The Best Merino Wool Clothing Keeps You Comfy in Any Weather
Merino wool is a super fiber that’s both natural and highly technical. The best merino wool clothing somehow manages to be comfortable in 95-degree heat, while merino base layers keep you warm well below freezing. Unlike synthetic fibers derived from petroleum, merino wool is renewable.
Merino wool’s versatility means there’s a bewildering array of blends and options. Here are our favorite merino wool products that we’ve tested by wearing and washing (usually in cold water and hung to dry, although we do machine-dry them just to see what happens) over the course of months and, in some cases, even years. Be sure to also check out our apparel guides, including Best Merino Wool T-Shirts, Best Base Layers, Best Puffer Jackets, Best Hoodies, and Best Hiking Boots.
Updated August 2026: I’ve added a new section for merino-blend pants and additional everyday wool clothing, and swapped out a few sold-out items for this autumn’s new arrivals. I’ve also updated prices and links throughout.
- Best Lightweight Base Layer
- Best Heavyweight Base Layer
- Best Everyday Base Layer
- Other Great Base Layers
- Best Merino Hoodie
- A Hoodie for Kids
- Best Mid-Layer Jackets
- Best Merino T-Shirts
- Best Merino Sweaters
- Best Merino Pants
- Best Socks
- Best Men’s Merino Underwear
- Best Women’s Merino Underwear
- Best Everyday Merino Clothes
Why Is Merino Wool So Great?
Merino wool is great because you’re borrowing a sheep’s ability to keep itself warm or cool based on the temperature, a process often referred to as thermoregulation. If you’ve only ever worn the sort of itchy wool sweaters your proverbial grandmother supposedly made, you might wonder what all the fuss is. The answer is that Merino sheep have thinner, softer wool, which has evolved to keep them comfortable across a wide range of temperatures and is comfortable to wear next to your skin. Wool is sustainable, too. One sheep can produce 4 to 5 pounds of wool per year. But be aware of merino greenwashing, as the process from sourcing the wool to the end product may still involve chemicals, polluted waters, synthetic fabrics, and other things that increase the carbon footprint. Research a company’s methods and claims, as cheaper merino wool may not be as sustainable as marketed.
What Does GSM Mean?
Merino wool comes in different weights, which you will often see listed as “200 GSM” or something similar. GSM refers to grams per square meter, sometimes listed as g/m².) What’s important is the scale and where your garment falls on it. At the low end, you have T-shirts and underwear, which are typically 150 GSM, though we have seen some as low as 120 GSM. Generally, anything below 200 GSM will be a good base layer or T-shirt. From 200 to 300 GSM are your mid-layers, and anything above 300 is a heavier garment.
If you’re more familiar with synthetic ratings like those often used on fleece, know that, from my experience, about 120 to 160 GSM wool corresponds to 100-weight fleece, 160 to 200 GSM wool roughly matches 200-weight fleece, and 200-plus GSM wool is like 300-weight fleece. In every instance, wool is warmer because it’s better at trapping heat, especially in the wind. (That said, there are reasons to go with fleece at times, like how incredibly lightweight it can be.)
What Is Nuyarn?
Nuyarn is a merino wool/synthetic hybrid weave, in which merino wool is wrapped around a nylon core for warmth, lightness, and extra durability. The idea is to get the temperature-regulation benefits of merino while adding some of nylon’s longevity. In my experience, Nuyarn mostly works. It’s our top pick for base layers, though I find it less necessary in more casual garments, where I prefer 100 percent wool.
How to Care for Merino Wool
Most merino products have care instructions that say to wash them in cold water and lay flat to dry. The latter is important, as hanging wool to dry will stretch it out (because of the water weight). While most merino labels say the garment can be machine washed, my experience has been that hand-washing will extend its life. This is particularly true of very lightweight (150 GSM) merino base layers and T-shirts. The exception is Minus33’s Microweight Raglan short-sleeve T-shirt, which is machine-washable and dryer-friendly. Having done both to mine for over a year, I can vouch that it holds up.
I’ve never had a problem storing merino in my closet between wears, but for long-term storage, I recommend you take precautions against moths, which are notorious for eating holes in wool. I have lost merino garments to moths.
