merino wool travel t shirt

Want the Best Merino Wool T-Shirt for Travel? 15 Top Reader Picks

FASHION , Shirts & Tops , Travel Clothing

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If you’re looking for a solidly reliable top that works for both cold and warm destinations, a women’s merino wool t shirt is the way to go! Review these top reader recommendations for the best tee to take on a trip!

Merino Wool T-Shirts Women’s Styles for Travel

Table of contents.

It’s no wonder TFG readers are obsessed with merino wool clothing . It’s the ultimate travel fabric!

Merino wool is thermoregulating, which means it’ll help to regulate your body temperature in both cold and warm climates. It’s great at locking in body heat when you’re out in the cold for long periods of time, but its thin, lightweight fibers are incredibly breathable and draw moisture away from your body, keeping you nice and cool in the heat as well. 

An amazing bonus is that a merino wool t-shirt won’t smell, even after repeated wearing, making it the perfect, hassle-free addition to a travel capsule wardrobe. Not only that, but they pack small, won’t wrinkle, and feel incredibly comfortable. 

One reader took them to Europe in the summer and shares, “The hype is true—they kept me cool, don’t hold odor, dry quickly for bathroom laundry, wrinkles very little, is super lightweight and easily packable. LOVE them. Also, they were NOT itchy at all, and I have sensitive skin.” 

Another reader says, “I used merino wool as layers in the cold. Warm AND cool, no sweating. Multiple wearings between washing and never smells. Perfect travel items!” 

If you want more ideas, we’ve amassed quite a catalog of merino wool articles to aid your capsule wardrobe choices:

• Best Merino Wool Sweaters
• Best Merino Wool Leggings
• Best Merino Wool Dresses
• Best Merino Wool Clothing

Readers have recommended their favorite merino wool t shirt women’s styles for travel. Take a look!

Best Merino Wool T-Shirt Women Wear for Travel

Shop Sizes XS-XL: Unbound Merino

Readers’ Top Pick:  Unbound Merino Women’s V Neck Tee

Dubbed the “ best merino wool t-shirt for hiking” , this Unbound Merino womens merino wool t-shirt  can definitely handle the trails but also head to dinner with a nice midi skirt or slacks. Wearers say its lightweight and fits well, not too baggy nor too small. With something this packable, it’s hard to not pick it up! 

One review says it all, “ I love my new t-shirts! I took them on a trip to Spain and wore/sweat in them every day. Dried quickly with no odor. The other shirts I packed did not get wear in preference to these.” You can get this in sizes XS-XL .

Unbound Merino Womens Merino Wool T-Shirts

The Unbound Merino merino wool t-shirts women’s style is a perfect option for layering in the winter or for getting some extra sun protection in the warmer months! This top features a crewneck that isn’t too low and it comes in a range of pretty colors. Layer it under a merino wool sweater for ultimate warmth and coziness, or pair it with leggings for a sunny hike!  

A reader shares, “I love Unbound Merino shirts. Comfortable, not scratchy, and wash easily. Merino wool is a great temperature regulator and does not hold odor.” Available in both standard and plus sizes, ranging from XS-XL . However, note not all the colors are available in up to XL; check before buying.

Shop Sizes XS-XL: ibex

ibex 24 Hour Merino Wool T Shirt Womens Style

Ibex is another super popular merino wool brand with readers. The 24 Hour ibex merino wool t shirt is made from 100% merino wool and is truly a performance top — super durable, cool to the touch yet warm when it needs to be, and really easy to care for. It’s not too short or too long and will look great with activewear for sporty adventures or tucked into jeans for a casual daytime look. 

One traveler sums it up, “Elegantly styled, trim merino t-shirt that goes well with everything and stays fresh. Perfect for traveling: wash it in the sink, wring it in a towel, hang it, and it’s dry and ready to wear the next morning. I love the smooth hand of the fabric. No clamminess! The scoop neck is flattering, too.” Sizes range from XS-XL .  

The Journey short sleeve tee is a similar shirt that’s more of an everyday go-to, lighter weight with a nylon core for extra durability. Users have worn this one over and over without washing and report that it stays looking and feeling (and smelling) fresh! 

If merino wool isn’t your style or isn’t in your budget, checkout the best alternatives to merino wool here.

ibex Merino Tencel Women’s Merino Wool Tee Shirt

ibex fuses merino wool with Tencel in this dreamy long sleeve merino wool t shirt to create a comfy and cooling top. Readers adore the relaxed fit that’s comfy yet not too baggy, as well as the smooth feel and versatility. A perfect base layer on a chilly day or a standalone top on sunny days when you want some extra coverage! 

