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The science just caught up
A new four-year PhD study led by North Carolina State University and The Woolmark Company has proven what mountain people (and sheep) have always known: Merino Wool outperforms polyester in moisture buffering by 96%.
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The takeaway
Merino is the GOAT at sweat management. It adapts in ‘stop-go’ sports to keep your microclimate dialled - warm when you’re standing still, dry when you’re pushing hard.
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How the study tested it
Think hot indoor biking followed by a simulated Arctic blow-dry. Polyester failed. Merino nailed it. What scientists call “moisture buffering,” we call "management" - the moment sweat forms, Merino steps in, regulating heat and moisture in ways synthetics can’t fathom, even with chemical treatments.
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The bigger picture
For fifty years, the outdoor industry has sold synthetics as the answer - plastics wrapped in tech jargon. But the science is now clear: Merino Wool is nature’s thermoregulating ninja. We’ve known it all along. Sixteen years of Mons Royale gear, designed in the Southern Alps, built on Merino’s performance. Now the lab coats back us up.
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We're Mountain People,
not Scientists...
*So here’s the lab results, translated into trail-speak. (Disclaimer: if we didn’t nail the jargon, forgive us. The point is - Merino wins.)
Vapour Vacuum
Merino Wool absorbs up to a third of its weight in moisture, then releases it before you feel damp. That’s 96% better than polyester. 45% better than cotton. 26% better than nylon.
After-Chill Killer
No more chairlift shivers. Merino hits thermal equilibrium in 10 minutes, while synthetics keep sucking heat for 25+ minutes.
Energy Saver
In the lab, cyclists in Merino Wool used half the energy to stay comfortable - leaving more in the tank for that bonus lap.
Odour Repeller
Merino naturally groups odour molecules so they wash away easily. No chemical finishes, no post-adventure funk.
“Wool’s structure responds in real time to changing physiological needs. It automatically keeps athletes close to their comfort zone, allowing 100% focus on the challenge – especially in unpredictable and high-output activities.”
Woolmark Managing Director, John Roberts
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Next steps - layer it right
LEARN MORE
Transparency
We partner with the world’s best in Wool manufacturing to ensure quality, transparency, and ethical production. We are leading the charge in future-proof apparel.
Merino Performance
Merino Wool is at the centre of everything we do. It's nature's performance fibre. Merino keeps you cool when it's hot, warm when it's not, and smelling fresh from first chair to last round.
Our Story
Sometime back in the early noughties, a storm-chasing Kiwi ski bum living out of a ski bag pondered a big problem - his gear wasn't cutting it for both epic mountain missions and post-shred hangs at the bar. Here we are 16 years later.
