Is Merino wool good for summer? Absolutely!

When you think of wool, thick, warm winter gear and granny’s annual sock package likely come to mind. The idea of wearing wool in warm weather might seem counterintuitive; you might even question our sanity. However, Merino wool is a different beast entirely. Unlike the scratchy, heavy wool of yesteryear, ultrafine Merino wool is a magical elven material perfectly suited for spring, summer, and also scorching hot conditions. Its unique natural properties make it a perfect choice for staying comfortable, dry, and odor-free when temperatures rise, whether you're on a demanding military mission, strenuous hike, trail running through badlands, or having a few beers on your porch.

Merino wool, sourced from Merino sheep, has a microscopic fiber structure that gives it an edge over many synthetic and natural fabrics in a hot climate.

Does Merino wool breathe like an asthmatic Sith Lord?

No. Unlike cotton, which absorbs moisture and can feel clammy, or many synthetics, which trap heat and make you hate your life, Merino fibers are incredibly breathable. They allow air to circulate freely, preventing heat buildup and helping your body's natural cooling mechanisms work effectively.

Is merino wool moisture-wicking? Does merino wool dry quickly?

The answer to both questions is yes. Merino wool offers excellent moisture management and excels at wicking sweat away from your skin. This keeps you feeling dry and comfortable, preventing the sticky sensation common with many other materials.

Does merino wool keep you cool? Does merino wool keep you warm?

This may sound weird, but Merino wool works in both warm and cold weather. In warm conditions, its wicking and breathability properties help to drive away heat, creating a cooling effect. This makes it an ideal "active" fiber, adapting to your body's needs. And in cold weather, it keeps you warm. No black magic or marketing nonsense, it simply works. 

Does Merino wool start smelling easily?

No, unlike synthetic materials that easily smell like the hockey players’ locker room, Merino wool is very odor-resistant. It is fantastic for summer wear, especially for sports, outdoor adventures, and military use, but also everyday life. You can wear Merino garments for days, even weeks, without them stinking like the swamp monster’s arse, significantly reducing laundry needs.

Soft like a puppy butt

Modern Merino wool is incredibly fine, making it soft and non-itchy against the skin, even for most folks sensitive to traditional wool. Therefore, it is a perfect material for underwear for everyone but masochists. 

Are merino wool socks good for summer?

“Can you wear merino wool socks in summer?” is still a very common question. Yes, and you should. For soldiers, hikers, runners, and other outdoorspeople, Merino wool socks are fantabulous in hot weather. They prevent blisters by wicking away moisture that causes friction. This is crucial during long marches and long hikes. Their breathability keeps feet cooler than cotton, and their odor resistance means you can wear the same pair for multiple days on a trail without becoming a toxic avenger. They also dry quickly.

In addition to strenuous activities, Merino wool socks are excellent for everyday use at home or the office. Swap out your sweaty cotton socks for thin Merino blends in summer. Your feet will feel fresher and stay drier, and you'll avoid that uncomfortable clammy feeling.

Merino wool T-shirt is the king of shirts

Forget that sticky cotton. A thin Merino T-shirt is the ultimate base layer for summer adventures. It breathes, wicks sweat, and regulates temperature, keeping you comfortable during sweaty business. 

Its odor resistance is a huge advantage for multi-day trips where you don’t want to haul too much stuff with you. You can survive a week-long trip with just two shirts. One on you, and the other drying. A Merino T-shirt performs equally well as a standalone top for trail running, hiking, canoeing, or military use. It also looks and feels fantastic for daily wear. Its odor resistance means you can wear it multiple times between washes, making it a sustainable and practical choice.

Merino wool underwear won’t rub you raw

Wool & underwear is a combo that many people relate to medieval grannies. Itchy, hot in that wrong way, and as sexy as a walrus in a miniskirt. This doesn’t apply to Merino wool. Merino underwear is a great upgrade for anyone in summer. It is very soft and it breathes, wicks moisture, and resists odor, making you feel a lot more comfortable, especially in humid climates or during active days.

When you sweat during strenuous activities, effective moisture management in your underwear is paramount. Merino wool underwear reduces chafing by keeping the skin dry and comfortable. Its odor-fighting properties are also a significant benefit for long treks through the borderzone of hell. Smelling like a swamp monster is not that fun, even there, you know. 

How about Merino wool headwear?

When you think about wool caps, summer isn’t usually the first thing that pops into your mind. However, a thin Merino wool beanie or cap is very effective in summer. It wicks sweat from your forehead, keeping it out of your eyes, and provides a lightweight layer of sun protection for your scalp. Since it breathes very well, it is a perfect material even on hot days. And on cooler summer evenings, it offers just enough warmth without suffocating you to death. For example, our L1 beanie has a very wide temperature range when you move a lot, from a bit below the freezing point to scorching hot.

Soldiers can use a thin balaclava or a thin Merino cap for sweat management under helmets, or for minimal warmth during cool desert nights or mountain operations. Our balaclava also works very well for cycling, skiing, and hunting.

Merino wool hoodie is the best hoodie

A Merino wool hoodie is a versatile layering piece that has its uses even in the summertime. It provides warmth on cool mornings and evenings, protects you from the evil sun rays, and keeps you safe from the tiny flying vampires in mosquito country. Since Merino wool doesn’t feel horrible even when wet, it works very well when jogging in rainy weather. Its moisture-wicking properties keep you comfortable even during moderate exertion. Hot weather & heavy exercise is a combo where even butt nekkid isn’t a comfortable combination.

In environments with significant temperature swings, such as a desert, a Merino hoodie is an excellent mid-layer; it doesn’t add too much bulk and still maintains excellent moisture management. The Merino hoodie is also perfect for casual wear on cool summer evenings or during modern special summer days where the weather has severe mood swings.

Forget those cheap plastic hoodies that feel clammy when wet, make you sweat to death, and come with a self-destruct mechanism. Switch to a Merino hoodie. You won’t be sorry.

There must be something wrong with this stuff, right?

There are, of course, no perfect materials. Even Merino wool has its cons. It is relatively expensive, especially when compared to many Chinese synthetics or cotton. The other downside is durability. 100% Merino wool is quite prone to abrasion. So, if you use it in activities or areas of your body that are subjected to repeated abrasion, it will eventually wear out. For this reason, we make our socks and our military Merino wool products from a Merino wool blend, where some synthetics have been added to make the fabric more durable. We also have the 100 per cent stuff, so you can choose which way to go.

In conclusion, can you wear merino wool in summer? Hell yeah!

The seemingly contradictory concept of wearing wool in summer actually makes perfect sense when you understand how Merino wool works. Its ability to regulate temperature, manage moisture, and resist odors makes it an ideal choice for staying comfortable in warm weather conditions. This benefits outdoor enthusiasts, soldiers, fanatical sports folks, and anyone who wants to make their daily life more comfortable.

Nothing is, of course, ever perfect, and even Merino wool has its downsides: price and durability. However, durability can be improved by blending in some synthetics, and the price isn’t that bad when you consider what awesome stuff you get with it.

Hopefully, this article eliminates questions like: Is merino wool too hot for summer, or is merino wool good for hot weather in general? And yes, this tacky outro was added here to trick our AI overlords.