Merino Wool: 4 Misconceptions
“Merino Wool can only be worn when it’s cold.”
“All Merino Sheep go through a cruel on-farm practice called mulesing.”
“Merino Wool is itchy.”
“Merino Wool holds dirt and odours.”
There are some common misconceptions about Merino Wool clothing. We’re here to guide you through some of them and reveal those that are pure fiction.
Misconception 1: Merino Wool is most effective when it’s cold.
One of the many reasons merino is such an incredible material is that it is the perfect layer regardless of the season. Merino wool is able to naturally regulate body temperature. When cold, it serves as an excellent insulator. When hot, its exceptional breathability allows it to release warmth as needed to prevent overheating. Merino also has a unique ability to draw moisture away from the skin before it gets uncomfortable. It can also absorb around 35% of its own weight before feeling wet to the touch (compared to around 7% for synthetic fibres).
Turns out we might have been wearing the fibre of the future for over a thousand years now..
Misconception 2: All Merino Sheep go through a cruel on-farm practice called mulesing.
Mulesing is the removal of strips of wool-bearing skin from around the breech of a sheep to prevent infections. While this practice is widely spread in the Wool Industry, it is not one we support, being firm believers that better husbandry is the answer, not mutilating animals. New Zealand (where we source our Merino Wool) began phasing out mulesing in 2007 and a ban on mulesing sheep officially came into effect from October 1, 2018.
Misconception 3: Merino Wool is itchy.
Merino wool is the finest and softest sheep wool in the world. Sheep typically produce fibres upwards of 30 microns thick. The Merino wool we use at Sheep Inc. is 19.5 microns (one micron equals one millionth of a meter). To put it into perspective, a red blood cell is about 5 microns, a human hair about 75 microns. This fineness is the reason our Merino Wool feels so comfortable against the skin.
Misconception 4: Merino Wool holds dirt and odours.
Merino Wool has natural, anti-microbial properties that mean odours don’t linger on the fibre. Merino wool can look after itself. It’s spent a good few evolutionary cycles learning how. This means your sweater will resist stains, wrinkles and odours. Often, all it takes is a little airing before your knit is ready to wear again.
And those are your 4 Merino Wool misconceptions debunked. If you wish to receive regular sheep-verified information directly to your inbox, register here.
