Wearing a Wool& Celine top, Woolly Long Haul weekender pants, and WoolX Finley jacket. Steve wearing an Icebreaker tee and Unbound Merino travel hoodie at Luxor Temple in Egypt
Straight to the Point…
Merino wool is moisture wicking, quick drying, breathable, temperature regulating, antibacterial, soft against your skin, can be worn multiple times between washes, packs small, tends not to wrinkle, and is just plain amazing!
Now, on to the info you need…
My journey into Merino clothing began in 2022 in an attempt to pack carry-on only for a girlfriend cruise to Alaska. We had a tight connection in Chicago and it was the summer of thousands of bags being lost when travel rebounded toward the end of the pandemic. I was really worried we would end up boarding the cruise ship in Seattle without our bags. I learned about Merino wool from a couple of bloggers I follow. They were singing its praises, so I thought I would give it a try.
I ordered a couple tee shirts for my husband and me. Started wearing them for our daily walks on the hiking trails near our house. We. Got. Hot. And sweaty. Really sweaty. So I hung them up to air out overnight as had been recommended, and lo and behold, in a few short hours, they were dry and had no odor whatsoever. We repeated this the next day with the same shirts. And the next. And the next. And the….well you get the point. We were amazed that the all the qualities I listed above were really not just hype.
Merino wool is truly everything that is advertised. Think about the sheep that are wearing this shit year round! There’s a reason people have been using wool for hundreds of years for clothing. Yes, it can be extremely warm and waterproof at heavier weights, and that’s why it was so desirable as a textile. Over time, textile manufacturers discovered its other unique properties and learned about the science behind it.
The science is this: It’s not the sweat that causes body odor to linger in clothing, it’s the bacteria that are feeding on the sweat. With synthetics, this odor can become trapped in the fibers and can be difficult to remove. With Merino, the sweat is wicked away naturally to the surface of the fabric, where it is further removed by evaporation during the airing out process, while the wool’s antibacterial properties kill most of the remaining bacteria. This process allows you to wear Merino wool multiple times between washing. In addition, because of its breathability, Merino insulates you when it’s cold, and cools you when it’s warm. It is the perfect travel fabric.
What about allergies and itch???
Many factors determine the quality of wool. Simply put, the diameter of the wool’s fiber is the most important factor in determining the quality of wool. Merino sheep produce a very fine diameter of wool fiber compared to other breeds of sheep. So the wool you may be thinking about is likely wool that has been produced from other breeds of sheep. Non-Merino wool can be itchy due to the size and quality of the wool fibers, but the softness of Merino fibers eliminates that itchy feeling. I do own an Icelandic wool sweater, and I have to wear a turtleneck under it because it is indeed itchy. Merino wool feels as soft as cotton, and people are often surprised when I tell them I am wearing Merino wool. Your mileage may vary, but I urge you to give it a try if you are skeptical. That being said, some people are truly allergic to wool, and cannot wear any type of wool next to their skin, even Merino wool. While wool allergies are not common, they are definitely a problem for those who have this allergy.
Is Merino wool an ethical choice for clothing?
While there will always be controversy surrounding the breeding and use of sheep for food and textiles, many Merino farmers today are following ethical standards of treatment for their sheep. Much of the controversy surrounds the practice of mulesing, or removing strips of skin from around the animal’s buttocks to prevent a parasitic infestation known as flystrike, or myiasis. Advocates for mulesing say that the practice can prevent a slow and painful death for the animal, while those opposed say it is inhumane, painful, and unnecessary.
Mulesing was outlawed in New Zealand in 2018. Many of the high quality Merino clothing companies source only non-mulesed wool for their fabric. You can find information on each company’s practices on their websites. If there is no information readily available about the practice of mulesing, you can use your own judgment as to whether you think that company is following ethical treatment standards. I only buy from companies who use non-mulesed wool, according the information on their websites.
Which is better, 100% Merino or Merino blends?
Merino wool is extremely easy to wear and easy to care for. It feels soft against your skin and comes in many styles, weights, and blends. There are some people who are truly allergic to Merino, but most people who can’t wear old fashioned itchy wool find that they can wear Merino.
My favorites are blends of mostly merino with a bit of nylon and spandex mixed in for shape, comfort, and resilience. I like the bit of stretch that the nylon and spandex add to the merino. The higher the Merino content, the better the natural properties of the Merino. So, when you get down to say, 50% merino, the verdict is out on whether you are getting the same beneficial properties as you would from a higher Merino content. This makes sense to me, so we tend to buy higher Merino content items.
