WIRED

Best Merino Wool Clothing (2026): Base Layers, Hoodies, Jackets & More

2026-03-22 · 12:00 UTC ·Scott Gilbertson ·10 min read

Brief

Scott Gilbertson’s 2026 WIRED guide to merino wool clothing is a gear-buying and materials-performance primer centered on thermoregulation, odor resistance, and durability tradeoffs versus synthetics. The most useful technical framework is fabric weight: sub-200 gsm is positioned as suitable for tees and base layers, 200-300 gsm for mid-layers, and 300 gsm-plus for heavyweight garments. Gilbertson also maps merino to fleece categories, estimating that 120-160 gsm wool is roughly comparable to 100-weight fleece, 160-200 gsm to 200-weight fleece, and 200+ gsm to 300-weight fleece, while arguing wool is often warmer in wind because it traps heat more effectively.

The guide’s strongest product recommendations favor blended constructions for technical use. WIRED’s top lightweight base layer is the Ibex Woolies Pro Tech Crew, which uses Nuyarn—an 85% merino, 15% nylon construction in which wool is wrapped around a nylon core—to improve durability and reduce weight to 5 oz in a men’s large. For heavier winter use, the Smartwool Merino Classic Long-Sleeve (87% merino) and Minus33’s 400 gsm Yukon Thermal Long Sleeve are highlighted. The article also gives practical operational advice: hand-washing lightweight merino can materially extend life, hanging wet wool can stretch it, and moth protection during storage matters. Overall, it’s a detailed consumer guide rather than a deep technical textile investigation, but it includes enough construction details and long-term wear observations to be useful for buyers comparing natural fibers, synthetics, and hybrid fabrics.

Why it matters

WIRED’s March 22, 2026 update recommends merino garments by fabric weight: roughly 120-160 gsm for lightweight tees and base layers, 160-200 gsm for heavier base layers, 200-300 gsm for mid-layers, and 300+ gsm for heavyweight pieces; the author says merino is generally warmer than comparable fleece weights, especially in wind.

Key details

  • The guide highlights Nuyarn as the most effective technical blend for base layers, describing it as merino wrapped around a nylon core to improve durability, warmth, and weight; WIRED’s top lightweight pick, the Ibex Woolies Pro Tech Crew, uses an 85% merino / 15% nylon Nuyarn construction and weighs 5 oz in men’s large.
  • For colder conditions, Smartwool’s Merino Classic Long-Sleeve is recommended as a heavyweight base layer with 87% merino blended with nylon and a listed weight of 10.3 oz for men’s large, while Minus33’s Yukon Thermal Long Sleeve is cited as an extreme-cold option using a 400 gsm 100% merino weave.
  • The article argues that blends outperform 100% merino for next-to-skin and high-output use because they add stretch and abrasion resistance, while 100% merino is preferred for casual garments and heavier mid-layers; socks and underwear are noted as often exceeding 50% synthetic because synthetics dry faster and manage moisture better.
  • Care guidance is unusually specific: wash cold, lay flat to dry rather than hang-dry to avoid stretching from water weight, and consider hand-washing lightweight 150 gsm garments to extend lifespan; for storage, the author recommends fully drying items and sealing them in compression bags, cotton wraps in plastic bins, cedar chests, or using lavender and moth traps.
  • Durability anecdotes are central to the recommendations: Ibex, founded in 1997, is presented as a long-lived brand, with reviewer Adrienne So reportedly still wearing two Ibex base-layer sets purchased in 2001 as of 2025; the author also says an Unbound Merino 100% wool long-sleeve held up well after more than a year of frequent wear, aside from dryer-induced pilling.
Source evidence

title: Best Merino Wool Clothing (2026): Base Layers, Hoodies, Jackets & More | WIRED
author: Scott Gilbertson
contenttype: article
publication: WIRED
published: 2026-03-22T12:00:00+00:00
sourceurl: https://www.wired.com/story/best-merino-wool-clothes/