A review raves, “What a lovely and stylish classic shirt. It’s comfortable, looks great, and can be worn styled up or out hiking. The material and craftsmanship are really fantastic.” It comes in sizes XS-XL .

Shop Sizes XS-XL: Amazon

Icebreaker Merino Wool T Shirt – Women’s Tech Lite II

Made of soft, 100% merino wool, these Icebreaker merino wool t shirts have you covered on truly any travel adventure you embark on! Whether you’re spending the day out and about sightseeing and want to stay comfy and fresh from morning till night, or you’re off on some adventurous outdoor excursions and need a reliable top, you’ll be set with this one. 

The cut is easygoing yet cute, and it boasts tons of great reviews from readers! One TFGer says, “My favorite brand is Icebreaker. Keeps you warm with a very lightweight. I can layer it, and doesn’t smell. Ideal for hiking and outdoor pursuits with limited washing. Packs very well too.” This top comes in sizes XS-XL . 

Readers also really love Icebreaker’s Sphere II tee , which is a blend of merino wool and a light jersey, keeping you extra cool on hot or super active days. Their Central Classic t-shirt is a cute, everyday tee made of merino wool and organic cotton blend. It’s ultra versatile as it doesn’t look overly sporty, and it’ll go with virtually any pant option!

Here are some  tunic sweaters womens styles that are comfy and cute! 

Icebreaker Oasis Lichen Womens Merino Wool T Shirt  

For a long sleeve that will take you from winter to summer, Icebreaker’s Oasis 100% merino wool t-shirt is as versatile as they come. The relaxed fit will add a cool factor to your look while giving you tons of mobility and comfort as well. It’s ultra-light and great for layering! 

One wearer shares, “Great long-sleeve shirt. I bought it in black so it can be worn very casually or dressed up with a scarf or jewelry. The fit is quite loose. Very comfortable and nice looking too!” Available in sizes XS-XL . 

Shop Sizes XS-XXL: Amazon |  Target

Minus33 Appalachia Women’s Merino Tool Tee Shirts

Readers have talked a lot about their love for Minus33 thermals in the wintertime, but many also love wearing this brand’s tees all year round, even in the summer! The Appalachia black merino wool t shirt is a perfect base layer on an active day, regulating your temp and wicking away sweat. The cap sleeves and slightly curved silhouette make it a more elevated option, too! 

A reviewer shares more, “Good weight for travel. Sleeves are capped, so protects the shoulders from the sun but not too much bulk for warmer days. A good hiking shirt and travel shirt— wore it on a cold airplane trip, and it kept me comfortable.” It comes in sizes XS-XXL . 

Want a whole list of no-iron options? Check out these  women’s wrinkle free shirts !

Shop Sizes XS-XXL: Amazon | Woolly

Woolly Clothing Co. Sunday Womens Merino Wool T-Shirts

Readers love that this Woolly women’s merino wool t-shirt looks like a regular tee — not overly sporty and designed with a flattering drape. The wide crew neck and cap sleeves keep it feminine and fun, while the merino wool with 5% elastane blend makes it functional for the most active of days. Wear it on a run or out to lunch (or both!).

A traveler shares, “They’re super comfy, soft, and wear very well. I went on a camping trip recently, and I work my Woolly’s 24/7. They performed perfectly!” Sizes range from XS-XXL . 

Shop Sizes XS-XL: SmartWool

SmartWool Short Women’s Merino Wool Tee

Readers say this Smartwool merino wool t shirt is flattering, with a slim fit silhouette that’s not too tight and a hint of comfortable stretch! This top is highly durable (due to the nylon core), feels amazingly soft, and has UPF 20+ sun protection! Whether you’re working up a sweat in the gym or spending the day sightseeing, this shirt will stay fresh and pair well with tons of different pant options ! 

A fan says, “My go-to shirt for travel. Lightweight, packable, and easily layered. Wash and dry easily. Kept me warm but not ‘too’ warm. These shirts do not disappoint!” Available in sizes XS-XL . 

Check out their super cute v neck merino wool t shirt , too!

Shop Sizes XS-XXL: Amazon

Merino.tech Merino Wool Tee Shirts Womens Short Sleeve

Merino.tech’s lightweight merino wool t shirts feature slightly longer sleeves, an easygoing fit, and the option of a crewneck or v-neck! Wearers rave about the quality, easy care, comfort, and of course, the fantastic moisture-wicking and anti-odor properties that merino wool offers. This top comes in a wide range of fun colors to suit your style, too! 

