The History of Merino Wool
Before we dive into all the benefits and the theory behind merino wool, let's briefly look at the origin of wool for clarity. It comes from the sheep breed merino sheep, which has been bred over many years to produce the ultimate wool for clothing. In fact, the merino sheep can be traced back to 12th century Spain. However, it was in 1797 that the famous sheep were first imported to Australia and selective breeding was practiced to enhance the already extremely fine fibers in the wool. Australia remains the largest producer of merino wool to this day.
Since then, merino wool has gained increasing interest, having been used for military uniforms to keep soldiers warm in all climates, temperatures, and weather conditions. Later, famous names like Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Karl Lagerfeld helped bring merino wool into the fashion scene, allowing it to showcase its unique qualities to the world.
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What is so special about merino wool?
Wool no longer holds much novelty. Most of us have owned a wool product at some point in our lives, and many probably have something hanging in their closet right now. You can probably relate to one very tangible issue with wool; it itches and scratches! Fortunately, this is not the case with merino wool. The individual fibers in merino wool are significantly thinner than in other types of wool, measuring only 0.0001mm thick. This means merino wool is both softer and more comfortable to wear directly on the skin.
The wool fibers twist and curl around each other to create the structure characteristic of wool. On the surface of the fibers, there are scale-like structures that act like barbs holding them together in a complex system. The fibers are made of keratin, just like human hair, and are 100% biodegradable. The uniquely thin fibers in merino wool make it the softest type of wool available on the market.
Because the fibers are felted tightly together, many air pockets are formed. These air pockets act as an unparalleled insulation against the environment. If you are in a cold climate, the heat released from your body is trapped in these air pockets. Since still air is one of the best insulators—think of double-glazed windows—you won’t feel cold. This effect works the same way in warm weather, making merino wool a fantastic companion all year round.
Cotton Vs. Merino Wool
Can’t you just use cotton, which is easier to get and cheaper? Cotton, which comes from the cotton plant rather than sheep, is one of the most common materials for clothing. It is processed by spinning the fine cotton fibers into cotton thread, which later forms the fabric of the garment. The cotton threads lie very close together, so there are no air pockets like those found in merino wool. This means two things, which are the most significant differences between cotton and merino wool.
The first is that the heat you release through your skin passes straight through a cotton sweater and escapes without contributing in any way. Since there is no space to trap air between the fibers, you will quickly feel either cold or hot depending on the temperature around you. Because merino wool has air pockets between the wool fibers, you can easily maintain the ideal temperature regardless of your surroundings. This is why merino wool provides an excellent ability to maintain a comfortable body temperature and why cotton is not recommended for base layers.
The second major difference is that wool is much better at absorbing sweat and moisture. Water constantly evaporates from our bodies, and how that moisture leaves the skin is crucial for your comfort when performing physical activity. If you wear a cotton sweater, it will absorb the moisture and make you feel cold and clammy. This only adds to why cotton is one of the worst choices for outdoor clothing. Cotton cannot keep you warm and will quickly start to smell strongly of sweat. On the other hand, wool, especially merino wool, absorbs moisture and traps it in its cavities. Merino wool can hold moisture up to 35% of its own weight before it feels wet. Not only do you stay dry and warm, but merino wool also has the bonus effect of wicking sweat away from the skin.
You Avoid the Smell of Sweat with Merino Wool
Merino wool simply does not develop a sweat smell, even with intense use. The unpleasant odor associated with sweat comes from the bacteria living on your skin. When they come into contact with sweat, they start to release the smell we recognize. Because merino wool has the fantastic ability to absorb moisture and store it in its air pockets, it is no longer in contact with your skin and therefore not with the bacteria.
You will therefore find that even on a long hike outdoors when you get very warm, your merino wool neck gaiter/hat/sweater will not smell bad or feel wet. Along with the fact that merino wool has a high protection factor against the sun’s harmful UV rays, this means merino wool is well suited both for summer in the sunshine and the cold winter.
Take Care of Your Merino Wool
Merino wool is not necessarily more fragile than other types of textiles. However, there are some precautions you should know to ensure your newly acquired wool products last as long as possible. For everyday use, merino wool is highly elastic and flexible, so you can easily wear it during intense activity, hiking, running, and sports. This property also makes merino wool especially suitable for producing neck gaiters, which require elasticity to be fully functional.
You have probably noticed that many washing machines have a special wool program. There is a good reason for that. If you wash your wool clothes on regular wash cycles, they will quickly lose the unique properties that set the material apart. The fine fibers in merino wool will quickly break down and be damaged, negatively affecting the air pockets that are so important for achieving its unique qualities.
If you put wool in the dryer, you will most likely find that you can no longer wear it when you take it out. The tiny barbs on the individual wool fibers cannot withstand the intense heat, causing them to change shape and felt together even more. This means the wool fibers contract, reducing the air pockets between them. The result is a significantly shrunken product that has also lost many of the unique functions of merino wool. So definitely keep it far away from the dryer. The best thing you can do is let it air dry, lying flat on a surface. This also prevents your merino wool from stretching out due to gravity on a clothesline.