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    Home » Travel » Outdoor Adventure

    Merino Wool Clothes: A Shopping Guide

    Published: Dec 29, 2022 · Modified: Jun 7, 2025 · 2 Comments

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Photo of sunrise over valley with text overlay saying "Merino Wool Clothes, A Shopping Guide."

    This guide to merino wool clothes reviews clothing items from popular merino brands, such as Branwyn, Icebreaker, Smartwool and more!

    This post is not sponsored by any of the merino wool brands listed below. We purchased and tested their products without brand collaboration.
    Photo of sunrise over valley with text overlay saying "Merino Wool Clothes, A Shopping Guide."

    If your hiking or camping trips have taken you through all the seasons and all sorts of weather, you know the importance of dressing for comfort.

    And not just the kind of comfort that feels good when you first put something on. No — but the kind that lasts through cold, through perspiration, and through long hours.

    If you've shopped around for the best base layers, one material that might keep popping up is merino wool. Merino wool clothes are often a great choice for outdoor recreation, and I've gathered a few tips that will make shopping much easier!

    Here's a guide to merino wool clothes, along with some of our favorite products tried so far.

    Our All-Time Favorite Merino Wool Products

    • Branwyn bras and undies
    • Darn Tough socks
    • Icebreaker undies
    • Icebreaker half-zip top
    • Ridge Merino racerback bra
    • Ridge Merino solstice pro sun hoodie
    • Smartwool socks
    • Smartwool classic thermal shirt and leggings
    • Smartwool headband

    Looking for a specific brand review? Click on the brand you're looking for:

    • Allbirds
    • Branwyn
    • Darn Tough
    • Icebreaker
    • Meriwool
    • REI
    • Ridge Merino
    • Smartwool
    • WoolX
    • Woolly Clothing Co
    • Wool&

    Keep reading to check out our merino shopping tips and each brand review.

    Merino wool balaclava, shirt, and shorts from various brands.
    Brands of Merino Wool Clothes

    Pros of Merino Wool Clothes

    Merino wool is a natural fiber grown on Merino sheep, and is thought to have a softer texture than other types of wool.

    It’s also great at wicking moisture from the body, which keeps you warm in the cold and cool in the heat. It naturally resists odors (especially if you let the clothing airdry after use).

    Full disclosure: Recently I've been reaching for alpaca wool instead of merino, especially in cold weather, because I've found it even better at staying dry, smell-free and helping to regulating body temperature. On a recent cold-weather backpacking trip in Iceland, I relied almost solely on alpaca over merino.

    Blue top with tag listing the properties of merino wool.
    Advertised Benefits of Merino Wool

    Cons of Merino Wool Clothes

    The main drawback of merino wool is the price. It can be expensive! Merino wool is also more delicate than synthetic fabrics, so it needs to be cared for more carefully.

    Also, shopping for it can be a bit confusing, with terms like “gsm” (which we'll explain below).

    Additionally, while it is often marketed as a fabric that "dries really fast", in my personal experience, once medium-weight or thicker merino wool products (like socks) become fully waterlogged, they can actually take LONGER to dry than quick-dry synthetic fabrics.

    I found this out the hard way when I ended up with soggy socks that refused to dry on a humid, extremely rainy backpacking trip on the Art Loeb Trail.

    What About Super Washed Wool?

    Super washing refers to a chemical treatment applied to the wool to make it softer, machine washable and more durable. Most commercially available wools use "super washed" wool, which isn't eco-friendly and uses a chlorine rinse.

    From what we understand, all machine washable wool has been treated in some way (though many don't disclose), it's only the felted/"fuzzier" wools that aren't treated. If you have childhood memories of itchy, uncomfortable wool sweaters, but now find wool extra cozy, it might be that merino wool is softer, but it's also likely because of super washing.

    While this is somewhat discouraging, especially if you're trying to buy wool as an eco-friendly clothing option, we have found wool clothes (despite super washing) to have a lot of perks that synthetic athleticwear doesn't have.

    What Does GSM (grams per square meter) Mean?

