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How to Make the Most of

Merino Wool Travel Clothing

A guide to the special qualities and needs of the travel “super fabric.”

  • 01. Introduction
  • 02. Clothing
  • 04. Conclusion

There are many fabrics you could choose for travel clothing, but this is one of the best.

We’ve teamed up with Aer to give away a selection of top travel gear! Check it out →

What is Merino Wool Fabric?

Packing for a trip can be such a chore and requires some tough decisions. You have eight of your best travel shirts, but only have room for four. You may not know when and where you’ll be able to do laundry on your journey—and that’s the fun & spontaneity of travel! Do you bring more clothes to last longer between washes or less and just say screw it? If you’re hitting up snowy mountains and balmy beaches in one trip, do you try to pack clothes for all seasons and end up with a huge, overweight bag?

Well, Merino wool can solve a lot of your packing problems. It is one of the best travel fabrics out there, straight up. Packing one Merino wool t shirt is like the equivalent of packing five cotton tees when it comes to freshness. It will keep you cool in the heat, warm in the cold, you don’t have to wash it every time you wear it and we almost guarantee it will become your best travel shirt—so you’ll only need a few. It’s going to cost you a pretty penny for the better brands, but the benefits of the material are worth it… if you take care of it correctly.

History of Merino Wool

Merino wool sheep were first bred in Spain and introduced to Australia in 1797. Fibers of the sheep became even finer when Australian farmers continued to perfect the quality with selective breeding. But wool’s big break in the fashion world didn’t come until the 1920’s when Coco Chanel produced a dress out of fine wool jersey. Today, designers and woolgrowers work together to connect consumers with the natural benefits of this awesome fabric.

Fun fact: The first wool sweaters date back to 230AD according to radiocarbon testing, making it one of the oldest materials still used today!

Video Guide Part 1: Intro – Why Merino Wool?

Feel free to watch this guide section in video format. We’ll keep the written content on this page up to date.

Be sure to subscribe to Pack Hacker on YouTube and never miss a video. We also have these videos in a series playlist format on YouTube so you can watch them easier.

Benefits of Merino Wool: Some of the Best Travel Clothing Available

Rottnest Island, Perth, Australia

Soft and Comfortable

You’re thinking “wool, ugh that’s itchy.” Wrong! Merino wool is the finest wool fiber there is, making it way better than that sweater your grandma knitted you for your birthday. It’s also hypoallergenic so you likely won’t have any skin reactions at all. AND it’s naturally static resistant.

Natural Antimicrobial Properties

Antimicrobial is a fancy way of saying Merino wool prevents odor-causing bacteria from growing due to its awesome moisture control. Meaning: *drum roll…* you don’t have to wash it as often! But how does this work? Well, keep reading…

Quick Drying and Sweat-Wicking

Merino wool can absorb and retain up to 30% of its weight in moisture and still feel dry to the touch. Since the fabric wicks away moisture, those smelly bacteria don’t have the moist environment they need to thrive. Wear your Merino wool t shirt in the desert, on the slopes, or in the gym and you’ll be sure to remain dry and stink-free. Well, your clothes will anyway…you should still shower.

Cross country skiing in South Georgian Bay with the Matador Beast28

Warm in Cool Weather and Cool in Hot Weather

Those sheep know what’s good. Scientifically, Merino wool is awesome at temperature regulation because of its fiber construction. There’s an outer layer and an inner layer to the fabric. The outer is hydrophobic (water-repelling), and the inner is hydrophilic (water-absorbing). The inner layer absorbs your sweat, leaving you cool and dry, while the outer layer repels moisture, leaving you warm and toasty in colder climates.

Natural Elasticity

If taken care of properly (which we’ll cover in another section of this guide), your products won’t stretch out or lose their shape! Due to the natural crimp in the fiber, it can be stretched 30,000 times without being damaged, apparently. We haven’t tested this out ourselves, but maybe we can get an intern on it or something.

Natural Sun Protection

Merino wool has a natural UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of 40+ to protect your skin from those killer cancer-causing rays we all love so much. A UPF of 40 means the product will block ~97% of UV rays from reaching your skin AND you can use less of that chemical-laden sunblock. Believe it or not, polyester has roughly the same UV protection, but a lightweight cotton T-shirt has a UPF 5, blocking around 20% of the rays.

Biodegradable

Nothing lasts forever, but when your clothing is ready to retire, sleep easy knowing that your merino wool products won’t be sitting in a landfill for too long. Because the fiber is made of keratin—which is the same protein our hair and skin is composed of—it will disintegrate back into the earth within 1-5 years. Synthetic fibers, like nylon, take 30-40 years to degrade. Yikes.

Merino Wool vs Regular Wool

The major difference here is that Merino wool is much softer than regular wool. Regular wool is what your mind recalls as itchy, and we’re here to change that stigma. Merino is totally different in the “touchy feely” category because its fibers are much finer than those of regular wool producing sheep. Both varieties share the epically awesome benefits of wicking, quick drying, elasticity and moisture control though.

Fun fact: most Merino sheep live in Australia and New Zealand.

Merino Wool vs Cotton

Besides the obvious that wool comes from an animal and cotton from a plant, there are several differences between these two popular fabric choices. Merino wool has great heat retention, where cotton is more breathable. Cotton might be a great option for the summer, but it will absorb all your sweat leaving you wet and smelly. Merino, on the other hand, will wick away your sweat creating your own wearable A/C system. Due to the antimicrobial properties of the fabric, you can wash it less often than cotton. Unless you’d like to spend your travels at the laundromat waiting for clothing to dry, we’ll call this a benefit.

Merino Wool vs Synthetic Fabric

There are a lot of great arguments over whether Merino wool or synthetic materials are better suited for base layers. One could argue that synthetic fabrics dry faster, which would definitely help if you’re an overly sweaty person. It’s also cheaper than wool and easier to care for, but we don’t think those minor benefits outweigh the massive pros of Merino wool. It is a natural fiber—AKA, when you’re done with it, it will decompose in a landfill pretty quickly. After you toss your synthetics, they’ll sit in that dump for 30-40 years before decomposing. Merino will also keep you warmer than synthetics, it’s usually softer to the touch, and it retains less odor allowing you to wear each piece of clothing more between washes. In the end, it really comes down to your personal preference though (we won’t judge).

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This magic fabric covers all your basics, from t-shirts to socks and everything in between.

Merino Wool Clothing For Travel

You’d be surprised at all of the common products made of Merino wool—we certainly were. Also, the brands you choose to go with do make a difference, as many companies use different grades & weaves of the fabric. The best Merino wool clothing can last for years while the lowest quality will only last a matter of months.

Video Guide Part 2: Merino Products

Merino Wool T-Shirts

Packing Merino wool t shirts can save space in your bag and save you a lot of laundry time. Plus, they’re so soft you’ll want to wear them all the time. Seriously, these are the best travel shirts. We recommend having at least two, but probably no more than four for longer-term travel. If you have two of these shirts, it will give you the option to leave one hanging out to dry at your hotel, hostel, or AirBnB while you’re out exploring and wearing the other one. It is also worth considering getting darker colored tees. We’ve found dark colors make for the best travel shirts because you can wash them less—they won’t pick up dirt or sweat stains as easily. When purchasing, take a look at the fabric thickness, usually indicated by “gsm” or “g/m²” (Grams Per Square Meter). Most companies will have a lighter weight version that’s optimal for warmer climates but if you want more durability or you’re in a colder climate, thicker is better. Most Merino wool t shirts are rated between 150gsm and 190gsm. Remember, Merino wool will regulate your body temperature in both hot and cold situations.

Outlier Ultrafine Merino T-Shirt Review

We’ve tested this tee with over 200 wears during a year and a half of use and still love it. The fit is very modern and it always looks sharp. Its magical properties keep you warm in the cold and cool in the heat, though the price tag is a bit hefty.

Woolly Ultralight V-Neck Review

The durability isn’t quite as high with Woolly products, but the price tag is easier to digest if you’re new to this fabric.

OLIVERS Convoy Tee

The material feels a tad thicker than our other two picks, however, it’s a solid shirt with some good durability.

Merino Wool Buff

What’s a buff? It’s headwear that you need to have! You can wear a buff many different ways, from a hat, a scarf, a headband, a face mask—basically, it can be whatever you need it to be. It’s lightweight and the Merino fibers provide a good warmth to weight ratio. Carrying one Merino wool buff is way more practical than packing a bulky knit scarf that will eventually smell and falls on the floor every time you hang it on the back of your dinner chair. The quick-drying properties come in especially handy with a buff, ensuring that your face and head stay dry and warm.

Using a Merino Wool Buff

BUFF USA Lightweight Merino Wool Buff

With one tube-shaped piece of Merino wool the possibilities are endless! This buff is great for travel packing because of its versatility, it’s quick drying properties, and it doesn’t retain odors. It also blocks 95% of UV rays. Bonus points for this brand because the buff is seamless which eliminates those irritating hems and seams that typically rub against your skin.

Merino Wool Underwear

When you see wool underwear, you probably automatically think, “No way in hell would I intentionally put something itchy down there.” We’re here to tell you that Merino wool underwear is not the least bit itchy. It’s actually super comfortable & soft. The wool is naturally antimicrobial and anti-stink, which means you can wear them multiple times before washing—that is if you can mentally handle the idea of re-wearing your underwear, and not just because you turned it inside out. The quick drying nature will keep you from feeling everyone’s least favorite word, moist. *Shudder* We recommend bringing 2-4 pairs with you: two if you’re feeling adventurous. Four is more the norm if you don’t want to do laundry often, plus since underwear is small it’s easy to pack more.

Woolx The Dailys Boxer Briefs

The Dailys Boxer Brief are super soft. Like really, really soft. They are form fitting and don’t bunch up, which is obviously awesome. The only problem is they get shredded up after 9 months. We got a solid 75 wears out of them, but we’re still searching for the perfect pair!

Merino Wool Socks

Everyone has been in a situation where your feet are super sweaty throughout the day and when you finally take your shoes off your socks are soaked and smelly. Not the case with Merino wool socks because they will regulate your foot temperature with Merino’s natural moisture control. But wait, there’s more! Like all other products in this category, they are antimicrobial and anti-stink so you can wear them a couple times between washes if needed. Merino wool socks can be durable AF, depending on the brand. It’s important to look for a blend of wool and lycra, spandex, or nylon. If there is too much wool, they won’t be durable or form fitting to your feet.

Darn Tough Merino Wool No-Show Socks

A little thicker than other socks, they’re still a good fit on the foot and inside your shoe. Darn Tough offers an amazing warranty as well—yes, a warranty on socks! If these socks aren’t the most comfortable, durable and best fitting socks you’ve owned you can return them with no questions. Though, we assure you they are extremely durable and definitely worth the purchase.

Merino Wool Button-Down Shirts

It’s good to look presentable every now and then while traveling, right? Whether you’re trying to look decent for the customs agent, headed to a nice dinner, or wanting to look sharp on the road while interviewing for a remote gig—a button down can give you a bit more of a polished look than a simple t-shirt. Whoever you’re trying to impress doesn’t need to know you’ve hardly ever washed it either.

Wool & Prince Button-Down Oxford Review

Wool & Prince offers a pretty great selection of Merino wool button-downs. They’re slightly itchy and take a bit to break in at first, but once everything is locked in, their button-downs are a great companion to have on the road.

Merino Wool Workout-Focused Clothing and Gear

Whether its a tank top, t-shirt or runners, this magical fabric is actually perfect for working out because it’s quick drying, sweat-wicking, anti-odor and it regulates your temperature. Plus, you can usually get away with wearing your Merino “gym clothes” as “regular clothes,” unlike a lot of the sporty-looking synthetic garments out there. If you’re in a pinch, you can air dry your gear before putting them back in your bag, which will help prevent the onset of smells even longer. While you can go a few wears between washes with this workout gear, like any other material, the more you sweat the faster the clothes will smell regardless of the antimicrobial properties.

Icebreaker Anatomica Tank

The thin fabric of the Icebreaker Merino Anatomica Tank is ideal for compression in your bag. Be sure to air dry it if you’re in a hurry after a workout to help get any smells out. It’s easy to wash in the sink and it’s quick drying. To add some durability, the tank is a blend of 83% Merino wool, 12% nylon and 5% lycra. The price tag is decently high, but worth it if you’re cramming everything into a small bag. One of the only cons of this tank is that the tag washes out after some time, making it hard to tell which way to put it on.

Merino Wool For Women

There are a decent amount of Merino wool products out there, but it seems the market is mostly geared towards menswear at the moment. Don’t get us wrong, there are definitely garments for women, but the pickings are a little slim. In our research, we’ve found that most Merino womenswear is designed as tight fitting workout clothing or frumpy cardigans. Just because you’re traveling doesn’t mean you should forgo your personal style, and we just haven’t found anything we love in that department yet. However, there are certainly no rules stopping women from buying the men’s products and reaping those benefits too. We’ll be sure to update this guide as we learn about new products.

UPDATE: Around the time of the initial publishing of this guide, Woolly has launched an entire women-focused line ! We haven’t had a chance to test or review any of their women’s merino wool clothing yet though.

Caring for wool may seem daunting, but we promise it's not.

How To Care For Merino Wool

Disclaimer: This guide will work for most Merino wool garments, but be sure to check with your individual brand’s care instructions first and foremost.

So now you know why this magical fabric is worth the extra bucks. But do you know how to make it last?

The first thing you should know is that because of its antimicrobial properties, you can actually wash Merino wool LESS than all your other clothes. Think about it, what’s the number one reason you do laundry? So your sh*t don’t stink right?

But how often is “not often?” You have to use your personal judgement and what you feel comfortable with based on how much you sweat and how much you enjoy doing laundry when you’re traveling the world. Generally, we suggest washing Merino wool t-shirts every 10-20 wears and, no judgement, underwear every 5-10 wears. Other people say we could go even longer! If that grosses you out, we won’t be offended, so feel free to wash more frequently, but know that the lifecycle of the product just might be cut short the more you submerge it in soap.

Video Guide Part 3: Caring for Merino Wool

How To Wash

Every brand and individual product will have its own care instructions, but we’ve done the research on some of the best practices to use based on your label. But who knows how to actually read those labels? Sometimes it looks like a picture book of how to cook ramen noodles without a stove.

BS Interpretation of Care Labels

In all seriousness, those symbols are important. Mess up the instructions and your shirt might be fit for your niece’s doll or your dog. There goes that $100 investment. Take our advice and try to learn the true meaning of some of the laundry symbols , which will help your wool products—and all your garments—live their best life.

On to the Washing

When you’re traveling, battling a language barrier at the laundromat while trying to explain how you want your washing done can be unnecessarily stressful and potentially costly if you’re not familiar with the native language.

Following these simple steps will usually do the trick for your handwashables and even those labeled machine wash.

Hand-washing Darn Tough Merino Wool Socks

  • Turn your garments inside out—this will help retain that “new look” for as long as possible.
  • Soak and swish in the sink for a minute with tepid water and a neutral soap. A neutral soap is anything with a pH balance of 7, which is the same pH as water. Fabric softeners and bleach are always a no no! The softeners coat the fibers and reduce its ability to naturally regulate temperature and moisture. See our soap suggestions below.
  • Let the garments soak for 15 minutes. Afterwords, you can run the item under some water for a quick rinse, but it’s not entirely necessary due to the crimping of the fabric fibers (the soap doesn’t penetrate all the way through).
  • Lay pieces flat to dry. Hanging will cause your clothes to stretch in weird areas from the weight of the water. You should also store the garments folded up to help maintain the shape.

All About the Suds

Carrying soap with you can take up valuable real estate in your travel backpack or luggage. There are a variety of products from shampoo bars to wool specific cleaners that you can use at home or on the go.

Multipurpose Soaps

These products are awesome because you can bring only one thing and use it for your hair, body, clothes and even the dishes if you’re in a pinch. When traveling, liquids and space are a premium, so we prefer this option when on the road.

Lush Shampoo Bar Review

A tiny bar of soap & shampoo that lasts much longer than typical liquid soaps, the LUSH Shampoo Bar proves to be a great TSA-approved option for travel and it’s natural ingredients make it safe to use on wool.

Dr. Bronner's Tea Tree Pure Castile Bar Soap

This soap is also plant-based, so it’s 100% laundry friendly and doubles as shampoo & soap on the road.

Specialized Soaps for Merino Wool

Dedicated products to prolonging the life of your wool, these might be better left at home if you’re sticking with one bag travel or trying to conserve weight. If you really love keeping your clothing at their freshest, there’s no reason you couldn’t take some in a 3oz GoToob or small liquid container.

Granger's Merino Wash

Granger’s Merino Wash is specifically made for Merino wool and has a nice, natural cedar-like scent.

Kookaburra Original Wash

Kookaburra Original Wash is specifically made for Merino Wool and works for hand washing and machine washing clothes.

Eucalan Natural Unscented Wash

Eucalan fine fabrics wash comes in eucalyptus, grapefruit, jasmine, lavender and natural scents.

Don’t have any soap with you? No problem. Any soap with a more neutral pH level will be great on the fabric. Dish soap, for instance, has a pH level around 7 (which is around the same as drinking water). Bleach is somewhere between 11–13 in pH level, so avoid at all costs!

Prefer a powdered detergent? These are fine to use, but it’s best to pre-dissolve the detergent prior to adding your clothes. This will help prevent concentrated specks of detergent from coming into contact with the wool, potentially causing holes and harm.

Removing Pilling from Merino Wool

If you’ve ever owned an item-of-clothing for more than five minutes (okay—a couple of months), then you probably know that pilling is basically inevitable. And, as magical as merino wool is, it can’t escape this fate either. Luckily, the process of removing pilling from merino is fairly straightforward. Probably the easiest way to do it is with an electric sweater shaver like the House of Wonderful Wonder Lint Sweater Shaver , which removes pilling with superhero-esque speed.

Wool Pilling Removed With Comb

But, if you’re traveling, you’re not going to want to lug around an electric shaver with you (unless you’re way into fabric shaving?), so we suggest picking up a sweater comb designed specifically to keep wool looking sharp. Ours is from the brand Comfy Clothiers, but any will do. All you have to do is lay your garment flat and then “comb” it, using small, precise movements. The metal teeth of the comb, which feel more sandpapery than anything, will pick up the pilling. After a few, focused minutes, your garment will look as good as new.

Protecting Merino Wool from Bugs and Pests

Packing Cubes and Cedar Chips

Place cedar chips or lavender oil in your bags. This will keep the critters away plus keep your entire pack or luggage smelling fresh.

  • When storing your clothes for long periods of time, seal them in a plastic bag or container to keep the bugs out
  • Think you’ve already been invaded? Place your garments in a plastic bag and in the freezer for 24-48 hours. This will kill any moths or larvae living in the fabric.

Merino Wool and Deodorant

In our testing, we’ve found that ordinary deodorants seem to perform just fine with Merino Wool. The main issue comes when you start using a deodorant with antiperspirant in it. Antiperspirant can really make a mess of Merino, and sort of goes against the main benefit of it—wearing many times between washes! Just avoid the antiperspirant and you should be good to go.

That's about all you need to know about this magical fabric. The next step is trying it yourself if you haven't yet!

Merino Wool: Making Your Travels So Much More Enjoyable

If we haven’t convinced you by now that Merino wool is one of the best travel fabrics out there, then there isn’t much left to say other than to go test it for yourself. While the price point is on the high side for these products, the benefits that the material has to offer seriously make the purchase a worthwhile investment.

From t-shirts and sweaters to underwear and socks, Merino wool is soft, naturally breathable and super comfortable. No itching or scratching with this wool! It’s one of the only fabrics that is naturally antimicrobial, resists odors, wicks moisture AND keeps you warm in the cold and cool in the heat.

With careful care of your Merino wool—and selecting the right brands—your products should survive hundreds of wears, retain their shape, and save you time on laundry no matter where you’re adventuring. New products are constantly being introduced to the market and we’ve only shared a few of our favorites with you that have stood the test of time in our bags. We will continue to explore and update you as products change and improve.

The bottom line of whether or not it’s worth the extra dough is completely up to you. But if you’re a serious minimalist traveler that dislikes frequent trips to the laundromat—Merino will help you travel lighter & faster.

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Author: Pack Hacker Team

We find and test the best gear for travel based on form, function and aesthetic. We believe the best trips start with quality gear, regardless if you’re traveling for business or pleasure.

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Traveling Tulls

Eco-Travel in Retirement – Nature and Sustainable Luxury Travel

merino travel dress

The best lightweight, easy-care women’s travel dresses

merino travel dress

As an over 60 woman, I plan my travel wardrobe around classic, easy-care items. I take inspiration from the French style of dressing, focusing on solid colors and a classic look in high quality pieces. I accent these with colorful scarves, jackets, and jewelry. A dress fits perfectly into this capsule. Designing your travel style around a simple dress is a great way to pack light and look great! I’ve tested some of the best women’s travel dresses and present my favorites here.

Table of Contents

Why pack a dress for travel?

I’m not your typical dress person. At home you’re more likely to find me in a great pair of jeans or workout wear. But when I’m planning a trip, I want to be ready for anything – museum visits, evenings out, and lots of walking. For me, one of the best options is a travel dress! On cruises, a dress is always on the list. (We don’t book anything that requires formal wear. It’s just not our thing.) On an active adventure where you’re in hiking or cycling clothes by day, it’s nice to have an option for something soft and pretty at night. And in a stretch, a dress can be worn as nightwear! That’s where dresses for travel come in!

merino travel dress

This post includes affiliate links. Traveling Tulls may earn a small commission, at no additional expense to you, if you purchase something from one of these links. Unless noted, we were not supplied with the dresses we reviewed here, but were so impressed with the Wool& dress and bike shorts, that we have chosen to partner with Wool& going forward. DISCLOSURE

As a woman over 60, I began traveling IN the sixties. My Dad wore three piece suits, and my mom and I wore dresses. Does that make me a travel dress expert?? No, but it does give me an appreciation for the functionality of dresses.

What makes a great travel dress?

Any piece that makes its way into our bag has to earn its place. Dresses are no exception. Here are our criteria for the perfect travel dress:

1. Packability – lightweight, wrinkle resistant

2. Versatility – I don’t pack anything that I can’t wear more than once. Clothing that has more than one good option is the best way to pack light. Choose a casual dress that can go from daytime touring to evenings out with an accessory or two. A dress that’s convertible gets extra points!

