THE BENEFITS OF MERINO WOOL
When you spin or knit Merino wool into clothing, you transfer all its high-performance qualities to the garment. Is Merino wool itchy? No. Is Merino wool bulky, sweaty, smelly? No, no, no. Just as the wool protected those sheep against the elements, it’ll protect you too. Here’s how.
1. MERINO IS LIGHTWEIGHT & SUPER SOFT
The “itchy sweater” feeling of traditional wool comes from its thick, coarse fibre.
The fibres of Merino wool, on the other hand, are much finer, resulting in wool that’s softer, lighter and more flexible. A Merino wool garment flows with your body’s natural movements in a way that just feels right.
2. MERINO IS BREATHABLE
Throughout the day, your body produces heat and vapor. That’s not an insult, it’s just biology. When that heat and vapor can’t escape, it condenses, and you wind up with sweaty clothes. Garments made from blends and synthetics trap moisture. However, with Merino, your body heat can pass through the space between fibre, and even the fibres themselves, to get out. Even better, it’s a two-way street: the fibre lets in the cool surrounding air, keeping you cool and dry.
3. MERINO MANAGES MOISTURE
Being breathable is all well and good, but what happens when you’re on a hike deep in Peruvian jungle? At that point, your body is creating more sweat and heat than the air can effectively evaporate.
Not to worry: Merino fibre can absorb up to a third of its weight in moisture while still feeling comfortable and dry to the touch.
The fibres of merino wool also naturally move absorbed moisture away from your body, where it can continue to evaporate. This process is called “wicking,” and it’s a lifesaver in hot, humid environments. You could walk a mile through the infamously muggy streets of a Bangkok summer wearing the all in one Merino Romper, and still feel comfy and dry. (You might have to contend with some envious stares).
4. MERINO IS ANTIBACTERIAL
Every fibre of a Merino sheep’s coat has an oily, waxy coating called Lanolin. It helps repel water during rainy months and guards the sheep against infections.
The yarn used to make Merino wool clothing maintains some residual Lanolin – and its benefits. It’s a safeguard against mildew, mould and odour-causing bacteria.
5. MERINO IS ODOR RESISTANT
Taken together, Merino wool’s abilities to stay breathable, manage moisture, and fight odour-causing bacteria add up to one thing: It smells fresh, no matter what you put it through. When properly cared for, a garment will stay clean and scent-free for weeks, or even months, without washing Merino wool.
6. MERINO WOOL IS WRINKLE RESISTANT
If you look at a single Merino wool fibre under a microscope, you’ll notice that it resembles a tightly coiled spring. The pros call this a “fibre crimp”. Pull on the crimp, and it will recoil back into shape every single time. It’s this elasticity that gives Merino wool its luxurious-feeling stretch. What that means to those of us without microscopes is, you can stuff it into a backpack or carry-on and it comes out looking ready-to-wear. It goes from bottom-of-a-bag to fancy-dinner-on-the-town in no time.
7. MERINO WOOL IS ORGANIC & RENEWABLE
Between Australia and New Zealand, there are about 70 million Merino sheep producing this miraculous fibre year-round, raised on a simple diet of grass pasture. Each year, the Merino produce a brand-new fleece, making this natural harvest of wool completely renewable and sustainable. All while creating a thriving, multi-generational industry in both nations.
The yarn is also relatively biodegradable. If you lose your snugi sweater (we won’t ask how) it’ll break down into the soil within a few years. You’ll be down a sweater, but at least you won’t be littering.
Choose Snugí merino for gift of comfort, the sustainable brand.
