Nature's Performance Fabric | Extra Fine Merino

After the explosive return of Wimbledon this summer, we saw Scottish tennis legend Andy Murray take to the courts in a new Merino wool blend kit.

 

Known as nature’s most intelligent performance fabric, Merino wool is unmatched when it comes to its exceptional benefits. This natural fibre is fast becoming a modern favourite amongst athletes and sports enthusiasts due to its breathability, and thermoregulating, quick drying and odour wicking properties.

 

Designed to protect sheep from the ever-changing climate they live in, Merino is ideal for layering and wearing straight to skin. Its versatility extends to base, mid or outer layers, giving options for all indoor and outdoor sports and athletic pursuits including cycling, hiking, tennis, football, yoga, dance, and more.

  

We source our chunky Merino from Peru and our extra fine Merino is supplied by industry favourites Zegna Baruffa (Est. 1850) and Lanerossi (Est. 1817). Working with long-standing spinners who are passionate about the traceability and sustainability of their fibres mean that we can craft elite, luxury and high-performance knitwear that stays true to our company ethos.

 

While our extra fine Merino is ideal for crafting into lightweight garments that are suitable for physical activities, we also have our chunky Merino - perfect for producing heritage inspired knits that will remain wardrobe staples for years to come.

 

With an assortment of classic silhouettes in contemporary colours, our ever-growing collection of luxury extra fine Merino jumpers for men and women will guarantee that your chosen seasonal sport is shrouded in comfort and breathability.

  

Air travels freely throughout a Merino wool garment thanks to the structure of the fibre. This ramps up the evaporation process and will ensure that you’re cool and dry for the entire day. Unlike synthetic fibres which retain moisture and cling to the body, Merino will provide the wearer with another layer of support and comfort.

 

Alongside being breathable and lightweight, Merino is also an incredibly quick drying yarn which makes it perfect for exercise as you’ll perspire less, and any moisture is promptly evaporated.

 

Thanks to its moisture wicking and odour resistant qualities, Merino wool is an incredibly low effort fibre. Your knitwear will require less washing than synthetic fibres and blends and a simple ‘freshen up’ between washes will ensure that your garment stands the tests of time.

  

Merino wool has incredible wicking qualities which mean that moisture is removed from the skin. Thanks to the core structure of the fibre, you’re less likely to perspire and smells are neutralised at the source. In the long run, this will mean that your Merino garment requires less washing which will increase the lifespan of your knit.

 

The active nature of Merino means that the knit will respond to temperature changes in the wearers skin. In cooler weather, the ultra-fine fibres will trap air, keeping you insulated and in warmer climates, perspiration can be easily evaporated, keeping you cool and dry.

 

Alongside trapping heat and regulating temperature, extra fine Merino is a lightweight, versatile knit that is suitable for a variety of different occasions. It has all the warmth of a chunkier knit but none of the weight, this makes it ideal for outside activities such as walking, climbing, and running. The everyday nature of the yarn also makes it perfect for layering underneath your day-to-day wardrobe for another layer of protection and comfort.

  

Merino wool is 1/5 of the diameter of human hair which makes it the perfect knit for wearing straight to skin. The fibres will move with the wearer and unlike coarser yarns, they will bend out of the way and so won’t irritate or aggravate. With naturally hypoallergenic qualities, Merino is even suitable for those with sensitive skin.

  

Unlike synthetic fibres, Merino is a 100% natural, sustainable fibre that when cared for correctly, will last a lifetime. Sheep are shorn at various points throughout the year and their seasonal coat is replenished and rejuvenated. Alongside providing the wearer with a beautifully soft garment, not mixing our Merino with man-made fibres mean that in the correct conditions, your knitwear will eventually biodegrade, releasing carbon rich nutrients back into the soil.

       

   

 

 

 

 Disclaimer: Paul James Knitwear does not own any of the photos featured in this blog post and all rights and credits go to their rightful owners.