Merino wool is a brilliant fiber. One of the best merino wool clothes by some means manages to be snug in 95-degree warmth, and merino base layers maintain you heat properly under freezing. In contrast to artificial fibers derived from petroleum, merino wool is pure and renewable.
Merino wool’s versatility means there’s a bewildering array of blends and choices to select from. Listed here are our favourite merino wool merchandise that we have examined by sporting and washing (often in chilly water, and hung to dry, though we do machine dry them simply to see what occurs) over the course of months and even years in some instances. When you’re achieved right here, remember to take a look at the remainder of our attire guides, just like the Finest Merino Wool T-Shirts, Finest Base Layers, Finest Puffer Jackets, Finest Hoodies, and Finest Climbing Boots.
Up to date April 2026: We have modified out prime decide boxers to Wool & Prince, added extra hoodies, and the Ibex ladies’s Goat quick sleeve. We additionally up to date costs and hyperlinks all through.
Desk of Contents
Why Is Merino Wool So Nice?
Merino wool is nice since you’re stealing a sheep’s potential to maintain itself heat or cool primarily based on the temperatures it is in, a course of sometimes called thermoregulation. In the event you’ve solely ever worn the form of itchy wool sweaters your proverbial grandmother supposedly made, you may surprise what all of the fuss is. The reply is that Merino sheep have thinner, softer wool, which has advanced to maintain them snug throughout a variety of temperatures and is snug to put on subsequent to your pores and skin. Wool is sustainable, too.
One sheep can produce 4 to five kilos of wool per yr. That is as a result of the sheep that make merino wool drink solely the purest alpine waters and research the artwork of consolation beneath the tutelage of these stuck-up Pashmina goats, who, let’s face it, may know a factor or two about splendidly pillowy softness. Simply kidding. Merino sheep do have that softer wool although, and merino wool is a exceptional material that is grow to be the cornerstone of my wardrobe.
Merino wool is available in totally different weights, which you’ll steadily see listed as “200 gsm” or one thing related. (The “gsm” refers to grams per sq. meter, generally listed as g/m.) What’s essential is the size and the place your garment falls on it. On the low finish, you’ve T-shirts and underwear, that are sometimes 150 gsm, although we now have seen some as little as 120 gsm. Typically, something under 200 gsm can be a great base layer or T-shirt. From 200 to 300 gsm are your mid-layers, and something above 300 is a heavier garment.
In the event you’re extra accustomed to artificial rankings like these usually used on fleece, know that, in my expertise, about 120–160 gsm wool corresponds to 100-weight fleece, 160–200 gsm wool roughly matches 200-weight fleece and 200+ wool is like 300-weight fleece. In each occasion, the wool is hotter as a result of it is higher at trapping warmth, particularly within the wind. (That mentioned, there are causes to go along with fleece at instances, like how extremely light-weight it may be.)
Nuyarn is a merino wool/artificial hybrid weave, whereby merino wool is wrapped round a nylon core for heat, lightness, and additional sturdiness. The thought is to get the temperature regulation advantages of merino, however so as to add among the longevity of nylon. In my expertise, Nuyarn largely works. It is our prime decide for base layers, although I discover it much less needed in additional informal clothes, the place I choose one hundred pc wool.
Learn how to Look after Merino Wool
Most merino merchandise may have care directions. Most probably will probably 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). Whereas most merino labels say the garment may be machine washed, my expertise has been that hand-washing merino will prolong its life. That is notably true of very light-weight (150 gsm) merino base layers and T-shirts. The exception is Minus33’s Microweight Raglan quick sleeve T-shirt, which is machine-washable and dryer-friendly. Having achieved each to mine for over a yr, I can vouch that it does certainly maintain up.
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’re taking precautions in opposition to moths, that are infamous for consuming holes in wool. I’ve misplaced merino clothes to moths.
In the event you do not need to odor like mothballs, there are higher options. I make certain to clean and completely dry no matter I’m storing, then I seal it in a compression bag, like this. An alternative choice is to place your merino garment in a cotton bag or in any other case wrap it in cotton after which put it in a plastic bin. It is essential to guarantee that the garment is totally dry earlier than utilizing any of those storage strategies, in any other case your wool will odor musty and moldy. Different choices embody storing your garment in a cedar chest, which is an efficient pure deterrent for moths, or use moth traps or lavender sachets, which is able to repel the moths.
100 P.c Merino vs. Blends
Must you purchase one hundred pc merino or must you go for a mix? The reply is … it relies upon. On the garment in query, the use case, and your preferences. In all probability the easiest way to search out out is to strive a number of and see what you want. One benefit to blends is that they are stretchy, which makes them higher for energetic pursuits like mountain climbing, mountain climbing, and the like. I like one hundred pc merino for heavier mid-layers like hoodies or jackets, however I choose blends for lighter layers. My expertise has been that the nearer I get to my pores and skin, the extra mix I need, with Nuyarn being my prime decide for base layers.
There are additionally some alpaca blends on the market which might be additionally splendidly mushy (I really like every little thing I’ve tried from Paka and Arms of Andes). In the event you’re one of many uncommon individuals who do discover merino itchy, you is likely to be allergic to lanolin, which is the pores and skin oil produced by sheep. Alpacas do not make lanolin, and the fibers are thinner and finer than merino. That makes alpaca hotter and softer, nevertheless it’s additionally dearer.
Merino vs. Artificial Fibers
Which is best? The reply once more is … it relies upon (sorry). However often merino. By synthetics, I typically imply polyester, nylon, polypropylene, rayon, or blends of those and different materials—every little thing however cotton, wool, and linen.
