Fahrenheit warmth, and Merino hoodies will preserve you heat nicely under freezing. Unlike artificial fibers derived from petroleum, Merino wool is pure and renewable. One sheep can develop 4-5 kilos of wool per 12 months. 

That’s as a result of the sheep that make merino wool drink solely the purest Alpine waters and research the artwork of consolation below the tutelage of these barely stuck-up Pashmina goats, who, let’s face, do know a factor or two about splendidly, pillowy softness. Just kidding. Merino wool does come from Merino sheep, which have thinner, softer wool, making Merino far more snug to put on subsequent to your pores and skin. It’s unclear whether or not the Merino sheep acquired this concept from Pashmina goats. What I do know is that Merino wool is a exceptional, missed cloth that is turn into the cornerstone of my winter wardrobe.

Merino sheep do not simply dwell in chilly climates. Their wool has developed to maintain them snug throughout a variety of temperatures, and the identical is true of clothes created from Merino wool. I’ve worn Merino T-shirts on 100-degree days and felt superb, although that is much less true if you happen to throw excessive humidity into the combination—Merino sheep don’t trip within the tropics, apparently. Whatever the case, the wool’s versatility means there is a bewildering array of blends and choices to select from. Here are our favourite Merino wool merchandise that we have examined.

Special supply for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This consists of limitless entry to WIRED.com and our print journal (if you happen to’d like). Subscriptions assist fund the work we do day-after-day.

If you purchase one thing utilizing hyperlinks in our tales, we could earn a fee. This helps assist our journalism. Learn more.

Merino wool is flexible, however I’d nonetheless argue that one of the best use case for it’s as a light-weight mid-layer, like a hoodie. It’s heat sufficient for cool days by itself, surprisingly wind resistant, and might pair with an outer shell to type an incredible light-weight day-hiking layering system. It’s additionally go-to for the health club or round city.

An Icebreaker hoodie was my introduction to Merino wool, and it stays my favourite jacket I’ve ever owned. Alas, after about 10 years, mine had a run-in with moths (see our care information under) and needed to be retired. Mine was not the precise type pictured, however very near it. This jacket is 100% merino and extremely heat, regardless of not being all that thick. That makes it an incredible choice for days when the climate could range significantly–it is heat sufficient for a chilly morning however will not be a burden in your pack the remainder of the day. This is on the tight-fitting facet, so if that is not your factor (and it is not mine), get the subsequent measurement up. 

If you do not need to go 100% merino in your first buy, that is OK. There is now a ton of blended attire in the marketplace that will get a lot of the advantage of merino, with sufficient cotton or polyester to retain the softness many people are used to. This hoodie from Ten Thousand is an effective instance. It’s 76 p.c polyester, 18 p.c merino, and 6 p.c elastane, which provides it a mushy, stretchy really feel that makes it ultimate for figuring out, mountain climbing, or another out of doors exercise the place you want your jacket to flex and stretch with you.

I’ve nothing in opposition to artificial fleece. It has its place, however I not often put on it today. I favor a hoodie just like the one above or the mid-layers under. Merino is healthier at serving to your physique regulate its temperature, slightly than simply preserving you heat like fleece and different synthetics do.

Kora’s Yardang Jersey is designed as a midweight mid-layer. It might be essentially the most versatile factor I’ve in my wardrobe. It’s a lot by itself on a cool spring day however then skinny sufficient to place one other layer on prime of it if you want extra. It’s pleasantly breathable and really mushy. The Yardang is a mix of 70 p.c merino, complemented by 30 p.c Himalayan yak wool. It’s the softest little bit of merino in my assortment. If you want this mix, there’s additionally a hat and neck gaiter within the Yardang line.

If you might have considerations about utilizing goose down as an insulation layer, merino wool can also be a good substitute for artificial insulation. Vests are just like the cheat code of layering if you happen to wish to preserve your core heat however your arms cellular otherwise you need to get an additional soupçon of heat with out including an excessive amount of bulk. I (Adrienne) wish to layer Ibex’s Wool Aire vest below my common wool coat if I’m going out for the night time or on a long term. 