3. Low Maintenance/Ease of Care – who has time for doing laundry on vacation? A sink wash and air dry are usually the most we do on vacation.

4. Sustainable Quality – don’t be fooled by fast fashion. Invest in well made, classic items from ethical companies. Not only is this best for the planet, but it’ll save you money in the long run.

5. Comfort and Pleasure – (Probably the most important yet often forgotten criteria) Do I like how I feel in this dress? Does it work for my body type? Does it fit my personal style? Do I enjoy wearing it?

Save space by packing natural fiber clothing that can be worn multiple ways. Willow merino dress by wool&. #merinowool #travelclothing

Choose your color, a dress style you like, and fabric that travels well

Color . The foundation of the French woman’s style is the little black dress. This staple piece is simple yet classy and never goes out of fashion. When creating a French-inspired travel wardrobe , I start with a solid color dress – the base palette – and add color and patterns with other pieces and accessories. Parisian women may favor black as their base, but you should choose what’s best for you, and your skin tone. Navy blue, wine, or dark gray can be more flattering to women over 60. They certainly are for me.

Style . Your choice will depend on your signature style and your destination. Sleeveless styles are great for hot climates, and will work just as well in cold weather when you add layers! But some ladies prefer long sleeves. And some love maxi dresses! (though maxis will take up more luggage space!) Go with what makes you comfortable and what flatters your best features.

Travel dress - woman over 60 wearing a merino wool dress.

Fabric . To earn its place in your bag the dress (and every item really!) has to be lightweight and easy to care for. This is where the fabric choice comes in. For example:

  • Cotton is heavy, retains odors, and takes forever to dry.
  • Linen is wonderful, but wrinkles can be frustrating.
  • Synthetics are very lightweight, but can retain odors.

For ease of care and sustainability we recommend choosing natural fibers such as bamboo, Tencel, and wool for your travel clothing.

Bamboo is quickly becoming a popular material for travel clothing. It’s sustainable and odor resistant.

Merino wool has a natural warmth and resiliency not found in other textiles. Merino sheep, bred originally in Spain, have ultrafine wool which doesn’t provoke the itchy reaction some people experience with wool. AND it’s naturally odor resistant. That means you can wear a merino wool item over and over again, with only an overnight airing out!

Best Women’s Travel Dresses: tested and recommended

  • Best Dress for Everyday Travel & Versatility – Wool& Merino Wool
  • Best Dresses for a Special Event While Traveling – Chico’s Travelers Collection
  • Best Convertible Dress (& Top) – Diane Kroe Origami
  • Best Dress for Sun Protection – Coolibar Travel Shirt Dress
  • Best of the Rest

Our Top Pick for General Travel & Versatility:

Best dresses for travel offer versatility and easy care.

Wool& Merino Wool Dresses

Rowena swing dress, price: $138 USD

  • Packability: 11 oz., wrinkle resistant.
  • Versatility: simple swing dress, but can be styled as a top or tunic
  • Ease of Care: fabric is 78% ultrasoft merino wool and 22% nylon
  • Quality: very well made
  • Comfort and Pleasure: temperature regulating, very comfortable, and has pockets!

I discovered Wool&, a small Oregon company producing merino wool clothing, through a Facebook ad. To prove the durability and natural odor resistance of merino wool, the company challenged people to wear their dress for 100 days straight. (I can’t imagine they expected this challenge to be so popular or to inspire an online community of women sharing the ups and downs of daily life over 100 days! No doubt the kindest group on social media!) Needless to say, given my interest in merino wool clothing, I was intrigued.

I base my capsule wardrobe on my favorite color, navy blue, so I opted for the Wool& signature item, the Rowena swing dress in marine blue. It’s a wonderful rich blue and I’m thrilled with the color. The dress has a boat neckline which is very flattering (and protective in the sunshine). As this is a swing dress, the body of the dress is loose, flowy, and flattering to my body shape. The material is light and lends itself to dozens of styling tricks and outfit ideas shared by the Facebook community. (There are many different colors available for this and other Wool& dresses)

My Wool& Review: Is this the best dress for traveling?

Styling a multiway travel dress as a tunic. Older woman in NYC

For the first month of the challenge, I played with the dress. I shopped my closet, pulling out long neglected items to pair with the dress. It was fun being creative with a simple piece of clothing, and truly surprising to pull out the dress each morning to find it as fresh as the day it arrived !

Then I got serious and began testing the dress for travel. I limited myself to a small capsule and worked on different outfits for different travel scenarios. First I wore the dress to my grandchild’s christening, and then another granddaughter’s lacrosse game. I wore it during zoom meetings, neighborhood clean-ups, and even for bike rides. The Wool& Rowena came through every time.

I had two opportunities to travel during this time – once to NYC for a fun weekend, and once to Texas for a sad event. The dress became my nightgown in Texas and gave me comfort.

Ease of Care: I aired out the dress every night – flipped it inside out and hung it over a bar. I sink-washed the dress six times and washed it in the washer once just to test durability. (I did use a lingerie bag) Day 100 the dress looked as fresh as on day 1.

Wool& offers several other travel dresses with pockets, including french terry dresses like the Sierra, a sleeveless option that’s very popular with travelers, the Everett, a tunic length sweater dress, and the Willow, a 3/4 sleeve swing dress with a V-neck.

Merino wool dresses are also offered by Icebreaker and Smartwool. Both brands produce quality goods so I’d feel confident ordering one of these if you find a style that suits you!

Amazon carries merino wool clothing at a more affordable price. I haven’t tried any of these so can’t speak to the quality. Let me know if you recommend them!

Best for a Special Event While Traveling

Chico's travelers collection includes many stylish dresses for travel all packable travel dresses.

Chico’s Travelers Collection – dresses

  • Price: ~$100-109 USD
  • Packability: wrinkle resistant
  • Versatility: n/a
  • Ease of Care: machine or sink wash
  • Fabric: 96% acetate, 4% elastane. From website: Our Travelers Classic collection contains Eastman Naia™, a sustainable cellulose fiber derived from wood pulp.
  • Comfort and Pleasure: stylish, and flattering. Fabric has a bit of stretch for extra comfort

These packable travel dresses would be perfect for date nights, a destination wedding or afternoon tea party . Chico’s designs these dresses for all but I think the dresses, with their simple lines and great style, appeal especially to mature women. I like the mid-length pencil skirt look, but Chico’s also has cocktail dresses.

I don’t own any of these gorgeous dresses above because I have another Chico’s dress, bought 10 years ago, that still looks great! It’s a floral print and always in my luggage if I want to add a beautiful dress to my bag!

Our Favorite Convertible Travel Dresses

Origami by Diane Kroe

Diane Kroe Origami travel dress. Best convertible dress for travel, truly a multiway travel dress

  • Price: $150 CAD
  • Packability: wrinkle resistant, but at 14.3 oz, not particularly lightweight
  • Versatility: converts to multiple new looks – dress, halter top, batwing top, skirt
  • Ease of Care: Dress is made from 92% poly and 8% spandex, so not a natural fabric, but it dries quickly and resists wrinkles.
  • Quality: well made in Canada
  • Comfort and Pleasure: stylish and extremely comfortable!

I’ve been a customer of Diane Kroe Designs for many years. I love the versatility of the collection. The Origami is one of my favorites. Usually I wear it as a top with skinny jeans or white pants, but I love having the option to wear it as a dress when traveling. This piece is great for older women travelers. The shape and drape are stylish and forgiving.

The main thing about convertible clothing is the style options while traveling. I’ve packed this dress specifically for special events but reached for it later in the trip as a light layer.

Best Dress for Sun Protection

Coolibar (Malta) Travel Shirt Dress –

Note: After first posting about this travel dress, the company kindly sent me one for review.

Price: $115 USD

Coolibar striped shirt dress for travel

  • Versatility: wear it as a shirt dress, an opened jacket, or tie the ends to make a cute button-down shirt.
  • Ease of Care: fabric is quick dry. Machine or hand wash in cold water,
  • Fabric: from the website: Antimicrobial fabric that is lightweight, breathable and soft to the touch. With 4-way stretch it is naturally wrinkle resistant and moisture wicking.
  • Comfort and Pleasure: a travel (and home!) classic style

What makes this a great choice? The Coolibar brand produces stylish clothing with sun protection – great for us older women! This shirt is rated UPF 50 and is breathable making it a great option for days of intense sun. The collar and cuffs can be adjusted to give maximum sun coverage.

Another great feature of the Malta is the hidden, zipped side pockets!

I was gifted the black version of the this dress. It is remarkably lightweight and cool. I wore it to a recent event – belted over leggings – and received lots of compliments!

Visit the Coolibar website for other dress styles for travel and sun protection .

Best of the rest: more suggestions for travel dresses

Athleta is one of my favorite brands for comfortable travel-friendly pants. I haven’t had the chance to try any of their dresses, but they offer several cute – short and sporty – dresses. You’ll find similar dresses at TitleNine.

For hard-working dresses suitable to many overseas trips check out Travelsmith, Magellan Travel Catalog, Lands End, L.L. Bean, and Orvis. These classic travel clothing companies will often have something that fits our easy-care, lightweight, wrinkle-free standards.

An option often offered in travel dresses is a reversible dress – pattern on one side and solid on the other. This might work for you, but I donated mine as it was too heavy. Some reversible dresses, like mine, are actually a two layer dress (a black sheath inside a patterned sheath). Thus the dress is heavier than a single layer dress.

A variant of the reversible dress that I do like is a dress with two necklines. Basically you can wear the dress back or front depending on the neckline you want. I love my Wool& Summer midi dress which has a high neckline and a v-neck neckline. This actually does give versatility to my travel wardrobe!

Have I convinced you to pack a dress for your travel?

Some last thoughts. The right dress can be endlessly useful during your travels. Wear it to a nice dinner? of course! But you can also wear it when you’re on a bus tour, for a hike in the mountains, and even sometimes as a workout tunic over exercise tights. (believe me. I’ve done it several times!)

Look in your closet first to see if there’s a dress that’ll be versatile, stylish, and easy care for your trip. If you need to buy a new dress find one that you can see wearing several times on your travels. Take some time before you leave to try the dress on, and play with accessories. That’s the best time to see if the dress deserves a place in your travel capsule wardrobe .

What do you think? Will a dress fit into your travel wardrobe?

Tip: for maximum comfort (and modesty) consider wearing leggings or bike shorts under your dress. I love my merino wool shorts by Wool& , Frankie Bike Shorts and Summit Shorts- both keep me fresh and comfortable and have pockets!

The best dresses for travel are lightweight, easy-care, and versatile. Choose merino wool for the ultimate travel dress. #travelstyle #traveldresses #merinowool ##womenoversixty

Amy Tull and Team

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  • Amy Tull and Team https://travelingtulls.com/author/gramma2chance/ The Best Sustainable Fabrics for Travel: A Step Towards Eco-Friendly Adventures
  • Amy Tull and Team https://travelingtulls.com/author/gramma2chance/ Best Time to Travel to Machu Picchu, Peru: a traveler’s guide (2024)

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10 thoughts on “ The best lightweight, easy-care women’s travel dresses ”

I’m about to embark on the Wool& 100 day challenge, and this post has me excited about all the possibilities! I’ve been interested in capsule wardrobes for a while. This might be my moment!

Oh my goodness! All the yesses!!!! I’ve done the challenge (in a Ro!) as well and am a full on convert to not only a merino wool fan but it has affirmed my love, desire, and need for a capsule wardrobe for every day and more.

I am finally getting to travel again soon and my Wool& dresses are all I’m planning on taking for core outfit pieces!

So, I have to ask, is the merino wool cool to wear? I am at the age where I am wearing t-shirts when everyone else is bundled up!

Yes! At least that’s my experience. The dress I purchased was long sleeved, and would not be ideal for a woman who’s usually hot. I have since purchased a sleeveless and short sleeved dress. Both wonderful on hot days.

Well I’ll definitely be reconsidering packing dresses in the future. Thanks!

🙂 Looking forward to seeing pictures of you in those dresses!

I’ve just purchased a SmartWool sleeveless dress for a trip to Italy, but don’t know about shoes. Was planning to take only athletic shoes for comfort but they don’t look good with the dress. Suggestions?

Loved your article and Wool&. What tool did you use to gather up the Rowena (one had the Rowena as a top, it looks as if it is plastic and round). Thanks for this article. I was looking for ways to elevate the styling of the dress.

Hi Joy, I use a scarf ring/loop I purchased from Amazon. I’m sure you can find one at a fabric store too!

Another trick you can use with either the scarf loop, or a smaller circular thing like a coin, is to place the loop either under or over the dress and gather the fabric around it with an elastic. It makes either a cute pucker or a button.

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Unbound Merino Travel Dress Review

We’re back with another Merino wool dress review! This time, we’ll explore the ins and outs of the  Unbound Merino Travel Dress .

I’m excited about this review because  Unbound Merino  has a best-in-class reputation in the men’s Merino clothing industry. However, it wasn’t until recently ( May 2022 ) that they offered women’s clothing.

And girl, was it worth the wait. They now have a wide selection of women’s Merino wool travel clothing; we are all in for it!

If you have seen any previous Merino wool Gear reviews, you know we like to dive deeply into our analysis. I’ll provide you with my ‘ Initial Thoughts ‘ on the dress, wear in various situations for three days, and even test it out in the laundry! Ultimately, I’ll provide my honest opinion on what I liked and what I think could be improved.

And since this dress is so new, I’ll do my best to provide you with all the information I can. That way, you’ll be able to determine whether or not you should add it to your closet.

Initial Thoughts

Features & specifications, three-day wear test, laundry test, one-year later, results: what i liked, areas to improve.

Disclosure: Merino Wool Gear DOES NOT sponsor products to maintain our genuineness and authenticity. However, as an Affiliate member, we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Opening the package from Unbound Merino was a joy for me. The dress was nicely wrapped in tissue paper labeled with an Unbound Merino sticker and placed in a slim carton box. So, if you want to give this dress as a gift, there’s no additional work!

Unbound Merino Travel Dress Packaging

When I first touched the dress, I noticed how light and soft the material felt. It’s thin yet durable, and I can tell the Merino wool is top-tier. Moreover, the seam construction is exceptional. All the seams look expertly stitched, and you can see a lot of craftsmanship in the design. The high-quality stitching and fabric give the impression that this dress will last long.

The style itself is straightforward and effortless. It’s simple but in the best way possible. The fit is loose and flowing, so it hides my body imperfections ( which I absolutely love ). The neckline is a shallow, modest cut that offers a casual yet elegant look. There is even an open seam on the leg which adds volume.

High Quality Seams in Green Merino Wool Dress

My initial concern with the dress design is the armhole depth. I have a petite frame ( 5’1″, athletic ), so my bra peeks through the sides. It won’t necessarily look the same on you, but just something to think about. Moreover, I prefer not to wear a bra. I usually use silicone nipple covers instead. So, this “ issue ” is not really an issue for me.

Since this is a brand new product, only two colors are available: black and forest green ( 2023 Update: this dress is now available in three colors: black, caramel, and indigo ) . I ordered the forest green, and I’m sure I made the right choice. The color is muted but rich. Moreover, the flowing fit creates deeper shades of green depending on the lighting.

I am delighted with how the dress feels and looks. I can’t wait to see how it holds up during the testing phase!

Merino Travel Dress Specification Infographic

Here’s the thing: this dress has no super special features, which is why I love it so much! It’s well-made, comfy, and stylish. That’s it. There’s no need for extra bells and whistles with a dress like this!

The only true feature to discuss is the material itself. Unbound Merino uses 18.5-micron Merino wool, which is why the material is so soft. Plus, they blended in small amounts of nylon and spandex to provide extra strength and stretch. Finally, the 180 gsm fabric is lightweight and breezy.

And because of the fabric weight, I’d classify this as a summer dress . It’s not my chicest dress, so I won’t wear it for high-end outings. However, it’s an excellent choice for a walk in a park, gardening, running errands, traveling, or even going to the beach.

Initial impressions are one thing, but can the Unbound Merino Travel Dress hold up to the rigors of daily life?

That’s where the Three-Day Wear test comes in. I’ll chronicle how this dress is held up in various situations so you can better understand how it may fit into your closet.

So, let’s put this dress to the test.

Initial impressions are one thing, but can the  Unbound Merino Travel Dress  hold up to the rigors of daily life? That’s where the Three-Day Wear test comes in. I’ll detail how this dress is held up in various situations –  with some different outfits  – so you can better understand how it may fit into your closet. So, let’s put this dress to the test.

To start my test, I decided to try this dress while running errands around town. I paired it with simple white sneakers for a more casual look. At first, I thought it looked a little too ‘ teenage-ish ‘ for a mom. However, there is just a minimalistic elegance to this outfit that’s more mature than not. It’s not fancy, but it tells others, ‘  I take care of myself. ‘

Women in a Green Wool Dress

Throughout the day, I barely noticed the dress. The cut is quite deep, but there wasn’t anything slipping out. Moreover, the side hem split made it easier to walk around. It was a lovely day overall, and there’s no doubt the dress contributed to that!

After a successful day-one test, it’s time to spice this dress up a bit! I opted for the gold chain belt, which looked great and helped to showcase my curves. The slides were also a nice touch and fit the style of the dress well. Moreover, the unique side hem split of the dress brought the entire look together!

Woman in green dress and gold belt

I decided to head out for brunch on a sunny day. The dress worked out perfectly, allowing for plenty of airflow and ventilation. However, I started to sweat after the sun was directly overhead. It could be because I had just finished my third mimosa, too.  Who knows?

It was a little chilly during the last day of my testing, but nothing that this dress couldn’t handle! I wore one of my favorite leather jackets, high-top black sneakers, and a simple crossbody bag ( which completed the look ). I was comfortable in temperatures down to 50 °F (10 °C) for short periods. And while most of this warmth came from the jacket, I could feel how the Merino wool aided insulation. It’s just one of its  many benefits!

Woman in black jacket and green dress

After three days of testing, this Unbound Merino Travel Dress passed with flying colors. It’s an excellent three-season dress that can be dressed down, up, or anywhere between. And the best part about it is that the dress  doesn’t smell  after three busy days!

And that is why I love Merino wool gear!

Truthfully, this dress doesn’t even have to go into the laundry after three days of wear. I’ve just been laying it flat ( it helps with wrinkles ) and airing it out. It’s just as fresh as when I opened the package.

Still, testing the fabric, stitching, and durability is essential. Unbound Merino provides a card with care instructions, or you can check out their site. It’s pretty simple; you want to avoid harsh chemicals and the dryer. That’s standard with most  Merino wool care .

So, after putting it through the laundry, I’m happy to say everything made it out good as new. There wasn’t any shrinkage, loose threads, or pilling, so that’s a win!

So, I originally planned on releasing this review a year ago, but while I was testing and writing, it went out of stock. So, instead of releasing it immediately, I decided to wait a year, wearing this dress even more! It made it to birthday parties, garage sales, the zoo, and more. My favorite time I wore the dress was relaxing at the beach with a sun hat to match.

From my twelve additional months of testing, I fully support this Unbound Merino Travel Dress . The seams and fabric have held up to multiple washes and can withstand everyday life’s rigors. And when you have a messy toddler, you never know what the day will throw at you!

After a year of wearing this dress, I can finally give you everything I like. Well, if I told you  everything , we might be here for a while. Instead, let’s stick with the three things I liked the most –  style, comfort, & affordability  – and expand on each.

It’s My New Go-To Dress!

This is my to-go dress. It’s for days when I don’t know what to wear cause I know I will feel comfortable and look good no matter what. It covers over half of my wardrobe and accessories, so I’m always excited to mix and match! In fact, I wear it around the house and yard so much that I’m afraid my neighbors may call me “ that woman in the green dress. “

It Feels Like A Second Skin!

I love this fabric. There’s something about it that’s so loose and flowy but also modest. There is always plenty of ventilation, so I rarely sweat. And it barely feels like I’m wearing anything at all!

Pro Tip: For some reason, I love throwing this dress on after a cool shower on a hot day. I know it’s weird, but it feels incredible!

It’s Actually Affordable!

Okay, okay, I get it. When you first see this dress’s price tag, you may think I’m crazy when I say it’s affordable, but hear me out. Since the design is so universal, the fabric is easy to care for, and the style is timeless, the Unbound Merino Dress replaces 4-5 dresses in your wardrobe. The material is so high-quality that it should stay fresh for years.

So, is this dress affordable in the traditional sense? No. But if you’re fine-tuning your wardrobe and living a simple lifestyle, it’s 100% worth every penny. Check below for this travel dress’s latest price.

Just like life, Merino wool clothing always has its ups and downs. And, with this Unbound Merino dress, while there were far more ups and downs, it’s still important to point out the latter so you can determine whether or not this dress works for you. In my testing experience, I found two areas I hope could improve:  color variety  &  overall availability . Let’s take a close look at each.

Color Selection

So, when I got this dress in the summer of 2022, there were only two options: olive & black . And since it was a new release then, I understood the narrow selection. However, a year later, there are only three color options: black, caramel, & indigo . Now, that’s not saying these colors aren’t great, but as a chronic shopper, the more color choices, the better!

Availability

Unfortunately, this dress is popular. So much so that many standard sizes sell out whenever there’s a restock. Luckily, Unbound Merino has an “ Email When Available ” option, so you don’t have to keep checking back every few weeks. Still, having a broader range of sizes and colors for general stock would be ideal.

Final Note About The Unbound Merino Travel Dress

Three Unbound Merino Dresses

Well, I hope you liked my complete Unbound Merino Travel Dress review. I tested it out for three days, threw it in the laundry, and wore it on and off for a year. This dress is a unique piece showcasing Merino wool’s versatility, especially in the travel industry. And if I were to give it a grade,  it would have to be an A . Let’s hope they release more colors ( my vote is for beige ) next season so I can get another one!

If you like this dress, check out more of Unbound Merino’s women’s travel collection . They have been in full swing for over a year and seemed to work out the initial kinks. All in all, their offerings are by far the best Merino wool clothing for travel.

And, if you’re looking to learn more about the world of Merino wool, poke around our site a bit. We do in-depth analyses, best-in-class reviews, brand spotlights, news, information, and more! All of it is centered around our favorite material: Merino wool!

Follow us on the socials below, or sign-up for our newsletter for the latest deals, discounts, and giveaways on all your favorite Merino wool gear. We always are open to new members joining our flock!

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Merino wool clothing is well known for keeping you warm in winter and lovely and cool in summer, and our Smitten merino wool dresses are no exception! Constructed from superfine merino fabric, they are lightweight, crush-proof knitted, fully machine washable, ideal for layering and perfect for travelling.