If you don’t want the fabric to smell like mothballs, there are better solutions. I make sure to wash and thoroughly dry whatever I am storing, then I seal it in a compression bag. Another option is to put your merino garment in a cotton bag or wrap it in cotton, then put it in a plastic bin. It’s very important to make sure that the garment is completely dry before using any of these storage methods; otherwise, your wool will smell musty and moldy. Other options include storing your garment in a cedar chest, a good natural deterrent for moths, or using moth traps or lavender sachets, which will repel moths.
100 Percent Merino vs. Blends
Should you buy 100 percent merino or go for a blend? It depends on the garment in question, the use case, and your preferences. Probably the best way to find out is to try several and see what you like. One advantage of blends is that they’re stretchy, which makes them better for active pursuits like hiking, rock climbing, and the like. I like 100 percent merino for heavier mid-layers like hoodies or jackets, but I prefer blends for lighter layers. My experience has been that the closer I get to my skin, the more blend I want, with Nuyarn being my top pick for base layers.
There are also some alpaca blends out there that are wonderfully soft (I love everything I’ve tried from Paka and Arms of Andes). Alpaca is not merino, but both share similar qualities. If you’re one of the rare people who do find merino itchy, you might be allergic to lanolin, which is the skin oil produced by sheep. Alpacas don’t make lanolin, and the fibers are thinner and finer than merino. That makes alpaca warmer and softer, but it’s also more expensive.
Merino vs. Synthetic Fibers
Synthetic fabrics include polyester, nylon, polypropylene, rayon, or blends of these and other fabrics—everything but cotton, wool, and linen. In most cases, they are less expensive than natural fibers.
Synthetics generally win for wicking away sweat, which means they tend to feel drier. They also usually dry faster, so for things like socks and underwear, even most “merino” options are often more than 50 percent synthetic. Synthetics are just better at handling moisture. How much this matters depends on a host of personal factors. For example, I feel weird and almost clammy in anything synthetic, so I don’t really care how much moisture it wicks away.
The downside is that synthetics retain odor. Some chemical treatments can help, but I’ve never tried anything synthetic that is as odor-resistant as merino wool.
Another difference is breathability. Synthetics are passable in this department, but it’s where merino really excels. If you’re hot and are hiking up an exposed slope toward an open pass and then dropping down into the cool of a forest, merino is your friend, because the breathability means less sweat to cool you when you get out of the sun. Again, how much this matters depends on your body.
The final factor worth thinking about is durability. In some cases, synthetics will last longer than pure merino, particularly in scenarios where abrasion is a major source of wear. To my mind, this is another reason to choose a merino blend rather than going all the way to synthetics, but it’s something to consider if you do a lot of off-trail hiking or rock climbing—any activity where your clothes are going to take a beating.
Base Layers
To really see how remarkable merino wool is, start at the bottom, with the clothes next to your skin. Merino really shines as a base layer. It’s warmer for the weight, wicks moisture well, and unlike synthetic fabrics, merino stays stink-free for days of wear. Be sure to read our layering guide for more on how to put it all together and stay comfortable in any weather. We also have a separate guide to the best base layers if you want to know all your options, but here are our top merino picks from that guide.
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The Ibex Woolies Pro Tech Crew is the best lightweight merino base layer we’ve tested. If you want a hard-wearing shirt, this is it. Woolies are Nuyarn (see above), which is 85 percent merino wool and 15 percent nylon—the merino wool is wrapped around a nylon core, which increases the warmth while being lighter (5 oz for the men’s large) and more durable. This is my top pick for all things technical. It’s what I bring hiking and backpacking, and it’s a great pick for running, climbing, and other high-aerobic activities when it’s cold. I also love the Woolies Pro Tech Bottoms, which I bring backpacking in all but the warmest weather.
Aside from comfort and warmth, part of the reason we recommend Woolies is that they last. Ibex is what passes for a heritage company in this space; the company was founded in 1997 and has been cranking out merino garments for a long time. Properly cared for, Woolies will keep you comfortably warm for years to come.
When I want something a bit warmer than the lightweight Woolies above, I reach for Smartwool’s Classic long-sleeve base layer. These may be the most popular merino shirts around, and for good reason: They’re very comfortable and on the looser side, feature heavy-duty seams that don’t rub, and sit off the shoulder for more comfort when wearing a backpack. At 87 percent merino wool (blended with nylon), these are also very durable while remaining lightweight (10.3 oz for a men’s large). This Smartwool shirt, along with the matching pants, is great for chilly winter days.