How do you care for Merino wool?
Many brands state that their Merino must be hand washed and laid flat or hung to dry, yet other brands state that their items can be machine washed and tumbled dry in a dryer. Why the difference? Honestly, people want the ease of machine washing and drying their clothing, and the reality is that advertising Merino as machine washable and dryable probably helps sell clothing. It is also an acceptable practice that likely does not harm the garments. We have many different blends and weights of Merino garments with varying washing and drying instructions. (Washing your cat is never a good idea.)
At home, we wash all our Merino items in the washing machine on a delicate cycle in cold water, with no fabric softener. We use Outback Gold wool wash, which contains lanolin to condition the fibers. It’s a good idea to fully zip or close your Merino garments and turn them inside out for washing. This helps protect them from any snags or damage from zippers or other items in the washer with them. Some people put their Merino in a garment bag to keep the fibers from stretching, but I generally don’t do this.
We have washed our Merino occasionally in the washer with non-Merino clothing, using our regular Seventh Generation detergent with no problems, and I know a lot of folks do this for ease. Our wool garments have not suffered, but I see these items as an investment and want to care for them the best way I know how.
We generally do not put any of our Merino in the dryer. I have occasionally put it in the dryer on low for 10 minutes, then finished air drying it and it has been fine. Many people I’ve talked to fully tumble it dry on low and they say it’s also fine. Again, I like to err on the side of caution because these garments are expensive. If you choose to dry your Merino in the dryer, the important thing to remember is that you should not use any fabric softener. Commercially available fabric softeners are designed to coat the fibers to achieve their desired results. Coating Merino with fabric softeners will negate its natural properties.
Keep in mind that Merino truly does not need to be laundered as much as synthetic or cotton fibers, and there are ways to mitigate how often you even need to wash it. The best way is to air your garments out after wearing them. We just hang ours inside out and let them air out in the closet overnight. However, we are not particularly smelly people. If you are a really smelly person (no offense, some people are naturally more prone to body odors) you can spray the armpits of your merino wool shirts (or the crotch of your leggings or pants if needed) with a bit of rubbing alcohol or plain cheap vodka to help kill any bacteria. This practice has been used on theater costumes for many years. You can also mix the alcohol or vodka with equal parts water. This works extremely well.
Don’t get me wrong, Merino does and will get dirty with regular dirt, grime, food stains, or what have you, like any clothing. At home, we wash our Merino shirts, shorts, pants, and sweaters that get heavy or daily wear every week. When we travel, we rarely wash any of our Merino items on a two or three week trip. We rotate the items we wear, wear each item three or four times, and they easily last the entire trip without the need to fully wash them. Of course, if they are visibly soiled or smelly, they do get washedin the sink and are dry in a few short hours. We do have some Merino underwear, and we wash them after each wear, because we’re not gross.
What kind of detergent is best for Merino wool?
There is again, controversy, surrounding the best kind of detergent for washing Merino wool garments. I’ve talked to many people who use regular brand name detergents and have no problem. However, if you want to take the best care of your expensive Merino wool garments, you want to use a detergent made for wool. These detergents usually contain no harsh enzymes that can damage the fibers, and they also contain lanolin to condition the fabric. We use Outback Gold and there are many other brands on the market. I have to order it, because it’s not available where we shop. It only takes a very small amount of wool wash, so read the instructions and don’t add over the recommended amount.
If you get a stain on your Merino, the best way to remove it is by using regular old blue Dawn. Just a tiny amount will do the trick. Rub it in very gently, and rinse it with cold water. Like any stain, once it is set in by putting the item in the dryer, it will be more difficult to remove. Do NOT use a stain remover stick like a Tide pen, or any type of cleanser with Oxiclean on your Merino wool items. This will bleach it and the only way to repair it will be to dye it. You can google how to dye Merino wool as I’ve never done it, but I’ve read about lots of people who do.
Wearing WoolX Hazel top, WoolX Finley jacket, Wool& Summit leggings, and Smartwool socks
Wearing a Wool& Margo dress and Summit leggings
How has Merino wool changed the way we travel?