One TFG who owns this shirt says, “I wore my pink t-shirt yesterday in the Texas heat and was so happy with how comfortable it was! Very lightweight.” Available in sizes XS-XXL .

These are our readers favorite merino wool leggings they love to pack for traveling!

Shop Sizes XS-L: Amazon

Roman Trail Outfitters Women’s Merino Wool T Shirt Long Sleeve

The Roman Trail Outfitters long sleeve is said to be the best merino wool t shirt for hiking and is overall a great option for outdoor travel adventures and sportier trips. It’s ultralight with all of merino wool’s stellar features, plus it has four-way stretch for optimal mobility and comfort. This shirt will keep you dry, fresh, and at a comfortable temperature all day, whether you’re hitting the ski slopes or the trails! 

One wearer shares her experience with this top, “I wore this as my base layer while traveling England , Scotland , Ireland , and France in mid-March. I was comfortable outside in the weather and inside buildings. We were also walking 8-10 miles a day, and this base layer kept me dry as well as warm.” It comes in sizes XS-L . 

Shop Sizes XS-XL: LL Bean

LL Bean Cresta Ultralight 150 Merino Wool T-Shirt Women’s  

LL Bean’s Cresta Ultralight t-shirt is a cute and sporty number, perfect for staying comfy amid a range of temperatures. It’s a great base layer for warm insulation when the weather gets chilly, and it won’t overheat you if the temps rise, either. Wearers love the longer length and form-fitting silhouette, giving this sporty top a feminine touch! 

One wearer says, “Wonderful top! Love the color and the feel of this shirt.” Sizes range from XS-XL . 

MERIWOOL Long Sleeve Merino Wool T Shirts Womens

Slim and sleek, this Meriwool long sleeve top is comfortably worn by travelers in the summer and winter! This breathable shirt will keep you at a comfortable temperature and feeling fresh, and wearers love that it’s fitted enough to be layered over but isn’t too tight, either. The flattering fit and range of pretty colors give it some style points as well! 

This top is very highly rated, with one traveler sharing, “Soft and comfortable wool layers that are also affordable? Amazing! I bought this for a trip to Europe in February and wore this shirt for many, many days. It kept me warm without being sweaty for miles and miles of walking. Perfect for traveling, hiking, or just keeping warm.” It comes in sizes XS-XL . 

Shop Sizes XS-3X: Wool&

Wool& Morgan Women Merino Wool T Shirt

This Morgan t-shirt from Wool& is such a cute basic that’s slightly fitted for a more polished yet still casual look. Its slightly longer length means you can pull it down to wear over leggings, give it a French tuck with jeans, or tuck it all the way in under some trousers. Whether sporty or elevated, the styling options are endless for this piece, and the functional fabric will have you feeling cozy with every wear!

A wearer says, “So comfy and useful. I have 4 of these shirts and 4 of the long sleeve version. They are great all year round and perfect for travel!” This top comes in a wide range of colors and sizes XS-3X .

What do you think are the best merino wool tee shirts ? Share and comment below!

For more women’s travel shirts, please read:

• Upgrade Your Travel Wardrobe with the Best T-Shirts for Women
• Best Long Sleeve T Shirts for Women: Ideal for Layering
• Looking for the Best Black T-Shirt? 15 Cozy Travel Picks
• What’s the Best White T Shirt for Travel?

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16 comments.

I love merino wool! I was introduced to it through TFG and decided to make the investment. It is pricey, but I must say they have quickly become my favorite tshirts and I wear them all the time! I decided to go with Woolx based on recommendations, and they don’t disappoint! I especially like that the Woolx shirts have raglan sleeves, so I don’t have to worry about the should seam which always just me in the wrong spots.

I highly recommend them and wool in general for the great temperature regulation! I went on a hiking trip this summer and found they were so much more comfortable than other shirts which just made me feel hotter and like they were holding my sweat. Definitely run, don’t walk, to invest in some great wool shirts.

I have yet to try Merino Wool. This provides such good feedback and examples. What I seem to use most on the website is what to pack for where. So much great input and has also helped me pack less.

I have ordered a couple white (cream) tees from a few companies and the best one that’s not see through was the Unbound Merino. The ibex and icebreaker were great quality in different colors short and long sleeve. I’ve bought brown, green, and blue. The white/ivory was just too see through for me.

This was incredibly helpful to break down each company. Some shirts are fully merino wool and others have added materials. Thank you!!

Thank you for your feedback Shelley, glad you found it helpful!

Love these t-shirts! Easy to wash and great quality.

Love love love merino wool layers – not just for travel but for life in general!

