Merino Wool
Patagonia Performance Baselayers use New Zealand merino wool of the highest quality.
Only a few ranches in the world are capable of growing wool that meets our standards for Performance Baselayers. While all wool retains its insulative qualities while wet, only exceptionally fine wool can wick moisture away from the skin.
We buy only 100% merino wool from three superbly run ranches in the southern alps of New Zealand. These ranches are capable of producing wool fibre to an 18.5-micron fineness, or about one-fifth as thick as a human hair. We’re confident that our wool is the best in the world for use as a moisture-managing baselayer. And it is exceptionally soft against the skin, naturally odour resistant and machine washable.
Merino wool performance characteristics:
- made with 100% merino wool, the ideal natural fibre for Performance Baselayers
- regulates body temperature by controlling the rate of evaporative cooling
- uses chlorine-free wool
- naturally moves moisture away from skin
- naturally odour resistant
- soft next to skin
- machine washable (lay flat to dry)
Additional benefits of merino wool
In addition to the great consumer benefits of merino wool, there are several environmental ones.
- the standards for stock raising are stringent
- the ratio of head-to-hectare is low
- the sheep graze on natural grass and drink spring water
- the sheep are not subject to painful mulesing
- due to the super fine wool, garments can be slow-washed without environmentally harmful chlorine
We offer four merino wool fabrics:
- Merino 1 is our lightest weight and best suited to active use in warm to cool conditions
- Merino 2 is our most versatile natural-fibre baselayer designed for a wide range of exertion levels and temperatures
- Merino 3 is warmer, best suited to active use in cold conditions
- Merino 4 is for the coldest conditions and styled as outerwear for a seamless transition from active use to “after use”