Merino Wool

In this category, you’ll find the world’s best merino wool clothes and accessories for military and outdoor use, and everyday life. Merino wool is nature’s own technical material that can keep you both warm and cool. It works as a baselayer, midlayer, and top layer. Our range of merino wool clothes includes itch-free merino wool base layers, merino wool shirts and sweaters, merino wool hoodies, durable merino wool socks, merino wool caps, beanies, balaclavas, scarves, and merino wool gloves. 

Why choose our merino wool gear?

• Natural Thermoregulation: Merino wool adapts to your body temperature—keeping you warm in freezing sub-zero conditions while releasing heat and moisture to help you cool down during heavy activity.
• Superior moisture-wicking: Merino fibers pull sweat away from your skin and absorb moisture without feeling like a cold hand of death.
• Odor-resistant & antibacterial: Lanolin in merino wool naturally inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria. This means you can wear the same gear on multi-day treks or hunting trips without smelling like a swamp monster.
• Itch-free next-to-skin comfort: Thanks to superfine fibers, our merino wool base layers and underwear feel soft against your skin, eliminating the scratchiness of traditional wool.
• Ethical & Sustainable: 100% biodegradable, renewable, and sourced exclusively from certified mulesing-free farms.

Merino wool base layers & thermal underwear

Merino wool underwear is your first line of defense against the elements. Our range of merino wool boxer briefs, thermal tops, long johns, and sports bras features flatlock seams to prevent chafing during long treks.

We have both thinner baselayer underwear and thicker mid-layers. This includes merino wool undershirts, merino wool turtlenecks, and long johns. The good thing about merino wool underwear is that it doesn’t itch or chafe, or start smelling like a hobgoblin's ass, even during long treks. Merino wool activewear is very popular for this reason.

Merino wool sweaters and shirts

Merino wool shirts and sweaters are great in many ways. A merino t-shirt breathes very well and wicks away sweat, cooling you down when the weather gets hot. Wear it on its own in summer and as a base layer in winter. Thicker merino wool shirts and sweaters work as a mid-layer in cold weather and a top-layer in cool weather. A 100% merino wool sweater breathes very well, doesn’t melt on you, and doesn’t itch.

Merino wool socks (everyday, hiking & tactical)

The merino wool sock prevents blisters and stays dry from the ground up. Merino wool socks are an excellent choice for hiking, military use, and everyday use. Choose from lightweight liner socks, everyday merino wool socks, thicker merino wool hiking socks, or longer merino wool boot socks.
The best merino wool socks don’t come from Temubaba-style scam stores but from a reputable dealer who uses ethically-sourced mulesing-free merino wool. If you’re looking for merino wool socks for sweaty feet, all merino wool socks are an excellent choice for their moisture-wicking properties. Our merino wool socks women and men can both use.

Why aren’t there 100% merino wool socks, someone might ask. This is because 100% merino wool does not withstand abrasion well. When you walk, your feet and footwear would reduce 100% merino socks to shreds in no time. When you blend in synthetics, you get the best of both worlds.

Merino wool accessories

Complete your kit with our compact, packable accessories. Our merino wool beanies, merino wool neck gaiters, merino wool liner gloves, and merino wool balaclavas and tube scarves offer instant wind protection and low-profile warmth. Choose from thicker merino wool hats and scarves designed for Arctic use to thinner beanies and balaclavas made for warmer weather.

Merino wool care instructions

How to wash merino wool? You can machine wash merino wool fabric on a gentle cycle using a wool-safe detergent. However, thanks to merino’s natural anti-odor properties, you don’t need to wash it that often. Simply airing it out is usually enough. When needed, wash following the instructions found on the label and lay flat to dry naturally.  

Merino wool properties

The downside of merino wool is durability. Thin 100% merino wool is not very abrasion-resistant. Therefore, it isn’t an ideal material for crawling through gravel or used right under the shoulder straps of a heavy rucksack, or in socks. 

You can increase the abrasion resistance by increasing the thickness and blending in some synthetics. And remember that merino wool isn’t the ideal material for every single use case. When treated right, merino wool is an excellent material.

All Varusteleka merino wool products are made from mulasing-free merino wool, and some have the Nativa certification.

Frequently asked questions about merino wool

Where does merino wool come from?

What is merino wool made of? This is a common question. Merino wool is wool that comes from merino sheep.

Merino wool vs wool

What’s the difference? Well, both are wool that comes from sheep, just different types of sheep. Merino fibers are very thin, which means that if you ask, “is merino wool itchy?”, the answer is no. Otherwise, it shares all the good characteristics of regular wool.

Is merino wool good for summer?

Yes. It breathes very well and wicks moisture, making it an ideal material for e.g., t-shirts.

Is merino wool warm?

Yes. It warms you in cold weather, and it doesn’t feel like a cold hand of death even when wet.

Does merino wool shrink?

Merino wool can shrink if you don’t follow the washing instructions and wash it in too warm water. Follow the instructions, and you will be fine.