Merino wool is a game changer for travel and especially for carry-on packing. Steve is a pilot, and used to travel with one white undershirt for each day of flying. He now travels with two or three Merino undershirts for a two week trip where he is flying every night. We have both been surprised at how many fewer items of clothing we can take when we travel. It is truly a game changer for carry-on only traveling. This is my obligatory airport photo on the way to Germany for Christmas for a week with my 20″ Travelpro bag and a small backpack, wearing a Wool& Margo dress and Wool& Summit leggings.
We do carry a small spray bottle with alcohol in one of our liquids bags when we travel. If liquid space is tight, we take the empty bottle, and buy some cheap rubbing alcohol or vodka at our destination. But we rarely feel the need to spray our clothing to help the merino do its job.
If needed, we will wash our Merino items in the sink using the soap or shampoo that is available at our destination. We have found that the fabric holds up well with occasional washing with regular hotel soap or shampoo. We roll them in a towel and hang them to dry. Our lightweight Merino items are dry and ready to go in just a few hours.
Merino wool bottom line
The bottom line on Merino wool is that is truly does live up to its hype. I have transitioned the majority of my tops, sweaters, and jackets over to Merino wool, along with several pairs of leggings and pants of different weights and styles. I also own several Merino dresses in different weights and styles, and Merino tights. I wear Merino wool almost exclusively in all weather. (I also wear a lot of linen pants in the summer, because I don’t wear shorts in public, but that’s my hang-up, not yours!)
High quality Merino wool is expensive, but we see it as an investment in our clothing budget. With proper care, it will last us for years, so we can spend more money on our travels!
Steve wearing an Icebreaker tee and Unbound Merino travel hoodie. WoolX Brooke quarter zip, and WoolX Ryann hoodie on the Pacific Coast Highway
Brands we wear and where to get some deals
Brands we wear, love, and recommend: Wooland (AKA Wool&), Wool& Prince, Unbound Merino, Icebreaker, Woolly Clothing, Simply Merino, and Branwyn. There are lots of other reputable brands that we haven’t tried. While we love WoolX and wear a lot of it, I won’t link it here. I own the facebook group called Wool Xtra Clothing BST, which is a fan group where you can buy, sell, or trade gently worn WoolX garments. It is quite a popular group with about 4000 members doing lots of buying, selling, and trading. WoolX definitely did not want me to start the group due to various reasons. If you are interested, here is a link to the group on facebook. I started the group as a hobby and because I love the clothing, but I have no financial interest in the group. Buyers and sellers exchange money and make the transactions privately. I am the sole volunteer administrator and I have one volunteer moderator. You can get some pretty good deals here if you are so inclined. I am not an affiliate of any Merino companies, so I don’t make any money if you buy from the links at the top of this paragraph.
In addition, there are several other Merino groups on facebook. (Yes, I’m a Gen Xer and use fb more than Instagram.) For reviews and coupon codes for several Merino companies, try the group Wool Obsessed by Leah Prescott. She’e been at this a long time, has a large following, and is an affiliate of several companies. For buying, selling, and trading Wool& brand items, try the group Wool& BST. They have about 20,000 members and it’s a busy group with good deals to be had. For some good deals on Merino and related natural fiber clothing, try the group Wool Lovers Shop & Swap BST. They are relatively new, but are gaining a larger following. The official Wool& Community fb page is also a great source of information. These groups also have Instagram accounts where they showcase products and provide information on sales, etc.
Summary
Merino wool truly is moisture wicking, quick drying, antibacterial, soft against your skin, and can be worn multiple times between washes. These properties and more make Merino the perfect fabric for daily wear and it is a game changer for carry-on traveling. Try a few pieces and let us know what you think.
I look forward to reading more of your blog, and I really appreciate the FB group you set up: I’ve managed to sell everything I’ve placed there. Thank you! I’m sorry they are so reluctant to have us sell things. Truth is, if I sell something it usually means I buy something else!
I’ve tried Unbound (I feel as if I’m too old, at 68 for their clothing. It just seems geared toward the skinny and young!), but haven’t bought elsewhere. I guess I should do some more exploring — I looked at Wool& but nothing has spoken to me. So far, anyway.
I do wonder if, eventually, prices will be reduced due to more and more places carrying merino. I just wish I could find clothing locally so I could try things on.
Anyway, just wanted to thank you for the FB page, and say I’m looking forward to reading more here!
PS We can’t do carryon when we do our week-long (or more) walks: they won’t allow trekking poles in carryon. I find that ridiculous, but oh well!