As the temperature constantly drops, suitable clothing articles become paramount for combating the chilly winds. Merino wool base layers have recently gained attention as the ultimate base layers due to their varied benefits.
These benefits include moisture-wicking ability, elasticity, and enhanced softness and comfort. However, since many people are not aware of how to assess the quality of Merino wool, there is an increased number of counterfeit Merino wool products.
Therefore, this comprehensive guide is going to delve into the basics and four tips you must know for choosing Merino wool base layers.
Origin of Merino Wools
Merino wool finds its origin in the country of Spain. However, it is a belief that the world’s finest merino wool is produced by Australian woolgrowers. Apart from Australian Merino, fine merino wool is also grown on the South Island of New Zealand. Farms across the United States have different sheep breeds, out of which merino sheep stand out to meet the rising demand for this fabric.
This particular kind of wool, as mentioned, is procured from merino sheep, which means it is a very natural method of getting a sustainable type of fabric. Merino wool base layer is one of the clothing garments constructed from these materials, which suits well and matches the views and standpoints of today’s environmentally conscious consumers.
What are Merino Base Layers?
A Merino base layer is a close-fitting garment that feels almost like a second skin. It is designed to wick moisture away from your body. By wicking the sweat away from the body, the base layer keeps you dry and chill-free.
Base layers also keep you warm by trapping warm air around the skin. So, although the water can escape, your warm natural body heat stays put due to the base layer’s thermal properties.
Qualities of Merino Wool Base Layers
There are many benefits of Merino wool base layers that attract people towards this epic fabric; these are some of the qualities that you should look for:
1. Breathability
Throughout the day, your body produces heat and vapor. When that heat and vapor cannot escape, it condenses, leaving you with sweaty clothes. Garments made from blends and synthetics trap moisture.
Merino wool fiber’s hydrophilic core has an incredible moisture absorption capacity – up to 35% of its own weight – making it superior to synthetics in removing perspiration from the skin, moving it away, and releasing it as vapor.
But with Merino, your body heat can pass through the space between fiber, and even the fibers themselves, to get out. The main objective of wearing base layers is to prevent the body heat from escaping while the fiber lets in the cool surrounding air, keeping you cool and dry.
2. Softness & Lightweight
As this material is used for the innermost layer, the gentleness in its texture is essential. The “itchy sweater” feeling of traditional wool comes from its thick, coarse fiber.
In contrast, fibers of Merino wool are much finer, resulting in wool that’s softer, lighter, and more flexible.
3. Odor
According to studies, the capacity of wool fiber to absorb and neutralize unwanted scents is significantly greater than that of other fabrics. When properly cared for, a Merino wool garment will stay clean and scent-free for weeks or months without washing.
Through its chemical composition, wool can neutralize bodily substances that give rise to unpleasant odors, which is a considerable advantage when the opportunities for washing are limited. Comparative tests show that wool has the highest absorption capacity of all fibers.
4. Elasticity
The natural elasticity of the merino wool fiber means they stretch with the wearer but then return to their natural shape. Hence, garments are less likely to sag or lose shape.
As it is a prerequisite for the innermost layer to be skintight, the elasticity feature of Merino wool is a win-win, thus making this material a leading choice for the base layers.
Tips to Preserve Merino Wool Base Layers
Apart from choosing 100% pure and unaltered Merino wool base layers, it is also crucial to preserve this clothing article by following some basic steps:
- Before washing, turn your clothing inside out. This helps to avoid pilling caused by abrasion in the washing machine or against other garments.
- Machine wash your base layers by using a gentle or wool-specific detergent.
- Do not use bleach of any kind. Bleach will destroy wool.
- Do not use fabric softener as fabric softener covers the wool with chemicals that impede the natural wicking and thermal characteristics of wool.
- Be sure to check that your detergent is free of any bleach or fabric softeners.
- Wool does not need to be washed after every wear since its anti-microbial properties help keep it odor-free.
- For long-term storage, store your Merino wool base layers in an airtight plastic container to help keep insects and pests from impacting it.
- Do not iron Merino wool base layers often unless necessary. Use a low wool setting for 100% Merino wool products if you do.
Conclusion
Merino wool base layers are versatile clothing articles that consist of fine fabrics that possess anti-microbial, elasticity, and sweat-wicking abilities. These properties provide extreme comfort and softness, making these articles the ultimate accessory.
Apart from assessing the quality of Merino Wool through these properties, it is also vital to preserve these articles by following extreme caution, such as not using a fabric softener and avoiding excess ironing.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