word_count: 2261

Merino wool is a super fiber. The best merino wool clothing somehow manages to be comfortable in 95-degree heat, and merino base layers keep you warm well below freezing. Unlike synthetic fibers derived from petroleum, merino wool is natural and renewable.Merino wool’s versatility means there’s a bewildering array of blends and options to choose from. Here are our favorite merino wool products that we've tested by wearing and washing (usually in cold water, and hung to dry, although we do machine dry them just to see what happens) over the course of months and even years in some cases. Once you're done here, don't forget to check out the rest of our apparel guides, like the Best Merino Wool T-Shirts, Best Base Layers, Best Puffer Jackets, Best Hoodies, and Best Hiking Boots.Updated April 2026: We've changed out top pick boxers to Wool & Prince, added more hoodies, and the Ibex women's Goat short sleeve. We also updated prices and links throughout.Table of ContentsAccordionItemContainerButtonWhy Is Merino Wool So Great?AccordionItemContainerButtonMerino wool is great because you're stealing a sheep's ability to keep itself warm or cool based on the temperatures it's in, a process often referred to as thermoregulation. If you've only ever worn the sort of itchy wool sweaters your proverbial grandmother supposedly made, you might wonder what all the fuss is. The answer is that Merino sheep have thinner, softer wool, which has evolved to keep them comfortable across a wide range of temperatures and is comfortable to wear next to your skin. Wool is sustainable, too.One sheep can produce 4 to 5 pounds of wool per year. That's because the sheep that make merino wool drink only the purest alpine waters and study the art of comfort under the tutelage of those stuck-up Pashmina goats, who, let's face it, might know a thing or two about wonderfully pillowy softness. Just kidding. Merino sheep do have that softer wool though, and merino wool is a remarkable fabric that's become the cornerstone of my wardrobe.AccordionItemContainerButtonMerino wool comes in different weights, which you will frequently see listed as “200 gsm” or something similar. (The “gsm” refers to grams per square meter, sometimes listed as g/m.) What's important is the scale and where your garment falls on it. At the low end, you have T-shirts and underwear, which are typically 150 gsm, though we have seen some as low as 120 gsm. Generally, anything below 200 gsm will be a good base layer or T-shirt. From 200 to 300 gsm are your mid-layers, and anything above 300 is a heavier garment.If you're more familiar with synthetic ratings like those often used on fleece, know that, in my experience, about 120–160 gsm wool corresponds to 100-weight fleece, 160–200 gsm wool roughly matches 200-weight fleece and 200+ wool is like 300-weight fleece. In every instance, the wool is warmer because it's better at trapping heat, especially in the wind. (That said, there are reasons to go with fleece at times, like how incredibly lightweight it can be.)AccordionItemContainerButtonNuyarn is a merino wool/synthetic hybrid weave, wherein merino wool is wrapped around a nylon core for warmth, lightness, and extra durability. The idea is to get the temperature regulation benefits of merino, but to add some of the longevity of nylon. In my experience, Nuyarn mostly works. It's our top pick for base layers, though I find it less necessary in more casual garments, where I prefer 100 percent wool.How to Care for Merino WoolAccordionItemContainerButtonMost merino products will have care instructions. Most likely it will be to wash cold and lay flat to dry. The latter is important, as hanging wool to dry will stretch it out (because of the water weight). While most merino labels say the garment can be machine washed, my experience has been that hand-washing merino will extend its life. This is particularly true of very lightweight (150 gsm) merino base layers and T-shirts. The exception is Minus33's Microweight Raglan short sleeve T-shirt, which is machine-washable and dryer-friendly. Having done both to mine for over a year, I can vouch that it does indeed hold up.I've never had a problem storing merino in my closet between wears, but for long-term storage, I recommend you take precautions against moths, which are notorious for eating holes in wool. I have lost merino garments to moths.If you don't want to smell like mothballs, there are better solutions. I make sure to wash and thoroughly dry whatever I am storing, then I seal it in a compression bag, like this. Another option is to put your merino garment in a cotton bag or otherwise wrap it in cotton and then put it in a plastic bin. It's very important to make sure that the garment is completely dry before using any of these storage methods, otherwise your wool will smell musty and moldy. Other options include storing your garment in a cedar chest, which is a good natural deterrent for moths, or use moth traps or lavender sachets, which will repel the moths.100 Percent Merino vs. BlendsAccordionItemContainerButtonShould you buy 100 percent merino or should you go for a blend? The answer is … it depends. On the garment in question, the use case, and your preferences. Probably the best way to find out is to try several and see what you like. One advantage to blends is that they're stretchy, which makes them better for active pursuits like hiking, rock climbing, and the like. I like 100 percent merino for heavier mid-layers like hoodies or jackets, but I prefer blends for lighter layers. My experience has been that the closer I get to my skin, the more blend I want, with Nuyarn being my top pick for base layers.There are also some alpaca blends out there that are also wonderfully soft (I love everything I've tried from Paka and Arms of Andes). If you're one of the rare people who do find merino itchy, you might be allergic to lanolin, which is the skin oil produced by sheep. Alpacas don't make lanolin, and the fibers are thinner and finer than merino. That makes alpaca warmer and softer, but it's also more expensive.Merino vs. Synthetic FibersAccordionItemContainerButtonWhich is better? The answer again is … it depends (sorry). But usually merino. By synthetics, I generally mean polyester, nylon, polypropylene, rayon, or blends of these and other fabrics—everything but cotton, wool, and linen.Synthetics generally win for wicking away sweat, which means they tend to feel drier. They also tend to dry faster, so when it comes to things like socks and underwear, even most "merino" options are often more than 50 percent synthetic. Synthetics