Wool Dresses for Winter Warmth & Summer Comfort

Merino wool breathes more than cotton to keep you cooler for longer. Wool also has the amazing quality to conserve heat to keep your body temperature regulated and warm in the cooler winter months. Our Smitten Merino sweater dresses and long and short-sleeved wool dresses are the perfect trans-seasonal item due to the flexibility and ability to layer as much, or as little, as needed for the changing climate.

Lightweight, machine washable, fashionable and easy to wear - our range of merino wool dresses will provide the best trans-seasonal and travel wardrobe you will ever need!

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The 16 Best Travel Dresses of 2024

Our top picks are elegant, versatile, and endlessly comfy.

merino travel dress

In This Article

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Travel + Leisure / Kristin Kempa

The best travel dresses make it easy to throw together outfits while allowing you to pack fewer pieces. They can be dressed up or down for casual, fancy, and professional occasions. You can wear them on travel days and, depending on the material, potentially multiple times during your trip — even without access to a washing machine.

We scoured the internet and checked our own closets to compile options for every style, season, and activity. From sophisticated shirt dresses, sweater dresses, and wraps to breezy sundresses, maxis, and sporty athleisure numbers, you'll find the perfect frock here.

Best Overall

Quince mongolian cashmere sleeveless midi sweater dress.

This endlessly versatile dress can be worn year-round, in any weather, and you can style it with various layers, outerwear, and shoes.

The brand recommends hand washing it and laying it flat to dry.

You can count on Quince for well-made wardrobe staples at accessible price points. The brand carries lots of high-quality, relatively low-maintenance cashmere pieces, like this travel-friendly dress. It features a sleeveless, midi-length cut and a fisherman sweater knitting pattern.

Suitable for all four seasons, this dress can be layered under a cardigan, blazer, jean jacket, or shawl, worn over a snug-fitting turtleneck or thin T-shirt, or rocked as-is in warm weather. It also pairs well with various shoe styles, including boots, sandals, flats, block heels, and wedges.

Since cashmere (a type of wool sourced from goats) is naturally odor-resistant, you can wear this dress more than once between washes — and pack fewer items for your trip. The soft, breathable material won't wrinkle or crease in your suitcase, either. But bear in mind hand washing is recommended.

The Details: XS to XL | Mongolian cashmere

Best Budget

Amazon essentials above-the-knee dress.

With a laidback athleisure style, this sweatshirt dress is great for daytime wear or hanging out at your rental.

It doesn't have pockets.

If you're on a budget, look no further than Amazon. This affordable frock features a classic crew neckline, long sleeves, and an above-the-knee cut. The laidback style is essentially a sweatshirt dress, so consider wearing it with sneakers, slides, or another sporty sandal style. You can wear it en route to your destination, out and about during the day, or while padding around your vacation rental. We wish it had pockets, but for this price, we're not complaining.

The Details: XS to 2XL | Cotton, polyester

Best Size-inclusive

Skims long sleeve dress.

It comes in nine sizes, and the buttery fabric stretches to twice its size to ensure a fit every time.

Popular sizes and styles sell out frequently.

Skims is among today's most size-inclusive brands. Not only does this dress come in nine sizes (ranging from 2XS to 4X), but like other pieces from the Fits Everybody line, the unbelievably flexible, body-molding fabric stretches to double its size. Plus, it resists wrinkles and takes up minimal suitcase space. We also appreciate that the dress offers subtle shaping effects, cinching the waist and smoothing the arms and hips. Unfortunately, popular sizes and colors sell out frequently, but if you can snag this dress in your size, you won't regret it.

The Details: 2XS to 4X | Polyamide, elastane

Best Short-sleeve

Everlane short-sleeve dress.

The timeless, travel-ready Dream Dress can be dressed up or down and worn with several outerwear and footwear styles.

This style doesn't have pockets.

This timeless, elegant dress from Everlane is just the thing for your upcoming trip. It flaunts a mid-length A-line skirt, a semi-fitted bodice, and short sleeves that fall just above the elbows. You can dress it up or down, wear it day or night, and pair it with a wide range of outerwear and footwear styles — think loafers and a blazer, heeled boots and an overcoat, or flats and a denim jacket. This dress is also sustainably made with organic cotton and modal sourced from responsibly managed forests.

The Details: XS to XL | Organic cotton, modal, elastane

Best Long-sleeve

Nordstrom long sleeve shift sweatshirt dress.

This cozy, casual dress boasts a neoprene-like knit fabric that's warm but not overly heavy with wrinkle-resistant stretch.

It may not be as breathable as natural weaves.

We stand behind Nordstrom's own brand for high-quality pieces that aren't exorbitantly expensive. Case in point: this thoughtfully designed long-sleeve number. This dress features a relaxed shift silhouette, a jewel neckline, a midi-length cut with side slits, and handy pockets that are clutch for travel. The neoprene-like sweatshirt material is thick and cozy but not too heavy. And it has some stretch to it, which helps prevent wrinkles and enhances the overall comfort.

The Details: 2XS to 2XL | Polyester, rayon, spandex

Best Sleeveless

Unbound merino travel dress.

The aptly named Travel Dress is a layerable, three-season wardrobe basic that can be worn multiple times between washes.

The material may pill over time.

Unbound Merino's Travel Dress is crafted mostly from merino wool, with a touch of nylon and spandex for extra stretch and durability. As a naturally antimicrobial textile, wool repels bacteria that cause body odor, so you can wear it multiple times between washes. This makes it ideal for travel, as you can pack fewer outfits. Less frequent washing will also help prevent the material from pilling. Though the sleeveless style is a go-to for warm climates, you can also wear it in transitional weather with the right layers and accessories.

The Details: XS to XL | Merino wool, nylon, spandex

Maeve Sweater Dress

Anthropologie

The 1960s-esque Annalise Dress is flirty yet sophisticated and suitable for year-round wear.

Hand washing is recommended.

We love this flirty yet sophisticated dress from Maeve. Reminiscent of go-go dresses from the 1960s, the Annalise has a modish mock neck, nearly elbow-length sleeves, a simple shift silhouette, and patch pockets. Though it's a mini cut, the weighty, sweater-inspired material and structured shape make it suitable for year-round wear. Whether you style it with tights and an overcoat or go bare-legged with heeled sandals, you'll be dressed to impress. The fabric should resist wrinkling, but you might consider hand washing to prevent pilling or misshaping the garment.

The Details: 2XS to XL | Viscose, polyester, nylon

Free People Essential Slim Midi

Free People

This effortless T-shirt dress is super stretchy and exceptionally soft, not to mention versatile, layerable, and packable.

You'll want to wash it by hand with cold water.

Free People makes our favorite calf-length option. The Essential Slim Midi is lightweight and stretchy with a super-soft, airy feel. This semi-slim (but not too tight) T-shirt dress works as a swimsuit cover-up, resort wear, or a casual daytime outfit. The effortless design goes with sneakers, slides, wedges, platform sandals, or flats. It doesn't have pockets, but it's wrinkle-resistant and easy to pack. Just a heads up, the brand recommends hand washing this dress with cold water.

The Details: XS to XL | Polyester, viscose, elastane

Anthropologie Maxi Dress

The easy-breezy Raya Dress is just the thing for beach days, hanging by the pool, going to lunch, or attending a music festival.

Since it's 100 percent cotton, it may shrink or wrinkle in the wash.

We also like Anthropologie's Raya Dress. This easy-breezy maxi is perfect for a day at the beach, pool, or resort, but you can also wear it out to lunch, while shopping, to the farmer's market, or to a music festival. Available in four pretty colorways, the colorblock design is modern and eye-catching without sacrificing versatility. This dress is 100 percent cotton, so you can bet it's breathable and moisture-wicking. That said, it might wrinkle or shrink slightly in the wash — Anthropologie recommends hand washing.

The Details: XS to 3XL | Cotton

Best T-shirt Dress

Allsaints short sleeve maxi dress.

With a boxy silhouette and sporty details, the Anna Maxi has a casually cool vibe you'll reach for again and again while traveling.

It may shrink slightly the first time you wash it.

T-shirt dresses are excellent for travel, as they're easy to style and offer a casually cool streetwear appeal for daytime ensembles. We like this one from AllSaints. The Anna Maxi features a simple, slightly boxy silhouette, a sporty crew neckline, short cuffed sleeves, and side pockets, plus a longer cut, which makes it more seasonless. Since this dress is 100 percent cotton (of the organic variety), it might shrink a little the first time you wash it.

The Details: 00 to 12 | Organic cotton

Best Shirt Dress

Aday something borrowed dress.

The modern design has sleek, pared-down details and a professional appeal that's still laidback enough for casual outings.

It's machine washable, but line drying is recommended.

This shirt dress from Aday will make you look put-together while minimizing your time curating outfits. It's made of what the brand calls "technical silk," a sumptuously smooth, stretchy, and wrinkle-proof blend of nylon and elastane. Instead of a traditional point collar and buttons, it features a simple Mandarin collar and hidden snap fastenings down the front for a sleeker, pared-down appeal — extra points for the pockets. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, you won't regret packing this professional-looking yet easygoing piece.

The Details: XS to XL | Nylon, elastane

Best Sweater Dress

Faherty jackson sweater dress.

Featuring a mid-weight knit fabric and preppy details, this sweater dress is soft, cozy, and suitable for multiple seasons.

Hand washing and air drying are recommended.

Faherty's Jackson Dress can be worn in the fall, winter, or spring. Balancing a laidback vibe with preppy details, the modest, collared design is suitable for business-casual settings and leisurely activities alike. It's soft and cozy, too, thanks to the mid-weight sweater-inspired knit material. Since the cotton is blended with synthetic yarns, this dress should resist wrinkling. Still, hand washing is recommended to preserve the material.

The Details: XS to 2XL | Cotton, polyester, nylon, elastane

Best With Pockets

Foreign fare wrap me up dress.

Foreign Fare

Made with travel in mind, this non-wrinkling dress has two side pockets and a hidden zipper section big enough to fit a smartphone or passport.

It'll fall below the knees on shorter people.

The Wrap Me Up Dress was designed with travel in mind. It's made of a durable, wrinkle-resistant blend of Tencel and polyester, so you won't have to worry about creases when packing it in a suitcase. The material is also breathable, soft, and slightly drapey, which complements the subtly flowy, A-line silhouette. Best of all, it has pockets: two on the sides and one hidden zipper pocket on the front seam where you can stash your phone, ID, passport, room key, cash, or cards.

The Details: XS to 2XL | Tencel, polyester

Best Athleisure

Athleta coaster luxe sweatshirt dress.

Made of a thick, stretchy material with thumb-hole sleeves and zippered pockets, the Coaster Luxe Dress has a practical, athletic appeal.

If you prefer a slightly longer cut, consider getting the tall fit.

Athleisure was once brushed off as a passing trend of the early aughts, but the practical, non-restricting clothing style is here to stay — and it's a go-to among travelers. Athleta's Coaster Luxe Dress is made of an ultra-soft and supremely stretchy brushed sweatshirt material that'll keep you cozy while resisting wrinkles and wicking away moisture. The zippered pockets are a much-appreciated detail. You can wear this sporty frock to and from your destination, to brunch, on daily walks, while sightseeing, out shopping, or just hanging out at your hotel or vacation rental.

The Details: 2XS to 3XL | Lyocell, polyester, lycra

Most Versatile

Marine layer short sleeve midi dress.

Marine Layer

This seasonless little black dress can be layered, accessorized, and styled many ways, no matter the weather.

It only comes in one color and doesn't have pockets.

The little black dress – but make it seasonless. Marine Layer reimagined its best-selling Lexi Dress (a midi-length, sleeveless style) with a slightly thicker fabric, then added a mock neck and above-the-elbow sleeves. The result is an incredibly versatile piece you can wear in winter, spring, summer, or fall. It's a stellar evening dress for warm climates and can be layered and accessorized for transitional weather. In the cold months, wear it with tights, boots, a cardigan, and a warm overcoat.

The Details: XS to XL | Tencel lyocell, spandex

Best Day-to-night

Modern citizen yimei mock-neck side-slit dress.

Modern Citizen

This wrap-inspired dress can be worn all day, whether you have brunch, shopping, a work meeting, or a networking event on your itinerary.

You can machine wash it on a delicate cycle, but let it air dry.

During the day, the Yimei Dress can be worn with sandals or flats while shopping, out to lunch, or to a work meeting. Then throw on heels and a blazer to transition your look to evening attire for happy hour, a dinner reservation, or a networking event. It's professional and elegant but not so fancy that you'll look out of place at more casual outings. We like that it looks like a wrap dress but doesn't require any wrapping, tying, or retightening throughout the day. What's more, the soft, stretchy fabric won't wrinkle in your suitcase or on your body.

The Details: XS to 2XL | Hemp, cotton, spandex

Tips for Buying Travel Dresses

Consider versatility.

The best travel dresses are versatile. This means they can be worn in multiple seasons in different climates, layered with other pieces, easily accessorized, and styled many ways. Ideally, you'll be able to wear the dress more than once on your trip (or at least day and night), so you don't have to pack as many outfits. With this in mind, look for mid-weight fabrics, medium lengths, odor-resistant materials, and neutral hues.

Think about care instructions

You should also consider the care requirements of your travel dresses. A machine washable design is ideal, especially if you'll have access to a washing machine on your trip. But even if a dress calls for hand washing, you can clean it in your hotel room (or anywhere with a sink) and let it air dry.

Sweat-wicking and odor-resistant materials like wool, cashmere, and some performance fabrics don't need to be washed after every use. This is great for travel dresses, as you can wear them multiple times and pack fewer clothing items in your suitcase.

A wrinkle-resistant dress made of a stretchy, durable material can be folded or rolled up compactly in a suitcase. However, more delicate pieces should be carefully folded and placed on top of your other items. In some cases, a garment bag might be necessary to protect the fabric and prevent a dress from wrinkling en route.

The best materials for travel dresses are stretchy, wrinkle-resistant, breathable, and sweat-wicking. Many fabrics and textile blends have these qualities. Natural materials like wool, cotton, and viscose tend to be the most breathable, and they keep odor-causing bacteria at bay. But they're not always as durable or flexible as their synthetic counterparts.

Tencel lyocell and modal are exceptions, as they're naturally derived and inherently stretchy. Travel-friendly synthetic fibers include polyester, polyamide, elastane, nylon, lycra, and spandex.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure contributor Theresa Holland is a seasoned commerce writer specializing in travel, apparel, lifestyle, and shopping. She knows how to find the best pieces for any season and occasion and has personally tried items from several brands featured here. Some of her favorites include Quince, Athleta, Everlane, Skims, Nordstrom, Aday, and Unbound Merino.

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Height: 5'9" / Waist: 24.5" (Wearing size S)

Women's Merino Travel Dress

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merino travel dress

  • Slim fit - See Fit Guide
  • Product dimensions - See Measurements
  • 84% Merino wool, 12% nylon and 4% spandex
  • Ultra-fine 18.5 micron
  • Machine wash warm gentle turn garment inside out
  • Wash with like colors
  • Do not bleach
  • Lay flat to dry in shade
  • Iron in low temperature

Save $13 on a 2-Pack Instead

Women's 2 Pack // Merino Travel Dress

Women's 2 Pack // Merino Travel Dress

Hugs the arms and torso in all the right places. This contemporary cut skims the body for a streamlined fit that flatters your shape.

Classic Fit

Not too loose, not too snug — just straight cut through the chest and waist. Expect complete ease of movement and an everyday, modern fit.

Relaxed Fit

Looser fit with extra room in the chest and waist. Designed to sit away from the body for an easy, slightly oversized feel.

Boxy fit is a casual straight fit that is slightly cropped with a very subtle dropped shoulder.

Find the right size for you - See our measurements guide

Measuring guide

1 arm length.

Measure from the back of your neck to the top of your shoulder, then to your elbow and finally down to your wrist bone.

Measure under your arms around the widest part of your chest.

Place the measuring tape at your natural waist - above the hips at the narrowest part of your torso.

Measured around the fullest part of the hip, parallel to the floor.

merino travel dress

RETURNS & EXCHANGES

We make it easy for you to try — and fall in love with — Unbound Merino.

If for any reason a piece is not right for you (or you need a different size), send it back for free . It’s simple: just use our complimentary return shipping and prepaid labels to get it back to us fast.

You can return or exchange clothing purchased directly from unboundmerino.com as long as it is unworn, unwashed, and in the original condition in which it was delivered. We are happy to offer a full refund or exchange for any reason within 90 days from the ship date.

Please note that exchanges are subject to availability, and a refund will be processed if the product you requested is unavailable. All socks and underwear purchases are final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged for sanitary reasons. Shipping costs on the original order (including duties and taxes) are not refundable. Refunds are issued to the original payment method on the order, which may include gift cards if one was used.

Visit returns.unboundmerino.com to begin your return or exchange. Once you start a return or exchange, please note you have 28 days to ship the item back to us before the request expires. For orders delivered outside the US or Canada, we are unable to provide prepaid return labels at this time.

If you have any further questions, please contact us at [email protected]

merino travel dress

SIMPLE DRESS. EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCE.

  • Less washing with clothing that stays dry, clean and fresh.
  • Casual and versatile style with no flashy logos.
  • Dries really fast, keeping you comfortable.
  • Performs better than cotton and synthetics.
  • Pack less with our high performance Merino tees.

As featured in

Nature's miracle fabric.

Merino wool fibers allow it to wick moisture away from your skin, which ensures comfort and moisture management. Merino wool’s complex structure locks odor molecules within the fiber and only releases them on washing. This ensures Merino wool resists unpleasant odors often experienced with other fibers.

Perfect for packing

Fast drying, light & breathable.

merino travel dress

SOFTER THAN COTTON

This wool isn’t like your typical itchy sweater. We only use superfine Merino wool, resulting in a luxuriously silky soft shirt that’s lighter and much softer than the average Merino or cotton shirt.

merino travel dress

NATURAL AIRFLOW

With Merino, your body heat can pass through the space between our woven superfine fibers, regulating your body temperature and keeping you cool & comfortable.

READY TO GO WRINKLE RESISTANCE

A Merino wool fiber resembles a tight coiled spring, also called a crimp. Pull it and it will recoil back into shape every single time. You’ll never need to iron this shirt.

merino travel dress

You won’t have to wash this dress much at all. However, when it comes time for a refresh, simply add it to your load at the cool temperature setting and lay flat to dry and it will be good to go.

ABOUT OUR WOOL

  • Sustainably sourced from independent, mulesing-free wool farms in Australia.
  • Woolmark® certified Merino, adheres to the highest standards related to fibre content, performance, colour fastness and dimensional stability.
  • Tested to withstand the rigors of travel and continual use.
  • WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) certified production facilities.

merino travel dress

The material is the best Merino wool I have owned to date. Couldn’t be happier.

merino travel dress

Replacing my entire wardrobe. I can only say the hype is real.

merino travel dress

Can wear a dozen times without washing. Just hang on a hook to let sweat dry and it’s as good as new. This thing is magic.

merino travel dress

Perfect for Travel

YOU’LL PACK LIGHTER

With clothing that doesn’t smell after every use, you can pack less, allowing you to ditch the suitcase and travel with just a small backpack.

YOU’LL SAVE MONEY

These days, most airlines are going to charge you for anything other than a carry-on. Start packing lighter and doing less laundry, and save your money for the real experiences.

YOU’LL SAVE TIME

Never check luggage or worry about airports losing your stuff. With fewer but better clothes you’ll blaze through airports like a seasoned pro.

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Travel Fashion Girl

Ultimate Guide to the Best Merino Wool Brands for Women

FASHION , Travel Clothing

best-merino-wool-brands

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One of the absolute best fabrics for travel because of its superior warmth, functionality, and versatility, is merino wool which is a total must add to a capsule wardrobe. Our readers are sharing the best brands for merino wool , so check them out!

Best Merino Wool Clothing Brands

Table of contents.

Merino wool is an all-star travel fabric for good reason: It’s lightweight, temperature regulating, wrinkle-free, moisture-wicking, anti-odor, and designed to be re-worn without washing. It’ll totally change the packing game! 

If you’re ready to add some fabulous pieces to your travel arsenal, here are the merino wool best brands recommended by readers.

Top Merino Wool Brands for Women

These reader-favorite brands are specifically dedicated to making top-of-the-line merino wool clothing. You’ll find nothing but high-quality and travel-ready items below! 

best-merino-wool-brands

Wool& Rowena Swing Dress | Sizes XS-3X (Regular & Long)

Wool& makes merino wool clothing that works in all climates and for all kinds of activities. The brand’s pieces are casual yet polished and endlessly wearable, allowing for a minimal yet super-cute packing list. Readers love how easy everything is to style, how comfortable and well-fitting the pieces are, and that they come in both standard and plus sizes. 

While everything from their tanks to their cardigans to their pants is popular, readers especially love Wool&’s dresses . The Rowena swing Dress and the Ellie midi wrap dress both get rave reviews for their flattering and ultra-versatile looks and year-round wearability. 

Learn to pack like a pro with TFG’s signature packing lists in no time!

best-merino-wool-brands

Wool& Morgan V-Neck Tee | Sizes XS-3X

More reader-faves include the Axis midweight leggings that are perfectly snug yet stretchy, high-waisted, durable, and resist pilling. The Morgan v-neck tee is a cute basic, and the Aspen sweatshirt will keep you warm on chilly flights or brisk morning walks.

Discover our readers’ classic picks for the best t-shirts for travel !

best-merino-wool-brands

Unbound Merino Long Sleeve Crew | Sizes XS-XL

Unbound Merino

Blending classic style with top-notch function, Unbound Merino makes elevated clothing that can handle any kind of adventure! Their superfine, premium merino wool was designed for the wear and tear of travel. 

One TFG reader shares that she owns a lot of Unbound Merino and that their leggings , tees , and socks performed incredibly on a 38-day carry-on-only trip! She adds that it’s the softest merino wool she’s owned. 

best-merino-wool-brands

Unbound Merino Travel Dress | Sizes XS-XL

Readers frequently recommend Unbound Merino t-shirts for travel, as they’re well-tailored and can look chic with jeans and sporty with joggers — plus, they can be re-worn throughout your trip while looking and feeling fresh. 

