Whether you’re hiking, camping, traveling, bikepacking, or however else you might find yourself on the go in the outdoors, there’s always a delicate balance between taking everything you need to be comfortable, and travelling light. We talked to our ioMerino Outsiders and came up with a few simple tips and tricks that can make a massive difference to the weight you’ll carry with you.
We all know things like packs, tents and sleeping bags come in various qualities and weights and with varying degrees of effectiveness. Clothing is no exception. Ditch the big, bulky layers and go for something lightweight that still delivers the warmth and comfort you need. Choose the right layers and you’ll find you have greater flexibility with temperature control and can be prepared for a wider range of conditions, without the need for bulkier, heavier items like sweaters and jackets. ioMerino layers deliver maximum warmth with minimal weight making them the ideal ultra lightweight alternative.
Yes, take me to lightweight layers!
A good quality natural merino layer like ioMerino, is like the multitool of clothing. A single layer can help you out in all sorts of conditions. So instead of carrying multiple items for varying needs, choosing a single layer that will get you through everything from warm to cold, will mean you can carry way less items. A tank or T-shirt and a long sleeve, especially a 3/4 zip, could replace four, five or even more items, and get you through all sorts of activities, and all kinds of weather.
We know some of you are happy to go stinky in synthetics for days at a time, but if you’re as mindful of the comfort of others as you are of your own, take a layer you can wear day after day without needing to wash it and wait for it to dry. ioMerino layers aren’t just trail tested and ultra comfortable, they’re naturally odour resistant - so rather than take a few items you rotate across days, a single layer that you air out over night and wear again the next day will mean a lot less in your pack. And still keep you feeling, and smelling, fresh.
Soft, warm and high performing? Count me in!
While Merino is an amazing natural fibre, not all Merino fabrics are created equal. At ioMerino, we make our own fabrics, using only the best quality fibres, and to very specific specifications that make the most of the natural benefits of Merino. All of them are 'Merino rich’. No cheap blends passed off as Merino. No cheaper scratchy fibres or synthetic substitutes to save money. No unethical production. And each fabric is made for a specific purpose. So if you see something with a small amount of elastase or nylon added, you can be sure it absolutely needs to be there to enhance the natural stretch and durability.
It took every bit of our 140 years of experience in the wool industry to perfect our fabrics, but we think you’ll agree the end result was more than worth the effort.
Ethically Made. Ethically Sourced. Perfectly Natural.
Lightweight 170gsm 96% Australian Merino Wool with 4% elastane for extra stretch and comfort. A MicroMerino® Fabric.
Lightweight 160gsm 83% Australian Merino Wool blended with 12% nylon blended for extra durability and 5% Elastane for stretch and comfort.
Midweight 265gsm 96% Australian Merino Wool with 4% elastane for extra stretch and comfort. A MicroMerino® Fabric.
Made from 45% ultra fine MERINO (Ultra Lightweight 150gsm), 45% natural TENCEL (made from sustainably grown wood fiber), and 10% nylon for extra durability.
Ultra Lightweight 150gsm 100% Australian Merino Wool. A MicroMerino® Fabric.
Midweight 280gsm 76% Australian Merino Wool, 15% Elastane and 9% Nylon for extra stretch and compression properties.
Ultra lightweight ribbed 155gsm 100% Australian Merino Wool. A MicroMerino® Fabric.
Outer Weight 280gsm Fleece 100% Australian Merino Wool. A MicroMerino® Fabric.
Midweight 260gsm 100% Australian Merino Wool. A MicroMerino® Fabric.
Midweight 260gsm waffle texture 100% Australian Merino Wool. A MicroMerino® Fabric.
Midweight 255gsm French Terry 100% Australian Merino Wool. A MicroMerino® Fabric.