    The GSM numbers on merino clothes are a guide to how thick the wool is. Not every brand includes the GSM number, but when it’s listed, it can be helpful to consider.

    Numbers and descriptions between brands may vary, but here’s a general guide:

    • 150 - 180: Lightweight fabric (summer weight), may be slightly see-through.
    • 190 - 220: Midweight, mostly opaque. Great for layering.
    • 230 - 320: Heavyweight, fully opaque, thicker fabric.
    Black, gray and blue shirts made from different weights of merino wool.
    Merino Wool Shirts with Varying GSM Numbers

    Wool vs. Wool Blend Clothing

    A lot of merino wool clothing, especially that marketed to outdoor adventurers, is not 100% wool. Instead, it’s often a blend of merino wool and synthetic fibers (such as polyester). Why?

    Merino wool is more delicate than synthetic fabrics. Adding synthetic fabrics to the blend can provide more durability.

    However, as the percentage of synthetic fabric goes higher, the less you’re getting the merino wool benefits. It’s always a good idea to check the percentage of wool in a garment! Sometimes the lower wool / higher synthetic blends are more affordable, but not always.

    Some clothing items will even be totally synthetic on the outside with a partially wool lining, such as the (now discontinued) Smartwool training shorts pictured below. You’ll usually see that on items that need lots of stretching ability, like leggings or bike shorts.

    Black Merino wool shorts with a label that says "Smartwool."
    Merino Wool Training Shorts

    Browsing for more gear for your outdoor adventures? Check out our guides to hiking and camping gear for men and women, plus our guide to women's winter camping gear.

    Merino Wool Clothes Reviews (By Brand)

    I’ve been testing out various merino wool clothes brands over the past few years. Overall I’ve been thrilled, but not every purchase was a win.

    We got a small group of testers to try even more merino wool products. Here are some of the merino wool clothes we tried, listed by brand name in alphabetical order.

    AllBirds

    AllBirds makes shoes with merino wool uppers. Most of their shoes lean towards casualwear over activewear, but we still wanted to try them.

    Favorites:

    • Tree Breezers Knit Ballet Flats may have been the most comfortable ballet flats our testers have ever tried! They're breathable, cushioned (for ballet flats anyway) and have held up to wear and tear better than I expected.

    Branwyn

    Branwyn sells merino wool bras and women’s undies.

    Favorites:

    • Their Busty bra is amazing. I wore it for all five days of our Colorado backpacking trip, and it has quickly become my favorite sports bra. It's great at keeping away odor and is incredibly comfortable.

      If you've got a larger chest, note that it is more of a medium-support than a full-support. I don't recommend running or doing HIIT classes in this bra if you're a C-cup or larger.

      The only other con is that on me, the band tends to roll up at the bottom, which is annoying. (I've tried going up and down in sizes, but can't seem to get rid of this issue.)
    Black Branwyn bra.
    Branwyn Merino Wool Bra
    • The newer racerback sports bra is more compressive than the regular busty bra, so if you're looking for a jogging bra it may do the trick! The fit was a bit off for me (the racerback part pressed uncomfortably on my shoulders), but if it fits you well, I'd recommend.
    • Their merino wool undies are also wonderful! They’re slightly less “sporty” looking than other merino undies we tried, and the fabric felt mid-weight.

    Darn Tough

    Darn Tough is based in Vermont, and makes a nice variety of merino wool socks.

    Favorites:

    • I love their lightweight crew socks. Some of the patterns on these socks are pretty adorable too, Darn Tough currently has both a bear and squirrel print sock.

    Icebreaker

    Icebreaker is a well-established merino wool brand that makes high-quality merino wool clothes. It's one of my favorite merino wool brands, and I've had many of the pieces listed below for years.

