Worldwide express shipping available on all orders

Menu
0

Worldwide express shipping available on all orders

0

Your Cart is Empty

Shop
  • MEN'S
  • WOMEN'S
  • ACTIVITIES
  • COLLECTIONS
  • COOL STUFF
  • ABOUT US
  • ABOUT
  • MERINOPEDIA
  • COMMUNITY
  • Help
    eGift Cards now available

    ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL E-GIFT CARDS.

  • INFORMATION
  • HELP
  • eGift Cards now available

    ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL E-GIFT CARDS.

  • Home / THE ADVENTURE ZONE
    Previous  / Next

    Are you getting the wool pulled over your eyes?

    August 05, 2018 3 min read

    Are you getting the wool pulled over your eyes?

    At ioMerino, we’re really proud of how we do business. Sustainable production. Ethical manufacture. And no pulling the wool over our customers’ eyes. Which is more than we can say for some companies. And to be honest, we’ve had a gut full of it, and if you knew what we were talking about, we think you would too.

     

    So it’s time we talked about the thing no one seems to want to come right out and say. Until now.

     

    We’re on ‘Team Merino’

    Let us start by acknowledging, there are some really great outdoor clothing companies out there making some pretty good merino wool products. We don’t think of them as our competitors, so much as our teammates. We’re all on ‘Team Merino’ using this awesome natural fibre to create clothing for people who love the outdoors and the high-performance real Merino delivers. Sure there are some quality differences between companies, but at least we’re using genuine Merino.

    Then there are the other companies who talk about having Merino clothing when really, it’s not. And this is the number one thing you need to look out for. If you’re looking at something someone says is Merino, the very first thing you should check is just how much Merino is in the actual fabric. It’s not complicated, somewhere on there, by law, will be the composition of the fabric.

     

    Is your Merino garment, actually synthetic?

    If there’s less then 50% Merino in a garment, you’d be well within your rights to wonder if it’s really a Merino garment at all. More accurately, we’d say it’s a synthetic garment with a bit of Merino in it. And they’re not the same thing. If you really want to benefit from the high-performance qualities of Merino, you’re going to want a garment that is ‘Merino-rich’. That is more Merino than anything else.

    Unfortunately, there are no regulations around what companies can and can’t say. So a company can claim their top is Merino, even if it only has 20 or 30% Merino in it. And that sounds a bit ridiculous to us. We won’t name names, if you keep an eye out when you’re looking at gear, you’ll see who they are soon enough.

     

    It’s time to get real.

    We think it’s a bit of a stretch that a cycling jersey that’s 64% Polyester, for example, gets to brag about the performance qualities of Merino like one leading cycling brand does. And a long sleeve running top that’s 81% Polyester and just 11% Merino that talks up it’s Merino performance? Oh, come on. Get real. Merino isn’t chilli – you don’t need just a pinch of it to make a difference.

    Most of our tops and leggings? 90+% Merino which means you get 90+% Merino High Performance. Our socks? 80% Merino. (Socks need a little extra Nylon to be functional.) Our beanies? 100% Merino. You get the idea.

    So before you buy your next Merino garment, check the fabric content and make sure it’s actually, really, authentically a Merino garment made from actual Merino. Not some token gesture. Not a bit. But more Merino than anything else. Otherwise, you’re just letting those companies pull the wool over your eyes. Or at least whatever fabric it is they’re passing off as wool.

    Click here to shop our actual, real, authentic Merino gear.

    Let customers speak for us

    from 1820 reviews
    Love it

    Looks and feels great. Has kept me warm under my jacket in Boston. My second one of these and love it

    Vanessa M
    Ultra Zip
    Comfort and smart enough to wear out

    Comfort and smart enough to wear out.

    brendan finnigan
    Glacier Tracksuit Pants
    Worth the expense

    Best and most comfortable merino clothing for the UK and Canada winter. A must buy is the base layers. Tops and leggings. Very happy with my purchase.
    Easy to care.
    Can't wait to use my gear for next trip to Finland 2025.

    Graham White
    Altitude Tee - Southern Cross
    Spot on

    Great slogan as well. As used by owners of e72.au

    G Daly
    Universal Nature Tee
    Perfect

    All set for winter!

    G Daly
    Altitude Crew
    Fantastic for the Camino/long hikes

    I wore this tee on the Camino and loved it. I hand washed it every second night and by morning it was always dry. I love the dazzling blue colour, the higher neckline was great for preventing sunburn and the sleeve length was perfect. I only had two tees with me for 42 days and I never tired of wearing this tee. It has kept its shape and has plenty more wear left in it.

    S.
    Universal Tee - Explore All The Places
    Walked the Camino in them

    Fantastic for hiking and everyday use. I bought two pairs of the bikini briefs for the Camino (40 days of walking) and they were fantastic. They dry really quickly. I would hand wash out a pair at night, roll them in a towel to get the excess moisture out, hang them up and by morning they were always dry. The hot pink colour made them easy to find in my pack too. Love them!

    SUSI
    Zodiac Bikini Brief
    Altitude Boxers

    The boxers themselves are excellent. Great material and a great fit. What set ioMerino apart was the proactive customer service. I was very impressed

    David Fell
    Altitude Boxers - Ready for Adventure
    Best ever socks

    These are the best socks I have ever had. Cushioned and extremely comfortable, they fit in my shoes like much thinner synthetic socks, they can be worn for days before they need washing and they don’t walk down into my shoes.

    Maggie Ramsay
    No Show Socks
    A great investment

    This jumper is going to be my new best friend, even in Australian spring/autumn (or Melbourne summer!).
    In Norway at present - well and truly minus- and it performs wonderfully as a layer, or a quite-dressy top indoors.
    I'm really pleased with the quality, and it's NOT made in China!

    D W
    Pinnacle 2.0
    Altitude Zip

    Perfect for when riding my bike. Long sleeves are great for keeping the sun at bay. I find it breathes well and wicks very nicely. Highly recommended.

    Neil Penny
    Altitude Zip
    Works for me

    This is my 2nd pair. I don't see myself as a leggings bloke so wear shorts over them. Perfect for recovery, camping, bush walking and around the house. Woll on the skin works for me.

    Richard W.
    Pace Compression Leggings - Original
    Excellent product

    Excellent, comfotable, dry, long lasting merino socks. I love them for trail running and casual no show in shoes or 3/4 boots.

    Richard W.
    No Show Socks
    Best Pants EVER

    These Tights are the best - I have six pairs. They keep me warm and dry in the winter, but I also wear them all through summer ( see below 34 degrees and very happy) I mean, how can millions of sheep be wrong? As far as comfort and fit they are true to size and the most comfortable pants I own.

    Minnie
    Pace Compression Leggings - Outsider Edition
    Loving this Gaiter

    With Io Merino and cold weather it is a pleasure looking forward wearing their gaiters. So soft and has this silk like texture to their high quality Merino and lighness having around neck. Sits great and comfy and make one look forward to just enjoy wearing it. Colours!! Such a great selection and really fab to add colour to whatever wearing with and stylish too. The logo is comfortable too as can wear showing or not and still looks good on show too. I have them in two more colours and gifting one. The colours on this Merino superb with fabric and shades are different to anything I have seen before. Makes for great feel to adventuring outdoors or being extra snug indoors.

    Grace I
    Altitude Neck Warmer