Merino wool, what exactly is it?

Merino wool can be found almost everywhere these days. It is found in socks, pants, thermal clothing, vests and many other types of clothing. Especially in the sports and outdoor world, it is an important piece of textile. But why? What is so special about merino wool?

When the Moors ruled Spain around the year 750, they founded the Mesta. This was a society of shepherds dedicated to the migration and breeding of sheep. They made sure that the merino sheep from Morocco also ended up in Spain. Later, the Spanish crossed these sheep with Spanish sheep, creating the merino sheep as we know it today. Today, merino sheep can be found all over the world. Even in Tasmania, merino sheep have been grazing for hundreds of years. This is because they were frequently exported from the Middle Ages onwards, as it was already known then as a first-class breed of sheep.

Soft and colourfast

Merino wool is thus widely used in clothing. Because merino sheep have many more skin folds than other sheep, they produce as much as five kilos of wool per year. In addition, merino wool also has a very good structure. Merino sheep grow up to ten times more hair than other sheep. This is due to the fact that their hairs are so thin (up to three times thinner than human hair) and this produces a very soft material without itching! In addition, merino wool discolours much less than cotton because it is naturally more resistant to the harmful effects of sun rays.

Always the right temperature

Besides being nice and soft and colourfast, merino wool also has good breathability. This makes it the ideal textile. In fact, unlike synthetic fibres, merino wool is an active fibre that reacts to changes in body temperature. So that means merino wool keeps you warm when it is cold and keeps you fresh when it is warm. It is therefore ideal to wear during a long walk!

Long odour-free

Another major reason for merino wool's popularity is its odour resistance. Merino wool has naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, allowing it to remain odour-free for a long time. This can come in very handy during a multi-day trek. Not only for you, but also for your companions.

Which brands use merino wool?

The mix of properties of merino wool makes it logical that we encounter it mainly (but not exclusively) in garments that have direct contact with the skin, such as socks and thermal clothing. We also see this in the popular outdoor brands of our time. It is safe to say, for instance, that Ortovox has made merino wool its own. For more than a quarter of a century, they have been working with merino wool from Tasmanian sheep. Patagonia , too, uses merino wool for several garments. They only use merino wool that meets the Responsible Wool Standard. Other brands at Twinseasons that use merino wool for several garments are Arc’teryx and Mammut.

Do you own garments made of merino wool? Or have you just become enthusiastic about this type of wool? Then take a look around our website. Our clothing categories include the ‘Material’ filter, so you can easily select socks, cardigans or shirts in your favourite material. If you need help with this, please do not hesitate to contact us.