Standout pieces include the V-neck t-shirt , leggings , travel midi dress , and long-sleeve crewneck tee . 

best-merino-wool-brands

ibex Tranquil Long Sleeve Pullover | Sizes XS-XL

For outdoor enthusiasts who need functional layers to keep them warm and cozy, ibex has it all. A lot of their pieces are sporty but cute, so you could wear them on hikes or dressed up for some casual sightseeing. Plus, the brand is committed to ethical sourcing and manufacturing and is climate-neutral! 

Readers highly recommend the ibex Woolies thermal top and thermal bottoms for cold travels because they fit great and will stay fresh throughout your whole trip. The Nomad joggers are another pair that are comfy for lounging, functional for hikes, and cute for casual outings!

best-merino-wool-brands

Wearing ibex Wool Aire Down Jacket , Bernardo Hooded Jacket paired with Zella Leggings and UGG Lorna Boots ( similar )

The 24 Hour short sleeve t-shirt is a great wardrobe staple, and the Tranquil sweatshirt is a simple layer that’ll go with everything. Another piece that I adore is the Wool Aire packable puffer jacket . It’s thin and lightweight but shockingly warm! 

On the hunt for a reliable, lightweight women’s jacket for travel? Here are our readers’ top picks!

best-merino-wool-brands

Icebreaker Merino 175 Everyday Thermal Leggings | Sizes XS-XL

Some of our readers’ absolute favorite merino wool pieces for cold weather come from Icebreaker . Dedicated to making sustainable and long-lasting performance wear, readers give rave reviews about the durability, function, and simple yet cute designs. One reader says her Icebreaker thermals felt super soft, kept her warm and dry, still felt fresh after multiple days of wear, and that the quality is fantastic! 

The 175 Everyday thermal leggings are a major reader favorite. A great base layer for frigid weather, these are lightweight and soft, with a contoured, slim fit for smooth layering. The slightly thicker 260 Tech thermal leggings are another pair that can be worn under jeans , ski pants , or solo! 

best-merino-wool-brands

Icebreaker Merino Granary Midi Tee Dress | Sizes XS-XL

Readers also love how breathable and cozy both the 175 Everyday crew thermal top and the Sphere II short-sleeve t-shirt are. Check out the Rye Granary dress , too, a baggy t-shirt-style dress that’s soft, cozy, and super versatile.

best-merino-wool-brands

Woolly Pro-Knit Cowl Neck | Sizes XS-XXL

Designed to tackle the great outdoors and whatever travel adventures you have planned, Woolly clothing is simple in design and outstanding in quality. Readers also love that Woolly is affordable and offers a great range from activewear to simple tees to underwear and socks ! 

Woolly’s legging is a top pick. They’re blended with a hint of elastane for extra flexibility, and readers say they feel amazing. The Pro-Knit cowl neck pullover is an adorable, lightweight option, with a long silhouette and warming thumbholes to keep you cozy. 

best-merino-wool-brands

Woolly Long Sleeve Crew | Sizes XS-XXL

Travelers say the long sleeve crew shirt is amazing for layering and can be worn as is for an active excursion or even a casual day in cooler weather. Readers also love Woolly underwear , claiming that it’s ultra-comfy, breathable, and ideal for travel. 

best-merino-wool-brands

Minus 33 Midweight Merino Wool Bottom | Sizes XS-XXXL (Regular, Petite, & Long)

Known for making cozy and functional gear for outdoor adventuring, Minus33 is a high-quality brand that aims to be as environmentally and socially conscious as possible. They offer clothing for virtually any adventure, whether hiking and camping , skiing, or even city sightseeing. Readers appreciate the brand’s simple designs that’ll always fit into a capsule wardrobe . 

TFG readers highlight the brand’s thermals, as they offer a wide range of weights including micro, lightweight, midweight, and expedition. These midweight thermal tops and midweight thermal bottoms are the most popular.

best-merino-wool-brands

Minus 33 Woolverino Sun Hoodie | Sizes XS-XXL

The Micro Weight quarter zip hoodie is a sleek and ultra-packable layering piece that can go sporty or be dressed up with jeans and ankle boots. Minus33’s socks come highly recommended, too, with a huge range of options for any activity. 

best-merino-wool-brands

Smartwool Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew | Sizes XS-XL

When merino wool is the topic of discussion, Smartwool is always raved about and strongly recommended for every type of travel. Smartwool stands out with its robust craftsmanship paired with bright colors and fun designs, adding some cheery warmth to your cold-weather travels. One reader says all of her socks are from Smartwool, while another says that they make the absolute best merino base layers . 

best-merino-wool-brands

Smartwool Larimer Light Cushion Crew Socks

Smartwool is most notably known for its awesome socks , with pairs designed for skiing, hiking, working out, and everyday wear. The Everyday light cushion no show socks and the Everyday Larimer light cushion crew socks are two of the most popular pairs. 

Smartwool’s merino wool thermals are also loved by readers, with the Classic base layer top and Classic base layer bottom being the favorites. Smartwool also offers cute and cozy beanies and adorable sweaters ! 

This is our essential list of the best travel clothing brands for women!

best-merino-wool-brands

Darn Tough Element Quarter Lightweight Sock

Socks can make or break your travel adventure, which is why so many readers depend on Darn Tough for the comfiest and most functional merino wool socks around. They’re definitely one of the best merino wool sock brands , and one reader agrees, sharing that nothing lasts as long as her Darn Tough socks! She says she’s been wearing them year-round for about 10 years and loves them for travel and hiking.

Oh, and they’re backed by an unconditional lifetime guarantee! Readers love the Element quarter running sock , with moisture-wicking properties and mesh to keep things cool and dry. 

best-merino-wool-brands

Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Sock

Their lightweight crew socks are super versatile, or if you want something a little thicker for your winter boots, readers adore Darn Tough’s comfy boot socks . The midweight hiker crew sock is another recommended pick, with a great amount of padding and a range of great colors and patterns to choose from. 

Top Brands With Merino Wool Collections

While the following brands aren’t exclusive to merino wool, readers swear by the high-quality and adventure-ready merino wool pieces from these awesome brands!  

best-merino-wool-brands

Terramar Merino Wool Thermal Pants | Sizes XS-XL

Terramar has made a name for itself in the TFG community for its outstanding thermal collection. While their silk thermals are super popular, readers have also raved about their merino wool pieces that are blended with microfibers to make them high-performance, soft as fleece, and super durable. 

The Thermawool Heavyweight thermal top and thermal bottoms are amazing in a range of cold temperatures. The brushed microfiber feel combined with flat seam construction to prevent chafing makes them beyond comfortable.

best-merino-wool-brands

Terramar Ultra Merino Wool Hat

Terramar also makes merino wool glove liners that are super lightweight yet protective and touchscreen compatible. Their midweight ultra merino wool beanie is another accessory that’s perfect for the sporty traveler. 

best-merino-wool-brands

Quince Australian Merino Wool Cable Sweater | Sizes XS-XL

Quince is a hugely popular brand among TFG readers, known for its high-quality, travel-friendly clothing at super affordable prices. Quince’s merino wool items are constantly recommended and praised for their softness, durability, and flattering fit. 

The brand’s merino wool cable sweater is warm yet breathable, with a chunky design and a relaxed fit that’ll style up any simple outfit! Wearers say it’s the perfect weight and easy to pack. For more layering options readers love, check out the ultra-chic merino wool half zip sweater and the cozy merino wool shirt jacket . 

best-merino-wool-brands

Quince Merino Wool Shirt Jacket | Sizes XS-XL

Quince also makes merino wool performance gear, including long sleeve base layer tops and short sleeve base layer tops , which get rave reviews for their comfort and affordable prices. They also offer amazing merino ankle socks , crew socks , and hiking socks !

best-merino-wool-brands

Allbirds Wool Runner 2

While they gained traction in the TFG community for their awesome merino wool sneakers, Allbirds also offers travel-friendly apparel and accessories that our readers love. This brand is all about sustainable manufacturing and incorporating natural fibers into its products, with Merino wool being one of them!

The Wool Runner sneakers are one of the most popular shoes on the blog, loved for their amazing support, durability, waterproof design, and merino wool blend that keeps them breathable and odor-resistant. One TFG reader says they’re super comfortable and are all she travels with! 

best-merino-wool-brands

Allbirds Anytime Soft Merino Tee | Sizes XS-3XL

If you prefer a slip-on shoe, check out the Wool loungers — they’re cozy, comfortable, and have a cute, minimalist look. The Anytime soft merino tee is the perfect basic for active days, and its long sleeve counterpart has your back on chillier trips. 

best-merino-wool-brands

Uniqlo Extra Fine Merino Turtleneck Sweater | Sizes XXS-XXL

When it comes to merino wool sweaters, readers are quick to recommend Uniqlo . This brand is known for making stylish, beautifully-tailored basics at affordable prices, and their popular sweaters are no different. One reader says merino wool from Uniqlo is great quality and will last for many years!

It doesn’t get more chic than Uniqlo’s extra fine merino turtleneck sweater , which is smooth and glossy, doesn’t pill, and is super easy to style. The similar merino crewneck sweater is just as polished and easy to pack.

best-merino-wool-brands

Uniqlo Extra Fine Merino Mock Neck Sweater | Sizes XXS-XXL

Another adorable sweater option is the half sleeve mock neck sweater with fine ribbing and a flattering cut. 

best-merino-wool-brands

Everlane Merino Wool Crewneck Sweater | Sizes XXS-XL

With timeless designs and high-quality construction, readers agree that Everlane clothing is long-lasting and forever chic without being overly trendy. The brand is also loved for its sustainable fabrics (including its regenerative-grown merino wool) and ethical manufacturing practices. It’s a frequently recommended brand within the TFG community, and its dreamy merino wool pieces stand out among the crowd.

The polished Good merino wool crewneck sweater makes a perfect cozy basic and layering piece for chilly adventures. Wearers say its relaxed, boxy cut is flattering and easy to style. It also comes in a mock neck version ! 

best-merino-wool-brands

Everlane Merino Turtleneck Dress | Sizes XXS-XL

Their merino wool cardigan is stunning, cozy, and super versatile, too. More gorgeous merino wool pieces include the cotton-merino turtleneck dress which is beyond chic, the ultrafine merino ribbed crew t-shirt that’s form-fitting and great for layering, and the luxurious Good merino wool beanie . 

best-merino-wool-brands

L.L. Bean Cresta High-Rise Slim Leg Pants | Sizes XS-XL

Consistently offering reliable basics for travel, L.L. Bean is a go-to brand for many readers. From base layers to sweaters, their merino wool pieces are durable, comfy, and cute! TFGs especially like them for outdoorsy adventures. 

The Cresta Midweight thermal top and thermal leggings come highly recommended. Made of 100% merino wool, they’re warming yet lightweight and breathable, and wearers say the slim, high-rise fit is perfect. 

best-merino-wool-brands

L.L. Bean Signature Camp Merino Wool Sweater | Sizes XS-XL

The Signature Camp merino wool sweater is beautiful with a classic cut and a deliciously soft feel. The Waterfowl quarter zip sweater is another cute option that’s a tad sportier but still has that flattering, feminine look. The brand’s simple merino wool and tencel blend long-sleeve t-shirts are great for active days. 

best-merino-wool-brands

Eileen Fisher Merino Jersey Turtleneck | Sizes XXS-3XL

Eileen Fisher

Eileen Fisher is a long-time favorite of TFGers, loved for its elegant and travel-friendly basics that are made from luxurious, natural fabrics. Their Regenerative + Responsible wool collection is not only stylish but also helps to restore grasslands in Patagonia and fight climate change. What’s not to love?! 

The Merino jersey turtleneck is streamlined and elevated, with plush fabric, a boxy fit, and rib trim. Their cropped mock neck sweater has a beautiful texture and looks amazing with high-waisted pants, whether dressed up or down. The merino jersey crew neck top is a winner, too. 

best-merino-wool-brands

Eileen Fisher Merino Thermal Rib Hat

If you’re looking for some warm layering pieces, definitely check out the fine merino cardigan , which has a long and flowy silhouette. And if you’re traveling somewhere cold, Eileen Fisher’s merino thermal beanie , scarf , and gloves have you covered! 

best-merino-wool-brands

AllSaints Gala Roll Neck Merino Sweater | Sizes XS-XXL

When it comes to modern, on-trend pieces that will instantly elevate any look, Allsaints totally delivers. This brand is particularly loved by readers for its dreamy collection of sweaters, including merino wool ones! And a major bonus — Allsaints’ wool is responsibly sourced.

The Gala roll neck relaxed merino sweater is a long, slouchy number with deep side slits and a turtleneck. Cute with everything from leggings to jeans to trousers, this 100% merino top is a head-turner. And it’s warm and comfy! 

best-merino-wool-brands

All Saints Wasson Merino Waterfall Cardigan | Sizes XS-L

Slouchy sweaters give off that effortless, casually-cool vibe, and AllSaints does it right with another of their merino wool pieces, the wasson merino pirate cardigan is quite unique, with waterfall draping that you can tie at the front, and a soft, lightweight feel. 

Here’s a 10-step packing guide for a trip with mixed weather!

best-merino-wool-brands

Nordstrom Rib Merino Wool Sweater | Sizes XXS-XXL

The Nordstrom brand is always a go-to with TFG readers for quality, yet chic-classic basics. They always have fabulous merino wool sweaters in stock that readers say hold up amazingly well, fit great, and look beautiful. 

Nordstrom’s Organic cotton & merino wool sweater is the perfect lightweight and airy blend that’s great for year-round warmth. The crewneck will look great with just about anything, too! This chunky mock neck sweater , made from a functional merino wool blend, is another cute pick. 

best-merino-wool-brands

Caslon Merino Wool Blend Sweater | Sizes 1X-3X Plus

Caslon, which is a Nordstrom brand, also has a lot of great Merino wool pieces. The merino wool blend crewneck sweater (available in both standard and plus sizes!) has a simple, flattering cut and is offered in some fun, bright colors. It also comes in a v-neck version .

Best Merino Wool Brands Comparison Chart

best-merino-wool-brands

Compass Rose Carryon Packing Cubes

How to Pack Your Merino Wool Clothing

When you’re ready to travel with your newly purchased items, start with  packing cubes ; they will seriously change the way you pack! We designed our own brand of slim packing cubes, with a unique color and numbering system, so it’s easy to remember where you’ve packed everything. See more in the  video  below.

Learn our packing hacks with packing cubes in this video !

We also put together a  five-part YouTube series  showing the different methods to use packing cubes for travel. If you use  this  specific packing strategy, packing cubes can also compress your belongings. This method has helped many women travel carry-on only!

What do you thin k are the best merino wool brands out there? Sha re your thoughts with us below!

For more merino wool clothing, please read:

  • Best Merino Wool Sweaters for Women
  • Best Merino Wool Clothing for Women
  • Want the Best Merino Wool T-Shirt for Travel?
  • Best Merino Wool Leggings to Stay Warm

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The Best Merino Wool Clothing for Travel: Buyer’s Guide

Published December 19, 2023

Written by:

merino travel dress

Jessie Beck

Jessie is a writer, editor, and content marketer who covers travel gear and adventure travel. She’s called many places home...

Fred Perrotta

Fred Perrotta

Co-founder, tortuga.

Fred Perrotta is the co-founder and CEO of Tortuga. His first backpacking trip to Europe inspired him to start the...

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Jeremy Michael Cohen

Jeremy Michael Cohen is a co-founder of Tortuga. He also works as a screenwriter and director. Aside from travel and...

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The Tortuga Promise

At Tortuga, our mission is to make travel easier. Our advice and recommendations are based on years of travel experience. We only recommend products that we use on our own travels.

Table of Contents

Merino wool has been called “nature’s performance fabric.” A high-quality piece of merino wool clothing has the same—or even superior—benefits of technical apparel but is made from a natural fiber.

We consider merino wool one of the best fabrics for travel clothes because it works well across a range of temperatures, dries quickly, absorbs odors, and feels comfortable against the skin.

If you prefer natural fibers to synthetics, merino wool is a great choice for your travel wardrobe. Here at Tortuga, we’ve been merino wool fans for years. You’ll often find it on our backs and in our bags . When we polled our Instagram followers, 74% said that they wear merino wool when they travel.

You might be wondering what the merino hype is about and whether it’s worth its (often high) price point. We’ll start this article with more background on wool and why it’s great for travel. Then we’ll highlight the best merino wool brands and clothing items so that you can avoid the downsides of merino and make sure you’re getting good value for your money.

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What is Merino Wool?

Where does merino wool come from.

Merino wool comes from Merino sheep. This breed of sheep originated in Spain in the twelfth century before being brought to Australia in 1797 . Today most merino wool comes from sheep in Australia and New Zealand.

Wool is a broad term for any fabric made from the natural fibers that form the fleece of animals. Common types of wool come from a variety of animals, not just sheep. For example, all of the following fabrics are considered wool:

  • Alpaca (from alpacas)
  • Angora (from rabbits)
  • Camel hair (from camels)
  • Cashmere (from goats)
  • Mohair (from goats)
  • Qiviut (from musk oxen)
  • Vicuña (from vicuñas)

Other types of wool—lambswool, melton, and shetland wool—are all made from sheep’s wool.

How is Merino Different from Other Wool?

Since merino wool comes from a specific breed of sheep, it’s different from other wool.

Like other types of wool, merino is moisture-wicking, breathable, and adaptable to different temperatures. Across all varieties, wool tends to be warm and water-resistant .

But not all wool is the same. Melton wool is perfect for a thick, heavy peacoat but would make for a terrible t-shirt.

Merino wool fibers make for great shirts because they are much finer than “regular” wool varieties. The finer fibers are made into yarn which is made into a roll of fabric. That final, merino wool fabric is both lighter and softer than other wool.

The diameter of a merino wool fiber is generally less than 22 microns in diameter. One micron is equal to one millionth of a meter . Merino fibers are 22 millionths of a meter across. Luxury, “ultra fine” merino can be as small as 17.5 microns. A human hair, for comparison, is 50-100 microns, up to 6x the diameter of finer merinos .

Merino Wool for Travel

Merino wool is a great travel fabric because it’s incredibly versatile. Every attribute that you need on the road happens to be a strength of merino wool.

  • Resists odors
  • Wicks moisture
  • Dries (relatively) quickly
  • Stays comfortable in any temperature
  • Feels (relatively) soft to the touch
  • Doesn’t wrinkle (much)
  • Is lightweight and easy to pack

Merino clothing is an investment, but you can easily get your money’s worth on a trip. Your merino wool clothes will work across a range of temperatures and will manage moisture well.

You can wear merino multiple times between washes without it stinking. People never believe merino’s anti-odor properties. They seem too good to be true.

Mac Bishop, the founder of Wool & Prince, wore the same merino wool button down for 100 days straight , without washing it, to prove how great merino’s anti-odor properties are. Now 200+ men and 13 women have completed the same 100 day challenge.

When you do need to wash your wool, just do a quick hand wash in the sink, and let it dry overnight.

When I’m packing for a trip , even trips of a week or more, I never bring more than three pairs of merino wool socks. I know that I’ll re-wear each pair at least two to three times and expect to wash them during the trip. You could travel indefinitely with one or two pairs of merino socks if you’re willing to go really minimal.

Finally, merino is lightweight and easy to pack. Despite its packability, I never pack my merino shirts because I’m always wearing one as my travel day outfit .

Merino wool is called “nature’s performance fabric” because it performs as well as most synthetic fabrics but is natural and sustainable.

Is Merino Wool Quick Dry?

Merino wool is naturally moisture-wicking and dries faster than cotton and other natural fabrics. However, merino won’t dry as quickly as synthetics fabrics like polyester.

When traveling, you’ll be able to wash your merino clothes at night and have a dry t-shirt or pair of socks by morning.

Merino wool’s water-resistance comes from its “scale” structure which gives it a performance advantage over the smoother fibers of cotton, silk, linen, and polyester. The difference in scale between the broad wool and fine wool in the image is the difference between a rough wool sweater and a soft merino wool t-shirt.

merino travel dress

Is Merino Wool Warm?

Yes. Like other wools, merino is naturally temperature regulating.

Merino sheep can withstand temperatures ranging from -20 to +35 °C ( -4 to +95° F). 

Clothes made from merino wear well across a wide range of temperatures. Merino can be used as a base layer or outer layer in the winter or a t-shirt in the summer. The fabric comes in a range of weights, expressed in grams, so you can choose a heavier version if you need it for cold weather.

Are Merino Wool Clothes a Good Base Layer?

Yes. You can make almost any piece of clothing out of merino, but the fabric’s strengths are most apparent in base layers like t-shirts, leggings, and socks.

One of wool’s superpowers—merino or otherwise—is that it acts as a cooling, sweat-wicking fabric in hot weather and a warm, heat-retaining fabric in cold weather. Merino is a versatile layer for most climates. Merino, of course, is thinner and less bulky than other wools, making it an excellent option as a base layer for  cold weather adventures .

You’ll commonly find merino in outdoor clothing, but these qualities also make it ideal for travel. Whether you want clothes that can go days without washing or simply the perfect tee to take with you on a  multi-climate trip,  merino wool is up for the challenge.

To maximize versatility, look for a “lightweight” top around 170-200 grams. This weight of fabric will be the most versatile for a variety of climates and will be more durable than a featherweight merino layer.

Merino Wool vs Cotton

Merino can’t compete with cotton on price. So why would you ever choose merino over cotton? Because merino dries faster, smells better (after wear), and is less wrinkly. Merino is an obvious winner over cotton for travel because it looks and smells great even after wearing it multiple times. Plus, it dries faster when you do wash it.

Merino Wool vs Polyester

Polyester, and other synthetics, were engineered to perform like the best natural fibers, including merino. Polyester dries faster, never wrinkles, and wicks moisture even better than merino. But merino is far superior in odor management. Synthetic fabrics hold on to odors even after a single wear. You can even buy special detergents and treatments for synthetics for this reason. You won’t smell bad in merino, but you might stink in synthetics.

Additionally, merino wool is a natural, sustainable material. Merino sheep grow a new coat of wool every year. Polyester and other synthetics are made from petroleum.

merino travel dress

Disadvantages of Merino Wool

Now that we’ve covered what’s so great about merino, let’s quickly touch on the downsides of the fabric before discussing our favorite clothing items.

Merino wool isn’t cheap. One of our favorite brands, Outlier, sells a merino t-shirt for $120. Yes, one hundred and twenty dollars . Outlier is at the high end of prices, but even cheaper merino tees are $50 or more.

Making a garment with merino wool can use twice as much material compared to conventional wool. The fine fibers of merino require additional layering. We believe that the cost is justified for a natural, sustainable fabric like merino.

