Merino wool is a natural, renewable fiber from the wool of sheep raised in New Zealand and Australia. It’s a versatile material that can be used for base layers, underwear, long sleeve tees and cardigans, as well as accessories such as socks, gloves and hats.
The small (usually between 17.5 and 24 microns) merino fibers are tightly coiled, giving you a comfortable, lightweight, breathable fabric with great stretch. It’s also wrinkle resistant, so it will look better after each use.
It is also incredibly soft to the touch. It’s lighter than cotton and doesn’t have the stiffness that can sometimes come with more heavy-duty fabrics like polyester.
This softness also means that merino wool will keep you warmer in colder climates than other fabrics. Its insulating properties make it ideal for skiing, hiking and climbing.
When worn, it also feels cooler than cotton or synthetic fabrics because its low heat conductivity helps to regulate body temperature. It is also a natural sun protector.
If you’re traveling or working out in the outdoors, it’s important to be able to wick away moisture quickly, so that you stay dry and cool. Many fabrics have this property, but wool is naturally a good choice because it absorbs up to 35% of its weight in moisture vapor, known as “wicking.”
Unlike other fabrics that can trap moisture and feel wet and sticky on your skin, merino’s wicking qualities mean that it moves sweat away from the fabric and out of your clothing wool leggings canada warmth and weather. This prevents odor-causing bacteria from building up on the fabric, keeping you feeling fresh and clean.
The antimicrobial nature of merino also makes it more durable than other fabrics. Its crimp-like fibers resist bending after about 3,000 bends, while a single strand of polyester fiber breaks after 20,000.
It is a biodegradable and eco-friendly material that will biodegrade back into the ground within a few years, which is a major benefit to travelers who are trying to avoid landfills and waste disposal.
You can buy merino wool clothing in different colours, ranging from the naturally white merino to a blend with silk for added softness and cosiness. GREEN ROSE offers a variety of merino clothes in varying colours including grey, pink, yellow and light blue.
We recommend using a washing machine that is designed for organic laundry to ensure the best quality of your merino wool clothing. Be careful to select the correct cycle and not over wash or tumble dry your merino wool clothing.
A little hand washing and laying your wool garment out in the sun will help to work out some of those pesky wrinkles that might come with travel, especially with shorter wear cycles. When it’s time to launder, be sure to use a mild detergent and no bleach.
The lanolin found in the fibers of Merino sheep is a completely natural wax-like coating that helps repel water, is an effective abrasion and infection barrier and is an excellent insulator for colder temperatures. It also protects against harsh weather and the odours associated with outdoor environments such as campfire smoke and insect bites.