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merino wool

Merino wool is one of the finest natural fibers available. Harvested from a specific breed of sheep, the remarkable qualities of Merino wool are perfectly suited to the needs of cyclists. It is the thinnest and softest of all the various wools, so it makes the most irresistibly comfortable clothing. Yet there is so much more to this sustainable natural resource.

The Merino sheep from which we get this superb wool has a murky past with varying origin theories, up until about 500 years ago when Spain established the first breeding flocks to produce this superior wool. So protective was Spain of these sheep that a strict monopoly was maintained with death being the penalty for trying to smuggle these coveted critters out of the country.

But smuggled they were and by the 18^th century they were in many European countries. In 1812, America got its first 100 sheep in Vermont. Today Merino sheep are raised for wool over much of the globe. A single sheep grows about five pounds of wool annually. In fact, it never stops growing and sheep that are not shorn annually can become engulfed by their own coats!

So what does this have to do with clothing? 

Well, the sheep wear it as original cover in this modern breeding industry, in climates all over the world – from 5°F to 95°F. The clothing made from this wool allows you to be comfortable in such a wide temperature range as well.

Those temperature advantages are the primary reason for making cycling clothes out of Merino. Next to the skin and in additional layering, Merino garments help regulate and stabilize your body temperature. The natural crimp in the fibers trap air for insulation to keep you warm, yet when you begin to perspire, the fibers wick sweat away from your skin to aid in cooling. That cooling also helps dry your skin. 

All this benefit is achieved by the unique porous fiber structure of Merino. You can go down the science rabbit hole on how this all works, but suffice to say that there is not a single synthetic fabric invented by humans that can match the capabilities of Merino.

Another unique characteristic of Merino is that it absorbs odor caused by bacteria doing its thing on your sweaty skin. For those endurance bikepacking runs, for example, you can wear Merino without getting too odoriferous, which also allows you to pack less clothing.

For over 150 years of humans pursuing outdoor sporting endeavors, traditional wool clothing has been the go-to for warmth. For all those years, wool has also been saddled with a nasty reputation for uncomfortable itchiness. That reputation comes from wools other than Merino, which is superfine in comparison. The resultant softness must be felt to be believed.  Again, science explains that since Merino fibers are so tiny as to be just a third the diameter of a human hair that they bend out of the way when they contact human skin. It is so fine it literally cannot stand up to the weight of itself! When you first feel Merino against your skin you won’t care about the science, but you will fall in love with its luxuriant touch.

You’ve no doubt noticed that most outdoor technical wear now boast a UPF factor on its labeling. Guess what? Merino has a natural UPF of 20+!

Another cool benefit of Merino is that since it is an organic protein fiber, composed of amino acids and natural compounds, grown by happy sheep, it is 100% biodegradable. Merino will literally disappear after about a year in the soil. Don’t let that be a statement of durability, though. This stuff, when taken care of and laundered properly, will last and last. 

We’ve just received our first Spring season shipment and it will be on the floor any minute now. If you’ve not experienced Merino wool cycling clothing, stop by and check it out. Smartwool offers their Go Far Feel Good 100% Satisfaction Guarantee that will give you two full years to decide.  But we’re betting it will take about two seconds for you to fall in love with Merino. 

Try it out today.

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