Why Merino Wool? | Merino Wool Clothing | Minus33

Merino wool sheep in the field

IT STARTS WITH THE SHEEP

BRED TO ADAPT

Merino Sheep live in all types of climates, from freezing mountains to hot plains. Their coats have naturally adapted over time to help them survive in many extreme environments. 

THE MERINO WOOL ADVANTAGE


At Minus33, we strive to provide you with an all-natural advantage on your outdoor adventures. Merino Wool has so many wonderful properties, which provide you beneficial comfort, safety, and eco-friendly options. We’re convinced that once you give Merino Wool a try, you won’t want to go back to cotton or synthetic layers.

man stoking campfire wearing minus33 merino wool base layer outfit

COMFORT
BENEFITS

MOISTURE WICKING

Minus33 Merino Wool regulates the amount of moisture on your skin by absorbing any moisture or sweat on your body. Then, the absorbed moisture evaporates out of the fabric into the atmosphere. 

INSULATING

Wool fibers have a natural crimp, which creates air pockets that trap dead, warm air inside – right next to your skin.

Breathable

Wool is a classic natural insulator, but is just as effective in warmer weather due to its rapid moisture wicking ability.

NON-ITCHY

Super Soft and Cozy

Old school wool has a reputation for being itchy. Merino wool is known for being super soft. Wool’s softness is determined by the micron of the individual fibers. The micron is essentially the diameter of the fiber. The lower the micron, the softer the wool.

Minus33 uses Superfine 18.5 micron Merino Wool for our Midweight and Expedition products, and Ultrafine 17.5 micron for our Lightweight and Micro products. This gauge of wool provides just the right balance of durability and a super soft feel on the skin.

ODOR RESISTANT

With less moisture comes less odor. Minus33 Merino Wool resists against microbes and odor, so foot fungus and smelly odor will NOT be a problem while wearing our products.

FLEXIBLE AND RESILIENT

Minus33 Merino Wool Clothing is naturally elastic, allowing it to stretch to your movements. At the fiber level, wool has a natural crimp which helps it bend to move, and then return to its initial shape. Merino wool does not wrinkle easily for this reason.

Hypoallergenic

Despite what you've heard, Merino Wool is not an allergen. Recent studies show that merino wool is good for the skin and especially beneficial for those suffering from eczema.

man hiking in the snow wearing merino wool beanie and multiclava balaclava

SAFETY
BENEFITS

FIRE RESISTANT

Merino Wool insulates against high temperatures and does not readily catch fire. If it does, it self-extinguishes. When Merino burns, it doesn’t melt and stick to the skin like synthetic fabrics do. For this reason, merino is popular among military, firefighting, and law enforcement communities.

UV PROTECTION

Don’t worry about sunburn on a sunny day summiting a peak. Lightweight layers have a UPF rating of 25. Midweight and Expedition have a UPF rating of 50+.

STATIC RESISTANT

Because wool retains moisture well, this also helps reduce static electricity build-up. If your work requires anti-static clothing, wool might be the answer you're looking for.

INSULATES WHEN WET

Wool will absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling wet or clammy. If you do get wet, whether it be from sweat, weather, or water bodies, wool will insulate you better than cotton or polyester materials.

This is especially important if you are in a survival situation, and can help prevent or delay hypothermia depending on the conditions.

two women walking on the beach wearing merino wool tank top and base layer micro lightweight merino wool woolverino

ENVIRONMENTAL
BENEFITS

DURABLE

Merino wool is naturally durable and long lasting. When you choose merino wool, that means that you help reduce waste going to landfills around the world. Invest in your wardrobe, and at the same time help invest in our planet's future.

Biodegradable

Merino Wool garments are biodegradable and can be composted with minimal waste when the end of their lives are reached, or can easily be recycled to create other wool products.

ANTI-MICROBIAL

Merino Wool fibers naturally reject any bacteria in moisture or sweat as it is wicked away. This means you don’t have to wash wool as often. Less laundry means less water being used, benefiting our planet.

Good for the planet

RENEWABLE

Merino Wool has a low environmental footprint and naturally returns to the elements. Shear a merino sheep in the morning, and in the afternoon they’re happily nibbling their way towards renewing next season’s clip.