Merino wool is an investment. Don’t try to replace your entire closet all at once. Add one high-value piece at a time. We’ll cover the best quality and value brands below.

Two attributes justify the cost of “good” merino over cheap merino. The first is hand feel. Finer merino is more expensive but feels softer to the touch. The second is durability. We’ve tried cheap merino in the past. If you aren’t extremely delicate with it, your expensive clothes will be full of holes. Depending on the item, I usually prioritize durability over softness because the former is such a risk with the wrong merino.

Like most fabrics, merino comes in  different weights . Clothing made from a lighter weight merino will feel soft and more similar to a slightly coarse cotton jersey t-shirt than a sweater.

Pay for good quality wool or choose a cheaper synthetic. Cheap wool is the worst “value” you can find. You’ll pay more and get less than a cheaper poly blend shirt.

Merino wool blends—discussed below—can offset some of the durability issues.

To prolong the lifespan of your wool, take good care of it. We’ll cover how to wash merino wool clothing at the end of this article.

Is Merino Wool Itchy?

You might associate “wool” with “itchy” especially if you’ve ever owned a big, coarse wool sweater.

Merino wool is surprisingly soft for wool . Depending on the brand, your merino clothes will feel more like a cotton t-shirt than the wool sweater that you might be imagining. However, merino isn’t as smooth as a slick polyester fabric and can still feel a bit scratchier than cotton.

Natural fibers are a better option for most people. If you’re particularly sensitive to merino consider an outer layer for warmth rather than a “next to skin” base layer.

The finer the wool, the softer it will feel. However, finer wool is also less durable. The solution is a midweight wool or a blend.

Merino Wool Blends

Blending fibers can bring out the strengths of each while offsetting the respective weaknesses.

In socks, merino wool is often blended with lycra for elasticity and a snug fit. Clothing companies also blend merino with nylon or polyester for increased durability. A nylon blend is generally more durable but also more expensive than a polyester blend.

Blending in another material can improve merino’s performance. For example, by spinning merino around a core of nylon fibers, you’ll retain the benefits of having merino next to your skin but with improved durability from the nylon. Don’t assume the blended material is just “filler” to cut corners and reduce costs.

Some of the best brands use merino blends to maximize performance. We’ll cover those in the next section.

The Best Merino Wool Clothing

Not all merino is created equal. You’ll find a mix of 100% merino and merino-wool blends on the market at a wide range of prices and quality. I know because I’ve tried a lot of brands. I’ve bought merino socks that lasted me for years. But I’ve also bought shirts that looked like Swiss cheese after just a few wears.

Sometime in the last few years, the number of merino brands and clothing items has exploded. Many aren’t bringing anything new to the market. They’ve just figured out that you can change a lot of money for basics if they have “merino” in the name. Instead, we prefer to rely on the brands that have been around for years and proven themselves as well as the newer generation of brands bringing original ideas and high tech products to the market.

Merino Wool Socks

If you’re new to merino wool, start with socks. That’s how I got started.

Wool socks aren’t cheap, but you will get good value for your money. The best merino wool socks can last for years.

Socks are a good starting point because you’ll quickly see the benefits of merino: warmth and odor resistance. Seriously, smell your socks at the end of the day and see how long you can go before they smell and need washed. Give your socks a quick hand wash in the sink, let them dry overnight, and start the process over again the next day. I always pack socks with the assumption that I’ll rewear them two to three times and wash them (on longer trips).

Darn Tough merino wool socks

Darn Tough Socks

Darn Tough’s Made in the USA, merino blend socks are the best I’ve found in years of testing. You’ll find socks for men and women in a range of heights, underfoot cushioning, and fabric blends.

My preferred socks for fall and winter are the Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Socks for Men or Women ($24) made of a blend of wool, nylon, and spandex.

People Merino Wool Socks

People Socks

People Socks don’t have all the features or design options of fancier brands. But they perform about as well, last just as long, and are also made in the USA.

A pair of unisex People Socks will run you about $10, less than half what you’ll pay competitors.

Read the full buyer’s guide to travel socks .

Merino Wool Base Layers

You can make just about any clothing item out of merino wool. In addition to socks, wearing wool as a base layer is a great way to see the benefits especially when it comes to temperature regulation. You don’t need to buy something labeled specifically as a base layer. That’s often just a way to get you to spend more money on an ugly shirt.

Instead, buy basics that you can wear alone, in combination, or just as one of multiple layers in cold weather. You should feel just as happy wearing a merino tee on its own as under three layers.

We recommend packing to dress in layers . Wearing merino is a great way to pack less because it can be a warm fabric relative to its weight or thickness.

Merino Wool T-Shirts

After socks, tees should be your next base layer. While I’ve tested a lot of merino wool socks, I’ve tried even more t-shirts. Most have quickly snagged and become riddled with holes. The following are the brands that our team has found to stand up to repeat wears.

Men’s Merino Wool T-Shirts

Unbound Merino Wool Crew Neck T-Shirt

Unbound Merino T-Shirts

Unbound Merino has become my go-to for basics including short ($75) and long sleeve tees ($95). They’ve held up so far without any holes. As a bonus, they offer a nice stretch despite not including any spandex, which can wear out over time.

Western Rise StrongCore Merino Wool T-Shirt

Western Rise StrongCore Merino Tee

Western Rise has some of the best technical fabrics on the market including its StrongCore Merino Jersey which is a “core-spun nylon Merino fiber for increased strength.” The blend is made of 89% merino and 11% nylon for durability.

The StrongCore Merino Tee ($96) is the best showcase for this material.

Outlier Ultrafine Merino Cut One T-Shirt

Outlier Ultrafine Merino T-Shirt

Here’s the $120 t-shirt that we promised. While their prices are steep, Outlier delivers as a brand. Their Ultrafine Merino T-Shirt is made of 17.5 micron fibers for softness but weighs in at 195 gsm for greater durability and a better drape. Outlier’s merino tee is the softest that we’ve found.

Wool and Prince Crew Neck Tee

Wool & Prince 78/22 Crew Neck Tee

Wool & Prince sells a handful of tees in different weights and blends. We recommend their most popular: the 78/22 Crew Neck Tee , a 78% merino, 22% nylon blend that uses 17.5 micron fibers to strike the right balance of durability and softness.

Women’s Merino Wool T-Shirts

Wool and Stella Scoop Neck Tee

Wool& Stella Scoop Neck Tee

Wool& is the new-ish women ‘s brand from the same people behind the menswear brand Wool & Prince. While Wool& started with a dress, which we’ll get to below, they’ve also launched a basic t-shirt called the Stella Scoop Neck Tee ($78).

Woolly Women's Ultralight Tank Top

Woolly Ultralight Tank Top

Seattle-based Woolly makes high-quality merino clothes more accessible to those on a budget with their affordable basics. Everything is under $100 and some are even under $60.

The Women’s Ultralight Tank Top  ($40) is an affordable, easy-to-layer basic and a great addition to any warm weather travel wardrobe.

Read the full buyer’s guide to travel t-shirts .

Merino Wool Leggings

Like a good t-shirt, leggings can be worn alone or as a base layer depending on the weather.

Minus33 Women's Merino Wool Leggings

Minus33 Fanconia Women ‘s Bottom

All of Minus33’s outdoor-ready lines are sturdy, well-made, and fit well. The  Midweight Franconia Women’s Bottom  ($75) are 100% merino wool with a fabric weight of 235 grams, which means they’ll keep you warm on your cold weather travels.

Smartwool Women's Bottoms Merino Wool

Smartwool Women ‘s 250 Bottom

For a heavier weight option, try the Smartwool Women’s Merino 250 Base Layer Bottom ($100).

Smartwool is one of the classic merino wool brands, so you can trust them. Their Merino 250 fabric “offers breathable warmth, moves sweat away from the body, and provides next-to-skin comfort in colder conditions.”

Read the full buyer’s guide to travel leggings .

Merino Wool Underwear

Yes, people wear wool underwear. If you’re willing to try it, here are two boxer briefs for men to consider.

Wool and Prince Merino Wool Underwear Boxer Briefs

Wool & Prince Boxer Briefs

Developed with our friend and gear expert Eytan of Snark Nomad , Wool & Prince’s Boxer Briefs ($42) feature nylon for durability and spandex for stretch.

Most notably, they’re designed to stretch with your legs so that they never bunch up.

Western Rise StrongCore Merino Wool Boxer Briefs

Western Rise StrongCore Merino Boxer Briefs

Western Rise also uses their StrongCore fabric in Boxer Briefs ($58). These underwear are a blend of merino wool, nylon, and elastane.

Read the full buyer’s guide to travel underwear .

Merino Wool Hoodies

Hoodies are a perfect in-flight layer. They’ll keep you warm and have useful pockets. A stylish hoodie will also double as your outer layer when you’re at your destination. Upgrading to a merino wool hoodie will give a you good reason to finally stop wearing your ratty old college hoodie.

Unbound Merino Compact Travel Hoodie

Unbound Merino Compact Travel Hoodie

The  Unbound Compact Travel Hoodie  ($165) packs down to the size of a t-shirt and can last for weeks without needing a wash.

A great travel hoodie isn’t about tons of pockets and a bunch of gimmicky features (like some crowdfunded hoodies). The ideal travel hoodie packs down small, keeps you warm, and can last for weeks on the road. Superfine merino is even wrinkle-resistant, so you’ll look great even when stepping off an eight-hour flight.

Performance is key for long-haul travelers who go on extended trips across multiple climates.

Read the full buyer’s guide to travel hoodies .

Merino Wool Shirts

Most merino wool brands focus on basics like socks and tees. But high-quality wool has been used for years in dress clothes too. The best men’s suits are made of wool, of course.

Now there’s a new generation of technical apparel companies making wool button down shirts and dresses for work or casual wear.

Wool and Prince 130 Button Down Shirt

Wool & Prince Button-Down Shirts

Wool & Prince’s Button-Down Shirts ($128-148) are my favorite merino dress shirts. They come in different weights, colors, and patterns depending on your style. The W&P button downs are perfect for work trips or weddings because they look good, smell great, and won’t wrinkle, even if you’re pulling one out of your backpack.

For summer, try their wool, linen blend shirts ($118-128).

Western Rise Limitless Merino Wool Button Down Shirt

Western Rise Limitless Merino Button-Down

For something a bit more technical, Western Rise’s Limitless Merino Button-Down ($129) blends 53% merino wool with 47% polyester for easy care and a four-way stretch.

I’ve found a bit of stretch to be handy in a dress shirt. When your shirt is tucked in, you’ll have the full range of motion without having to worry about your shirt pulling up and either blousing out or becoming untucked.

Merino Wool Dresses

Wool& Rowena Merino Wool Swing Dress

Wool& Rowena Swing Dress

Wool& is the sister brand to Wool & Prince which we already highlighted in the t-shirt section above. But Wool& started with a single product: the wear-it-anywhere Rowena Swing Dress ($138). You can dress it up or down and yes, it has pockets.

For button down shirts, visit the  women’s section of Wool & Prince .

Read the full buyer’s guide to travel dresses .

Merino Wool Brands

Now that we’ve covered our product picks, let’s talk brands.

Our Instagram followers’ favorite merino wool brands, in order of votes, were:

  • Wool & Prince
  • Unbound Merino

The following brands also received at least one vote:

  • Ridge Merino
  • People’s Socks

We also recommend:

  • Western Rise

How to Wash Merino Wool

Check the care instructions on your garment first. The brands and products above are a mix of 100% merino wool and merino wool blends that are up to half polyester or nylon.

Treat merino gently. Even high-quality merino can be more delicate than synthetics or cotton. When merino is blended with polyester or nylon, the result is more durable and, therefore, easier to care for. But, in either case, you spent a lot of money on the clothes. Don’t overwash them and, when you do wash them, do so gently.

Wash your merino wool in cold water or use the delicates setting on your machine.

Lay your clothes flat to dry. A short tumble dry, especially on low or no heat, can help work out some wrinkles. But don’t leave your clothes in for long. Better to have to iron them than to have to replace them. On the road, hanging a merino piece near a steaming shower quickly gets out any wrinkles.

Fortunately, this level of care lends itself well to traveling. Hand washing merino will help to preserve it.

Do not send your expensive merino wool clothes to the wash and fold. Be careful laundering it in an industrial washing machine if you can’t control the temperature and time on the machine.

When caring for merino, less is more.

5 Tips for Maintaining Merino Wool Clothing While Traveling

To help you make the most of your merino wool clothing while traveling, we’ve gathered five top tips from founders and owners in the travel industry. From protecting your wool items with sealed bags to opting for lightweight pieces and avoiding wringing, these experts share their best advice on how to buy, clean, and maintain merino wool clothing on the go.

Protect Wool Items with Sealed Bags

Invest in quality and air out garments, spot-clean and use wool-specific detergent, choose ethically sourced wool and follow care instructions.

  • Opt for Lightweight Pieces and Avoid Wringing

When I travel with Merino wool, I keep the items in a sealed plastic bag. This way, it protects them against humidity and potential bugs. Also, if my items get wet, I dry them completely before storing them away. This keeps the Merino wool from smelling and will make it last longer. 

Finally, in many countries, you wash your clothes by going to the laundries. Here, I separate woolen items in a bag and explicitly tell the workers to wash the items separately and with delicate soap.

Josephine Remo Finderup , Founder, Josephine Remo’s Travel Site

Yes, I do travel with Merino wool clothing, and my top tip for buying, cleaning, and maintaining it while on the road is to invest in high-quality Merino wool pieces. I look for reputable brands known for their durability and versatility. 

With cleaning, Merino wool has a natural resistance to odors, so I try to air out my garments rather than washing them after every wear. When I do need to wash them, I use a gentle detergent and hand-wash in cold water to maintain their softness and shape. I also roll my Merino wool items in a towel to remove excess water and then lay them flat to dry, avoiding stretching or misshaping.

For maintenance, I ensure I have a small repair kit on hand for any minor snags or loose threads. Merino wool clothing can be a fantastic asset for travelers, as it’s comfortable, stylish, and easy to care for, making it a smart choice for a variety of professional settings.

Luis Manzano , Founder, OKLanzarote

Yes, I frequently travel with merino-wool clothing. My top tip for buying, cleaning, and maintaining merino-wool clothing while traveling is to invest in high-quality pieces. Look for reputable brands known for their merino-wool products to ensure durability and performance. 

For cleaning, merino wool naturally resists odors and stains, so you don’t need to wash it frequently. Instead, air it out and spot-clean as needed to maintain freshness. When washing is necessary, use a gentle detergent specifically designed for wool, and opt for hand-washing or a delicate cycle in cold water. Always follow care instructions on the garment’s label to prolong its lifespan and performance.

Tim White , Founder, milepro

Traveling with merino wool clothing is a smart choice because of its versatility, odor resistance, and moisture-wicking properties. 

One top tip for buying, cleaning, and maintaining merino wool clothing while traveling is to invest in high-quality, ethically sourced merino wool products. Look for reputable brands that prioritize sustainability and ethical production practices. When cleaning, follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer, which often include hand washing with a gentle wool detergent or using a washing machine on a delicate cycle with cold water. Avoid using fabric softeners or harsh detergents that can damage the fibers. 

To dry, gently squeeze out excess water and lay the garment flat on a towel to air dry. Merino wool clothing can last a long time with proper care, making it a valuable addition to your travel wardrobe.

Jim Campbell , Owner, Honeymoons

Is Merino Wool Worth It?

Yes. I consider myself a minimalist and am always on the hunt for the best performing clothes, especially for my travel wardrobe.

I want to pack as little as possible in my backpack while still looking and feeling good. I want to re-wear clothes without looking like I’m re-wearing clothes. I want to carry less than everyone else while still dressing better than everyone else.

Merino wool clothing is one way to do that. Treat your merino as an investment. Save up. Buy the good stuff.

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She now lives in San Francisco with her husband where she splits her time between traveling, adventuring outdoors, and cooking (okay, eating).

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Fred Perrotta is the co-founder and CEO of Tortuga. His first backpacking trip to Europe inspired him to start the company. For over a decade, he’s traveled the world from his home base in the Bay Area while working remotely. When he’s on the road, Fred enjoys both walking and eating as much as possible.

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Why These Merino Wool Clothes Are Perfect For Traveling

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In the current travel environment of increasingly crowded airports and frequent stories of lost baggage, packing light has become the catchphrase of the day. With travel blogs and online fashion pages full of reasons to carry on only, one product has come up again and again as a way to help get there: Merino wool.

According to the experts, Merino wool products are soft, comfortable, versatile, and can be worn again and again without laundering. Sweaters, T-shirts, and dresses made of fine Merino wool are said to be the stars of suitcases on travels around the world.

While packing light has always been a goal for me, it has become even more imperative in the recent travel climate. I was so intrigued by the stories of how Merino wool pieces could do double and triple duty in a travel wardrobe that I had been actively searching for items to try.

So, I was pleased when the TravelAwaits team reached out to me recently with an offer to try out and review a Merino wool product from Unbound Merino , a company that is known for its understated and timeless T-shirts, tank tops, sweaters, leggings, dresses, and scarves.

With versatility in mind, I chose a classic black, boxy T-shirt . Since I received the shirt, I have been virtually living in it. I’ve worn it out to dinner, around the house, and on two hikes. So far, I have to say the stories have been holding true: It’s soft (not itchy at all), cute, and comfy.

Unbound Merino wool sheep

What Is Merino Wool?

Forget your memories of bulky, itchy wool sweaters. Merino wool is not that! A quick online search will turn up numerous descriptions of Merino wool as a superfine fiber that is produced by a breed of domestic sheep originating in Spain.

The Unbound Merino website describes Merino wool as a “miracle of nature” and notes that every fiber of the wool is naturally coated in lanolin, an organic antibacterial that provides a safeguard against mildew, mold, and odor.

Merino wool is known to be finer than regular wool — hence, the non-itchy feel. When I received my T-shirt, I was struck by how light it felt against my skin. The fabric also has a nice stretch to it, enhancing the feeling of comfort. 

Unbound Merino worn in warm climates

What Makes Merino Wool Perfect For Traveling?

I have a few standard goals when packing for an extended vacation: The pieces should be wrinkle-resistant, non-bulky, compatible with multiple other wardrobe items, and flattering. Merino wool products seem to check all of those boxes.

Unbound Merino emphasizes its travel-friendliness and calls its pieces “the ultimate travel hack.” Many of the people who post on online travel/fashion websites agree. I’ve read numerous posts in the past year about Merino wool being wrinkle-free right out of the bag. Merino fans also say the shirts and sweaters are equally compatible with casual jeans as they are dressed up with a skirt, jacket, and scarf.

Online posters also rave about their wool shirts being temperature-regulating and sweat-wicking, making them appropriate in both hot and cold climates. I haven’t been able to test my Unbound Merino T-shirt in hot weather yet, but I did wear it on a somewhat strenuous hike in 60-degree Fahrenheit weather in Northern Arizona, and it felt comfortable all along the way.

Another obvious travel benefit is the layering potential. Because my T-shirt is super light, it could easily be layered with an outer sweater or jacket. I’m looking forward to trying it on my upcoming trip to Seattle , where the forecast calls for alternating rain and sunshine.

Unbound Merino man and woman

Why Choose Unbound Merino?

Unbound Merino touts its versatility, high performance, and sustainability, and all of those qualities make it a good choice for Merino wool products.

On the sustainability front, Unbound notes, “Every year, Merino sheep grow a fleece that’s humanely sheared (and mulesing-free) with care — making our clothing all natural, biodegradable, and made from a sustainable and renewable resource.”

I also appreciate the classic style of the Unbound pieces. My one-pocket T-shirt has a slightly boxy fit, which I love, and hits just right at the waist so it can be worn either untucked or partially tucked.

There are numerous other stylish items to try as well. The men’s wear includes a range of tees, hoodies, polos, and sweaters, along with underwear, socks, and scarves. I especially loved the look of the men’s long-sleeve Merino crew , which has a classic sweater appearance and comes in a range of great colors including black, charcoal, navy, and Scottsdale or Sedona rust.

Unbound also has men’s travel pants , which are described as being ultra-light, stretchy, wrinkle-resistant, and super comfortable. The pants are made from machine-washable premium Italian wool and come in sandstone, slate gray, and black.

In women’s fashion, Unbound offers a range of choices that include not just classic tees and sweaters, but dresses, tank tops, and hats and scarves as well.

Along with my boxy pocket tee, I also love the look of the Merino travel dress , a black sleeveless, below-the-knee dress that appears to be flattering on numerous body types. As the description notes, the dress could easily transition from comfy daytime wear to a nighttime ensemble by adding a few accessories and heels. The long-sleeve Merino crew also appears to be a great choice for cold weather, along with the Merino leggings .

I love a great scarf, and Unbound has a beautiful version in black, charcoal, and navy, as well as cute beanies, and a scarf + beanie bundle. The website is offering a range of holiday gift packs for both men and women that include nice selections of tees, long-sleeve shirts, leggings, and beanies.

Overall, I have loved my first foray into Merino wool. My Unbound tee is everything I look for in a shirt — great fit, luxurious feel, and versatility with virtually everything in my closet. It held up well to my hikes, and it also looked great at my dinner out in a nice restaurant. And maybe best of all for a travel item, after wearing it several times, my tee still seems fresh without laundering.

Based on my initial impression, I see my tee and other Unbound Merino wool items becoming staples of my travel wardrobe for years to come.

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Unbound Merino Review: Travel-Testing a Merino Wool Wardrobe [2023 UPDATE]

This is my detailed review of Unbound Merino’s new line of women’s merino wool travel clothing (plus one of their men’s merino t-shirts). Do they stand up to their claim of being practically all you need to pack for travel? And do they really look and smell good for weeks without washing? Here’s what I’ve found after months of wear.

If you’re planning to buy half a dozen t-shirts or wool sweaters this season, I’m pretty sure the founders of Unbound Merino would expect you to take your business elsewhere. But if you’re interested in just buying one high-quality merino t-shirt or sweater in the next several years , you’re probably the customer they’re looking for.

Of course, that’s just my opinion, but it’s based on meeting the brand’s co-founder, Dima, at a travel conference this spring. After a few conversations, I think his disdain for excessive consumerism might just be the most sustainable thing about Unbound Merino .

What was a merino clothing brand doing at a travel conference?

Well, Dima said they consider themselves a travel company at heart, because they want to encourage people to travel more minimally, pack less, wash less often – and then take those eco-friendly ideas back home with them.

