Merino Wool Fabric: The Secret to Sustainable and Stylish Fashion

Merino wool is ALWAYS getting a lot of love and hate in equal measure all over the world. 

Regardless of what you think. I’ll do my best to lay out the facts using real-world examples to put this matter to rest. If you are just learning about Merino wool, stick around, too, and find out the truth.

But first, let me introduce myself…

I’m Wanda, founder of JaceApparel. A fashion lover and seasoned entrepreneur with decades of experience in the textile industry. I’ve tried and tested a lot of fabric over the past few years (story for another day). Today, I’ll just speak about Merino and how it can help you skyrocket business sales.

By the end of this guide, you’ll:

• Understand why customers LOVE Merino wool
• Know the history of Merino wool fabric and why gym clothing manufacturers love it
• Properties of Merino wool you should capitalize on
• What makes Merino stand out from other fabrics
• Popular brands making top dollar from Merino fabrics apparel
• Bonus: How to care for your Merino Apparel

Here’s how to build a six-figure clothing empire buy using Merino Wool fabric.

Why is Merino Wool Fabric a Game Changer?

Merino Wool is a high-quality wool made from light, fine hairs of the infamous Merino Sheep.

Ok, lemme season that word salad. 

Merino wool is a special type of fabric. That’s because unlike most fabrics. This soft wool fabric consists of three natural properties. Keratin, Lanolin, and Fine Fibres — making it the most versatile. And high-performance fabric out there.

These properties make it the No.1 choice cloth for sportswear manufacturers. Why?  Merino wool can regulate temperature, thus keeping athletes cool during intense workouts. 

In fact, this moisture-wicking fabric absorbs up to 30% of its own weight in water. Keeping gym enthusiasts dry during their entire workouts.

Other properties that make Merino Wool IRRESISTIBLE:

• It’s extremely soft
• Odor neutralizing
• Easy to care for
• Sustainable 
• Offer UV protection

Stick around to find out how these properties can directly impact the sales of your business.

Expert Take: “Merino wool’s biodegradability sets it apart as a truly circular material.”

– Andrew J. Ramìrez, Trusted Advisor in Sustainability.

The Story Behind Merino Wool

Buckle up, buddy. Let’s travel back in time to the original roots of Merino wool fabric. 

In the 1700s, Merino Sheep was a big deal in Spain. These exotic sheep were such a treasure Spain banned their exportation.

Source: Reddit. 

In 1788, the first flock of Merino sheep arrived in Australia by British colonialists. However, these weren’t the Merino sheep we know today. They were the Royal Merino flocks of Spain. 

Another flock later arrived in 1797. Courtesy of Captain John Macarthur, who pioneered the selective breeding process. Hence, setting the pace for Australia’s wool industry. 

An industrial revolution gave rise to the demand for textiles in the 1820s. Australia, at the time, was perfecting its Merino Wool fabric. So, automatically, they became the largest exporter of Merino Wool to England.

Farmers found a way to make Merino Wool fabric even more consistent. And by the 1870s, Australia had stamped its name as the LARGEST exporter of wool. Leading to the nickname —Riding on the Sheep’s Back.

During World War II, Merino Wool was greatly used in the production of military uniforms. The temperature-regulating fabric offered warmth to the soldiers. Also, they found Merino Wool easy to maintain.

As the 20th century faded away, superwash —a big leap in fabric innovation. Saw Merino wool fabric become machine-washable and shrink-resistant.

In fact, popular outdoor brands like Icebreaker have now adopted Merino Wool. Mostly to produce hiking and performance gear. Also, this soft wool fabric is odor-resistant and breathable. (More on that later!).

Source: icebreaker product page.

In the 2010s, Merino Wool had infiltrated the activewear industry. More fitness apparel manufacturers were adopting it because of its comfort. Its biodegradable nature also made it popular among eco-conscious buyers.

Today, even more unbranded gym clothing wholesale suppliers use Merino Wool in their production. I’m talking of Nike, Lululemon, Patagonia, and other big names. Merino is seen as a premium, eco-friendly fabric option to the common synthetic fabric.

