What Is Merino Wool? Benefits & Uses

A COMPLETE GUIDE

A herd of Merino wool sheep graze in a green pasture in New Zealand

Why Merino Wool?

Merino wool is an entirely natural, renewable and biodegradable fiber that comes from the Merino breed of sheep. We've built our entire company around this fiber because we believe in its performance so strongly.

We get our Merino wool from Merino sheep in Australia and New Zealand. They eat grass, drink water and soak in the sunshine, and their wool keeps their temperature regulated year-round.

This year, we're working toward RWS certification for our bestselling products. The Responsible Wool Standard guarantees that wool meets high standards in animal welfare, land health and social welfare. We'll share more soon.

Merino Wool: Nature's Miracle Fiber

Merino wool is softer and lighter than traditional wool because the fibers from Merino sheep are finer and smoother. As a result, the fabric is thinner and buttery soft next-to-skin — unlike the scratchy feeling you may typically associate with wool.

Plus it provides a ton of performance benefits, making it the best fiber for both outdoor activities and everyday life.

Temperature regulation & warmth

In cold weather, Merino is ideal for layering. The natural weave of the fiber traps body heat to insulate you and regulate your core body temperature.

Moisture wicking

Lightweight Merino breathes well and wicks sweat away from your body to keep you cool and dry and prevent clamminess.

Odor resistance

Merino wool is naturally antimicrobial, so it resists odor. You might smell bad, but your clothes won't hold onto it, making it great for backpacking, travel and daily wear.

Sun protection

Merino wool is naturally sun protective. Many of our summerweight Merino layers have 35+ UPF.

What makes Ridge Merino different?

Family Owned

Ridge Merino is a family-owned business based in California's awe-inspiring Eastern Sierra. We have seen firsthand the healing benefits of nature and believe Merino wool makes the best performance clothing for all types of outdoor activity. We strive to develop well-made natural, sustainable clothing that allows everyone to feel comfortable outside.

Durability

(m)Force, an exclusive Ridge Merino performance technology, features super soft Merino fibers spun around a continuous nylon filament for improved strength and durability. The result is a burst strength that is 50% stronger than comparable weights of Merino fabrics.

We Care

Every purchase gives back. Through Ridge's partnership with 1% for the Planet, we are proud to contribute to some great non-profit organizations that are helping to make the world a better place, including: Waterkeeper Alliance, Protect our Winters, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center and The Access Fund.

Merino Wool vs. Traditional Wool vs. Synthetic

Feature	Merino Wool	Traditional Wool	Synthetic
Buttery soft fibers	✔
Antimicrobial	✔	✔
Moisture-wicking	✔	✔	✔
Sun protection	✔	✔	✔
Regulates body temperature	✔	✔
Machine washable	✔	✔	✔
Quick drying	✔		✔
Improves sleeps	✔
Static-free	✔	✔
Itch-free	✔		✔
Lightweight	✔		✔
Flame-resistant	✔	✔
Biodegradable	✔	✔