Merino wool is growing in market size because it's a wool material that can be worn all year round. In fact, short-sleeved t-shirts made from this type of wool is growing in popularity. Pinterest is bursting with photos of people sporting merino wool clothing while on outdoor adventures like hiking and skiing.
So what's the big deal? Why are people so obsessed with merino wool clothes? Turns out, there are a lot of great reasons to love this special fabric. Keep reading to learn more about why merino wool should be your go-to choice for travel sports and adventure.
More About Wool
Wool is an amazing natural fiber that has been used for centuries to make clothing, blankets, and even carpets. It comes from the fleece of different types of animals, and it is very strong and durable. Wool is also very warm, making it perfect for winter garments.
In addition, wool is fire-resistant, making it a safe choice for home furnishings. Wool is also one of the most absorbent fabrics, making it ideal for towels and other items used to soak up moisture. Best of all, wool is renewable and sustainable, making it a great choice for eco-conscious consumers. With so many incredible benefits, it's no wonder that wool is such a popular material.
Types of Wool
The term "wool" refers to any fabric made from the natural fibers that animals use to keep warm. There are many types of wool, and they come from a variety of animals - not just sheep. For example, some common fabrics considered wool include:
Sheep's Wool
Sheep's wool is by far the most common type of wool. It is strong and durable, making it perfect for clothing and blankets. Sheep's wool is also very absorbent, making it ideal for towels and other items that need to be able to soak up moisture.
Lambswool
Lambswool is a type of sheep's wool that is very soft and fine. It is a popular choice for making luxury garments and baby clothes. Lambswool is also hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for people with sensitive skin.
Melton
The fleece of rabbits is the source of melton wool. It is very soft and smooth, making it ideal for garments like coats and jackets. Melton is also very absorbent, making it a great choice for towels and other items that need to soak up moisture.
Angora
Angora comes from the fur of rabbits. It is very soft and ideal for garments like hats, sweaters, and scarves. Angora is also very light and fluffy, making it a great choice for insulation.
Mohair
Mohair is a type of wool made from the fur of angora goats. It's very strong and durable and is mostly used in suits and coats. Mohair is also very smooth, making it great for clothing that needs to glide over the skin, like underwear and socks.
Cashmere
Cashmere is made from the fur of cashmere goats. It is very soft and fine, making it ideal for luxury garments. Cashmere is also very light and ideal for year-round use.
Shetland
Shetland wool is a type of sheep's wool that is very strong and durable. It is often used in outerwear garments like coats and jackets. Shetland wool is also very absorbent, making it a great choice for towels and robes.
Alpaca
Alpaca wool, on the other hand, is much warmer and more insulating. This makes it ideal for winter hats and scarves.
Camel's Hair
Camel hair is a type of wool that is made from the fur of camels. It is very strong and durable, making it ideal for outerwear garments like coats and jackets.
Qiviut
Qiviut is a luxury wool made from the fur of muskoxen. It is very soft and light, making it perfect for garments. Qiviut is also very warm, making it an excellent choice for winter hats and scarves.
Vicuna
Vicuna is made from vicunas' fur. It is so soft and light and used in more expensive clothing items. Because Vicuna is warm, it works well for winter headwear such as hats and scarves.
Pashmina
Pashmina is a type of wool made from cashmere goat fur. It's very soft and light and found in high-end clothing. Pashmina is also used to make winter accessories like hats and scarves.
What Is Merino Wool?
Merino wool comes from the Merino sheep, a breed of domesticated animal that was first bred in Spain during the 12th century. These animals were brought to Australia in 1797 by European settlers. Today most merino wool production takes place in either Australia or New Zealand, Uruguay, and parts of the United States.
How Is Merino Wool Different?
Merino wool is different from regular wool in a few ways. The first is the fineness of the fiber. Merino wool fibers are much finer than regular wool fibers. This makes the wool smoother and less itchy when worn next to the skin.
The second difference is the length of the fiber. Merino wool fibers are much shorter than regular wool fibers. This makes the wool less bulky and more breathable.
Benefits of Merino Wool
There are a few benefits to merino wool. The first is that it is a natural fiber. This means that it is biodegradable and renewable.
Merino wool is also hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for people with sensitive skin. Merino wool is moisture-wicking. This means that it will draw sweat away from the skin, keeping you dry and comfortable.
Another benefit is that merino wool is breathable. This means that it will allow air to circulate, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. This superior natural fiber works well in all temperatures.
Merino wool is able to regulate body temperature. It dries quickly and is odor-absorbing. Whether you're looking for a fabric for everyday wear or for activewear, merino wool is an excellent choice.