Recommended Reading: Maximize Your Profits with the Best Lululemon Similar Brands

A Look Inside Merino Wool Production

                                           A picture of a Merino sheep flock grazing!

Merino sheep are often raised in open pastures. Note they are reared in low-density herds to prevent overgrazing.

The process of Merino wool production involves:

Step 1) Shearing

Merino sheep are usually shorn once or twice a year. Happens during the spring when the weather is hot. And the sheep don’t need their heavy fur coats.

Shearing is done manually to avoid harming the sheep. 

Step 2) Wool Sorting and Grading

Fleeces from the shorn sheep are sorted and graded. This process involves removing dirt and other substances from the fleece.

Note waste wool will later be repurposed to make mattresses or compost.

Step 3) Cleaning (Scouring)

Here, raw wool is washed in huge drums to remove lanolin and impurities. Lanolin is sold, as it is a good ingredient in making skin care products.

Step 4) Carding and Combing

The cleaned wool is carded to remove tangles and to align fibers. Coming removes short fibers, leaving only LONG, FINE strands.

Step 5) Spinning

The fine strands are twisted together to make strong yarn. The thickness of the yarns depends on the final product in mind.

Step 6) Dyeing

Dyeing is done to achieve the desired colors.

Step 7) Knitting

Yarns are turned into fabrics by knitting to make stretchable fabric. Loved by gym wear manufacturers. Or weaving to make structured fabric for uniform manufacturers.

Properties That Make Merino Wool Irresistible 

Fashion brands. Outdoor gear manufacturers. Gym clothing suppliers. ALL love Merino wool fabric because:

Less itchy compared to traditional wool types

If you are wondering why you aren’t getting any repeat customers to your store. You are probably using the wrong type of wool. Yes, one wants coarse and itchy garments, even if it’s CHEAP.

Source: Reddit. 

On the other hand, Merino wool’s fine fabrics make it comfortable for any skin. You can’t go wrong.

Merino wool fabrics are EASY to maintain

Like I said earlier, Merino wool absorbs water quickly but dries quickly, too. And if there’s anything I know about gym rats, they’ll pick convenience any day.

Source: Reddit.

Giving them fabrics that dry up fast…can skyrocket your sales overnight.

Recommended Reading: Coolmax Fabric: Your Go-To Choice for Performance Apparel

Merino wool fabrics don’t stain and are odor-resistant

Again, this is why Merino is so BIG in the gym wear industry. I mean, who wants to end a 2-hour intense workout smelling like a dead rat?

Source: Reddit.

Merino’s natural lanolin —repels dirt. Also, wool fibers absorb sweat and trap order molecules. So, they can still be worn twice or thrice before washing. 

Pros of Merino Wool

Here’s why I like Merino wool fabric:

1. Merino wool keeps the skin hydrated. Like I mentioned, this soft wool fabric can hold water up to 35% of its water. This ensures the skin is hydrated and prevents dryness in cold climates.

2. Merino wool is sustainable. It comes from sheep that are shorn once annually. Also, Merino is durable, preventing the need for constant shearing. Hence, promoting sustainable farming practices.

Expert Insight: “With microplastics continually being a strong topic of conversation at both the brand and consumer level, we can say without any level of uncertainty that wool—and machine-washable wool–does not contribute to microplastic pollution. This, along with other bodies of research, can help brands champion a plastic-free wardrobe and build consumer confidence they are being as environmentally friendly as possible.”

– Stuart McCullough, Australian Wool Innovation and The Woolmark Company.

3. It provides protection from harmful UV rays. Merino wool has a 40+ UV protection factor. No synthetic fiber under the sun comes close. Start using Merino wool today. And watch outdoor adventurers literally force you to take their money.

4. It is Flame retardant. I don’t want to find out, but hey, it’s good to know that this fabric naturally resists flames. Merino wool has self-extinguishing properties that form an insulation layer. Thus, suitable as workplace safety wear, especially for firefighters.

5. Retains warmth when damp. Merino wool fibers generate heat when they absorb water. A process called exothermic reaction. This makes them a great choice for survival or outdoor gear.