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The picks above all have what my wife calls “that sporty look,” which the industry refers to as “technical.” This 100 percent merino shirt from Unbound is the opposite: it just looks like a regular long-sleeve shirt. It’s incredibly soft, and while it does pill a bit if you run it through the dryer (don’t), it’s proven itself plenty durable—I’ve been wearing it constantly for over a year now, and it still looks like it did when I got it. It’s the long-sleeve base-layer twin to our favorite T-shirt (see below). It’s on the thin side for a base layer, which makes it perfect for cool-weather mornings in the shoulder seasons. It’s versatile too; it can be used as a base layer, but it also works as a T-shirt when it’s not too chilly. Fit runs true to size, and if the one you want is sold out, be patient; Unbound frequently updates its stock.
Here are a few more to consider, but really, go read our base layer guide.
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Courtesy of Minus 33
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Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
Minus33
Heavyweight Yukon Thermal Long Sleeve
If you’re going to be in extreme cold, New Hampshire-based Minus33 is the company to shop. Where I live, winter temps regularly dip below zero, and the Yukon comes into its own. The 400 GSM weave of 100 percent merino is more like a sweatshirt than a base layer, but if you live in extremely cold climes, you need it.
Don’t forget your neck. I live in this Turtle Fur gaiter during the winter, and I also use the lighter, superfine version for hiking at elevation in the summer to keep the sun off my neck without resorting to sunscreen. It’s wonderfully soft, not overly tight, and never smells.
Merino Mid-Layers
Fleece has its place, but I rarely wear it these days. I prefer merino for my mid-layers. It’s better at helping your body regulate its temperature. The one place fleece still wins for me is backpacking. It’s almost always lighter for comparable warmth, at least in mid-layers.
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Like the Northern Lights or the McRib, the thickest Ibex wool hoodie appears irregularly and with some fanfare. The Mammoth Hoodie is a big, furry beast of a garment—basically the weight of the classic American Giant hoodie, but made of 85 percent wool cut with 15 percent nylon for added warmth and stretch. Ibex says it’s the warmest hoodie it has ever made, and in my week of testing I’ve used it in place of a jacket in mid-thirties temps. It has an athletic cut with zippered pockets and thumb holes. I do wear a stocking hat with it in the cold, because the scuba hood is meant to fit under a helmet, which means it’s too small to provide enough warmth for my large shaved head on its own. —Martin Cizmar
This very warm hoodie (300 GSM) is 85 percent merino, 12 percent nylon, 3 percent spandex. The synthetics woven in give it plenty of stretch and help with durability. I find this the warmest of all the merino hoodies I’ve tested at this fabric weight, and it’s particularly good at blocking wind. I also like the simple, clean lines of the cut and design. If the Boulder Hoodie is unavailable, check out the Chase, which has the same material content but slightly heavier.
Ridge Merino
Hyde Full Zip Hoodie
This 100 percent merino wool hoodie uses a 275-GSM terry-weave that doesn’t feel like wool. It’s a midweight hoodie, perfect for those cool days in autumn and spring. It features a full-length zipper, thumb holes in the sleeves, and a zipper on the pocket. The Hyde is cut on the longer side, which makes it look a little large, even though it isn’t.
Outdoor Vitals
Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie
I love Outdoor Vitals’ Vantage Puffer jacket, so I was excited to try this hoodie. The 115-GSM merino blend is 63 percent merino, 29 percent polyester, and 8 percent nylon. It fits well, more toward the base layer side of the spectrum than a sweatshirt-style hoodie. Despite the reasonably high merino content, it still feels synthetic. That’s not necessarily bad—the synthetic content does make it fast-drying—but something to know.
Wool&Prince
Honeycomb Waffle Quarter-Zip
Wool&Prince’s Honeycomb quarter-zip is a waffle knit hoodie that skews toward the casual, nontechnical side. That makes it great for travel, where you might need to wear it in a more formal setting than around the campfire. It’s comfortable and easily dries overnight (another bonus for travel).
There’s a dearth of merino wool for kids. Perhaps the price, for something kids may outgrow in a few months, makes the economics unappealing. Whatever the case, very few companies offer kid-size merino. In fact, this Minus33 hoodie isn’t available in child sizes, but the extra-small women’s fit my 10-year-old perfectly and still fits her at 11. You’ll want to check the size chart on Minus33 for your own kids, but if they do fit, this is a fantastic hoodie. It’s plenty warm (and my daughter is always cold) and durable enough to stand up to kid life—climbing trees and running through the woods—and the hand warmers pair well with mittens on cold days. Best of all, when kids are involved, this one can be machine-washed and tumble-dried. It won’t shrink or lose its shape, and the colors won’t bleed.
