Merino Wool is one of the most popular materials for outdoor clothing. It’s soft, breathable and comfortable, and it’s a great choice for any activity where you’ll be sweating a lot or need to regulate your body temperature.
It’s a great option for summer activities like hiking, biking and camping, because it helps you stay cool and dry. Unlike synthetic fabrics that trap your sweat and make you sticky, merino wool takes it away from your skin and transports it to the outside air where it evaporates into a drier atmosphere.
You’ll also appreciate how merino wool is odor resistant and can keep you feeling fresh longer when you sweat a lot. Synthetic fabrics can’t do that and will start to smell over time. Plus, they take 20 to 200 years to biodegrade and can wreak havoc on our waterways.
The best part about merino leggings is that it does not harm the environment and is eco-friendly. Sheep are shorn once or twice a year and grow their natural fibers with the help of grass, water, and sunlight.
Sheep have a natural inclination to breed and raise healthy young sheep. These are bred to be able to withstand the harshest of climates, which makes them ideal for Merino wool.
These animals are raised in many different countries across the world, including Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and South Africa. Most merino wool comes from sheep that live in these areas, but it can be produced from anywhere around the world as long as it has access to high-quality water and good pasture.
Merino sheep are a rare breed and are highly prized for their superior wool quality. The wool from these sheep is incredibly soft and has a higher shear count than other sheep’s wool. This makes it a better choice for clothing and other accessories.
The sheep’s wool is spun into yarn, and it’s then woven together to form an apparel fabric that’s usually breathable and moisture-wicking. It can be found in a wide variety of products, including base layers and underwear, t-shirts, pants, sweaters and jackets.
Generally, a 100% merino wool product is a little more expensive than other items in the same price range, but it’s well worth the extra expense if you value the performance advantages and comfort it provides. There are some hybrids that combine merino wool with other materials to improve the performance of an item, but a pure merino piece will always be the best value for your money.
When it’s time to wash your merino wool gear, you should choose to machine wash it or handwash it with cool water and a mild laundry detergent. Don’t use a bleaching agent or fabric softener as it can strip the wool of its natural properties.
It’s important to dry your garment properly as heat can cause deformities and other problems with merino wool. Using a drying rack will ensure that your merino clothes dry quickly and don’t wrinkle.
Unbound Merino – A Sustainable Brand for Travelers
The founders of this ethical, travel-focused brand believe that traveling more minimally, packing less and washing less will help us save the planet. So they make their own merino wool clothing and accessories to help you do just that.