Is Merino Wool Worth It?

For the longest time, I refused to buy expensive backpacking clothing.  I was certain that all those “experts” who recommended Merino wool (or other pricy materials) were just part of a marketing scam.  Heck, I even used to go backpacking in cotton clothes!

And then I found a 100% Merino base layer at a secondhand store.

To my dismay, I loved it.  It was “dismay” because, like when I got hooked on good hiking socks, once you’ve tried Merino base layers, there’s probably no going back.

Is Merino Worth It? The Quick Answer:

For everyday wear, Merino wool probably is not worth the cost. It also probably isn’t worth it for activities like car camping or day hikes since cheap synthetics will work almost as well. But, for multi-day backpacking trips, Merino wool base layers, socks and underwear are probably worth the extra cost.  Not only are they lighter and more comfortable, but they don’t stink like synthetics.  The smell factor alone is what makes Merino worth it for a lot of backpackers.

What Is Merino Wool?

Merino wool comes from the Merino breed of sheep.  These sheep are known for having ultra-fine wool with fibers between 10 and 20 microns.  By contrast, the fibers on other common breeds of wool sheep are usually larger than 30 microns, which is significantly coarser.  This is why Merino wool is known for being so soft. (1, 2)

Benefits of Merino Wool

1. Odor-Control

Anyone who has worn a synthetic performance shirt or base layer knows just how quickly they start to stink.  Cotton doesn’t stink nearly as bad as synthetic but will still be very funky after a workout.  By comparison, wool clothing doesn’t smell.

There are even reports of people wearing the same Merino wool clothes for weeks without washing and the clothes didn’t smell bad.

The textile industry has actually done multiple studies into odor-resistance properties of various fabrics.  Studies consistently show that wool (including Merino wool) is better than synthetics and cotton for resisting odor.  Wool even has less “odor intensity” than synthetics with odor-control treatments.

Contrary to common belief, wool is NOT antibacterial: it does not kill bacteria.  However, its fibers create an environment which makes it difficult for bacteria to grow.  One study found that the levels of odor-associated bacteria remained unchanged on wool fabrics for 28 days after wearing.  In other words, the wool clothing didn’t get funkier even when sitting around! By contrast, another study found that synthetics had high levels of bacterial growth.  (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

2. Comfort

Compared to regular wool, Merino wool is much more comfortable to wear.  The fine fibers mean it doesn’t feel itchy on skin.

In most situations, Merino wool is also more comfortable than cotton or synthetics.  It beats cotton because of its excellent wicking abilities, meaning it will pull moisture away from your skin so you don’t feel cold and clammy.   And it beats synthetics because it is so much more breathable.

Interesting note: Studies found that switching from standard clothing to Merino wool improved eczema and atopic dermatitis in adults as well as infants.  It’s definitely better for your skin! (8)

3. Larger Temperature Range

A good Merino base layer will work well in a wide range of temperatures: it breathes well in warm weather but still insulates well in colder temperatures.   This means you can get more use out of your Merino clothing.  By contrast, you’d need a thinner and thicker synthetic layer to feel comfortable across warm and cold temperature ranges.

4. Packability

Merino is great for situations where packability is a concern, such as international travel or when you don’t have much luggage space.   For its size and weight, it offers a lot of insulation.  It doesn’t wrinkle.  And, since it doesn’t smell quickly, you won’t have to bring as many clothes with you – thus saving space in your pack.

Situations Where Merino Is Worth It

I definitely don’t wear Merino wool in my everyday life.  Instead, I save my Merino clothing for situations where I think it’s “worth it.”

These mostly include situations where I’m going to be wearing the same clothing for days on end – such as backpacking trips.  I usually take buses home from trips and it’s nice that I don’t have to worry about bothering other passengers with my stink!  If you backpack with a partner, they will also appreciate that you don’t stink. 🙂

I’ve also started wearing my Merino clothes when traveling.  Since I can wear the Merino clothing multiple times without it stinking and it’s suitable for multiple temperatures, I don’t have to pack as much.

Merino Mid Layers Are NOT Worth It

Merino wool is only worth the cost when worn as a base layer.  I do not think it’s worth paying for a Merino wool mid-layer, such as a Merino wool hoodie or sweater.

Since it isn’t next to your skin, the softness of Merino doesn’t matter when worn as a mid-layer.  Mid-layers usually don’t start to stink (at least very quickly), so the anti-odor benefit of Merino doesn’t matter much either.   And there are plenty of other mid-layer materials which are nearly as warm but cost a fraction of the price.  I’d take a cheap fleece over a Merino hoodie any day!

I do have a regular wool hoodie that I wear when hiking in winter. It would have cost a fortune, but I found it secondhand.  I absolutely LOVE that wool hoodie – especially since I don’t have to worry about it getting wet like I do with a feather puffy. So, I can understand why someone with money to spare would buy a Merino mid-layer.  But, since I don’t have money to spare, I’ll stick to my Merino base layers. 🙂

Other Sources:

https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/6nnckh/merino_wool_shirt_review_are_they_worth_it_my/
https://www.reddit.com/r/onebag/comments/b6de3k/is_merino_wool_really_worth_it/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Ultralight/comments/r2d1z2/is_merino_really_worth_the_money/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/sms.12117