This article is just as great as all the others! I bought a merino wool tshirt after reading. I am one who finds wool it by to the point of cannot tolerate at all. So the jury is still out for me as I thought I felt some prickly feelings wearing the shirt. I will try it again!

Great ideas! Thanks!

Love a good tshirt!

Great suggestions. Nothing better but a few comfortable t-shirts & a couple of button down front shirts to wear as blouse or layering.

I personally found the WoolX shirt itchy..but glad it seems to work for others!

I have a WoolX sleeveless tee that I brought to Italy and it was great, even in the heat. Hand washes without wrinkling and stayed fresh despite feeling sweaty in the heat of Rome.

After reading about merino wool t shirts I ordered a Metrolino tee. Be been wearing it for two hours, no itching and feels very comfortable. I’m a convert. I’ve worn merino wool socks nearly every day for the past four years, so I shouldn’t be surprised.

Love merino wool!

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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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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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8 Best Merino Wool Shirts and T-Shirts For Men In 2024

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. Any products or services put forward appear in no particular order. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Cotton is a fantastic material for shirts, but there are plenty of benefits to be found in other materials out there–for example, merino wool. That’s why the Merino wool shirt is a fall and winter staple for many men across the globe.

Merino wool is an incredibly robust fabric that offers a ton of natural benefits while making you look sharp in the process. The best merino wool shirts are moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and can even regulate temperature. It’s simple things like these that make your life so much easier when you throw on a Merino wool shirt. Not to mention, wool is an incredibly comfortable and classy material when used in any article of clothing.

So if you’re looking to add a merino wool shirt to your collection, what should you look for? This list provides the answers to that very question, breaking down the best options on the market. Whether you want a long-sleeved shirt to wear every day or a simple travel tee , you can find it all right here.

So let’s get to business and break down the best merino wool shirts to buy in 2023.

Key Takeaways

To find the best merino wool shirts around, I sorted through dozens of options available on the market today, funneling the roster down to these 8 picks.

The three most important factors to consider in this search were style, weight, and care. Overall, the best Merino wool shirt on this list is the Proof 72-Hour Merino T-Shirt . It’s a versatile, lightweight tee with modern features offered in a ton of varieties. The Neem London ZQ Merino Neem T-Shirt is another great option.

• Buying Considerations

Why You Should Trust Us

Final verdict, 1. best overall: proof 72-hour merino t-shirt.

Why it’s great: Proof is a brand well known for making apparel with antimicrobial properties, thus reducing the need for frequent washes. This 72-hour Merino T-Shirt features temperature regulation and UPF 30+ sun protection for outdoor wear. To top it all off, this shirt is also available in a ton of colors and a classic cut if you’re working on your dad bod.

How to wear it: This shirt is primarily made of merino wool but also has a blend of nylon, making it comfortable for active or casual wear. Throw it on with some shorts in the summer or some slacks and a shacket during the fall.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The biggest con of this shirt is that the fabric is light and a bit see-through. However, this also means it’s breathable and lightweight for extended periods of wear.

Material: 87% Micron Merino Wool, 13% Nylon | Sizes Available: XS-3XL | Colors: 18 | Fit : Performance or Classic

2. Best Budget: Merino Protect 100% Wool Base Layer T-Shirt

Why it’s great: The sheer comfort and versatility you get from this lightweight t-shirt is excellent for the price. It’s made of 100% merino wool, offering an excellent “warmth-to-weight” ratio for cooler days. The wool itself is also odor resistant and biodegradable so you can wear it without worrying about your smell or the environment.

How to wear it: Since this shirt is primarily built to serve as a base layer, you can pair it with a jacket or overshirt to complete the fit. However, you can also throw it on by itself if you’re looking to go for a minimalistic, black tee aesthetic.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: While this shirt follows standard sizing metrics, offering up to an XXL, some reviewers have claimed it’s not the best for tall men . The cut might be a bit short, but if this is layered with another shirt it likely won’t be much of an issue for you.

Material: 100% Merino Wool | Sizes Available: S-XXL | Colors: 7 | Fit : Regular

3. Best Luxury: Aurélien Extrafine Merino Knitted Shirt

Why it’s great: This Aurélien knitted shirt exudes an unparalleled sense of luxury. The “Cashwool” fabric is spun in Italy and acts as a hybrid between merino wool and cashmere. Not to mention, the collar offers a distinguished look that sets it apart from many other merino wool shirts out there.