[ Related: Here’s my entire guide to packing lighter , including the mindset tips to make it actually happen this time.]

And they really mean wash a lot less often. A blog post on their site describes one of the founders wearing the same merino t-shirt for 46 days on the road. Really?

At the conference, Dima was dressed from head to toe in the brand’s best-selling color: Black. Specifically, he was wearing a neat, cozy looking merino wool hoodie , and their new men’s merino travel pants .

That outfit, as it turned out, is about a quarter of his entire wardrobe .

He told me Unbound Merino’s goal is to encourage people to buy higher quality pieces of clothing and fewer of them – which is really the most sustainable possible approach to fashion.

I asked if that meant they had fewer seasons than most clothing brands, and he one-upped me. “We’re season-less.”

[ Related: This review of Unbound Merino’s wool travel clothing is now part of my series on sustainable clothing brands – find more brands here .]

Table of contents

Unbound merino’s philosophy: style without the push of fashion, that design makes unbound merino pieces a lot more multi-functional. and, after a lot of testing, it’s part of what’s made unbound my favorite merino wool travel clothing brand., travel styling ideas for the merino dress, how to keep your merino smelling & looking fresh, long-sleeve v-neck – important sizing notes, q: why does merino wool pill, active merino tank top review, merino leggings wear test, men’s sizing, synthetic vs. natural fibers, how to wash merino clothing (so it doesn’t shrink), remember, you can use the discount code tiltedmap for 10% off your first order from unbound merino .

You can use the discount code TILTEDMAP for 10% off your Unbound Merino order. (They make clothing in small lots that usually sell out within a few months, so they don’t often do additional sales beyond this discount.)

Note: 2023 Review Update

I published the first version of this review October 26, 2022. Unbound Merino has since made significant updates to their women’s line – so I fully updated this review in July, 2023 . I’ve now been wearing their original collection for about a year, and the new items for 4 months. That’s given me enough time for a realistic test, and what you’ll hopefully find to be a genuinely useful review of Unbound Merino’s travel clothing!

Traditional fashion companies have two annual seasons – spring/summer and fall/winter, so they market new designs twice a year. But now, many brands have four seasons. And fast-fashion companies come out with new designs every week . Yep, that’s 52 new seasons a year, to encourage us to drop by their stores continuously, buying as many cheap clothes as possible.

Unbound Merino does pretty much the opposite of that. They’re a very small , independent clothing company , founded and led by three friends in Toronto, Canada.

Don’t get me wrong – yes, they’re a clothing company that exists to sell things. But their ethos is based on discouraging over consumption.

And when you look at their clothes, it’s obvious that’s not just marketing fluff. They update their designs when something needs to be fixed – not based on a fashion calendar.

I asked Dima about this later by email. Here’s what he said:

“ The way we think about design is how our clothing solves problems in our customers lives, or what purpose the clothing would serve when traveling. We are seasonless, but we still think about releases in terms of practicality – warmer layers in colder months, etc.”

The three founders of Unbound Merino, a small business that makes sustainably-produced wool clothing.

Unbound Merino is the first clothing brand I’ve reviewed on this blog. Here’s why:

Instead of focusing on sustainable clothing brands, I’ve always chosen to stick with products we use up and repurchase every couple of months – like shampoo (and shampoo bars ), refillable skincare , and toothpaste .

[ Related: Find all of my reviews of those and other sustainable essentials here .]

And I’m extremely picky with those products. But for clothing – something we certainly don’t need to buy more of every few months – I feel like my standards have to be even higher.

That’s because I don’t want to encourage buying extra stuff for no reason. Why? Because the fashion industry – especially fast fashion and excessive consumption of clothing – is a major contributor to climate change and other environmental problems.

Fashion causes more annual carbon emissions than all international flights and maritime shipping combined , according to Princeton University.

So moderation is key. We have to start buying less new stuff, including new clothing. Still, I’m not a saint who gets all her clothes second hand.

Yes, I went through a pandemic-induced Marie Kondo phase. I’ve moved to new cities five times in the past five years, so I do try to keep my possessions limited. And I’ve embraced the idea of quality over quantity, and become very picky about my clothing purchases.

But I still own far more shoes and clothing than anyone at Unbound Merino , would likely consider “minimal.” And that’s okay. It’s a process.

Less but Better

Since i still want to enjoy fashion, my compromise with the environment is seeking out good quality, long-lasting pieces from sustainable and socially responsible companies..

These are steps in the right direction:

  • Buy fewer items.
  • Shop second-hand before shopping new.
  • Focus on finding items you will truly enjoy, and be excited to wear (which makes #4 easier).
  • Repeat outfits more. Wear items for more days without a wash.
  • Take good care of your clothes , so that they will look good for longer.
  • Avoid buying synthetic materials, which cause microplastic pollution (and stink after minimal use), and go for natural fibers instead. (This also makes #4 easier.)
  • Buy new items from more sustainable and ethical clothing brand s.

There’s a world of difference between the good brands and the bad ones out there. That’s why Unbound Merino caught my eye at that travel conference, with their stylish, practical merino wool basics.

What I Packed for a 3-week Trip

When Unbound Merino launched its original women’s line in June of 2022, I thought I’d check the hype by travel-testing four staples from the women’s collection: The Merino Travel Dress , the women’s V-Neck T-Shirt , the Merino Muscle Tank , and the Merino Leggings .

(I also ordered a men’s merino t-shirt for my husband. If he can wear a t-shirt for weeks without it stinking, it would be quite the accomplishment. More on that below.)

I packed those four items – and not much else – on a couple of trips. The first was a week in Miami in August, and the second was three weeks traveling up the West Coast of the US and Canada. These clothes have now also survived – and frankly done an amazing job – on a bike trip in Italy , too!

A travel wardrobe spread out on a bed, mostly comprised of merino wool items from this review of Unbound Merino. ©KettiWilhelm2022

My wardrobe for three weeks on the West Coast in October: Black merino wool leggings , 1 pair of DL1961 jeans, black merino travel dress , green linen t-shirt, navy blue merino t-shirt , pink merino tank top , white pajama top, green hoodie made of recycled cashmere (from Everlane ), organic cotton short-sleeved sweater (from the Spanish sustainable clothing brand SKFK ), 10 pairs of underwear (in the packing cube), 2 belts.

Not pictured: Formal dress for a wedding, 3 pairs of shoes (black ankle boots, running shoes, and recycled, leopard-print sneakers ), 3 pairs of socks, lightweight down jacket.

These are my notes on how my merino travel clothes performed during those initial 4 weeks on the road, plus everything I’ve learned after another year of wearing more and more Unbound Merino.

Intro: Unbound Merino Women’s Clothing Line

While most merino clothing brands, like Icebreaker and Smartwool, are designed as outdoor wear (and heavy on logos), Unbound Merino goes for a more elegant look. (Without any logos at all, except stamped inside the tag-less collars.)

Although I have worn Unbound Merino clothes for lots of outdoor sports ( hiking in the Adirondacks and biking in Italy , to name a few). They transition from city to trail without a problem as far as performance and comfort, but I don’t want to travel looking like I’m always dressed for a hike.

[ Related: Some of these items also made my Baja California packing list – the final version, after I tested it on my UnCruise Baja trip . They were perfectly multi-purpose, from cocktail hours to desert trails.]

Review: The Merino Travel Dress

The merino wool travel dress was my favorite item from Unbound Merino right out of the box. (And shortly after I ordered mine, it was sold out for months, so I guess I’m not the only one who likes it!)

It’s back in stock now, and is their only women’s item that’s the same as last year, as described below.

The Merino Travel Dress the only dress Unbound Merino makes so far. It’s a simple, straight, loosely hanging, mid-length dress with a slit on the left side .

The slit comes to about mid-thigh, which is not as high as I thought it looked from the photos on the website. The dress is 44 inches long (112 cm) in all sizes, and the slit comes up 12 inches (30.5 cm) from the bottom hem.

It’s very easy to wear and looks great with a belt at the waist.

The blogger/reviewer, a white woman with short blond hair, wearing a sleeveless, black merino wool travel dress on a balcony in front of a mountain view on Vancouver Island. ©KettiWIlhelm2022

This dress isn’t all wool – it’s 84% merino , 12% nylon and 4% spandex, which gives it a little stretch and, in my experience, keeps it looking fresh even after traveling in it for 5 days straight – from travel days, to walks around Seattle and Vancouver, to dinners out at upscale restaurants.

Downside: I wish it had pockets. Other than that, I haven’t found much to complain about.

It’s super packable, doesn’t show wrinkles , and didn’t have any lingering smell even after many uses without washing it. (The five days in a row was part of that, but at that point, I’d already had it in my suitcase for two weeks, and had worn it a couple of times. It still looked perfectly good without a wash.)

For the way I travel – packing as light as I can, but still wanting to look stylish – this is a really versatile cut for a travel dress .

Add a belt at the waist to dress it up. (It would also work well with a low-slung hip belt.) Add a sweatshirt to dress it down during the day. For cool evenings, I used a waist belt and cropped sweater (my recycled cashmere hoodie that I bought from Everlane last year).

The length makes it work with ankle boots or taller boots, as well as sandals or flats. You can throw leggings on under it, and it’s just very soft and comfortable.

The blogger at an organic winery in Napa Valley, wearing the Unbound Merino travel dress and Rothy's sneakers made of recycled materials. ©KettiWilhelm2022

Review: Women’s Unbound Merino T-Shirts

I ordered Unbound Merino’s v-neck t-shirt in navy blue in a size small and found the fit just right. The cut widens out a bit at the hips, so I’d call it a pretty traditional fit. It’s not straight or boxy, but not super slim.

(If you’re looking for a cut that’s looser all over, check out the new Boxy Pocket T .)

It’s a perfect, good quality basic t-shirt. The merino fabric is extremely soft, and it really does stay smelling fresh a lot longer than any other t-shirt I’ve worn.

I did notice one small snag in the fabric pretty soon after I started wearing it. (This was in the original, lighter material from 2022.) I’m not sure where it came from, and I always wash my clothes in laundry bags for protection, so I doubt it was a laundry issue.

(More about how to wash merino wool below .)

UPDATE – Spring 2023:

The womens’ v-neck and crew neck t-shirts, as well as the long sleeve merino tops , are now back in stock with updated fabric and fits . The new fabric is slightly heavier than last year, at 190 GSM. It’s still 100% merino wool. (It’s now the same as the men’s t-shirt fabric. )

It still feels soft, light and comfortable, not thick at all, but it’s just a bit sturdier and resists snags better.

They’ve also added a new boxy-cut womens’ t-shirt , which I reviewed below.

And now, after also continuing to wear that first t-shirt for an entire year, the snag hasn’t grown into a hole or anything bigger – which is a testament to the quality. (And I haven’t found any other snags on any of our other pieces.) The t-shirt has also so far resisted pilling really well (same goes for the men’s t-shirt ).

The underarm of the women's merino t-shirt from Unbound Merino with a small snag in the fabric. ©KettiWilhelm2022

To get these smell-test results from your merino travel clothing, there’s basically just one rule to follow. Hang them neatly on a hanger or over a chair at night . This way your clothes air out, and stay smelling fresh for much longer. (Avoid hooks, as the material is so soft a hook could easily leave a mark, if not the beginning of a hole.)

To keep everything wrinkle-free, there are a couple of options. You can roll each individual piece of clothing , but I prefer using packing cubes to keep things organized and neatly folded. (Even after I dig around in my bag.) They really do work wonders. And I go carry-on only even when I’m traveling for several weeks, so I’ve really put them to the test!

Women’s Boxy Cut Merino T-Shirt

Along with the Unbound Active line , this t-shirt is the main addition to the Unbound Merino women’s line for 2023. Like their other merino t-shirts, this one is 100% merino wool . (Except for the bright white color, which is 56% merino, and 44% polyester. More on that below.)

The boxy t has a cute chest pocket , which means it looks identical to my favorite plain white travel t-shirt from Everlane . (In organic cotton.) It’s a little shorter than the other t shirts, but definitely far from a crop-top look. 

And I really put this shirt through the wringer this year. I packed mostly Unbound Merino on another three-week summer trip in to Europe . And I used the boxy t-shirt for everything from browsing museums in Milan, to mountain biking.

After wearing it for 4 days of a bike tour in Italy , it looked and smelled significantly better than the linen t-shirt I wore for just one day of biking.

Honestly, I couldn’t even make this kind of thing up, because even now that I’ve been wearing these clothes for more than a year, I was still shocked that it performed that well.

The review author wearing a navy blue Unbound Merino wool t-shirt while traveling in Italy, standing next to a medieval knight cutout in Fabriano, Italy. ©KettiWilhelm2023

Q: Why are the white T’s a merino- blend ?

I asked Unbound why their white t-shirts are a merino blend fabric , and they explained that’s it’s very difficult to get merino wool to that crisp, white-cotton-t-shirt kind of white, because that requires harsh chemical bleaching. (And if you bleached merino wool, it would strip the fabric of its natural performance.)

They said the polyester in their blend also adds additional strength and quick-drying capabilities to the fabric, which is a nice bonus.

My Merino-poly T-shirt Wear Test:

Okay, after testing my merino blend t-shirt for several weeks, I can’t say it lasts quite long between washes as the original, 100% merino shirts, but honestly it’s pretty darn close.

I still get at least five or more wears out of mine before I start noticing smelly pits. (The women’s v-neck in ivory is the white one I have.) It’s not the amazing three weeks of wear that I get out of the 100% merino tops, but it’s still much better than any other fabric!

The fabric also recovers really well. In Europe this summer, I was wearing my ivory v-neck almost every day, and eating a lot of gelato. Two days in row, I dribbled gelato down the front of my t-shirt , and two days in a row, I went to the backroom and blotted it out with a wet paper towel. It dried quickly and look absolutely fine after. 

In my ivory white Unbound Merino wool t-shirt in Prague, after a week of wearing the same travel t-shirt. ©KettiWilhelm2023

Review: Women’s Long-sleeve Merino Tops

I was really surprised by how much I love this top . It seemed so basic online, but I think it’s just perfect.

It’s so very soft and comfortable – it’s become all what I want to wear for every season besides mid-summer heat waves.

And of course, I literally did wear it for weeks at a time when I first got it this spring. (When I’m not traveling for work, I work from home so even extreme outfit repeating is easy to pull off.) Yet again, I managed to get at least 20 wears before it seemed borderline, and I decided it was time for a wash.

Sizes & Colors:

The sizing is a tiny bit more snug than short-sleeved T-shirts. 

Plus, the color: I have it in Moonlight Blue , and it’s a really beautiful shade. Bright enough to add some light to a dark day, but almost still feels like a neutral that could go with anything. Not overpowering, but definitely not boring. A perfect mix-and-match color for my travel wardrobe. 

Update: They’re not making the long-sleeve top in this color anymore, but it’s back in the V-neck version ! (They had it for a few months in the Merino Muscle Tank , but these colors change often.)

Speaking of that lovely blue in the V-neck option, watch out for the sizing on this one! The women’s long-sleeve v-neck is a “slim fit,” while the crew neck is a “straight cut.” The difference is huge!

I just ordered the slim v-neck, and luckily I carefully compared the product dimensions (Unbound Merino makes this easy – just click “size guide”). I ended up ordering the v-neck in a large, which had the most similar dimensions to my crew neck in a size small .

Reviews: Women’s Merino Wool Tank Tops

At first I was concerned that the fabric of the original (2022) merino muscle tank developed a bit of pilling very quickly – after just the first wash. But surprisingly, after using it for about four months, it actually improved .

(And their updates to the fabric for 2023 seem to have put a stop to it. Still, I’ll share what I learned about merino wool pilling when I started noticing it.)

I asked Unbound Merino about the pilling. Here’s what they said:

“ Pilling is a natural process that’s somewhat inherent in Merino wool fabric due to the fact that it’s a staple fibre . Generally, if pilling occurs, it’s because the shorter fibres are working their way to the surface of the fabric. Sometimes washing Merino with a coarser fabric like denim/jeans can help to remove some of those shorter fibres, so maybe that was the case with your tank.”

As I described below, I’m very careful with how I wash merino clothing , but I guess it was still enough to buff off some of the roughness.

Unbound Merino women's tank top with light pilling after the first wash. ©KettiWilhelm2022

And I still (after more than a year) haven’t found any pilling on my t-shirt or my husband’s – and they are slightly heavier fabrics from the original women’s muscle tank. (The men’s t-shirts are ultra-fine 17.5 micron, 190GSM, 100% merino wool . The updated women’s t-shirts for 2023 are the same. For more on what that means, see the end of of this article .)

Continuing the Smell Test:

While I was testing to see if any extra pilling would appear on my tank top , I wore this baby every single day for so long I lost track of how many days it had been. But we’re talking at least three or four weeks – in July and August, in Boston humidity, in an apartment with no air-conditioning.

Now it’s nearly November, and I’ve been wearing it under my sweaters almost daily – I think I’ve washed it twice since the summer . (I’m literally wearing the tank as I type this.)

Amazingly, it’s always started to look in need of a wash (a little tired and maybe dirty) before it started smelling at all. I’m really quite impressed.

(Again, following the tips above and letting things air out at night makes this possible.)

After months out of stock, the womens’ merino muscle tanks have been freshly restocked in new colors as of March, 2023.

Just like the t-shirts, they made some small improvements from last year. The fabric is slightly heavier than before (at 175 GSM instead of 150), but still lighter than the t-shirt fabric, and still 100% merino wool. I’ve been wearing the new version of the tank for months now, and I haven’t seen any pilling. So I think the slightly thicker fabric is a big improvement.

They’ve also added a new Active Merino Tank Top . It’s still 100% merino, but even lighter fabric at 165 GSM. (There’s a men’s version , also.) Details on that below.

Women’s Muscle Tank Sizing:

I ordered the merino tank top in a medium, and debated exchanging it for a small. It was a little on the loose side in the body, but surprisingly, it still fit well at the shoulder and arm holes without any gaping.

I think that’s a general feature of Unbound’s style: The shapes err on the side of loose and comfortable, as opposed to form-fitting.

( Details about Unbound Merino’s sizing are below .)

I ended up keeping the size medium and it works perfectly well. It keeps its shape, without stretching out between washes , so I’m happy with the size medium.

The merino tank top also makes a great base layer under other clothes, although if I were using it only for that purpose, I would have sized-down.

I also noticed from the 2022 “desert rose” tank top color that Unbound Merino’s lighter colors are a bit see-through . (And the rose color is very close to my exact skin tone. So I debated exchanging it for something darker, but the nude look actually really grew on me. I love it tucked into bright, patterned pants.)

The new muscle tank colors for 2023 are darker, so I don’t think there’ll be any risk of them being see-through.

As I mentioned above, Unbound Merino launched a new Unbound Active Merino line (both men’s and women’s) for 2023. I’ve been testing the women’s tank top and the updated leggings (below) for 4 months now, including through lots of travel. My thoughts:

The active tank has just a slightly snugger fit than the original Merino Muscle Tank (for the same size). Otherwise, the fit is very classic – it’s a nice sporty racerback. 

Details on the “Active Merino” Fabric:

The fabric is what’s really unique about the Active Merino collection , though: It’s still 100% merino wool , and slightly lighter than the other t-shirts and tanks, at 165 GSM. But it has a “cooling performance finish,” which they say makes it cool to the touch (and helps to cool you down during workouts). 

I’m not sure if I can say I really notice it cooling me down, but it definitely doesn’t heat me up! (And I would notice that.)

What I do notice that’s different: Even more wrinkle resistance. If it’s possible, I think the Active Merino pieces are even better for travel than everything else Unbound Merino makes. (Or just better for keeping your clothes looking sharper for longer.)

I’ve been wearing my Active Merino Tank out and about for summer travel in Europe, not just as workout wear, and it’s been perfect.

The finish also means you can tumble dry the Active Merino items , which is a big change. (Normally the dryer is a huge no-no for merino wool, as I explained below along with a couple of other notes about how to wash merino .)

Right now, the Active Tank comes in two colors: Unbound’s classic black , or course, and a very pretty shade that they call mauve, which I think is a bit tragic . I would call it more of a lilac , and it’s really lovely! 

I think Unbound excels at choosing colors that really flatter everyone . “Mauve,” for example is a color I would never order online – with my fair skin tone, I’d expect it to make me look washed out. But I actually find this shade really surprisingly beautiful and flattering.

Testing my Unbound Merino Active Merino wool tank top as part of my light-packing travel wardrobe in Europe. ©KettiWilhelm2023

Review: Unbound Merino Leggings

These high-waisted, merino wool leggings with a hidden pocket are my other favorite item from Unbound that’s been sold-out for months.

They definitely have a different feel from your average synthetic leggings. First, the material is extremely soft and flexible . To me, that makes them more comfortable than most leggings .

Like several other products above, Unbound Merino made significant updates to their leggings for 2023 . The fabric is now 68% merino wool , 22% nylon, and 10% spandex. (Instead of 96% merino wool and 4% spandex in the original design.)

I’m surprised I’m saying this, because I loved the original version, but Unbound Merino’s updated leggings are definitely an improvement. Because it contains a bit more polyester, the fabric is much more supportive , and it holds its shape better . 

The extra merino made their original merino leggings particularly soft and comfortable, and I liked that they used such a small amount of synthetic fiber. But I do think the update makes them more useful , and probably means you’ll need to wash them less . (There’s no saggy butt to be seen, even after I’ve been wearing the same yoga pants for weeks.)

Ketti Wilhelm, the travel blogger and author of this guide to buying train tickets in Europe, riding a train in Milan, Italy. ©KettiWilhelm2023

The New Fit & Feel:

Just like most of their products, the sizing for Unbound Merino’s leggings is pretty standard. The updated design for 2023 is true to size , or maybe just slightly looser than most leggings or yoga pants I’ve worn.

The original inseam length made these the longest pair of leggings I’d ever tried. (At least for regular, not tall, sizing.) With the 2023 update, Unbound has shortened the inseam by one inch (2.5 cm), which makes sense. I’m 5’8” (1.73 m) with long legs and a short torso, and the new leggings are still plenty long for me. 

The original design definitely didn’t have that compressive, “holds you in“ feeling, but the new version is a little more compressive. For me, the update is a happy medium between the really stomach-flattening effect that so many yoga pants seem to be aiming for, and the much softer feel.