    Favorites:

    • Icebreaker wool undies for women: We tried multiple styles of their undies, and loved them all. The cuts are sporty and lightweight, and the percentage of merino wool is high (without lots of synthetics blended in). These are great for hiking and backpacking.
    • Icebreaker socks: We tried a few different styles, and particularly liked their light or medium crew socks. I also liked that these socks are labeled L and R (left and right) and have a slightly different fit for each foot.
    Sleeping pad inside tent.
    Wearing Icebreaker Crew Socks
    • Icebreaker women's Tech Lite t-shirt: This was a great basic merino wool tshirt. It feels nice and soft, is 100% wool, survived (without shrinking) accidentally being put in the dryer for a full cycle, and fit well.
    • Oasis 200 half-zip pullover and 200 Oasis crew top: These mid-weight layers have a silky feel and are perfect for layering. The fabric is extremely comfortable, and it's remained in great shape over many washings and multiple years.
    • Icebreaker Crush jogger pants and Crush lounge shorts for women are cozy and warm, and I love them as camping pajama bottoms.
    Woman wearing Half-Zip and Headband from Icebreaker brand.
    Wearing Icebreaker 200 Half-Zip

    What else we tried:

    • Icebreaker Quantum hoodie: There's a front pocket that (for us) didn't lay flat, and the double zipper was extremely finicky.
    • Icebreaker everyday women’s cami and the Icebreaker siren cami: The fabric on both was slightly coarser and itchier than other merino clothing we've tried. Also, the plastic strap adjusters concerned us, because we worried that these camis might not last for years.
    • Icebreaker Sphere II t-shirt: This t-shirt was lightweight and perfect for working out in hot weather, but the merino wool percentage was fairly low (about 40%), and to us, the fabric felt more like our other synthetic blend athletic-wear tops.

    Meriwool

    Favorites:

    • The Meriwool T-shirt. Initially I did not like this shirt, but I've changed my mind and decided it has both pros and cons.

      Pros: It is incredibly comfy! It's held up well over many uses, and (as of June 2024) the price is considerably less expensive than other similar t-shirts. I've found myself reaching for it more often lately, and it's becoming a favorite (with caveats).

      Cons: Despite having a lightweight description, this is definitely a mid-weight shirt. I don't mind mid-weight, it just wasn't what I was expecting. I would not wear this for a humid summer hike, but I would wear it on a chilly day or for relaxing around camp in fall or spring.

      Finally, I dislike the reflective logo on the shoulder area. It prevents this t-shirt from being multi-purpose, making it hard to "dress up" for casual use.

    What we tried:

    • The Meriwool men’s boxer briefs were (impressively) 100% merino wool and were more affordable than others we tried. Our testers found these undies a little warm for day-to-day wearing, but they might be a good choice for colder days. Also, these undies didn't hold up to regular wear and tear, and developed runs in the fabric within a few months.

    REI

    Favorites:

    • The REI men's 185 base layer top and the REI women's base layer top. These t-shirts were impressively 100% merino wool, and the fit was great. I will note that the fabric felt slightly stiffer and not as soft as other brands we tried, but if the texture doesn't bother you, this is a great shirt.

    Ridge Merino

    So far we've only tried one item from Ridge, but were so blown away by how much we loved it that we'll be trying more soon.

    Favorite:

    • Send It Sports Bra. If I could give this bra a standing ovation, I would! It's comfortable, doesn't roll up on the band, is odor-resistant, and is supportive even for larger cup sizes (such as a DD). It is more supportive than the Branwyn Busty bra, and I can go for a jog in it, but probably still wouldn't do a HIIT class in it.
    • Solstice Pro Sun Hoodie. This hoodie is everything I've been looking for in a sun hoodie. It's natural fibers, lightweight, odor resistant and does not make me overheat in the heat. (I commonly find sun hoodies are just too hot.) I particularly liked the half-zip to help with temperature regulation.

    Smartwool

    My first introduction to Smartwool was their socks. Smartwool socks are still my favorites, and I think they make great gifts for hikers too!

    Favorites:

    • The classic hike full cushion socks (if you're hiking in a heavy boot)
    • These hike light crew socks, which we love for hiking in our favorite trail runners.
    • Smartwool's classic thermal crew top and classic thermal bottoms are cozy 250 heavy-weight thermal layers that feel like a sweatshirt / sweatpants combo. We really liked them as camping pajamas.
    • The Smartwool headband comes in lots of colors and fun prints, and I like the texture. It also stays in place really well (instead of sliding up and off while I walk). It's become a favorite of mine for winter trail running.
    • Need more coverage than a headband? We found this Smartwool beanie to be extremely warm and comfortable, and this Smartwool neck gator is perfect for keeping your neck warm and dry.