Merino wool fibers have a diameter that is less than 22 microns. This might not mean much to you, so let's put it into perspective: one micron equals one millionth of a meter. In other words, the average merino fiber is only 22 millionths of a meter across!
And luxury, ultra-fine merino can be as small as 17.5microns. Just for comparison, human hair has a diameter of 50-100microns which is up to 6 times larger than finer merinos!
Merino Wool For Travelers
Merino wool is an excellent choice for frequent travelers. It has all the qualities that make it ideal for everyday wear, plus a few extra benefits that are useful when you're on the go.
Odor Resistant
Because it is odor resistant you can wear the garment many times before laundering becomes necessary. The founder of Wool & Prince Mac Bishop tested this by wearing the same shirt for 100 days without washing it. Many other persons took part in the experiment and most didn't start to smell until day 20 or 30.
This is great news for travelers because it means you can pack fewer clothes. And, when you do wash your clothes made from merino wool material, they will dry quickly.
Wrinkle-Resistant
Another benefit of merino wool is that it is wrinkle-resistant. This is due to the fact that the fibers are shorter than other wools. As a result, they are less likely to become tangled and create wrinkles.
This means you can pack your clothes in a carry-on bag and not have to worry about them being wrinkled when you arrive at your destination.
Stain Resistant
Merino wool is also stain-resistant. This is because the fibers are not absorbent. Instead, they repel water and oil-based stains.
Packable
Merino wool is also packable. It doesn't wrinkle and it takes up less space than other fabrics. This is great news for travelers because it means you can save space in your suitcase.
Light and Compact
Merino wool is light and compact. This means it won't weigh you down when you're carrying it. And, it takes up less space in your suitcase.
Quick Drying
Merino wool is also quick-drying. This means you can wash it in the sink and it will dry overnight.
Comfortable in Any Temperature
Merino wool is comfortable in any weather. It will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Merino Wool For Sports And Adventure
Merino wool is also a great choice for sports and adventure. It has all the benefits of merino wool, plus it is quite durable. This means it will last longer than other fabrics.
Merino wool is also stretchy. This means it will move with you, no matter what you're doing.
The fabric is also non-itch. This means it won't irritate your skin, even if you're sweating.
Merino wool is wind and water-resistant. This means it will keep you warm, even if you're wet.
How To Choose The Right Merino Wool Clothing
Now that you know all the merino wool clothing benefits, you might be wondering how to choose the right pieces. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Weight
The first thing to consider is the weight of the fabric. Merino wool comes in a variety of weights, from light to heavy.
Lightweight merino wool is great for summertime or warm-weather travel. It's also a good choice if you're looking for something to wear under your clothes.
Midweight merino wool is a good all-purpose choice. It's versatile enough to wear for all seasons.
Heavyweight merino wool is best for cold-weather travel. It will keep you warm, even in the most extreme conditions.
How To Wash Merino Clothes
Washing your merino wool clothing is easy. Just follow these simple instructions.
Turn your garment inside out. This will protect the fibers from damage. Wash in cool water on a gentle cycle.
Tumble dry on low heat or hang dry to save some energy.
Use gentle detergent. Do not use fabric softener.
Our Merino Wool Clothing Technology
Known as the sock experts, Point6 uses the latest knitting technologies in combination with compact merino wool yarns instead of conventional ring-spun yarns to make our socks and merino wool clothes.
Compact spinning decreases loose fibers, resulting in more durable merino products that won't pill or wear down as fast. The heel and toe area of our socks is reinforced with nylon for extra durability, and there are ventilation panels on the instep to improve breathability.
Our socks dry 40% quicker. After having a third party put our socks through strenuous tests, Point6 came out on top in thermoregulation, breathability, and evaporation speed categories.
Our clothing is also 25% more durable because they're compactly spun from wool, resulting in less bulkiness, a softer feel & industry-leading durability overall. Our clothes are made of 100% merino wool and are available in a variety of weights and styles.
Our Wool Sources
We only source merino wool from the best in the world, including New Zealand and Australia.
We visit these farms on a regular basis to ensure that the animals are well-treated and that the wool meets our high standards.
Point6 is also a Certified B Corporation. This means we meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
B Corporations are leaders in the global movement to use business as a force for good.
Find the Best Quality Merino Wool Clothing At Point6
At Point6, our specialty is merino wool clothing. We offer a wide variety of styles, including T-shirts, sweaters, pants, and of course, socks for all occasions. We use a special blend of merino wool that is soft, itch-free, and durable.
Our clothing is also machine-washable and dryer-safe. We offer a wide variety of sizes, so you can find the perfect fit for your body. Browse our collection today for clothing that suits your active or travel lifestyle.