This section is just as true for the original leggings as for the redesign:

Surprisingly, even though the material is very soft, these yoga pants hold their shape for a very long time – I’d estimate at least a dozen wears, and that’s after a lot of testing:

First, I wore them 4 days in a row, including through a few yoga classes, and didn’t notice any sagging. (Even more impressively, there was hardly any smell even at the crotch.)

The next phase was the travel test. I had my husband on Saggy Butt Monitoring duty, and it was only after three weeks wearing them for travel, hikes, and kayaking (totally about 12 wears), that he finally said they were starting to look a little droopy.

After wearing my leggings kayaking in San Francisco, there were obvious white marks all over them from the splashes of salt water. So I just rinsed out the legs in the sink without any soap. That took care of the salt water marks, and they were dry in the morning , but the waistband would have taken a bit longer to dry.

Being made of a natural fiber also makes these leggings much more breathable than normal synthetic ones. (The fact that I’ve been able to wear them to multiple yoga classes and that many days in a row without them starting to stink is pretty good evidence of what a difference that makes.)

Wearing my Unbound Merino leggings on a hike in San Francisco, in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. ©KettiWilhelm2022

The secret pocket

These merino leggings have one more interesting feature: A hidden pocket in the waistband, with a very well-hidden zipper .

It’s a generous size pocket , too. (The zipper opening is 4 inches (10 cm), but inside, the pocket widens out to about 5.5 inches (14 cm), and it’s 7 inches long (17 cm). It fits my iPhone 13 Pro in its sturdy case , which is not a small phone.) 

So I could use the pocket for my phone when going for a run or something like that, but it’s a little awkward for other uses given that the pocket is positioned at the back of the right hip. So it wouldn’t be comfortable to sit down with anything as large or bulky as a phone or keys in the pocket.

But if you’re using these leggings as travel pants, the pocket would be perfect for stashing some cash or a credit card .

The invisible zipper pocket on the Unbound Merino women's wool leggings. ©KettiWilhelm2022

Unbound Merino Sizing

I found the sizing to be pretty true-to-size, compared with other brands, or maybe just slightly oversized.

Unbound Merino recommends sizing down if you’re between sizes, and I’d definitely agree with that. Same goes if you want your clothes tight-fitting – you’ll probably want to go down a size or even two.

The cuts are very forgiving, and the fabric has a good amount of stretch. I also found that, while some merino wool clothing sort of softens up and gets looser between washes, the Unbound Merino pieces keep their shape quite well .

They also provide the actual dimensions of the garments , which I found very accurate and helpful for ordering the right size. (Just click “sizing guide” on any Unbound Merino product page.)

I just measured similar items in my closet that I like the fit of, and compared the measurements with Unbound’s dimensions. (I wish more brands would offer this information, so we could all avoid ordering and sending back the wrong sizes – such an unnecessary waste.)

And I ended up ordering everything in the sizes I would normally choose (smalls and mediums), which means they are quite true to size . (And I didn’t feel the need to order multiple sizes of any items.)

I was happy with the fits, but I think I could have easily sized down for most items and still been just fine. Even for the merino dress , which I ordered in a small, I could probably get away with an extra small without it being too tight.

(For reference, I have wider shoulders and pretty slim hips. And I generally like my clothes slim fitting, but not super tight.)

From what we can tell, Unbound Merino’s men’s sizing also seems to run true-to-size. (My husband has only tested the men’s v-neck t-shirt so far, and the size medium fits as expected.) They’re definitely not oversized , in the way that many US brands are for men’s styles.

And just like on the women’s side, the fact that Unbound shares the exact garment dimensions makes it easy to measure, compare, and order the right size the first time.

The reviewer's husband in an Unbound Merino t-shirt on Miami Beach in August. ©KettiWilhelm2022

Q: Is wool sustainable?

Whether you consider wool a sustainable material at all might depend on whether you consider any animal products sustainable. (Obviously, wool isn’t vegan – but vegan doesn’t necessarily mean sustainable, and vice-versa. It’s a lot more complex than that.)

There are several factors to understand when it comes to sustainable and ethical wool production – and there’s more to sustainable fashion than just the fabrics.

For starters, all of the factories producing Unbound Merino clothing are certified by WRAP ( Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production ).

That certification isn’t perfect , but it’s a start. What’s probably more meaningful is that I asked Unbound Merino about this, and they told me they personally visit their factories as often as twice a year.

Yes, Unbound Merino uses mulesing-free wool.

Unbound Merino sources all of its wool from independent farms in Australia that don’t practice mulesing , and are RWS-certified ( Responsible Wool Standard ).

Mulesing is basically cutting a bunch of skin off the backsides of sheep, theoretically to prevent health issues. But evidence shows mulesing isn’t even effective at that, as it leaves the poor animals with bloody, open wounds that can become infected. It’s quite barbaric, it’s obviously painful for the animals, and it’s the kind of thing that makes me understand why so many people look for vegan clothing.

The RWS certification also isn’t perfect , but at least it means that mulesing isn’t happening.

This is part of the reason that Unbound Merino isn’t cheap, and it’s a great example of why cheap isn’t always good.

Practices like mulesing are part of the race to the bottom – when unscrupulous companies just aim to produce as much as possible for the cheapest price, while squeezing everyone involved. (The planet, employees, and in this case, animals.)

That’s the material side.

And sustainable clothing is also about quality and quantity.

Perhaps the biggest factor in making clothing sustainable is how long you wear your items – and how few you buy. And everything about Unbound Merino is aimed at making a few pieces last a long time.

The other point that makes any kind of merino clothing inherently more sustainable is the fact that it’s a natural fiber.

Synthetic fabrics – polyester, nylon, etc. – are a major cause of marine microplastic pollution . Washing synthetic fabrics (especially in hot water) causes them to gradually break down and shed microfibers, which cause plastic pollution in waterways .

Merino wool, linen, and cotton also lose fibers in the wash, but they aren’t plastic fibers. (Polyester, and most other synthetic fabrics, are made of plastic.)

That’s one of the reasons I’m trying to only buy new clothing made of natural fibers. They also feel better on my skin and, as I’ve been saying throughout this review, smell better for longer, so they require less washing.

Be warned – like all wool fabrics, including merino and cashmere, Unbound Merino clothing can definitely shrink in hot water or in the dryer.

Wash in cold or cool, and dry naturally (no dryer at all!) and you should be able to keep your merino in shape and unshrunk.

And just like with any clothing, washing Unbound Merino items as little as possible, will keep them in good shape – and save water and energy.

I also wash most of my clothes in these laundry bags , which keep items from getting pulled around and stretched out in the washing machine. They’re great for keeping dirty clothes separate for travel, too, but…

Laundry Bags, Microfibers & Microplastics

…But unfortunately, those laundry bags are a synthetic material, which, again, means they’ll lose microfibers in the wash. That’s another reason to always wash with cool or cold water, as it minimizes the breakdown of fabrics, and the subsequent water pollution.

And that’s why I no longer buy new clothing made of synthetic fibers.

As for the synthetics I already own, I try to wash everything in this microplastic-filtering laundry bag .

(More about that in this section of my sustainable laundry review .)

I also found these zippered, organic cotton laundry bags , but they’re quite expensive. (Other washing bags I’ve found that are made of natural fibers usually have a drawstring closure, which is a pain to get open after washing.)

If you feel like you’ve read this before, that’s because those are the same laundry tips I always give for washing any clothing more sustainably. Not only do they save energy, but they keep any clothing in better shape for longer, allowing us to buy less. (Which is the biggest sustainability tip of all, and the thing that first drew me to the brand.)

(See more laundry tips from Unbound Merino here , along with some history on where merino wool actually comes from.)

Bottom Line

After wearing Unbound Merino for four months an entire year , the clothes definitely live up to their first promise – that they won’t stink after multiple wears, so you won’t need to wash them often .

I did find that our merino t-shirts (and my dress and leggings) stayed fresher for several days longer than other materials. But I couldn’t quite imagine going as many weeks as Unbound Merino claims without a wash.

For their second promise – that if you treat their clothes well, they won’t fall apart, so you won’t need to replace them often – I need at least another year to really be sure . (And you can expect an update here later.) But so far, I haven’t seen any red flags, and the quality of the materials and the sewing is obvious.

After all my testing so far, I think Unbound Merino is a great choice for merino wool travel clothing. The brand is high-quality, wrinkle-resistant, and has classic style. Are these factors you can only find from one brand? Of course not. You might be able to find them in your own closet, first.

But if you need new clothes, and want to transition to more natural fibers and higher-quality in your wardrobe, I think Unbound Merino is a great starting place. They’ve helped re-inspire me to pack lighter , and buy less in general. If they do the same for you, they’d be worth a try.

Before you go: If you’ve made it this far, you’d probably be interested in my detailed strategy and mindset hacks for packing lighter (including for weeks at a time). Unbound Merino is definitely part of it, but there’s a lot more to it!

And if you even want to give up the wheeled suitcase, here’s my review and comparison of the best travel backpacks !

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merino travel dress

I’m Ketti, a former journalist, originally from Montana, USA, who moved to China with a job teaching English, a side-hustle writing for magazines, and just one word of Mandarin. That turned into five years abroad, a Master's Degree in Sustainable Business & Energy, and a passion for finding more eco-friendly (and realistic) ways to travel and live. That's why I created Tilted Map – to share what I'm learning along the way!

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11 Comments

I loved this! Thanks for sharing your experience!

Hi, I found your page looking for reviews of Unbound Merino. I appreciate the apparent honesty that you show in your product reviews. While I like, if not love, Unbound Merino products (I own 8 of their items) I would like to emphasize that their customer service has been stellar. I’ve had problems with their Travel Hoodies in particular and they replaced one hoodie (the arm was sewn slightly crooked) without any questions. I was not even looking to get it replaced, I was just letting them know I was disappointed with the quality. The other issue I’ve had is my other Travel Hoodie (yes, I have two) is showing signs of fading and getting “splotchy” even though I’ve only washed it less than 7 times in 2.5 years. I’m pretty crazy about keeping my high end cloths in good condition by closely following the manufactures care instructions, so this is less than ideal wear considering the cost. I’m not going to stop buying Unbound Merino, but I thought you should have some honest feedback about the products.

Being a North Bay resident I was instantly drawn in by the GGB in one of your photos. After taking the time to read the article, I can say I appreciate your approach travel blog writing. I’m not a super adherent to “sustainable” anything, but my wife and I are stumbling toward being less of a “burden” and more of an ally of sustainability. Baby steps, as they say.

Hi Shannon,

Thanks so much for your feedback! I think it’s really important to be transparent with these things, especially when it comes to quality. I’m glad to hear you’ve such a good experience with Unbound’s customer service, and I have to say, I’m not surprised. They’ve been great to work with, and I’ve seen the progress and attention to detail as they’ve evolved their designs and fabrics year after year, so I’m glad that carries over to the customer side, as well.

And I’m totally with you in terms of “being less of a burden.” I think that’s a more than reasonable approach to sustainability, and it might actually make more people make effort (as opposed to preaching perfection). I’m impressed with your washing schedule, too – 7 times in 2.5 years is some serious re-use! Again, though, not surprised. I just wore one of my Unbound tops every day for 3 weeks before I realized it finally needed a wash. Most people just have a hard time breaking the over-washing habit.

Thanks for your comment and keep in touch! 🙂 Ketti

My experience with their products haven’t been great. I got a pack of three t-shirts and only wore them a few times before a hole formed. They’re soft and comfortable, but in my experience, they aren’t made for long-term wear. Not worth the price.

Customer service offered me a slight discount to buy a new shirt, but it didn’t make sense to pay more for something that wasn’t going to last. It’s a shame, because I followed this company for years waiting for the women’s line to come out thinking it would be my new go-to place for travel clothes.

I’m sorry to hear that, Kristin! And I’m surprised. When did you order from them? Because they’ve definitely made the women’s fabric sturdier since the launch last year. (The fabric is different in 2023, as I described above. And I also had a hole in one of my items from 2022 – again, details above, in case you hadn’t seen it. They told me it took them about 3 years to get their men’s line just right, so they expected some tweaking with the women’s, as well.)

Thanks for sharing! Ketti

It was from their launch. That’s great to hear that they’re getting better, but for as much as they are and if they know the earlier material doesn’t last, I would hope for a replacement in order to test the new version. As it stands, I can’t justify buying more.

They definitely are getting better! But I completely understand. I’ll tell you what, I’ll reach out to them about what you said and see if I have any sway at all. 🙂

– Ketti

Wow! That’s really kind of you. Thank you!

Hey Kristin! Of course, happy to help!

So I heard back from my contact at Unbound, who’s in charge of PR and marketing. She’s going to set you up with a replacement item. Watch your inbox for an intro email from me, so that you two can work out the details!

Have a good weekend! – Ketti

UPDATE: Your contact was great and kindly sent me a replacement. I haven’t had a chance to wear it yet, but the changes in the material make it feel more durable. I look forward to trying it out! Thanks again for your help.

Ah, that’s wonderful, and you’re so welcome! I’m glad to hear it worked out. Let me know how it goes with the new material!

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Best Merino Wool Travel Clothing – Where To Buy Merino Wool

We are not outdoorsy people, and when we travel, we don’t plan real adventurous activities. That’s why we never considered buying Merino wool travel clothes. I always imagined long johns, base layers, and hiking socks. We’ve never packed anything in this family.

Over the last few years, though, we’ve started to rely on wool clothing for travel, even for our city breaks. In this post, I share our tips on how to find the best Merino wool travel clothing for men and women. I also explain why this amazing fabric is great for travel clothes.

Included in this post are photos of us wearing various wool travel clothing. To learn more about individual pieces, just click the image. The images include recommendations for some of our favorite Merino wool clothing brands – brands that make clothing for travel and home. 

*This post contains compensated links. Find more info in my  DISCLAIMER . As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Our Favorite Companies For Merino Wool For Travel

  • Hands down Wool&Prince and Wool& , for everything from tees to cardigans to wool travel dresses and even underwear!
  • allbirds : I am in love with my wool dress shoes from allbirds. They also carry lightweight and sustainable wool sneakers and shoes for both men and women.
  • Isobaa carries more active clothing than everyday merino wool, but a lot of options for t-shirts, hoodies, and casual merino wool.
  • Smartwool is one of the OGs when it comes to wool clothing. Also a bit more outdoor and active but it a good selection.

merino wool travel clothing

Above: Wearing a short-sleeved henley and light-weight cardigan during a spring trip to Italy all from Wool& .

What Is Merino Wool Clothing?

wool& Charlie tank jumpsuit

Merino wool fabric is a natural fabric. Most of the  sheep  used for merino wool come from Australia and New Zealand. It’s the type of wool that comes from this particular breed of sheep that makes Merino different from regular wool.

Antimicrobial Clothing

Here’s the science part. The reason why we need to wash our clothes frequently is that odor-causing bacteria are transferred from our skin to our clothes (yuck). Antimicrobial clothes, though, prevent this from happening.

This means that you don’t have to wash the clothes as often as other fabrics. Some travel clothing is treated with chemicals to give it these properties.

Wool, though, has natural antimicrobial properties. Easy care travel clothes mean less washing to do during a trip.

Quick Air Dry Clothing

It also means that wool is a material that is quick-drying and it wicks away moisture. Here’s a little more science.

The outer layer and the inner base layer of the Merino fiber work together. The outer moisture wicking layer repels water, and the inner base layer absorbs water. That’s why it’s wicking and absorbing.

This is also why it’s a great fabric for both hot weather and cold weather. This is one of the reasons why I always associated Merino travel clothing with outdoor and adventure clothing more than typical travel clothing.

What’s So Great About Merino Wool Travel Clothing?

Wool& Merino wool tank top

Some of the reasons why merino wool is great for adventure clothing are also the reasons why it is a good fabric for travel in general. Here are just a few.

Even though merino wool can keep you warm, it’s less bulky than traditional wool, so it takes up less space in a suitcase.

The same goes for Merino wool accessories. Because of its odor-resistant qualities, you can pack two or three Merino wool tees instead of five or six cotton ones. You can wear them several times in one trip. 

This is a trend I’ve liked seeing – wool clothing is not just for adventure travelers. It can also be used for stylish travel clothes. It also means you don’t need to always wash clothing when traveling, even when traveling for a week or two.

We spent 12 days  traveling in Morocco . Eric brought four Merino wool shirts and never washed them. He smelled just as good on day 12 as on day 1. It’s a great way to save space when packing carry-on only  too. 

Best Merino Wool Travel Clothing - How To Buy Merino Wool

Above: Eric is wearing his wool travel t-shirt in Morocco from Wool&Prince.

Where To Buy Merino Wool 

Isobaa wool pullover

Some of the best travel clothing brands will carry a good amount of Merino wool as well. But, there are a handful of Merino wool clothing brands that specialize in outdoors, adventure, and travel clothing.

We’ve been wearing a lot of  Wool&Prince , which is one of the best wool clothing brands in our opinion.

I like them because their clothing is great for travel but doesn’t look like travel clothing. They also have an extensive line of women’s wool clothing through the Wool& line.

Wool Travel Clothing Brands

That’s been my biggest problem with travel clothing brands over the years. I always at least attempt to look like a local, or at least like someone who might be living in the city I am visiting.

For this reason, I never want to wear travel pants that zip off at the knee or other typical travel clothing. I want more stylish travel clothes. That’s why we like  Wool&Prince . When it comes to wool clothing brands, I like brands that I can wear while traveling and while at home.  

Some of the best travel clothes for men are produced by Merino wool brands. I will say, though, that a good number of Merino wool brands tend to carry a wider variety of men’s clothing than women’s clothing.

That’s why a lot of our recommended products are men’s rather than women’s. But, we have a few for women too.  Wool& , in particular, has increased its product line a lot since I started wearing their Merino travel dresses about four years ago.

Some other popular wool travel clothing brands include  Icebreaker , which tends to be known more for its adventure and outdoor clothing.

Although they’ve started to produce some regular everyday Merino clothing that can be perfect for travel.  Smartwool  is also great, particularly for wool socks and base layers.

merino travel dress

Above: Wearing my Isobaa sleeveless wool tank while running in Ireland

One of the newer Merino wool travel brands is  Isobaa . Their clothing is less adventurous than a typical travel clothing brand but is built for performance. I own one of their  Merino wool roll neck sweaters , which I love for winter in Ireland.

I also travel with their sleeveless top that is made for exercising. This is the true test. I can normally sweat in this shirt while running or kickboxing at least 4 or 5 times and it still smells good.

Okay, well, maybe not good, but passable. It’s also easy to wash in a sink and dries quickly.

The “baa” in the name is a reference to the sheep used to make the wool, and an adorable sheep logo features on most of their clothing items, including merino wool socks. 

Best Merino Wool Dresses

merino wool travel dress

Above: Wearing my Margo shift dress and leggings from Wool& and my allbirds wool ballet flats when traveling in Ireland.

Merino Wool Travel Dresses

It’s taken me a while to add dresses to my list of travel clothes for women. For a long time, I just thought they were impractical – like heels! But, now I find that dresses if you choose the right one, can be great options for travel wear for women. 

I currently own several wool travel dresses from Wool&, including Merino travel dresses for both warm and cold weather.

The company started with a handful of options and now offers more than a dozen different types, from sleeveless to long sleeve, from casual to more dressy, and many with pockets. I must have pockets in my travel dresses to carry my phone.

Wool& also updates their collection regularly, so several of the dresses I have are no longer available but have been replaced with even better options.

To be fair, the first dress I had of theirs I thought was a little too itchy, a typical concern for people wearing wool when traveling.

Now, though, their clothing has gotten so much better. The dresses are super soft. So much so that I wear them during the week for work because they are so soft!

Benefits Of Merino Dresses

When compared to other types of dresses, my Merino dresses are easy to pack. They don’t take up a ton of space in my carry-on luggage.

They don’t wrinkle. In fact, when putting together my Italy packing list , I know I would need to hang my merino wool dress.

It looked great every day. I also wore my long sleeve dress with leggings for four nights in a row when it was colder than I anticipated in Modena, and I never needed to wash it!

My Favorite Merino Wool Travel Dresses:

  • Margo shift dress : long sleeve, with pockets and a tailored fit so that it doesn’t feel baggy. The pockets are deep enough to carry my mobile phone. I pair this dress with wool travel leggings in colder weather.
  • Rowena swing dress : Long sleeve, with pickets, a more loose and flowing. I wore this while working from home for days on end as well as traveling with a denim jacket. I prefer the long version. Originally, I had the regular and found it a little too short above the knee.
  • Camellia tank dress : A perfect option for summer and warm-weather destinations. Also, with pockets!

Best Merino Wool Shirts For Travel For Men

merino wool button down shirt

Merino Wool Travel Shirts

The best Merino wool shirts for travel are ones that are both practical and presentable. We don’t like looking like bums when traveling.

Eric always travels with two or three Merino wool dress shirts depending on our destination and how long the trip is. Having casual wear like this has been a game changer.

The Merino wool dress shirts are perfect for layering in cooler weather, like in Ireland and Scotland . He also wears them for nicer dinners and Michelin Star meals.

Some of the options from Wool&Prince include more linen, which makes them perfect for warmer destinations as well.

Merino Wool T-Shirts

Wool& Prince Merino Wool Short Sleeve Henleys

Eric is officially a convert. He’s always traveled with a handful of regular tees and polo shirts when traveling.

They were always cotton or a cotton blend. Now, he travels with a selection of short-sleeve tee shirts and short-sleeved henleys, all made from merino wool.

I was shocked at how well his Merino wool t-shirts held up during a 2-week trip to Italy when we didn’t have access to a washing machine.

I became a convert in believing that these are the best Merino wool travel shirts – particularly because they still looked fresh without washing after several days.

For him, now, he thinks the best travel shirts are his  Merino wool t-shirts. I can’t complain because they take up less space and he can wear them more.

And I like him in v-neck T-shirts, so he still looks pretty stylish. Currently, he is traveling with three Wool&Prince Merino travel t-shirts . 

merino wool henley

Merino Wool Henley Shirts

merino wool henley

I first discovered henleys when I worked in retail decades ago. For Eric, though, they are a new discovery. He’s been really enjoying both his long-sleeved and his short-sleeved merino wool henley shirts from Wool&Prince.

They are a great way to have the comfort of a t-shirt with a little more style. They also make great layering pieces when traveling in the spring or fall. 

Check out the henley shirts Eric has from Wool&Prince  here . They are both merino wool and nylon blend. He’s also in love with his waffle henley from Wool&Prince, which he regularly wears during winter in Ireland.