Synthetics typically win for wicking away sweat, which implies they have a tendency to really feel drier. Additionally they are likely to dry quicker, so on the subject of issues like socks and underwear, even most “merino” choices are sometimes greater than 50 % artificial. Synthetics are simply higher at dealing with moisture. How a lot this issues is determined by a bunch of non-public components. For instance, I really feel bizarre and nearly clammy in something artificial, so I do not actually care how a lot moisture it wicks away.
The draw back to that moisture wicking is that synthetics retain odor. There are some chemical therapies that may assist, however I’ve by no means tried something artificial that was as odor-resistant as merino wool.
One other distinction is breathability. Synthetics are satisfactory on this division, nevertheless it’s the place merino actually excels. In the event you’re scorching and are mountain climbing up an uncovered slope towards an open move after which dropping down into the cool of a forest, merino is your good friend, as a result of the breathability means much less sweat to chill you while you get out of the solar. Once more, how a lot this issues is determined by your physique.
The ultimate issue value serious about is sturdiness. In some instances, synthetics will last more than pure merino, notably in situations the place abrasion is a serious supply of damage. To my thoughts, that is simply another excuse to decide on a merino mix moderately than going all the best way to synthetics, nevertheless it’s one thing to consider if you happen to do a number of off-trail mountain climbing or mountain climbing—any exercise the place your garments are going to take a beating.
Base Layers
To actually see how exceptional merino wool is, begin on the backside, with the garments subsequent to your pores and skin. Merino actually shines as a base layer. It is hotter for the load, wicks moisture properly, and in contrast to artificial materials, merino stays stink-free for days of damage. Remember to learn our layering information for extra on tips on how to put all of it collectively and keep snug in any climate. We even have a separate information to the perfect base layers if you need know all of your choices, however listed below are our prime merino picks from that information.
Finest Light-weight Base Layer
The Ibex Woolies Professional Tech base layer crew is the perfect light-weight merino base layer we have examined. In order for you a hard-wearing shirt, this it it. Woolies are Nuyarn (see above), which is 85 % merino wool and 15 % nylon—the merino wool is wrapped round a nylon core, which will increase the heat whereas being lighter (5 oz for the boys’s massive) and extra sturdy. That is my prime decide for all issues technical. It is what I carry mountain climbing, backpacking, and it is evaluations editor Adrienne So’s decide for working, climbing and different high-aerobic actions when it’s chilly. I additionally love the Woolies Professional Tech Bottoms ($115), that are what I carry backpacking in all however the warmest of climate. There’s additionally a quarter zip model of the shirt if you happen to choose.
Other than consolation and heat, a bit a part of the explanation we suggest Woolies is that they final. Ibex is what passes for a heritage firm on this house; the corporate was based in 1997 and has been cranking out merino garment for a very long time. Adrienne’s dad and mom purchased her two units of Ibex base layers in 2001 that she nonetheless wears as we speak, within the yr of our Lord 2025. Correctly cared for, Woolies will maintain you snug heat for years to come back.
Finest Heavyweight Base Layer
SmartWool
Merino Traditional Lengthy-Sleeve
Once I need one thing a bit hotter than the light-weight Woolies above, I attain for Smartwool’s Traditional lengthy sleeve base layer. These could also be the preferred merino shirts round, and for good motive: They’re very snug, tending to the looser facet, function heavy obligation seams that do not rub, and sit off the shoulder for extra consolation when sporting a pack. At 87 % merino wool (blended with nylon), these are additionally very sturdy whereas remaining light-weight (10.3 oz for a males’s massive). This Smartwool shirt, together with the matching pants ($125), are nice for cold winter days.
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Courtesy of Unbound Merino
Unbound Merino
Lengthy-Sleeve Merino Crew
The picks above all have what my spouse calls “that sporty look,” which the trade refers to as “technical.” This one hundred pc merino shirt from Unbound is the alternative: it simply seems like an extended sleeve shirt. It is extremely mushy and whereas it does capsule a bit if you happen to run it via the dryer (do not), it is proved itself lots sturdy—I have been sporting it always for over a yr now and it nonetheless seems prefer it did once I acquired it. It is the long-sleeve, base layer twin to our favourite T-shirt (see under). It is on the skinny facet for a base layer, which makes it good for these cool climate mornings within the shoulder seasons. It is versatile too; it may be used as a base layer, nevertheless it additionally works as a T-shirt when it is not too chilly. Match runs true to dimension, and if the one you need is bought out, be affected person; Unbound steadily updates its inventory.
There are such a lot of! Here is a couple of extra to think about, however actually, go learn the bottom layer information.
Turtle Fur
Merino Pipe Dream Neck Gaiter
Remember your neck. I dwell on this Turtle Fur gaiter throughout the winter and I additionally use the lighter, superfine model for mountain climbing at elevation in the summertime to maintain the solar off my neck with out resorting to sunscreen. It is splendidly mushy, not overly tight, and by no means smells.
Merino Mid Layers
Fleece has its place, however I hardly ever put on it today. I choose merino for my mid layers. It is higher at serving to your physique regulate its temperature. The one place fleece nonetheless wins for me is backpacking. It is nearly all the time lighter for comparable heat, at the very least in mid layers.
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Just like the Northern Lights or the McRib, the thickest Ibex wool hoodie seems irregularly and with some fanfare. The Mammoth Hoodie is certainly an enormous, furry beast of a garment—it is principally the load of the basic American Large hoodie however fabricated from 85 % wool lower with 15 % nylon for added heat and stretch. Ibex says it is the warmest hoodie they’ve ever made, and in my week of testing, I’ve used it rather than a jacket in mid-30s temps. It has an athletic lower with zippered pockets and thumb holes. I do put on a stocking hat with it within the chilly as a result of the scuba hood is supposed to suit beneath a helmet which implies it is too small to supply sufficient heat for my massive shaved head by itself. —Martin Cizmar