A growing number of studies have shown that PFAs—hormone-disrupting chemicals commonly used in many plastics—are found in ordinary sportswear, like leggings and sports bras. If you, like me, are on a quest to replace your polyester clothing with natural fibers, then Ibex’s 100 percent merino wool Shak Jacket is the natural candidate to replace your (my) worn-out Patagonia Better Sweater.
I took this jacket on a recent trip to Ireland. It’s surprisingly dense and soft to the touch. It kept me warm on blustery 30-degree days, layered easily under my rain jacket and over my tank top, and looked sleek enough to go out to dinner. In western Ireland, at least (“I like your jumper!” said many an Irishman). It doesn’t pack down quite as compactly as a synthetic layer might, nor is it as light, but it looks much nicer, and it won’t feel like slime on your skin when it gets wet. —Adrienne So
Grid fleece is awesome. It’s warm for the weight, and very breathable, making it great for highly aerobic activities. Despite all that, I prefer the comfort of merino and bring my merino mid-layers backpacking, even though there’s a definite weight penalty. Thanks to Ridge Merino’s Cloudripper jacket, though, I can now have my merino and wear my grid fleece, too. Ridge has combined grid fleece with merino wool to give you the advantages of both—keeping the merino against your skin, but using grid fleece to improve ventilation and make the jacket much lighter. The men’s large I’ve been testing weighs just 16.1 ounces on my scale. That’s 4 ounces more than Patagonia’s R1 Air hoodie, probably the most popular grid fleece jacket out there, but I have found the Cloudripper to be considerably warmer than the Air.
The Cloudripper jackets (there’s also a half-zip version and a crew neck version) are made of two fabrics. The first is wool grid fleece (265 GSM), which is 69 percent merino, 15 percent recycled polyester, 13 percent nylon, and 3 percent spandex. The secondary fabric is a grid fleece (180 GSM) that’s 51 percent recycled polyester, 41 percent Merino wool, and 8 percent Lycra. The more traditional grid fleece with the higher polyester count is used mainly on the hood and lower back, while everything that would touch your skin (if you don’t have a base layer on) is merino.
I’ve been testing the full zip Cloudripper for about a month now, and it’s quickly become my go-to mid-layer on the cool fall mornings and evenings that have settled in where I live. It’s proven itself on some early morning bike rides, where it strikes a balance between keeping me warm when I’m first starting out, and venting off the excess heat I’m generating once I get going. It also doesn’t get stinky like my purely polyester grid fleece. It’s the best of grid fleece, married to the best of merino wool, to create what might be the ultimate technical mid-layer.
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If you have concerns about using goose down jackets as an insulation layer, merino wool is a decent substitute for synthetic insulation. Vests are like the cheat code of layering if you want to keep your core warm but your arms mobile, or add an extra soupçon of warmth without too much bulk. I like to layer Ibex’s Wool Aire Vest under my regular wool coat or rain shell, if I’m going out for the night or on a long run. —Adrienne So
Best Merino Wool T-Shirts
Wool might not seem like a good choice for a summer T-shirt, but merino is surprisingly comfortable even when it’s warm. To a point, anyway. On humid days over about 90 degrees Fahrenheit, I usually go with cotton or linen, but anything under 90, and I’m wearing merino. There are a ton of merino T-shirts out there, so many in fact that we now have a guide dedicated to just the best merino T-shirts. Here are our favorites from that guide.
Huckberry’s Proof-brand 72-hour Merino T-Shirt is my favorite all-around merino tee. The cut and style are not overly sporty, making it more versatile than a more technical tee. It’s an incredibly soft T-shirt, thanks to the 150 GSM weave of superfine merino wool (16.5 micron). It’s a blend—87 percent merino and 13 percent nylon—which gives it some stretch, with the trade-off that it will start smelling sooner than a 100 percent merino T-shirt. In the year or so I’ve been wearing it, I’ve found the name accurate. You can get about three days out of it before it needs a wash (depending on ambient temps and what you’re doing).
I really like that this shirt comes in a wide variety of colors, more than any other shirt I’ve tested. Proof uses the exact same fabric to make long-sleeve tees, as well as polos and henleys, if you’re looking for something more than a T-shirt.
