5 reasons you need to swap your stinky synthetics for natural Merino

So you love being Outside in nature? Fair enough, so do we! Which makes it all the more confusing to us why people insist on doing it in something so unnatural - like stinky synthetics. Sure, synthetics come in fancy colours. But they’re… plastic! Even the ones that are made from recycled plastic are still plastic. So if you love being in nature, go the whole hog and do it in something natural, like ioMerino. Or even better, our unique, super fine, super soft 100% Australian MicroMerino® fabrics.

And if you’re not yet convinced, here are five reasons why you really need to get serious about going with io. Yes, even when it's warm.

It’s lightweight.

The last thing you want is gear that will slow you down. So lightweight makes sense. But you don’t want to compromise comfort or safety by being freezing out there, and you’ll be hard pressed to find something that packs more warmth per weight than ioMerino. Although it may sound contradictory, it's worth remembering the natural temperature regulation of our MicroMerino® fabrics also helps insulate you against the warmth too. Making it even more versatile across all sorts of conditions.

It’s nice and comfortable when you’re wearing it without bulking you up. And if you need to pop it in your pack for later, or after you're done with it, it'll pack down so small and light you won't even know it's there.

You can wear it from cold mornings into a milder day, then into a cold evening again, and it will go the distance with you. Keep in mind most tight-knit polyesters can be quite ‘sweaty warm’ so companies tend to make them thinner so they’re not as uncomfortable, but the thinner they are, the less protection you get from harmful UV rays. A problem you won’t have with ioMerino which is naturally UV resistant.

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It’s naturally breathable and insulating.

We can’t really take credit for this, but our MicroMerino® fabrics just happen to have some pretty amazing properties and this is another one of them. The nature of the fibre means it offers excellent insulation and allows the fabric to breathe, keeping you cool if things warm up, but without letting the cold in when the temperature drops. This is especially important if the temperature varies while you're out and about because it means you won’t overheat as soon as you, or the weather, warms up.

And you know how those waterproof jackets claim to be breathable but you end up sweating up a storm in them because they’re actually not really? Yeah, well our gear isn't like that. Our fabrics are the kind of breathable that is actually, genuinely, naturally breathable. Most people don't think of Merino as a summer fabric, but the truth is, sheep have to stay comfortable when it's warm as well, and their Merino wool allows them, and you, to do just that. If you don’t believe us, wear it. And if you don’t agree with us, send it back.

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It doesn't stuff up the environment.

You know that environment you love so much? The trees, that beautiful clear air, those unpolluted streams and oceans? Yeah, well our clothing doesn't stuff that up like most synthetics do. And although Merino may not always be quite as durable as some synthetics, that’s because they’re natural and will also eventually break down. And not in 400 million years like your fancy synthetic top. If you're worried about microplastics that are released into the waterways when you wash your clothes, ioMerino is a great way to help reduce that problem also. Hey, we know these aren't the only reasons you’ll choose ioMerino, but it’s nice to know it’s naturally biodegradable and won’t be stuffing up the environment you love so much, right?

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It’s stink-free.

Maybe staying stink-free isn’t such a big deal to you, but what about those around you? Our MicroMerino® fabrics are naturally odour-resistant. We don’t do anything weird to them or add any dodgy chemicals, it’s just one of Mother Nature’s many gifts to us. The natural properties of our fabrics mean it will stay stink-free for longer. Perfect for long days, or even many days, out on the trails. And trust us, even if you don’t appreciate it, the people around you will.

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Naturally moisture wicking.

OK, listen up, because this one’s important. First of all, without getting too technical about things, the scientific reality is the structure of our ioMerino wool fibres makes it way better at ‘active moisture management’ than synthetics which are basically solid plastic fibres. ioMerino, on the other hand, has a natural water repelling exterior (the cuticle) and a water holding (hydrophilic) interior.

In plain English, ioMerino will move sweat and moisture away from your skin and release it as vapour far better than most synthetics. And don’t take our word for it, a CSIRO study shows it transported significantly more uncomfortable sweat away from the skin than a synthetic fibre. Their words, not ours. This process results in lowering the humidity in the micro-climate between the skin and your ioMerino top. In short, it will keep you more comfortable in all sorts of weather conditions. “A wool T-shirt absorbed more perspiration during exercise, and felt less clammy than an identically knit polyester garment.”

ioMerino can actually absorb up to 35% of its own weight - let’s see a synthetic do that! And while so-called ‘quick dry’ materials may dry a little faster, that drying process can actually cool you down too much - not ideal in cold weather when you’re trying to stay warm. ioMerino, on the other hand, will stay warm and comfortable even when it's wet right through.

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What’s next

If you’ve gotten this far and are thinking about going with Merino, you may be wondering if you should go with io or some other brand. Maybe even one that’s bigger or more well known. We could tell you all about how we’re a family owned business with six generations of wool know-how, our ethical production processes, our unique Australian made fabrics, or plenty of other reasons why we stack up against the world’s best, but that’s a story for another day.