Pricing – How Much Does Merino Wool Cost? 

Merino wool is NOT CHEAP. Think about it, you aren’t just getting a mediocre fabric that fades, smells, and is uncomfortable.

This premium fabric has all the properties a clothing manufacturer would require. Orderless. Wicks moisture. Durable. Regulates temperature. Stain resistant. And 10,000 other reasons.

          Merino Wool getting love on X (formerly known as Twitter).

In short, all these great perks that come with Merino wool fabric justify its cost. I won’t go down to the individual prices here. But I’ll give you a clear picture of the disparity in the high prices.

See, the thickness of the fabric (Merino wool) determines its market price. The finer the micron (thickness of the wool), the higher the prices.

18.85 microns goes for around $1900 – $2700 for a farm bale. Anything under 18.5 is considered superfine, and the prices are way higher, $3000+.

I can see you rethinking this whole Merino thing…

And I’m not about to let your dream of building a successful brand fade away. I promise, no need to spend all your savings. See for yourself.

Brands Making Bank With Merino Wool

Icebreaker

Icebreaker is one of the veterans in the outdoor/activewear made from Merino wool. Today, Icebreaker makes:

• Pants, tights & shorts
• T-shirts & tanks
• Underwear & bras
• Socks
• Gloves
• Hats & neckwear

They’ve built a loyal customer base in over 50 countries. But that trust didn’t come easy. Icebreaker’s commits to an annual transparency report. Here, they update their customers on their achievements towards sustainability. Fabric sources. And much more.

In fact, during their 2023 transparency report. Icebreaker shared their commitment to becoming 100% Plastic Free. Although they only achieved this milestone by 96.14%. Their report clearly shows the steps they are undertaking on the last 4%. Pretty impressive, right?

Icebreaker wants 100% of its wool to come from growers using regenerative practices. They envision this milestone by 2028. This shows commitment to sustainability —millions in yearly revenue.

Expert Insight. “Merino wool redefined how we think about natural fibers in high-performance gear.”

ibex

Ibex is yet another brand that’s making a KILLING in the outdoor gear space. They use Australian-raised and New Zealand Merino. So you expect the natural fibers to make their garments irresistible.

And it’s true…

Ibex rakes in close to $24 million EVERY YEAR. Imagine how free you could live. The places you’d go to, retiring your parents…and wife, mortgage paid, financial freedom!

So, do you want to achieve similar results?

Let’s help you get the best Merino wool sourced directly from Australia and New Zealand. You’ll save more time than doing it by yourself. And save more money than finding a sourcing expert. What are you waiting for? Talk to us here.

How to Care For Your Merino Wool Apparel?

Here are timeless tips you (or your customers) can use to care for your Merino apparel:

Timeless tip #1: Wash your Merino garments as little as possible. Otherwise, they’ll begin to wear out sooner than you know.

Timeless tip #2: Wash on a machine with gentle settings. Use cool and warm water (30 degrees).

Timeless tip #3: Use powder or liquid detergent. 

Timeless tip #4: AIR DRY your merino fabrics. Either line-dry them or lay them out on a flat surface. This helps to maintain their shape.

Timeless tip #5: Use low heat when ironing your Merino clothes. To be safe, check the manufacturer’s instructions on iron settings. 

People Also Ask About Merino Wool Fabric

What’s Next

Still here? Good job! Most people just read a few lines and bounce. You are serious about building an apparel empire, and it’s just one step away.

Just a refresher, here’s why customers love Merino:

• It’s odorless
• Regulates temperature
• Wicks moisture away
• Easy to maintain
• Less itchy

Give customers exactly what they are looking for. And you won’t have to spend a day worrying about your next customer. I promise.

If you want to make it big as a manufacturer using Merino wool. This is a one-way ticket you building a six-figure brand. Reach out to us here, and let’s help you source Pure Merino Wool. 

We’ll also share practical steps for building a highly successful gym clothing business. Help in building tech packs. Manufacturer and ship directly to your warehouse.