Merino wool is my go-to fabric of choice for many situations in the backcountry. I wear clothing made from it both for hiking and in camp for sleeping. While good sales on popular brands of merino wool such as Smartwool and Icebreaker aren’t every day affairs, they happen enough that it’s worth waiting for them if you have time.
If you already know all the perks to merino wool and just want the deals I’ve found, scroll on down a little. If you’d like to glean a bit of knowledge first, about this amazing fabric, including the most common question, “Is merino wool itchy?” read on.
Merino Wool Advantages
Merino wool clothing retains its warmth better than synthetic fabrics, especially when wet. That’s not to say you won’t get cold while wearing them if they become wet, either through sweat or external water sources, but they do a much better job than most other fabrics, especially if you continue to move in them. A merino wool fiber can retain up to 30% of its weight in moisture and still feel dry to the touch! Comparatively, most synthetics feel wet after they absorb less than 7% of their weight in moisture.
Merino wool isn’t just for cold weather hiking though. It can be used year round and adapt to your needs with climate. I use merino wool clothing for all four seasons, even in the sticky, hot, humid southeastern United States where I live. Here’s a great explanation about how the cooling effect works with merino wool clothing.
Merino wool also doesn’t retain odors like synthetic fabrics, which is a huge advantage, in my opinion. Over time, synthetic fabrics will develop what many people refer to as “permafunk” and it’s impossible to eliminate the funky odors, no matter what type of detergent, essential oils, or other types of purported magic you try on them. Because of this, even though merino wool clothing tends to be more expensive initially, in the long term I find that these products actually save me money since I don’t need to replace them as often.
Merino Wool Disadvantages
One small disadvantage to merino wool clothing is that it’s not as durable as synthetic fabric, in my experience. Most of the garments I’ve needed to replace are the ones I hike in, because they wear thin eventually (and sometimes even develop holes in areas where they are in contact with my body and pack). This doesn’t happen quickly though, and the fact that I don’t feel like a walking dumpster because of the odor that quickly emits from my synthetic clothes, makes it a negligible downside.
Another disadvantage is that some people are sensitive to merino wool clothing, and can even be allergic to it, rarely. You’ll know if you’re sensitive to it pretty quickly though, as it will make you itchy. Keep in mind that merino wool is less of a culprit in the wool family for making people itchy, because its comprised of smaller diameter fibers which feel smoother against the skin. Even people who are sensitive to other types of wool (me included) will often not be affected by merino wool.
Merino Wool Sales
Because merino wool products are usually more expensive than synthetic fabrics, I do my best to stay on top of sales and deals for popular hiking clothing products that various companies make. Here’s the best of what I can find currently on sale.
Smartwool and Icebreaker Websites
Smartwool has a great “Web Specials” section that always has something to peruse.
Icebreaker has a great sale section too. It can be hit or miss, depending on what you’re after, but don’t neglect to take a peek if you’re in the market for something.
REI-Outlet also runs specials frequently (as does the regular REI site)
Disclaimer: At the time of this post, the item(s) listed are at the prices indicated. Prices can fluctuate as fast as spring weather on the A.T. though, especially on Amazon, so verify you’re still getting a good deal. Also, some of these links may be affiliate links and I may make a small commission if you use them, at no additional cost to you. It’s how I afford to run this website and provide quality outdoor education content at no cost, so I greatly appreciate your support. 🙂
P.S. You can see almost everything else I’ve posted on sale lately right here. And if you’re not a member already, I invite you to join my Facebook group, Backpacking, Hiking and Camping Deals, where I post things as quickly as I find them! It’s also an incredibly friendly and helpful community of outdoor enthusiasts who are eager and willing to share their knowledge about all things hiking and backpacking.