are just better at handling moisture. How much this matters depends on a host of personal factors. For example, I feel weird and almost clammy in anything synthetic, so I don't really care how much moisture it wicks away.The downside to that moisture wicking is that synthetics retain odor. There are some chemical treatments that can help, but I've never tried anything synthetic that was as odor-resistant as merino wool.Another difference is breathability. Synthetics are passable in this department, but it's where merino really excels. If you're hot and are hiking up an exposed slope toward an open pass and then dropping down into the cool of a forest, merino is your friend, because the breathability means less sweat to cool you when you get out of the sun. Again, how much this matters depends on your body.The final factor worth thinking about is durability. In some cases, synthetics will last longer than pure merino, particularly in scenarios where abrasion is a major source of wear. To my mind, this is just another reason to choose a merino blend rather than going all the way to synthetics, but it's something to think about if you do a lot of off-trail hiking or rock climbing—any activity where your clothes are going to take a beating.Base LayersTo really see how remarkable merino wool is, start at the bottom, with the clothes next to your skin. Merino really shines as a base layer. It's warmer for the weight, wicks moisture well, and unlike synthetic fabrics, merino stays stink-free for days of wear. Be sure to read our layering guide for more on how to put it all together and stay comfortable in any weather. We also have a separate guide to the best base layers if you want know all your options, but here are our top merino picks from that guide.Best Lightweight Base LayerIbexWoolies Pro Tech CrewThe Ibex Woolies Pro Tech base layer crew is the best lightweight merino base layer we've tested. If you want a hard-wearing shirt, this it it. Woolies are Nuyarn (see above), which is 85 percent merino wool and 15 percent nylon—the merino wool is wrapped around a nylon core, which increases the warmth while being lighter (5 oz for the men's large) and more durable. This is my top pick for all things technical. It's what I bring hiking, backpacking, and it's reviews editor Adrienne So's pick for running, climbing and other high-aerobic activities when it’s cold. I also love the Woolies Pro Tech Bottoms ($115), which are what I bring backpacking in all but the warmest of weather. There’s also a quarter zip version of the shirt if you prefer.Aside from comfort and warmth, a bit part of the reason we recommend Woolies is that they last. Ibex is what passes for a heritage company in this space; the company was founded in 1997 and has been cranking out merino garment for a long time. Adrienne's parents bought her two sets of Ibex base layers in 2001 that she still wears today, in the year of our Lord 2025. Properly cared for, Woolies will keep you comfortable warm for years to come.Best Heavyweight Base LayerSmartWoolMerino Classic Long-SleeveWhen I want something a bit warmer than the lightweight Woolies above, I reach for Smartwool's Classic long sleeve base layer. These may be the most popular merino shirts around, and for good reason: They're very comfortable, tending to the looser side, feature heavy duty seams that don't rub, and sit off the shoulder for more comfort when wearing a pack. At 87 percent merino wool (blended with nylon), these are also very durable while remaining lightweight (10.3 oz for a men's large). This Smartwool shirt, along with the matching pants ($125), are great for chilly winter days.Courtesy of Unbound MerinoUnbound MerinoLong-Sleeve Merino CrewThe picks above all have what my wife calls “that sporty look,” which the industry refers to as “technical.” This 100 percent merino shirt from Unbound is the opposite: it just looks like a long sleeve shirt. It's incredibly soft and while it does pill a bit if you run it through the dryer (don't), it's proved itself plenty durable—I've been wearing it constantly for over a year now and it still looks like it did when I got it. It's the long-sleeve, base layer twin to our favorite T-shirt (see below). It's on the thin side for a base layer, which makes it perfect for those cool weather mornings in the shoulder seasons. It's versatile too; it can be used as a base layer, but it also works as a T-shirt when it's not too chilly. Fit runs true to size, and if the one you want is sold out, be patient; Unbound frequently updates its stock.There are so many! Here's a few more to consider, but really, go read the base layer guide.Ridge MerinoAspect High Rise Base Layer BottomsThese are another great option fro women looking for something that can be worn around town as well as on the trail. My daughter has even worn them under shorts for no-gi juijitsu and they've held up great, which is a testament to their durability.
Read moreMinus33Heavyweight Yukon Thermal Long SleeveIf you're going to be in extreme cold, New Hampshire-based Minus33 is the company to shop. Where I live winter temps regularly dip below 0F and the Yukon comes into its own. The 400 gsm weave of 100 percent merino is more like a sweatshirt than a base layer, but if you live in the north, you need it.
Read moreTurtle FurMerino Pipe Dream Neck GaiterDon't forget your neck. I live in this Turtle Fur gaiter during the winter and I also use the lighter, superfine version for hiking at elevation in the summer to keep the sun off my neck without resorting to sunscreen. It's wonderfully soft, not overly tight, and never smells.Merino Mid LayersFleece has its place, but I rarely wear it these days. I prefer merino for my mid layers. It's better at helping your body regulate its temperature. The one place fleece still wins for me is backpacking. It's almost always lighter for comparable warmth, at least in mid layers.Like the Northern Lights or the McRib, the thickest Ibex wool hoodie appears irregularly and with some fanfare. The Mammoth Hoodie is indeed a big, furry beast of a garment—it's basically the weight of the classic American Giant hoodie but made of 85 percent wool cut with 15 percent nylon for added warmth and stretch. Ibex says it's the warmest hoodie they've ever made, and in my week of testing, I've used it in place of a jacket in mid-30s temps. It has an athletic cut with zippered pockets and thumb holes. I do wear a stocking hat with it in the cold because the scuba hood is meant to fit under a helmet which means it's too small to provide enough warmth for my large shaved head on its own. —Martin Cizmar