Does not smell, does not scratch, cools when it is warm and warms when it is cold. These are the common facts about merino wool. But hardly anyone knows more about the wool fiber of the merino sheep. What makes merino wool so special?
Merino wool is a 100% natural product and is obtained from Merino sheep. The term "pure new wool" in this context means that the material is made of 100% new wool, which comes from living sheep. Like all animal fibers, wool consists of keratin, fibrous proteins that also form human hair and nails.
Why merino wool does not scratch
Merino fibers are much finer than normal sheep's wool. These fibers, which are 16.5 to 24 microns (=micrometers, i.e. a thousandth of a millimeter) thick, are so fine that their touch on the skin is not perceived as unpleasant.
Why merino wool warms so well
Wool textiles are known for their good insulation properties. This also applies to merino wool, of course. Merino fibers are strongly crimped and have a wave-like structure. Up to forty crimps per centimeter are possible. As a result, the fibers lie very loosely on top of each other and air chambers are created which trap and retain body heat. This crimp also means that there are fewer contact points between the wool and the skin. This means that less heat is dissipated. This is because air conducts heat very poorly - but the textile does. The trapped air between the fibers therefore reduces the heat exchange in the material, stores body heat and thus has an insulating effect on the outside - regardless of whether it is against winter cold or summer heat!
Why merino clothing cools at warm temperatures
Underwear made of merino wool is particularly suitable for activities in which sweat-inducing movement phases alternate with rest phases - e.g. during the ascent to the starting point or during Hike & Fly. The wool absorbs moisture and ensures that you do not cool down when you are no longer in motion. Wool regulates the moisture balance and thus the body temperature. The merino fibers are hygroscopic - that means they can bind moisture (sweat). Wool fibers thus conduct moisture produced by the body away from the skin by absorbing it and releasing it to the outside.
Why does clothing made of merino wool (even after prolonged use) not smell
On the one hand, wool has a scaly surface on which bacteria find it harder to adhere than, for example, on smooth synthetic fibers. On the other hand, merino fibers absorb moisture in the form of water vapor before it condenses to sweat on the surface of the skin, so less sweat is produced overall, which can lead to an unpleasant odor. Another important effect is the natural self-cleaning function of wool fibers. The keratin, i.e. the fiber protein in the wool, breaks down the odor-causing bacteria directly on the skin. For this reason, clothing made of merino wool does not need to be washed as often.
