Merino Wool is Overrated!

A detailed comparison between merino wool and synthetic base layers for outdoor hiking and hunting clothing.

[andersjankov]

In the Norwegian Army there is a saying that goes something like «flis er for kalde amerikanere» basically “synthetics are for cold Americans” in Norway we use wool(not just merino) and mesh. We’ve been dealing with the cold for hundreds of years before the us was discovered. Synthetics are great, until you fall in a river or get hit with some ice rain. After that you will be begging for some wool. When US marines come to Norway to learn winter survival they usually borrow Norwegian gear after the under ice portion of training.

[Mike-vdqt]

At 70 and longtime outdoorsman, I feel both fabrics have a niche where they work best. Cold temps from 10 deg to -10 deg without a lot of physical work then wool is your friend as they say here in Colorado. And if your trip, hunt, adventure is shorter term wool has many benefits. In warmer temps ranging to cool and wet, then polyester shines. I've been in a steady rain all day at 45 deg, sopping wet, pulled my poly off, wrung it out, then kept moving to avoid danger. At 95 deg I've cycled across the American west with thin long sleeve 100% poly shirts and stayed cool, they dry in minutes. Sopping wet, 100% poly will dry on your body, you can wash it out at the end of a hose then hang it in a tree. I've even showered with polyester clothes on then dried out in the sun. Make sure your polyester clothes do not have any Spandex, Elastane, or Lycra because these fibers at 8-10% or more of the total will make the poly clothing hot and sticky, plus they dry slower. Nike and UnderArmor clothes often use Spandex, or Lycra for stretch. That is one reason why Patagonia wear is more expensive for their polyester clothing because they don't use stretch additives, they get the stretch from the weaving process. Another positive for wool, however, is the wider temp range that you feel comfortable. You can leave it on longer without peeling a layer, and push it colder without adding a layer. With polyester that wet/hot thing happens faster, and maybe it is a little more fuss with poly to keep your temp dialed. Absolutely agree with you on once wool is sopping wet, you might as well call it quits and head indoors if you can. Nice video, good stuff, happy trails!

[WillWilliam-ysrn]

Marino all the way for me. I've tried them all in my 49 years of cycling, hiking, running, mountain climbing. Had some good synthetics but nothing ever comes close to Marino for me.

[Tip_Of_The_Rod_Productions]

My merino wool long underwear definitely has a hole or two in em. However I can't handle the sweating with synthetic, at least for right on my skin - so sweaty. Socks are probably the most noticeable. Costco had an 80% merino wool base layer long sleeve shirt last year I picked up a few for 25$. I also like the synthetic sweater they get in the fall. It's 20-25$ and crazy warm - does the same thing as a Patagonia fleece which is almost 200$.

[drewmcginn]

Great video thanks for your input. Seems to be a common thing for backpackers to like the synthetics more. I’m new to hunting so I’ll be experimenting with both. So far my merino socks I tried today were amazing.

[davidbrouwers]

The reason synthetic can feel like "wearing a plastic bag" is because it is plastic. Look up what polyester actually is and how it's made.
I do get you on the pros and cons, merino is expensive, low on durability and takes long to dry. It's also not as odor resistant as some claim. I need to was a shirt every other day or so, both my 100% and 70% shirts.
Merino is more environmental friendly compared to synthetic, has better body heat control and for me feels better on the skin than synthetic.
My 70% merino shirts from Decathlon dry quick and feel comfortable. I'm gonna do a bit of a stress test on them to see how long I can wear them without stinking. Hand wash drying is within a day so seems like it's the best of both worlds.

I guess we all have to make our decisions weighing our own pros and cons in the matter.

[ThatBugBehindYou]

Merino wool saves my butt on longer trips, synthetic materials make my arm hairs itch and my face itch catching on the stubble, also actually gets smell free when I wash it. If synthetic works for you great but I simply can't do it. No reason for anyone to ever limit themselves to "the best material" use what suits yourself.

[Sibhusky]

I've found I need to store my wool in plastic or a bag if I'm not actively wearing it due to closet moths. They just love it! Since I started doing that, the little pin holes have stopped appearing.

[overindulgent]

I find synthetic layers best for when I'm carrying a pack and actually hiking. Take them off when camp is setup so they can dry and put on my merino layers for camp wear.