These are probably some of the most multi-functional Merino travel shirts he owns. 

Eric’s Favorite Merino Wool Shirts For Travel:

  • V-neck t-shirts : Wool&Prince offers a variety of t-shirt options. Eric travels with a couple of v-neck Merino wool t-shirts. They are comfortable, and soft, and don’t need to be washed as much as cotton t-shirts. They also don’t tend to wrinkle as much so they come out of the suitcase looking nice.
  • Henleys : Merino wool henleys form the basis of Eric’s travel wardrobe now. He travels with a short-sleeve, a long-sleeve, and a waffle henley when traveling to cooler destinations. I like the henleys because they look a little more formal than the T-shirts making them more versatile when traveling.
  • Merino wool dress shirts : Eric has a few merino wool dress shirts, including a wool-linen blend for warmer destinations.

Best Merino Wool Shirts For Travel – For Women

merino wool cardigan for travel

Above: Wearing a long-sleeved wool t-shirt and cardigan , along with allbirds ballet flats in Italy.

Women’s Merino Shirts  

When we first started wearing wool travel clothing, I was jealous. There were so many more options for men than women. That’s starting to change, though.

Wool& used to specialize in merino wool dresses, but now they carry a full range of wool shirts, and I’ve tested out many of their options.

Similar to the options for men, I now travel with a Merino wool t-shirt, a short-sleeved henley, a lightweight cardigan, and a dress shirt.

I now have the same options as Eric, although he is a little disappointed that he no longer has the monopoly on henleys.

I am often surprised by just how many of these travel shirts I can get into my carry-on luggage. They don’t take up a lot of space and come straight out of the luggage wrinkle-free.

Again, they don’t need to be washed as much either, which is great when we are on the road for a week or more without access to a washing machine.

The wool cardigan, in particular, is one of my favorite pieces! It’s my go-to for long-haul flights because it can keep me warm without feeling bulky. It also takes up no space in the luggage!

My Favorite Merino Wool Shirts For Travel:

  • Long-sleeved t-shirt: This is a great base layer piece, particularly for colder destinations, but it takes up no space in the luggage, so a great addition.
  • Short-sleeved T-shirt: I only have one black Merino wool T-shirt, but I am going to replace all of my cotton T-shirts with wool ones soon. The wool t-shirts are super soft, don’t wrinkle, and are lightweight, even in hot weather climates.
  • Short-sleeved henley: I just love the way the henley looks. It’s more dressy than a T-shirt and flattering.
  • Reversible tank top : Another great layering piece, which works as both a crew neck and a v-neck.
  • Wool cardigan: I will never travel again without this cardigan! Flattering, lightweight, and doesn’t wrinkle, even when I jam it in my carry-on backpack at the airport.
  • Twill dress shirt: Good for layering in the sun, but also to dress up at night when I don’t want to wear one of my dresses.

Other options for Merino wool t-shirts for women include the Smartwool Merino Wool T-Shirt , Icebreaker Merino Women’s Everyday T-shirt , and Woolly Clothing Women’s Merino Wool V-Neck Tee Shirt . All of these are available on Amazon.

Other Merino Wool Travel Accessories

Isobaa wool sneakers

There are a few other Merino wool garments and accessories that could come in handy when traveling. Merino wool socks are great for travel, particularly when visiting extreme temperatures.

Like the other clothing, they wick away moisture and don’t get as smell as quickly as regular socks. Look for socks that are a blend of wool and lycra or spandex so that the socks conform to your feet. 

Merino Wool Socks

Merino Wool Socks For Travel

We’ve been testing out  Isobaa’s Merino wool travel socks  and love them. I was concerned about the wool being itchy, but the socks are super soft and not itchy at all.

Plus, they have the characteristic orange sheep logo on them, so they are adorable too. And, yes, now we are kind of wearing matching socks! 

The wool socks are a merino wool blend, which is why they are warm and soft. They are not thick so they fit well in my sneakers and winter boots. The wool socks are breathable, air dry quickly, and don’t need to be washed as frequently, making them great for travel. 

Merino Wool Travel Underwear

You will forgive us for not having a photo here, but Eric often travels with a couple of pairs of Merino travel underwear.

Now, I don’t ask him exactly how many wears he gets from his underwear without having to wash them, but let’s say they last longer than his cotton pairs.

He was concerned when he started wearing them that the Merino wool underwear would be itchy or too warm, particularly when traveling to places like Spain or Italy in the summer. But, thus far, they’ve been comfortable, so he’s a convert. Check out the Merino wool travel underwear Eric’s been wearing here .

Other Accessories

Another great accessory is a  Merino wool buff or Merino wool travel scarf .

I never leave home without at least one scarf for each trip. It’s one of the main things I pack for a  two-week trip , a city break, or longer-term travel.

When trying to pack light, a Merino wool buff or a Merino wool scarf can be a great alternative to a bulky wool or knit scarf, which takes up so much space. 

merino travel dress

Smartwool Women’s Merino Wool Socks

merino travel dress

likemary Merino Wool Oversize Muffler & Travel Scarf

merino travel dress

BUFF Lightweight Merino Wool Multifunctional Headwear

Some travelers also swear by Merino wool undergarments. This includes Merino wool underwear and women’s layering tanks. We haven’t tested these out yet but plan to soon.

Icebreaker makes some great Merino wool underwear for both men and women. Icebreaker also makes some women’s camis for layering. 

Merino Wool Washing Tips

Always check with the Merino wool brand you buy. I can offer recommendations on how to care for merino wool based on our experience and research. Each clothing brand, though, might have its own recommendations. 

For example, some brands suggest you only need to wash your shirts every 10 or 20 wears. Even underwear can last 5-10 wears.

Eric normally wears his t-shirts and henleys around 4 or 5 times. That has a lot to do with how long our trips are and that he does laundry when we are home, before the next trip.

Generally, the less frequent the washing, the longer the clothing will last. 

Merino wool can absorb about 30% of its weight in water. This means when you take it out of the washing machine it feels almost dry to the touch.

It feels a little strange and for the first few washes even smells a little different because there is natural lanolin. The lanolin acts like a wax-like coating. This is what helps it wick water away. This can take a little getting used to. 

How To Hand Wash Merino Wool Clothing When Traveling

If we have access to a washing machine when traveling, we will use it to wash our wool clothing only if we can control the temperature. We only wash our wool travel clothes with cold water.

I would not recommend just sending them out to any normal laundromat because you can’t control how they wash the clothes.

While in Morocco, for example, we sent other clothes out but waited to wash Eric’s wool clothes until he was home. 

You can hand wash merino wool in the sink when traveling. Turn the clothing inside out. Use warm but not hot water. Try to use a neutral soap. Definitely avoid fabric softeners that can reduce the effectiveness of the moisture-wicking properties of the wool.

Let the wool clothes soak for 10-15 minutes. Give it a quick rinse and you are done. It’s recommended to lay clothing flat so it retains its shape. We have hung all our Merino wool travel clothes because we don’t have the space to air dry them flat. It’s been fine.

Merino Wool Washing Pro Tip

If looking to wash your Merino travel clothing on the go, check out these  mild travel soap packets . At home, feel free to use a  special soap for merino wool  to help extend its life, but it might be a little more difficult to travel with a special wool detergent.

History Of Merino Wool

People started using Merino wool sheep for clothing back in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Although developed in  Spain , the breed mostly grows in Australia and New Zealand now.

Over time, the quality of wool clothes has improved and the fibers became more fine. 

One of the first high-fashion designers to make Merino clothing more palatable was actually Coco Chanel decades ago.

When it comes to merino wool clothing for travel, this natural fiber is used for more than sweaters. The fabric is used for dress shirts, t-shirts, pants, blazers, and even underwear. 

Is Merino Wool Itchy?  

This is why I first balked at the idea of wearing Merino for travel. To me, it doesn’t seem like the ideal travel fabric, particularly when I like to be comfortable when I travel. I just associated wool with itch. 

Remember there is a difference between wool and merino wool. Most wool is breathable and water-resistant. Merino wool, though, has a softer texture, is lighter in weight, and has finer fibers. This is why it is more comfortable to wear than a typical, itchy wool sweater. 

Merino wool is a much more fine fiber, which means it is not as itchy as traditional wool. It’s even  hypoallergenic . For people who react to unnatural or artificially produced fabric, it won’t be a problem.

I will say, though, that some of our Merino wool clothes were slightly itchy when we tried them on for the first time. But after one or two washings, they softened up a lot.

Benefits Of Wearing Merino Wool

This is why some of the best travel clothes are made of this wonder fabric. It is a body temperature regulating fabric. Wool can keep you cool when traveling to hot weather destinations.

It can also help keep you warm when visiting cold weather destinations. This is why for years merino wool has been recommended as a base layer for hikers, climbers, and outdoor enthusiasts. 

There’s a natural elasticity to Merino that helps the clothing to keep its shape over time. This is why wool clothing really is an investment.

Whereas a typical cotton or cotton blend t-shirt maybe lasts a year or two with regular wear, wool will last longer. As much as it is an investment, it can be one great investment to make if you know what to buy. 

Wool is also pretty wrinkle-resistant. There’s a bit of spring to the fabric that helps it to stay nice when traveling.

I will say when I pull my Merino travel dresses out of the suitcase, they look a little wrinkled. But, when I hang them up and when I wear them, they look great. 

Merino Wool For The Environment

There are also some environmental benefits to Merino wool clothing. Merino has natural sun protection built in. Natural wool can block over 90% of the sun’s harmful rays.

This also means that when you wear wool to warm destinations, you can use less sunblock. Less sunblock means fewer chemicals. 

Another way that wool is pretty cool is because merino wool is a natural and biodegradable fabric. Synthetic fibers can take decades to degrade in a landfill. Wool takes a fraction of that time.

Key Benefits Of Merino Wool:

In summary, these are the benefits of Merino clothing that make it so great for travel: 

  • Wrinkle-resistant
  • Body temperature regulating
  • Natural sun protection
  • Biodegradable
  • Odor-resistant
  • Long-lasting
  • Air Dry quickly
  • Moisture wicking

FAQS – MERINO WOOL CLOTHING FOR TRAVEL

Most wool, like typical lambswool, is breathable and water-resistant. Merino wool, though, has a softer texture, is lighter in weight, and has finer fibers. This is why it is more comfortable to wear than a typical, itchy wool sweater.

Merino is more quick-drying and more odor-resistant than cotton. Lighter-weight merino will feel more like a coarse cotton shirt than a typical wool sweater. Cotton is more breathable than merino. It does absorb sweat more, though. This means it can get smelly quicker. It requires more washing. And, it takes longer to dry. Try hand washing a cotton t-shirt in a hotel room sink and see how long it takes to dry. Merino is also a lot more durable in the long term. 

Synthetic materials take forever to degrade when they are finally thrown out. Merino wool takes less than a few years. Most important, synthetic materials tend to hold odors a lot more, meaning you have to wash them after every wear. But, synthetic fibers can be more quick-drying than merino, depending on how it is made.

Absolutely! I had a little sticker shock when I first saw the price of some of the Merino clothing for travel. But, it is an investment. So much goes into producing Merino wool. It takes 6 to 12 months for a sheep to grow enough wool for clothing. And, because the fibers are so fine, you need a lot of them to make a shirt, for example. You will buy fewer items and they will last longer. It is one of the more expensive fabrics but it is an investment worth making.

Amber Hoffman

Amber Hoffman, food and travel writer behind With Husband In Tow, is a recovering attorney and professional eater, with a passion for finding new food and drink destinations. She lives with her husband, Eric, in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. Together over the last 20 years, they have traveled to over 70 countries. Amber is the author of the Food Traveler’s Guide to Emilia Romagna. She regularly lectures on social media marketing to travel professionals throughout Europe.

merino travel dress

Merino Wool Travel Clothing

Men's merino wool travel clothing from Western Rise combines the inherent performance features of merino wool with contemporary design. This collection features breathable, odor-resistant garments with temperature regulation, making them ideal for the adaptable, one-bag traveler.

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Five Pocket Pant

A standard patch pocket style with elevated travel features and a tapered leg.

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A slightly dressier style with khaki-style front pockets and welt back pockets.

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A casual sporty look, with a pull-on waistband, a drawstring, and a tapered leg opening with no cuff so you can dress them up or down.

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Why Western Rise

  • Travel Light: Performance fabrics enable a one-bag travel lifestyle.
  • Versatile Style: Outfits easily transition from business to adventure.
  • Functional Comfort: Smart features for enhanced mobility and convenience.
  • Worry-Free Returns: Hassle-free return policy for peace of mind.
  • Sustainable Choice: Quality apparel that's environmentally responsible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Merino wool's unique properties make it an exceptional choice for travel clothing, ensuring comfort and convenience when traveling. 

  • Its natural odor resistance is a standout feature, allowing merino wool travel clothes to remain fresh over extended periods, reducing the need for frequent laundering compared with other fabric clothes - a significant advantage during travel. 
  • Additionally, merino wool's moisture-wicking capabilities keep the wearer dry by effectively moving sweat away from the skin, a crucial aspect in varying climates and during active adventures. 
  • The fabric's ability to regulate temperature also plays a vital role; it provides warmth in cooler environments while offering breathability in warmer conditions. This adaptability ensures comfort in diverse weather scenarios, making merino wool-based clothing a versatile companion for any travel itinerary.

Our merino wool clothing is expertly crafted to meet the diverse needs of travelers. By combining the natural benefits of merino wool with specialized travel-friendly features, we offer garments that are not only quick-drying but also exceptionally durable, perfectly suited to the demands of travel. 

The versatility in the design of our merino wool clothing enables it to adapt to various settings, seamlessly transitioning from casual explorations to formal events. These qualities, along with merino wool's inherent breathability, odor resistance, and temperature regulation, make our merino wool clothing an ideal choice for travelers who value functionality, comfort, and style in their wardrobe.

When traveling, it’s better to wash merino wool clothing by hand using a mild detergent and cold water. Gently squeeze out excess water and air dry to maintain its quality and prevent shrinkage.

The number of days you can wear merino wool clothing without washing it varies depending on factors like activity level, personal hygiene, and environmental conditions. However, thanks to merino wool's natural odor-resistant properties, it's possible to wear it for several days without it developing a bad smell. In low-exertion scenarios and cooler climates, it's not uncommon for merino wool garments to be worn comfortably for three to five days, or even longer, without needing a wash.

This makes merino wool particularly popular for travel and outdoor activities clothing where laundry facilities are scarce.

For Western Rise's merino clothing, machine wash on a gentle cycle with cold water using a mild detergent. Turn the garments inside out to preserve the fabric's integrity. Avoid using fabric softeners or bleach. After washing, reshape the clothing if necessary and lay it flat to dry. Refrain from tumble drying to prevent shrinkage or misshaping. Always refer to the specific care instructions on your Western Rise merino garment to ensure proper maintenance.

To store merino wool travel clothing properly, follow these guidelines:

  • Clean Before Storing: Ensure the clothing is clean before storage to avoid attracting moths or other pests.
  • Dry Completely: Make sure the garments are completely dry to prevent mildew.
  • Fold, Don't Hang: Fold merino wool garments instead of hanging them to avoid stretching or misshaping.
  • Use Breathable Storage: Store in breathable containers like cotton bags or boxes with ventilation holes. Avoid plastic bags which can trap moisture.
  • Cool, Dry Place: Keep the storage area cool and dry, away from direct sunlight or dampness.
  • Moth Repellents: Consider using natural moth repellents like cedar blocks or lavender sachets in the storage area, avoiding chemical mothballs which can impart a strong odor.

Following these steps will help maintain the quality and longevity of your merino wool clothing.

Merino wool clothing should generally be folded, not hung. Hanging can cause merino garments to stretch or lose their shape over time due to the natural elasticity and weight of the wool.

Folding ensures the garments maintain their shape and integrity, especially for heavier items like sweaters. For lighter merino items like t-shirts, if you prefer hanging, use broad-shouldered hangers to minimize stretching.

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IMAGES

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  3. The Merino Wool Dress That Made Me Overpack (Plus 10 Other Picks!)

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  6. Merino Wool Dresses: 2023 Recommendations

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COMMENTS

  1. The Merino Wool Dress That Made Me Overpack (Plus 10 Other Picks!)

    Wool& Long Wool Dress. A classic black wool dress is a solid go-to and so other colors too, this merino wool blend dress from Wool& is a super versatile choice. With a flouncy bottom and sleeveless, it is flowy, flirty, and fun! Sleeveless, pocketed, and made with this lightweight signature jersey fabric.

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  3. The best lightweight, easy-care women's travel dresses

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    High Waisted Leggings - 210gsm $158 USD. High Waisted Leggings - Fleece $193 USD. Merino Wool Pyjama Set (Jersey) $263 USD. Smitten Full Brief Merino Wool Knickers $53 USD. Our travel clothes collection includes products designed with style & comfort. Feel luxurious with Smitten's merino wool travel clothing for women.

  6. Unbound Merino Travel Dress Review

    We're back with another Merino wool dress review! This time, we'll explore the ins and outs of the Unbound Merino Travel Dress.. I'm excited about this review because Unbound Merino has a best-in-class reputation in the men's Merino clothing industry. However, it wasn't until recently (May 2022) that they offered women's clothing.And girl, was it worth the wait.

  7. Women's 2 Pack // Merino Travel Dress

    Women's 2 Pack // Merino Travel Dress. $265. Save $13. or interest-free payments of $66 with. Seamlessly transition from day to night with comfort, versatility and performance. Made from a Merino wool blend so breathable and soft, you'll never want to take it off. Learn More.

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    Lana Dress $330 USD. Matilda Dress $347 USD. Scoop Neck Dress - Long Sleeve $330 USD. Margo Dress $347 USD. Cowl Neck Swing Dress - Modal Fleece $347 USD. Colette Dress $378 USD. Wrap Dress $369 USD. Women's Merino Wool Dresses. Lightweight, machine washable and easy to wear - no wardrobe is complete without a merino wool dress or three!

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    Unbound Merino performs as promised, and has totally simplified how I pack when I travel the world. The shirts are AWESOME and the underwear feels like having your balls cradled by the hands of angels. ... please turn your Unbound Merino clothing inside out to prevent pilling and follow the specific care instruction symbols on your clothing tag ...

  10. Best Merino Wool Clothing for Women

    Best Merino Wool Womens Tee. Icebreaker Merino Tech Lite Short Sleeve Wool Tee | Sizes from XS-XL. Comfy tees are one of the most basic essentials in any wardrobe. However, a plain old cotton t-shirt isn't the #1 option when it comes to travel.

  11. The 16 Best Travel Dresses of 2024

    Best Short-sleeve: Everlane Short-sleeve Dress at Everlane.com ($128) Jump to Review. Best Long-sleeve: Nordstrom Long Sleeve Shift Sweatshirt Dress at Nordstrom ($79) Jump to Review. Best ...

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    Women's Merino Travel Dress. $139. or interest-free payments of $35 with. Seamlessly transition from day to night with comfort, versatility and performance. Made from a Merino wool blend so breathable and soft, you'll never want to take it off. Learn More.

  13. Women's Hyde Merino Wool Dress

    Select all that apply. The Hyde Merino Wool Dress is made from a warm and flattering 100% Merino French Terry fabric, this dress is super comfortable and sustainable. Designed to wear with leggings in cold weather or without in warmer weather, it is fully featured with zippered pockets and our discreet thumb holes. Learn more.

  14. Ultimate Guide to the Best Merino Wool Brands for Women

    Consistently offering reliable basics for travel, L.L. Bean is a go-to brand for many readers. From base layers to sweaters, their merino wool pieces are durable, comfy, and cute! TFGs especially like them for outdoorsy adventures. The Cresta Midweight thermal top and thermal leggings come highly recommended.

  15. Merino Wool Travel Clothes for Men & Women

    Merino wool is wrinkle-resistant and odor-resistant, making it perfect for all types of travel. If packing is on the horizon, then Merino Wool clothing is a must to solve your suitcase-too-small woes.

  16. Merino wool travel clothing

    Travel lighter in Merino. W hether you're an urban traveller or adventurous jetsetter, life on the go is made easy with Merino wool. Pack light and launder less with Merino wool travel wear. If you are island trekking or dashing from the airport to the boardroom, Merino wool is your ultimate travel mate. Look for clothing that's quick dry ...

  17. Best Merino Wool Shirts & Clothing for Traveling in 2024

    Wool & Prince 78/22 Crew Neck Tee. Wool & Prince sells a handful of tees in different weights and blends. We recommend their most popular: the 78/22 Crew Neck Tee, a 78% merino, 22% nylon blend that uses 17.5 micron fibers to strike the right balance of durability and softness.

  18. Why These Merino Wool Clothes Are Perfect For Traveling

    According to the experts, Merino wool products are soft, comfortable, versatile, and can be worn again and again without laundering. Sweaters, T-shirts, and dresses made of fine Merino wool are said to be the stars of suitcases on travels around the world. While packing light has always been a goal for me, it has become even more imperative in ...

  19. Travel-Testing a Merino Wool Wardrobe [Unbound Merino Review: 2023

    The Merino Travel Dress the only dress Unbound Merino makes so far. It's a simple, straight, loosely hanging, mid-length dress with a slit on the left side. The slit comes to about mid-thigh, which is not as high as I thought it looked from the photos on the website. The dress is 44 inches long (112 cm) in all sizes, and the slit comes up 12 ...

  20. Best Merino Wool Travel Clothing

    Our Favorite Companies For Merino Wool For Travel. Hands down Wool&Prince and Wool&, for everything from tees to cardigans to wool travel dresses and even underwear! allbirds: I am in love with my wool dress shoes from allbirds. They also carry lightweight and sustainable wool sneakers and shoes for both men and women.

  21. Mens Merino Wool Travel Clothing

    Merino wool's unique properties make it an exceptional choice for travel clothing, ensuring comfort and convenience when traveling. Its natural odor resistance is a standout feature, allowing merino wool travel clothes to remain fresh over extended periods, reducing the need for frequent laundering compared with other fabric clothes - a significant advantage during travel.

  22. MTT

    MERINO WOOL VS SYNTHETIC. MTT | Merino Travel Techwear borns to offer a new concept of urban clothing based on quality and comfort, providing a minimalist, elegant and exclusive design.

  23. Where to buy a dress in Moscow?

    Sign in to get trip updates and message other travelers.. Moscow ; Hotels ; Things to Do ; Restaurants ; Flights ; Vacation Rentals ; Travel Stories