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OK, but what about when you do want a more technical cut, with flatlock stitching and offset seams? When I’m hiking, backpacking, paddleboarding, or doing just about anything outdoors, this is the T-shirt I reach for first. The jersey knit is lightweight (84 percent 145-GSM merino, 16 percent synthetic), soft, and comfortable—not too hot in the sun (it also has a UPF rating of 20), warm enough when it’s cool. It’s also durable (I’ve been rolling jiujitsu in this shirt for years and it’s fine) and machine washable. You can even throw it in the dryer; no need to baby this T-shirt.
As I say in our guide to the best merino T-shirts, if I could have only one merino T-shirt, it would be this one. It’s the softest, most luxurious merino shirt I’ve tested. It’s 95 percent merino wool, meaning it can go quite a while before it smells, and it’s great when you want to travel light—bring two of these, and that’s all you need in half the world. Did I mention how soft this is? It reminds me more of cashmere than merino. Taylor Stitch says that’s because it uses a mercerization process on its wool. Whatever the case, it is soft. Very, very soft. My only real gripe here is the very limited color selection. Taylor Stitch typically has a heather blue and heather black available all the time, and every now and then some other colors will be available on a very limited basis.
Unbound Merino’s T-shirt has long been a favorite of WIRED readers, and it’s also long been a favorite of travelers. It’s very soft, and because it’s 100 percent merino wool, it’ll stay odor-free longer than any blended shirt. It’s also lightweight and packs down to a tiny roll, which is perfect if you’re looking to simplify down to one bag (really, is there any other way to travel?). I love how soft these shirts are, and they dry faster than any merino T-shirt I’ve tested.
Ibex’s Goat short-sleeve crew differs from my previous favorite active merino wool T-shirt, the Artilect Utilitee. The sizing is quite a bit looser, which makes it a little harder to wear while layering or underneath a climbing harness. The wool blend is also higher—89 percent 150 GSM merino wool, compared to the Utilitee’s 60 percent—so it’s much softer and way less stretchy. However, it’s still shockingly versatile and keeps me warm in the shade while ventilating sweat once I get above the tree line. —Adrienne So
Best Merino Sweaters
Forget what you know about the scratchy wool sweaters of yore. When you need something heavier, try the merino version of this tried-and-true cold weather garment. They’re warm, soft, and don’t itch.
Finisterre pulls its name from a North Atlantic headland, from the Latin “Finis Terrae,” roughly the “end of the Earth.” I had to replace the Furlong sweater from this guide as Finisterre isn’t making it anymore, but luckily the Barents sweater is also an incredibly warm, awesome wool sweater. It’s made of 70 percent recycled wool and feels heavy, like an old fisherman’s sweater—a fisherman from the end of the Earth, that is. Indeed, this is a very heavy sweater that I mainly reserve for the coldest of days, but when you need it, the Barents is there for you.
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OK, so this is alpaca fiber, not merino wool. Technically, it’s 65 percent royal alpaca fiber and 35 percent recycled nylon. Like merino wool, this textile cousin offers natural thermoregulation, keeping you comfortable across a broad range of temps. It also has similar odor-resistant properties. In the end, what I love about this sweater is less the technical abilities (though those are great) and more just that it’s very soft and comfortable. This sweater is lightweight (about 15 ounces), but warm. It works well layered under a jacket, or on its own, and it comes in a wide range of colors.
The Best Merino Pants
Wool pants really gave me pause the first time I heard the phrase, but nothing I’ve tested has been the least bit itchy or weird. In fact, both pants I recommend below are among the lightest and softest I own.
Unbound Merino’s travel pants are a light, comfortable merino blend with plenty of stretch and freedom of movement, thanks to the 5 percent elastane. As you would expect from anything Unbound makes, these pack down fantastically small. Serious travelers take note: You can pack two pairs of these for every pair of jeans. The only downside is that the pants are on the thin side, so you won’t want to wear them on their own in cold climates. But grab a nice merino base layer from the recommendations above, throw it on under these pants, and you’ll be fine in all but the coldest of conditions.
These have a more formal look than some merino pants I’ve tried, making them potentially more versatile. You might be able to pull off going to the office wearing them, depending on your company’s dress code and how far your boss’s definition of “business casual” stretches. I’ve worn them to nice restaurants without a second look, and yet they don’t scream “I’ve got money” when you’re stumbling back to your hotel room at 2 am.