I’m sufficiently old to recollect when a “base layer” was no matter cotton T-shirt you placed on. If you bought chilly in that, you placed on a jacket. If you bought sizzling in it, you sweated. Do you want a particular shirt to go climbing? No. Just go climbing. That stated, out of doors gear advertising and marketing or not, base layers are a thing. I’ve come to like some merino T-shirts, particularly in spring and fall. They actually do not feel vastly totally different from cotton, however they do not odor after you have been sweating in all of them day, which is a big bonus on multiday climbing journeys, or simply journeys to the health club.

We love these long-sleeve Smartwool shirts for the way mushy they’re. An 87 p.c merino wool mix with nylon means they’re extremely snug. In our base layer information, we are saying this shirt is an “ideal weight,” with heavy seams (learn: sturdier, longer lasting) however not so heavy that they trigger any discomfort—the shirts lie flat and sit off the shoulder, as any half-decent base layer ought to. 

The most shockingly costly T-shirts I’ve ever owned are nonetheless a few of my favorites. They’re heat, but in some way cool, and surprisingly good at stopping the wind. These shirts aren’t nice in humidity; for that, I’d in all probability go together with a mix. Note that a few of Icebreaker’s T-shirts are blends, so test the main points in your favourite design earlier than you make investments.

Don’t neglect your legs! It by no means fails to shock me (Adrienne) how many individuals put a number of layers of insulation on their prime half and go away their legs completely bare. Depending on the climate, I’ve a number of totally different weights of leggings that I can swap in. My favorites are the traditional Icebreaker leggings, which have lasted me nearly a decade. However, the remainder of my household (my partner and two youngsters) use REI’s in-house merino wool base layers and leggings, that are a fairly priced choice and do not irritate my son’s delicate pores and skin. 

And now, a phrase on match. Women should not the one individuals whose our bodies can differ from customary sizing. But I (Adrienne) am 5′ 2″ and struggle to find clothing options that will fit—especially ones that are meant to fit next to the skin. As high-quality as the base layer is, it won’t keep you warm if it rucks up around your waist or sags below your hips. 

Most main manufacturers supply a ladies’s model of their base layers. However, if you happen to’re having a variety of issue discovering a pair that works, Kari Traa’s leggings have a really excessive waist that helps preserve them up. The patterns are additionally fairly, for these of you who object to parading across the lodge in what seems to be like pajamas. Allbirds’ leggings ($64) additionally use a mix of Tencel and nylon for sturdiness, with a excessive waist for a safer match. 

While merino wool is very soft, most products in this category are blends, usually with some form of nylon. Darn Tough socks are a WIRED favorite. They’re great for skiing, hiking, climbing, and just about anything else you want to do. These blends vary by weight, but most of them are around 50 percent nylon and 50 percent merino, which makes them dry a bit faster than pure merino while remaining plenty warm and comfortable.

The weird thing about socks is that, as a warm-weather lover, well, I hate socks. Every day with socks is a kind of failure. That said, these Carhartts (gifted to me by a friend who was worried that I wandered about in sockless sandals in the snow) are really nice. They’re incredibly warm and soft, and they never smell. They’re possibly my favorite socks—if I were to have favorite socks. 

Merino wool comes in different weights, which you will frequently see listed as “200 gsm,” or one thing related. (The “gsm” refers to grams per sq. meter.) What’s essential is the dimensions and the place your garment falls on it. At the low finish, you might have T-shirts and underwear, that are sometimes 150 gsm, although now we have seen some as little as 120 gsm. Generally, something under 200 gsm might be base layer. From 200-300 gsm are your mid-layers, and something above 300 is a heavier garment.

Most merino merchandise could have care directions. Most probably it will likely be to clean chilly and lay flat to dry. The latter is essential, as hanging wool to dry will stretch it out (due to the water weight). While most merino labels will say the garment may be machine-washed, my expertise has been that hand-washing merino will prolong its life. This is especially true of very light-weight (150 gsm) merino base layers and T-shirts.

I’ve by no means had an issue storing merino in my closet between wears, however for long-term storage, I like to recommend you are taking precautions in opposition to moths, that are infamous for consuming holes in wool. I’ve misplaced merino clothes to moths.