The Benefits of Wearing Merino Wool When It's Hot

• Thermal Comfort: To achieve and maintain thermo physiological comfort (and a core temperature of 37°C) there must be a balance between activity levels, the environmental demands that surround us (such as temperature and humidity), and the type and insulation characteristics of the clothing covering the body. Merino helps to maintain this balance and as a result, helps to keep you comfortable. Several physical and chemical characteristics of the Merino fiber contribute to this improved comfort.
• Moisture Vapor Transmission: Merino fibers have a complex structure with a hydrophilic (water holding) interior, known as the cortex, and a hydrophobic (water repelling) exterior known as the cuticle. Merino fabric will absorb moisture vapor from the high humidity micro-climate between the skin and the garment, and release the moisture to the area of lower humidity outside the garment. As a result, you'll feel less damp and more comfortable. This type of fabric is generally referred to as a breathable fabric, one that is able to dissipate perspiration by reducing the feeling of clamminess and allowing you to stay comfortable for a longer period of time.
• Merino Cools and Warms: The ability of Merino to absorb large amounts of moisture vapor (up to 35% of its own weight) buffers the body?s microclimate in changing conditions. Not only does Merino help to remove sweat, it actually lowers your temperature in the process. The process by which Merino transforms sweat into vapor is known as evaporation. When a textile absorbs liquid sweat within its internal structure and it evaporates at the surface, there is an accompanying drop in temperature. For most textiles, this effect is negligible because of their limited capacity to absorb moisture. However, because Merino can absorb so much liquid, the temperature drop is sustained over a longer period of time and is noticeable. Conversely, a process known as heat of sorption, a perceptible temperature rise generated through absorption of moisture by the fiber, helps you stay warm in winter.
• Anti-Odor: A significant amount of anecdotal information points to the superior performance of Merino in terms of resistance to the buildup of odor. While sweat has no odor, bacteria can develop on the skin and create an offensive odor. A few suggestions have been made as to why this might be: first, bacteria prefer smooth, positively charged surfaces to grow on. The surface of the wool fiber, however, is naturally scaly and negatively charged and thus provides a poor surface for bacterial growth. Second, bacteria like moisture to help their population grow. As the fiber has a high moisture holding capacity (in vapor form), and a hydrophobic fiber surface (water-repellent).