Huckberry’s Proof 72-hour merino pants are frustratingly close to being the perfect pants for travel and anything else. Their only downfall is that the merino count is pretty low, just 47 percent, which ends up making these feel more synthetic (which, my mathematically inclined friends, they are). That’s not necessarily a bad thing; they’re still comfortable and perform pretty well, though obviously with the high polyester count they won’t go nearly as long as a higher merino blend. But they’re comfortable, plenty stretchy (you can work out in them in a pinch), and they’re a more relaxed, casual look than the Unbound pants above. Still, every time I wear them I can’t help thinking, what would these be like at 75 percent merino? My guess is they’d be even better.
Socks, Underwear, and Bras
You could argue this is the true base layer, but we’ll skip that and just say that merino wool underwear, socks, and bras are so much nicer than their synthetic counterparts. The caveat is that while merino wool is very soft, most products in this category are blends, usually with some form of nylon. Still, if you haven’t tried merino underwear yet, you’re in for a treat. After testing dozens of each, these are our favorites.
Darn Tough socks are a WIRED favorite. They’re great for skiing, hiking, climbing, and just about anything else you want to do. These blends vary by weight, but most are around 50 percent nylon and 50 percent merino, which makes them dry a bit faster than pure merino while staying plenty warm and comfortable. Darn Tough’s socks also last. Mine are going on two years now, with no worn areas or holes in sight. If you do develop holes, Darn Tough socks come with an unconditional lifetime guarantee. You can return them for another pair, no receipt needed, which is kind of crazy if you consider the abuse that hiking socks take.
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Minus33 socks are my personal favorite merino socks. I have several pairs of the lightweight and midweight, and even one pair of the expedition, though those are so thick and warm I rarely wear them (they’re perfect when the temps drop below zero, though). My favorite are the Lightweight Mountain Heritage Boot Wool Socks, which are perfect for hiking or wearing around town. Minus33 doesn’t publish a blend breakdown for these, but I would guess they’re about 60/40 wool to nylon, with plenty of softness and stretch.
The phrase “wool underwear” might conjure images of some lumberjack from the 1800s with hair growing through the weaves of his itchy, hot long johns, but that’s not what the merino underwear we’ve tested is like. In most cases, these are blends, usually with nylon.
Wool&Prince’s 6.5-inch wool boxers are the softest, most comfortable merino boxers I’ve tested. These are the best merino boxers for a very simple reason: they don’t ride up when you move. Why? Because the weave on the legs runs vertically, the fabric stretches without riding up. These boxers stayed put while I did squats and lunges, climbed stairs, and rolled juijitsu. I also like that the merino content is quite high (for boxers) at 75 percent (the remainder is 22 percent nylon and 3 percent spandex), and the 250-GSM fabric strikes a nice balance: durable but not so heavy you can’t wear it in the heat.
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These are the only 100 percent merino underwear I’ve tested (there’s elastic in the waistband, but it’s surrounded by wool), and they’re also some of my favorites, especially in cold weather. These are longer than any of the other boxers I’ve tried. They are rated 170 GSM, making them a little lighter, but because their merino content is higher, these are the warmest I’ve tested. After years of testing merino underwear, these are my favorite on all but the hottest days.
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Woolly
Everyday Boxer Brief
Thanks to WIRED readers for pointing Woolly out to us. These 100 percent merino (190 GSM) boxers are fantastic and affordable. They ventilate well and adjust to changing conditions to keep you comfortable even on days when the weather starts hot and ends cold, or as I like to call it, hiking in the mountains. They’re on the shorter side with a 4-inch inseam.
Kuiu
Ultra Merino Boxer 2-Pack
KUIU boxer briefs have a nice, snug fit that’s plenty soft and nicely breathable. These are Nuyarn, a blend of 83 percent merino wool, 12 percent nylon, and 5 percent Lycra. There’s enough synthetic in there to keep them stretchy and fitting, but the wool content keeps them from smelling.
Icebreaker
Merino 150 Anatomica Boxers Long
These Icebreakers are a blend like many of the others here (83 percent merino, 12 percent nylon, 5 percent elastane), but lighter weight at 150 GSM. They fit true to size. I prefer the long version linked here, but there is a shorter version if you prefer.
