WHY MERINO?

Chocolate Fish Health warning!   

This is where we get interminably boring (but right) about why Merino wool is by far the best fabric for all your clothing - not just outdoor gear!   

New Zealand Merino fibres are long, strong, flexible and extremely fine.  It is these distinctive characteristics that make New Zealand Merino so soft and comfortable against the skin.  Merino provides insulation, moisture management, breathability, odour-resistance, stain-resistance, anti-static properties,  flame resistance, comfort, and a natural degree of sun protection.

To be classed as "Superfine" the micron count of the fibre must be 19µ or less.  It is only in this micron count range that Merino wool becomes supersoft, and ideal for wearing next to the skin.

There is now an even finer micron count available, but as with fabric weight (measured in grams per square metre) there is a point at which durability is lost, which is why we stick to Superfine/195 gsm for all our baselayer range.  A micron count below 16µ is only suitable for babywear or for mixing with other fibres such as silk or cashmere, clothing ranges for which durability is not required.

The Science Bit

Centuries of evolution, aided by selective breeding have created a super soft, high performance Merino fibre with a number of innate properties. The Merino fibre:

• Is resilient because each fibre is made up of elastic elements which are able to bounce back when released from pressure.
• Has the ability to shed water, yet readily transmit water vapour.
• Effectively responds to changes in humidity & temperature.
• Has a natural resistance to soiling, staining, odours and static build up.

Merino is therefore the natural fibre choice for customers increasingly sensitive to the ecological dimensions of a product.

Merino fibre is the essence of responsible consumption.   Inherently natural, biodegradable and sustainable it is the natural fibre choice.

NATURAL – Merino is a natural fibre made from the simple combination of sunlight, water and grass. The Merino fibre has evolved over time to become one of the most effective natural forms of all-weather protection known to man.

BIODEGRADABLE – When a wool fibre is disposed of it takes only a few years to decompose. Most

synthetics on the other hand, are extremely slow to degrade.

SUSTAINABLE – Every year Merino sheep produce new fleece, making Merino a renewable fibre source.

THE PERFORMANCE FIBRE - Merino is one of the world’s most technically advanced fibres, with unique moisture and temperature control properties.  Merino wool has a unique structure that affects its performance. The chemical bonding within a Merino fibre has the effect of allowing the fibres to pull moisture vapour into them. This means that when wool fibres are in close proximity to the skin they actually speed up the transfer process of moisture. Without this effective dispersal system, the vapour simply condenses to form sweat droplets on the skin’s surface.  

This matters because temperature control is essential in sustaining human life. Merino clothing protects the wearer from extremes of temperature because it offers superior insulation and breathability in fabrics  of similar structure and weight. This insulation capacity has made it synonymous with warmth, while its breathability properties help protect the individual from excessive heat.

Understanding moisture transportation In hot climates or during strenuous exercise, the micro-climate above the skin becomes saturated with vapour. This will make the individual clammy unless their clothing can release this moisture.

An expert’s opinion

In the opinion of Andy Kirkpatrick, merino wool is  the most advanced natural and robust insulation on the planet.  In an article for Planet Fear he said:  

"...synthetics just haven’t hit all the bases. They may never do.  They may be cheaper and easier to mass produce, but they’re not easier to care for and they don’t perform to the high standard of Merino.”

Environmental Impact

New Zealand Merino is one of the purest, most ecological fibres.  Only environmentally responsible, energy-efficient and safe production methods are used in its manufacture.  New Zealand farmers use scientific land management techniques, and pay careful attention to flock rotation, animal welfare and the environment.  Sheep are raised in a clean, green, unpolluted climate - natural advantages that enable them to consistently grow superior wool.  No internationally banned pesticides are used on New Zealand sheep farms; and since 1993, New Zealand's already very low  pesticide levels have been cut in half, making New Zealand's sheep one of the world's greenest animal husbandry systems.

This is the reason, many say, that to maximise profit some of the top brand names in Outdoor Clothing have moved production of their merino garments wholly or in part to China.

With regard to climate change,  there has been little research on greenhouse gas emission and carbon footprinting specific to Merino farming and there is no calculator by which farmers can work out their carbon footprint.  However logically, large-scale extensive farming compares favourably with oil-based synthetics and other more intensive natural fibre productions, such as cotton.  What is certain is that wool is more energy-efficient than synthetics.  

A Life Cycle Assessment showed that Merino farms use much less energy to produce a kilogram of fibre than synthetic manufacturers, and this includes exporting to the other side of the world. Merino is therefore ahead of synthetics in being environmentally sustainable.  

So why should you choose merino gear rather than synthetic?  

Here's where you'll find the answers to those frequently asked questions.

• Superfine Merino.  Why not all "merino" is the same.   Only a comparatively few select flocks in New Zealand and Australia produce the sort of fleece that can be spun and made into high performance fabric smooth and soft enough to be worn next to the skin, and be machine washable.  Beware of imitations!

• Why can't we breed Merino in the UK   We can - but only merino bred for meat, not bred for wool. Sadly the UK climate doesn't suit the Merino sheep. They're a mountain breed and like dry feet and dry coats. The British Isles are simply too wet for them to thrive.
• Are there other UK breeds that produce a fine enough fleece?    In a word - NO. It's not just a matter of micron count. Even if you could get a sheep that produced a fine micron count wool, it also has to have the right staple (length), crimp (curliness), and right tensile strength. In addition, the merino wool fibre has fewer scales than the average wool fibre, and it's the scales that add to the itch factor. It's only when all five of these attributes are right that you have a fibre that can be made into a performance merino-like fabric. So far no-one has done this - or at least produced the testable evidence.

• Breathability and the Layering Concept.  How to choose and optimise the efficiency of your outdoor clothing.
• Choosing a Baselayer: Weight, design features: function, or style?
• The Myth of Wicking. What it is and how it works, and more importantly, when it doesn't work.
• Multi-climate Merino & UV Protection. Why merino wool is as good for wearing in summer as in winter, in wet weather and in dry.
• Merino in Antarctica.  A report by Professor Jane Francis on the Superfine Merino and Merino-Possum  gear  she took to Antarctica on her last research trip.   There are more reviews here.
• Our Merino Wool Fabric.  How our wool is selected and processed from shearing to wearing - and why we think it's the best there is.
• Mallory's Gear.   The results of research, backed by a leading synthetics company, on what  Mallory  wore  on his attempt on Everest in 1924, and how reproductions of it compared in tests alongside  modern synthetics - and why you may not have heard much about the results!
• Merino Wool - the beginning.  Who started the wool industry in Australia and New Zealand?  You may be surprised.
• More Frequently Asked Questions