Introduction of Merino Wool

 

You probably knew rhymes about black sheep baa-baaing and Mary's little lamb well before you knew how to lace up your own hiking boots. Maybe you've even herd, er, heard the term "merino" tossed around by your favorite gearhead. But how much do you know about this wooly fabric, which is the key ingredient in a wide variety of apparel available at Meresports/Meqisports?

 

We'll discuss the knitty-gritty of what merino wool is, where it comes from and what makes it such a versatile, valuable material for outdoor apparel.

 

What Is Merino Wool?

 

Merino wool is a superfine natural fiber that comes from merino sheep. It's soft, breathable and moisture-wicking, making it ideal for base layers, socks and liner gloves.

 

"When a lot of people think of wool, they think of that itchy, scratchy sweater my grandma knit me," says Brittany Coleman, founder of sock company ToughCutie, which makes hiking socks for women. But not the wool from merino sheep. Originally from Spain, merino sheep have been raised since the 12th century and prized for their soft, ultra-fine wool. Today, merino sheep are raised in Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa the United States and Uruguay.

 

In general, wool is a resilient fiber made from the protective covering, known as the fleece, of fuzzy mammals, most commonly sheep (but also rabbits, alpacas and goats). Each year, shepherds shear the live animal's fleece, which is made up of countless individual wool fibers. (Read more: Learn about the Responsible Wool Standard in How to Understand Clothing and Gear Sustainability Features.)

 

The diameter of a wool fiber is measured in microns, with one micron equaling one millionth of a meter. Wool's quality and how soft or coarse it will feel when touched—known as the "hand" in the garment industry—typically depend on its micron count. A finer micron or lower count means softer wool, and merino wool is much finer than other wool, making it moisture-wicking, comfortable to wear and naturally sun-protective. "All wool is not the same," says Rita Samuelson, deputy director and wool marketing director for the American Wool Council. "There's wool that's meant to be worn next to your skin, that's comfortable—and merino is that. And there are other wools that are meant to be more durable and heavier-weight fabrics, and those aren't meant to be worn next to skin."

 

While other types of wool are known for the strength and durability that comes from a higher micron count, merino wool is thinner—typically less than 22 microns. (For comparison, human hair averages between 50 and 100 microns.) For that reason, merino wool is often used in next-to-skin garments like base layers, socks and underwear, though it can also be made into suits, knitwear and even high-end piano hammers.

 

 

The Performance Benefits of Merino Wool

 

Merino is "a top-of-the-line material for outdoor activities," Coleman says, and it is commonly found in apparel for outdoor pursuits. That said, it can be pricier than cotton and synthetic materials, and some folks with sensitive skin find their skin reacts to it. But if you are debating whether it's a material that will work for you, here are some of its benefits.

 

Soft and stretchy Merino wool's softness and natural elasticity makes it a great base layer material for multiple activities like hiking, skiing, and running.

 

Temperature regulating The fiber's natural crimped texture traps pockets of still air, providing insulation benefits in cold or hot weather. And it's naturally hygroscopic, meaning the fiber takes in water vapor from its environment. As this happens, the merino releases heat, so the wearer feels warmer and drier when conditions are cold and damp. In hot and dry conditions, on the other hand, the material moves water vapor away from the skin and then releases it into the air, keeping you cool even on warmer days.

 

Moisture wicking Merino wool is also naturally hydrophobic—water tends to bead up on the surface where it's easy to brush off. "It's great for socks in that it wicks moisture away from your feet," notes Samuelson. "It doesn't make them feel clammy."

 

Odor resistance Angela Jabara, trade and education extension lead with The Woolmark Company, explains that merino wool absorbs odor molecules and traps them until a garment is washed. "It's great if you have to wear something a few days in a row." (Like when you're camping.)

 

Stain repellence The material's hydrophobic quality helps it naturally resist staining, especially from liquids. Along with its odor-resistant qualities, this can help it require fewer washes, which conserves water.

 

Anti-static Merino absorbs moisture from its environment, which helps prevent the creation or build-up of static electricity. This helps keep it from clinging to skin and creating sparks.

 

UV protective Most merino clothing typically has a UPF rating between 20 and 50, which means it can protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

 

Biodegradable Unlike many synthetic materials, merino wool is biodegradable in as few as three or four months (though the exact time frame varies based on environmental factors as well as the fabric's specific characteristics).