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Women’s merino underwear is really difficult to do well. If it’s thin and stretchy enough to be comfortable, then it tends to warp and stretch in the washing machine (I do air-dry my clothes, but you should be able to toss your underwear in a washing machine and have it last). This, sadly, was the fate of the pairs of Ibex and Wool& underwear that I tried. They shrank and warped instantly, despite drying on the line.
Of the other pairs that I’ve tried, the two best are Branwyn’s underwear and Unbound. Unbound’s underwear is a 60 percent merino, 34 percent nylon, and 6 percent Spandex blend at a rather impressive 290 GSM. It’s durable enough to survive being washed (I did line-dry them) and comfortable enough to wear under my clothes (though there are no circumstances under which I would consider a wool thong comfortable). —Adrienne So
Branwyn makes what they call merino wool performance sets. I am a fan of Branwyn’s clothes, all of which are Oeko-Tex 100 certified, which means every component of the clothing has been independently tested against a list of up to 350 toxic chemicals. This is one of the most widely known and respected labels for consumer safety. These fit true to size. (I suppose it’s important to note here that I’m a small-busted woman, and that Branwyn makes a Busty Bra if you need more support.)
However, this isn’t quite supportive enough for running, which is why Branwyn launched the Racerback Bra. It’s pretty impressive that Branwyn made merino wool compressive enough for medium-impact activity. I like that it offers full coverage, with no annoying small and twisty straps and no padding. It precludes the need to change from cotton “everyday” underwear to tight nylon “sport” underwear every time I want to do something active, which is all the time. —Adrienne So
Wool&
Roam Convertible Wrap Bra
Wool&’s merino fabric is the softest I’ve felt in my entire life, probably because the blend has a much lower merino content at 68 percent merino wool, 25 percent nylon, and 7 percent spandex. I tried these and Wool&’s underwear. They’re insanely soft but overpriced when compared to our other options, and you have to size up. —Adrienne So
The Best Everyday Merino Clothes
I’ll confess that when I launched this guide years ago, I thought of merino wool mainly as an outdoor-related fabric. It is great for that, but I’ve since discovered that merino is good for everything, especially travel, since it can be worn several times without any odors. I’ve tried merino pants, dress shirts, workout clothes, hats, and more. The best stuff I’ve tested is below.
Proper Cloth’s Reda dress shirt is one of the nicest things I’ve ever tested. The photographs really don’t do justice to how good this shirt looks in person. As you would expect from merino, the Reda is nicely breathable, much lighter and more breathable than your typical dress shirt. I found it quite comfortable even in the summer humidity. The Reda fabric is thin, though, with moisture-wicking, which means you do see some armpit sweat when it’s warm. The good news is, of course, it won’t retain any smells.
I strongly suggest babying this one a little bit. I machine-washed it cold and laid it flat to dry (which was quite quick), but you’ll likely want to give it a light pressing to get it wrinkle-free. If you’re traveling, packing these down will get you a few wrinkles, but it’s nothing you can’t get out pretty quickly. The big question I had going in was, how durable will this be? Given the thin fabric and the sometimes fragile nature of merino when spun this fine, I expected obvious signs of wear pretty quickly. Fortunately, I was wrong. More than three months of steady use now has done nothing to this shirt, and it looks as good as the day I got it.
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This button-up, long-sleeve shirt from Woolly is much more casual than the Proper Cloth shirt above. It’s more what you might call business casual. It’s comfortable, soft, well-made, and has the 100 percent merino advantage of being odor-resistant. The only thing I am not quite so fond of is the slightly shimmery look, but that’s just personal preference.
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These super comfy, casual sweatpants from Ridge Merino are some of the most comfortable pants I’ve ever worn. I don’t often work out in them; I’ve never actually “yogged” in them, but they’re great around the house. These are 100 percent merino wool (275 GSM) with what Ridge calls a terry fabric (they feel like sweatpants).
This wool skirt turned out to be a summer favorite for our tester. She says it’s light enough to pair with a T-shirt in all but the hottest of weather, but not so light that it’s see-through when you’re backlit. An A-line skirt, it falls just below the knee and features two front pockets. It’s a blend of 85 percent merino, with 12 percent nylon and 3 percent Spandex for a little stretch. Woolx calls this blend DuraLite, and while it’s different, in my experience with the company’s T-shirts, it’s very much like NuYarn and other blends, with merino spun around the nylon core for extra strength and durability.