First, what is merino wool?

In short, Merino wool is a natural fibre grown year-round by Merino sheep on farms across countries such as, Australia, New Zealand, Patagonia and Uruguay.

Unlike synthetics which are produced from non-renewable fossil energy, merino wool is a natural fibre grown year-round by Merino sheep, consuming a simple blend of natural ingredients including, water, fresh air, sunshine, and grass. Every year these sheep produce new fleece, making merino wool a completely renewable resource.

(Photo Credit: Smartwool)

TOP 6 BENEFITS OF MERINO WOOL

#1. Regulates body temperature

Merino wool is not just for winter; it is truly a four-season fibre.

Stay warm. Wool has a natural crimp to it, that traps air making it a fantastic insulator against the cold.

Stay cool. Wool has the ability to store moisture within the structure of the fibre. As your body warms up, the moisture stored within the fibre begins to evaporate, cooling the air between your skin and your fabric. The warmer you get, the more evaporation takes place, creating an even bigger cooling effect.

(Photo Credit: Woolpower)

#2. Odour Resistant

Breathability is the ability of the fibre to absorb and expel sweat and odour caused by bacteria – trapping their smell and keeping them from building up, meaning you can wear longer and wash less without having to worry about smelling. This makes it the perfect travel or hiking companion when you don’t have much space in your luggage or facilities for washing.

Since the odour-causing bacteria doesn’t have the moist environment they need to thrive, you can wear it during intense activity and over extended periods of time without having to worry about odor.

#3. Natural Sun Protection

Merino Wool naturally protects against the sun’s harmful rays providing UV protection with an UPF rating of 30+ – 50+ depending on the weight of the Merino you wear.

#4. Soft. Really Soft.

It’s soft. Because Merino wool is super-fine, it is flexible and bends when it meets skin, so it’s not itchy and prickly like regular wool can be.

#5. Stays warm when wet

Merino wool is one of the rare fabrics that continues to keep you warm even when it gets wet. It not only absorbs moisture into the porous fibres moving the wet material away from your body, but a heat energy occurs when the polarized molecules of water and wool fibre meet. This process is so powerful it actually generates heat keeping you warm even when damp.

#6. Fire Resistant

Merino wool typically won’t melt or burst into flames – great to know if you are hanging around a campfire.

3 GREAT REASONS TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT WEARING MERINO WOOL

#1. Renewable Resource

You can feel good knowing that what you are wearing is beneficial to you and also good to the Earth. Merino sheep shed and regrow new coats every year, making their wool a highly renewable resource.

(Photo Credit: Icebreaker)

#2. Biodegradable

Not only is merino wool a renewable resource, it is also biodegradable. Merino wool disappears after about 12 months in the ground, releasing carbon and nutrients back into the soil. Now that is a benefit we can get behind!

#3. Long Lasting

Predominantly made of interlocking protein molecules known as keratin, the same protein present in our own skin and hair, individual wool fibres have the ability to be bent, flexed and stretched in any direction 30,000 times or more without damage.

Wool fibres have a natural curl called the “fibre crimp” which improves the elasticity and over all resilience of the fibre.

Less wear and tear, means you can wear and enjoy your merino wool garment for many years to come.

Check out some of our brands that are known for their merino wool products:

Smartwool - https://www.ramakkos.com/smartwool

Icebreaker - https://www.ramakkos.com/Icebreaker

Woolpower - https://www.ramakkos.com/Woolpower