Merino wool: the world's most versatile fiber

Merino wool comes from the Merino sheep, a breed of sheep from Asia Minor that was introduced to Spain in the 12th century. Today, Australia produces approximately 80% of the world's merino wool, with farms also operating in New Zealand, South Africa, and France.

A merino sheep produces between 4 and 9 kg of wool per year. Three times finer than traditional wool, merino wool is suitable for even the most sensitive skin and offers excellent elasticity and strength.

Thermo-regulating

Merino wool has excellent insulating properties. Just like a sheep's back, it protects against both cold and heat. Due to its physical structure, wool traps a significant amount of air between its fibers, creating a buffer between the wearer and their environment. Keratin, a protein found in wool, acts as a barrier to the environment, protecting the sheep from both heat and cold.

Ultra-light and breathable, the summer wool of the merino sheep keeps it cool when the temperature reaches 30°C. In winter, an additional layer of wool is added to the sheep's summer fleece, keeping it warm when the mercury drops to -10°C. It is these properties that make our merino wool T-shirts essential for every season. Whether as a base layer for winter or as a sole layer for summer, merino wool will accompany you all year round.

Neutralizes odors

Thanks to its complex physical and chemical structures, merino wool has a natural power and a great capacity to not retain everyday odors such as perspiration, smoke, traffic fumes or even cooking odors. This ability, demonstrated in our T-shirts, will allow you not to trap unpleasant everyday odors, unlike cotton which delights in these odors to offer you a wonderful condensation of them.

Merino wool naturally inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi. This means it won't retain any body odor. You won't need to wash your wool items as often; simply air them out occasionally to freshen them up.

Soft and comfortable

Merino wool is incredibly soft and comfortable to wear thanks to its exceptional fineness. Merino wool fibers can be up to twice as fine as those of conventional wool and three times finer than a human hair. This fineness reduces the scratchy sensation and makes merino wool particularly suitable for sensitive skin. The fine, wavy fibers of merino wool contribute to its softness and superb drape. Unlike traditional wool, it does not itch and can be worn directly against the skin without irritation. Our merino wool T-shirts are particularly popular for this unique softness.

Does not deform

Merino wool is naturally elastic and resilient. Its wavy fibers, called crimps, act like springs: they return to their original shape after stretching or compression. This elasticity allows merino wool garments to retain their shape, even after numerous uses and washes. Thanks to this property, merino wool does not lose its shape, ensuring a long life for your garments.

Cleans easily

Merino wool is easy to clean thanks to its antibacterial properties and ability to repel dirt. Stains, soil, and impurities remain on the surface and do not become embedded in the fibers. When cleaned, the wool fibers absorb water and swell, making it easier to remove dirt. For more care tips, see our article on merino wool care.

Dries quickly

Merino wool dries quickly thanks to its ability to absorb and evaporate moisture. Its hygroscopic fibers can retain up to 35% of their weight in moisture, allowing moisture to move away from the body and evaporate quickly. This property, combined with its fineness, ensures drying in record time, much faster than cotton T-shirts. Ideal for sports activities and travel, merino wool offers a major advantage in terms of quick drying.

Natural, biodegradable and renewable

Merino wool is a naturally biodegradable material. Under the right conditions, it decomposes completely in about three months, much faster than synthetic fibers. Merino sheep produce their fleece each year using only water, grass, and air, without compromising their well-being. This fleece is clean and requires little soap and water for cleaning.

Additionally, Seagale's merino wool is certified mulesing-free, ensuring no animal abuse occurs. By choosing merino wool clothing, you're choosing an eco-friendly, responsible, and environmentally friendly solution.

UV resistant

Merino wool offers natural UV protection thanks to its unique structure, which acts as a barrier against solar radiation. It protects your skin from the harmful effects of the sun, making it ideal for outerwear and outdoor activities.

This UV resistance, combined with environmentally friendly production and exceptional properties, sets merino wool apart from materials like cotton. At Seagale, we trust merino wool for its many benefits, providing comfort and protection all year round.

COMBINATION WITH OTHER MATERIALS OR 100% MERINO?

When choosing your merino wool clothing, you have the option of choosing between 100% merino wool items and those that combine merino wool with other materials. Clothing made from merino wool combined with other fibers, such as polyester or nylon, can offer additional benefits such as increased durability and elasticity.

For example, T-shirts made from merino wool blended with Tencel offer better moisture management and an even softer feel against the skin. Discover our items combining merino and other materials for enhanced performance.

Merino wool is a remarkable technical fabric that is ideal for a variety of needs, from everyday wear to outdoor sports. Thanks to its unique properties, merino wool offers optimal comfort, temperature regulation, and natural odor resistance, making it an ideal choice for all types of clothing.

Whether you're looking for comfortable, stylish everyday wear or high-performance outdoor gear, merino wool has it all.

In addition, its versatility and ability to adapt to different climatic conditions make it an essential material for anyone looking for both style and performance.

Outdoor activities all year round

Merino wool is a remarkable technical fabric that is ideal for a variety of needs, from everyday wear to outdoor sports. Thanks to its unique properties, merino wool offers optimal comfort, temperature regulation, and natural odor resistance, making it an ideal choice for all types of clothing.

Whether you're looking for comfortable, stylish everyday wear or high-performance outdoor gear, merino wool has it all.

In addition, its versatility and ability to adapt to different climatic conditions make it an essential material for anyone looking for both style and performance.

Travel and movement

Merino wool is the perfect companion for travel and on the go. It neutralizes odors, allowing clothes to last for several days without smelling bad, reducing the need to carry a lot of clothing. Its lightweight and quick-drying properties add to its practicality when traveling. For detailed advice on how to dress for travel, check out our dedicated article.

Everyday clothing

Merino wool isn't just for sports or travel; it's also perfect for everyday wear. Thanks to its softness, durability, and ability to regulate temperature, it provides unparalleled comfort all day long. At Seagale, we offer a range of merino wool products designed for quality and performance. Our clothing, like our underwear range, is suitable for everyday use, combining elegance and functionality to meet all your needs.

What are the disadvantages?

Although merino wool has many advantages, it is not without its drawbacks. Knowing these will help you make an informed choice when it comes to your clothing.

Higher price

One of the main drawbacks of merino wool is its price. Due to the superior quality and exceptional properties of this fiber, merino wool garments tend to be more expensive than those made from synthetic materials or cotton. This higher cost may be a deterrent for some, but it reflects the durability, comfort, and performance offered by this natural material.

Specific maintenance

Although merino wool is relatively easy to care for, it still requires some specific precautions to preserve its qualities. For example, it is often recommended to wash merino wool garments by hand or on a delicate cycle at a low temperature, and to avoid using a tumble dryer to prevent shrinkage.

Less abrasion resistance

The fineness of merino wool, while contributing to its extreme softness, can also make it less resistant to abrasion compared to some synthetic fibers. For very intense activities or those requiring high friction, it may be useful to combine merino wool with other materials to increase durability.