    WoolX

    WoolX merino wool clothing comes in a variety of categories. I’ve owned a pair of their undies for years and am a fan, so I was excited to try more of their clothing options.

    We initially loved almost all of the WoolX items we tried, but over time, have found that many of their items pill and show heavy wear after only light use. The items listed below as ones we like have not begun to show early wear and tear, but we still would hesitate before purchasing again.

    Favorites:

    • Undies (men's and women's): These seemed very similar to the Icebreaker undies! The fit, fabric and performance was fantastic. Additionally, these undies hold up well to regular wear and tear.
    • WoolX hats, such as the Kaylee beanie and the Baylor beanie: The beanies were warm, cozy and cute. The Kaylee beanie was lined and warmer than the Baylor.
    • Men’s base camp hoodie: I was initially disappointed in this hoodie because I expected it to be thicker. (It's significantly thinner than the women's Ryann hoodie.) However, it's turned out to be a nice base layer and (so far) hasn't begun to pill.
    • Women’s shirts: We loved the long sleeve and short sleeve shirts we tried, with a caveat. If worn as casual-wear with bottoms that don't have a button to rub the shirt, they last a long time. If worn as activewear with a backpack, the fabric pills easily and if worn with pants with a button, the fabric quickly wears thin from rubbing.

    What else we tried:

    • Duralite Stella leggings, cushioned ankle socks, and the neck gator: These items seemed great at first, but the fabric pilled quickly.
    • Women's Ryann hoodie: While it is fairly comfy, we found that the sleeves were too short and the hood was too small to actually use.
    • Merino Flex McKenna leggings and Dani bike shorts: We found the seams on our shorts came undone after a few wears, and the fabric on the inner thighs of the leggings wore thin within a few wears. Also the synthetic outer layer meant they weren't very breathable.

    Woolly Clothing Co.

    Woolly Clothing Co. is based in Seattle and designs both activewear and casual clothes.

    What we tried:

    • Women’s hipster brief undies: I’m not sure what happened here, but these ran huge. I ordered my usual size, and they were saggy and too big to wear.

    Wool&

    We typically focus on outdoor gear, but I’ve heard a lot about Wool& and their merino wool dresses, and wanted to include them in this post.

    A friend of mine is doing the 100-day wool dress challenge and is thrilled with her dress. She actually recently wore the dress for all three days of a multi-day backpacking trip we did together!

    What we tried:

    • We tried two of their 160 gsm (lightweight) dresses, the Fiona Fit and Flare and the Charlotte V-Neck Midi. Neither of our testers loved the fit of these dresses.
    • We also tried their Roam scoop neck bra, but didn't care for the fit on this one either.

    I hope this guide has acquainted you with some of the nuts and bolts of shopping for merino wool clothes. And maybe you've already discovered a few of your own favorite items for outdoor wear — let me know in the comments!

    More Outdoor Adventure

    • Hiking trail bordered by mountain laurel wildflowers in Red River Gorge.
      Wildflowers in Red River Gorge (Kentucky)
    • Backpacker on Art Loeb Trail under stormy skies.
      Alpaca Shopping Guide: Our Favorite Brands
    • Drop bags spread on tarp for runners of the Big Turtle 2.0 race.
      How to Pack an Ultramarathon Drop Bag
    • Big Turtle 2.0 Trail Race Report (Morehead, KY)

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

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    Comments

    All commentsI made this
    1. Dana Kolpin says

      April 22, 2023 at 2:26 pm

      I recently have the Women's Capsule Wardrobe from Unbound Merino and their clothes are great. You should try some of their clothes as you won't be disappointed. They have more men's clothes but are making more women's clothes since the Women's Cspsule Wardrobe was a big success.
      .

      Reply
      • Alisha Trenalone says

        April 22, 2023 at 3:57 pm

        Nice! Thanks for the suggestion.

        -Alisha at Champagne Tastes

        Reply
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