 

 

How to Care for Your Merino Wool Clothing

 

1) DRYING.

Lay flat on a towel, inside, away from direct sun light to dry. Don't hang them up nor dry them outside in sunlight. That is all. Pretty simple. For some extra tips you may try the following but, these are user tips, not manufacturer tips. To dry faster naturally, lay the garment flat and put a book in the bottom of the jersey to prop it up and point a floor fan at it filling it like a balloon. This can speed the drying time to 25 minutes, depending on temperature and humidity. Once the top is dry, flip it and put little biz cards (without bleedable ink) in each pocket and point the fan so it blows in the pockets.

 

 

2) SOFTNESS and RELAXATION.

The wool gets much softer and more elastic after the first wash, so it is best best to wash your garment before using it for the first time. There will be an initial relaxation of the garment (about 3 cm in width for a size large jersey). This is not shrinkage, but relaxation. Like a rubber band under tension returning to it's natural state. The sizing takes this into consideration. Shrinking happened with wools 30 years ago along with itchiness. Back then, wool fibers were breaking an sticking out, and the inconsistent fibers used caused ratcheting down, which resulted in shrinkage. Today, technology in wool treatment has come light years forward. If you follow these instructions and continue to buy fine wool products such as our cycling apparel, you will see years of consistent sizing and comfortable use.

 

 

3) STORAGE.

Our garments are made of the best Merino wool on earth treated for machine washing, color permanence, and super softness. Additionally, these garments have undergone an Anti Moth treatment. No one else does that! With that said, let's not give any of those critters a chance of a free meal. Always store your fully dry wool items in a sealed ziplock bag in a drawer that is used often. Why you ask? Well the type of moth that likes your clothes, hate LIGHT and they really hate MOVEMENT. So when you toss clothes in a dark corner of a closet and leave it there for a long time, the moths think "A! SWEET!, chow time without being disturbed!" But when you keep the jersey in a sealed bag in a drawer with clothes that you access daily (t-shirts, underwear, jeans etc), the opening and moving things around makes it unattractive for moths and reduces greatly any potential of damage. Now you know how they operate!

 

 

 

 

Wash Your Merino Wool Apparel

 

• Washing By Hand. Washing fine merino wool clothing by hand is always recommended. You can start by filling a basin that will be able to accommodate your garments comfortably with warm water and a mild and gentle soap. There are special wool washing fluids that are available that utilize cold water, so if you use one of these type products, be sure to read the label first. Submerge your garment in the water and let it soak for just three to five minutes, followed by rinsing in warm water. Without twisting or wringing the garment, squeeze as much water as you can from it. A great way to absorb excess liquid is to roll the item in a thick, absorbent towel. You can then squeeze or wring the towel with a gentle touch. Once you unwrap it, you can lay it flat in order to dry lying on a new, dry towel. If you dare, you can try to use the spin cycle on your washer to help you remove a heavily wet garment. Remember, do not put it on the rinse cycle; use the spin cycle only. Never put a fine merino wool garment into the dryer unless you plan to give it as a gift for a new baby afterward.
• Machine Washable. If you want to wash the family hats, scarves and gloves in the washing machine, be sure that you use the gentle cycle or if your machine has one, a cycle marked for knits. The regular cycle has too much agitation for merino wool products and can cause it to shrink. Check to be sure that the temperature is for warm water wash and rinse. Don't use your regular laundry detergent; use a milder soap made especially for this purpose. You can find quite a few selections for this when you visit the grocery store. If you don't want to spend your money on costly woolen wash products, you can always use Palmolive Liquid Detergent. If you decide that you will stick with the professionals and use a woolen wash product, then be sure you follow the instructions for use carefully. You don't want to use a soap with a high pH, look for a soap with a neutral pH for best results.
• If All Else Fails. If you are not comfortable with your ability to care for your merino wool clothing, you can always send it to the dry cleaners. Most merino wool apparel can be safely cleaned by a dry cleaner, but you must be careful because frequent exposure to the harsh chemicals used can damage the fabric and make the wool harsh, which sort of defeats the purpose of wearing merino wool clothing.