[f.goossens]

I love merino wool, and have most of my base layers in a merino/silk mix. However, I've found I have to wear synthetics most often (we're in northern Sweden. Temps here last week got to minus thirty celsius, so we need to be warm) simply because the wool itches. I don't care how much the marketing claims it's itch free...for those of us with skin that wool seemingly hates, it isn't. Which is a shame as tbh, I don't like using synthetics. But I caved and use them with wool over the top as a mid or outer layer, rather than spend my days scratching like a flea bitten hound. :/

[calholli]

I worked outside all my life and I never understood everyone's infatuation with wicking sweat. If you're sweating, you're doing it wrong. I always wore coveralls where I can open the side legs and let the air come in.. and I can even take off my coat and let my top breathe that way. Set a pace to what matches your clothing- and change your layers to match your pace. It's not difficult. You might feel like you're taking things off and on a lot-- but it works much better than being overdressed and sweating and then hoping that your space age clothing is going to fix your mistake and wick it away. It's just a strange concept to me... Another thing that really helps with regulating temperature and sweating, etc.. is a Neck Warmer.. basically just an open top beanie cap that you can slip down over your neck; as you get too hot, you can slip it up onto your head just like a normal beanie covering your ears, etc. and as that gets too hot, you can slip it back down to the neck: letting your head air out so that it doesn't sweat. Just learning to adjust your clothing along the way is the key; and because of that, I can make just about any material work as long as it doesn't feel like a trash bag and not breathing. So because of that, I tend to avoid polyester completely if I can; I'd rather have cotton and just make sure I watch my pace and never sweat-- and strip down as I said, when needed. I have some heavy sheepskin coats and also some old gortex coat that seems to do but if you MUST go with all this fancy stuff-- get it on sale or from t3mu or aIixbpr3zz and you can get this stuff for nearly nothing.. I grabbed several 85% merino wool socks for under three dollars per pair... You dont' have to spend twenty five per pair and eighty dollar shirts to get good stuff.

[wherezthebeef]

Interesting and valid point from your perspective and experiences. I've used both extensively and and hugely into Merino wool, mostly blends, it just works better for me. I think it's an individual preference and what works best after a fair test of both. I have friends who do much better with their synthetics, more comfortable for them and they have faith in their choice. Same for me and a few friends in the Merino camp. No. one benefit for me is temperature regulation and better when wet, for Merino.. as well as odor. That's huge for me but might not be as important for some. Tks. for the video, your points are valid. I'll stick with my Merino, I save my $$ and know total cost of ownership is more, worth it to me.

[bdmenne]

Synthetic is pretty awesome in the heat, keeping cool, wicking water away.
I do hate how it amplifies B.O., but washes and dries FAST.
Biggest fear is being caught in a house fire and now I have plastic melted into my flesh.
Thanks for that synthetic recommendation that decreases odor.

[danakolpin]

Unbound Merino Wool is the best. I inves5ed in the Unbound Merino Wool Women's Capsule Wardrobe and I have invested in different pieces from Unbound Merino Wool. They carry alof of Men's clothes.

[farmerwayne]

I do both! But one winter on a week long backpacking trip. I was wearing thorlos synthetic. One morning at 12 deg f my feet were getting cold and numb with my lightweight Vasque boots. I switched to the new merinos I bought, and within a few minutes my feet were warm and comfortable. I wear merino socks everyday all year. I use a merino pullover and keeps me very comfortable. And no itching. Definitely not over rated for me...

[ryanhell]

You guys with holes are you using wool safe detergents, and the prescribed amount? Excessive detergent literally eats fabrics within months of weekly washes. I also think there’s a lot to be said regarding the type of garments we are comparing. Thin under clothes vs light sweater. The famous timeless classic fisherman sweater is what I am head over heals for. I have a few and accumulate more as quality ones surface. Synthetic base layer undershirts and pants, with merino wool sweater and pants. You won’t ever need anything else outdoors. .

[danov]

I like that people like polyester it’s supports the oil patch, made with petroleum

[tufanozturk]

İ want to try merino wool thermo shirts. Do they keep me warm if i have only a merinowool thermoshirt+ a tshirt on over it at 0-5 degree?

[Oliveroots]

A well made synthetic (suturing, the blend of the fabric and how it was cured) will last you for a life time and is just more functional for an active life style. However, outside of sports and trekking/mountaineering, I personally stay away from synthetic fabrics.

[mortentoftdal]

If you layer your merino properly and wear some of the high quality brands dry time is superior to synthetics.

Also i have never had any problems with durability not even the ones i have been using in the military for years.

Would never go to wearing 100 percent synthetics as a baselayer.