How to wear it: This shirt is meant to be worn on its own and would be great for a classy dinner or night out on the town. It falls into a European aesthetic which makes it an excellent choice if you ever find yourself walking the streets of Italy or Greece.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The only downside of this shirt is the hefty price tag, but that’s to be expected for a piece of this quality. If you have the money to invest, this is an excellent option to hang in the wardrobe.

Material: 100% Extrafine Merino Wool | Sizes Available: S-XXXL | Colors: 7 | Fit : Regular

4. Best On Amazon: Meriwool Men’s Base Layer Long Sleeve Thermal

Why it’s great: This super soft Meriwool thermal wicks moisture, resists odor and regulates temperature according to your body. The fitted cut makes for a slim silhouette. However, this shirt is also offered in plenty of sizes, including big and tall, to accommodate all body types.

How to wear it: This thermal is great for building up a heavy winter outfit or doing some light layering for spring–layers are your friend here.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: As previously mentioned, this is a shirt built to be worn with other pieces, so it likely isn’t the best option for those who want a shirt to wear on its own.

Material: 100% Merino Wool | Sizes Available: S-XXL Big & Tall | Colors: 8 | Fit : Fitted/Slim

5. Best Everyday: ISTO Merino Wool Sweater

Why it’s great: The simple design of this sweater makes it incredibly versatile for casual and formal occasions. The wool is spun ultra-fine using a rare Bentley Machine, which makes this sweater incredibly soft. The selection of muted colors also means this is a sweater you can pair with pretty much anything.

How to wear it: This sweater is the perfect weight to wear at the start of spring or even in the middle of winter. Throw it on and roll up the sleeves for warm weather or layer it with a dress shirt and jacket for cooler days.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: This is one of the only options on this list that must be hand-washed. While this may be a slight inconvenience, it ensures this sweater will last as long as possible.

Material: 100% Extra-Fine Merino Wool | Sizes Available: XXS-XXL | Colors: 7 | Fit : Regular

6. Best For Travel: Neem London ZQ Merino Neem T-Shirt

Why it’s great: The ZQ merino wool for this Neem London Shirt is ethically sourced and fully traceable to farms in New Zealand. The shirt itself is crafted in Italy, featuring a slim, tailored fit. The high-quality materials and construction make this an incredibly comfortable and durable choice for travel.

How to wear it: This shirt can be paired with a classy outer layer, like a blazer or sport coat, but can be worn on its own just as easily.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: The only downside to this shirt is that it’s offered in limited sizes and colors when compared to other options on this list. However, if you fall somewhere between small and extra large, and you like green, this could be the new travel shirt for you.

Material: 100% ZQ Merino Wool | Sizes Available: S-XL | Colors: 1 | Fit : Slim

7. Best Athletic: No Bull Men’s Blended Merino Wool Tee

Why it’s great: No Bull is an athletic wear brand that offers everything from shoes to shirts. This blended wool tee is lightweight and super stretchy for hours of strenuous activity. In addition, the No Bull branding on the shirt is also reflective to provide high visibility on those late-night runs.

How to wear it: This wool tee can be worn by itself during an intense workout or it can be layered with a track jacket as well.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Despite being listed as a regular fit, this shirt does tend to run on the smaller side. It’s also prone to shrink, so avoid drying it too much and you should be okay.

Material: 67% Tencel, 29% Merino Wool, 4% Spandex | Sizes Available: S-XXXL | Colors: 4 | Fit : Regular

8. Best Outdoor: Kuiu Ultra Merino 120 LT LS Crew-T

Why it’s great: The Kuiu 120 LT LS Shirt is UPF 50+ and odor-resistant for long outdoor days. The proprietary “Nuyarn” blend is extremely lightweight yet durable for your toughest adventures. The flatlock seams also ensure that your skin is never irritated, even if you’re living in this shirt for a multi-day camping trip.

How to wear it: This shirt can be worn on its own in warm weather or used as a base layer in cooler climates. It also easily accommodates the wear of outdoor gear like an arrow quiver or climbing harness.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: This is another shirt that may run smaller than anticipated, so it might be a good idea to order a size up from your standard size.

Material: 70% Merino Wool, 30% Nylon | Sizes Available: S-3XL | Colors: 6 | Fit : Regular

Buying Considerations For The Best Merino Wool Shirts

When buying a merino wool shirt, they’re are plenty of style options to choose from. You have short sleeves or long sleeves, crew neck or v-neck , and the overall cut as well. Most merino wool shirts are a regular fit but there are also slim and performance fits too.

All of these styles determine how you can wear your merino wool shirt. It ultimately  depends if you want something that stands out, or if you just want to rock a classic white t-shirt with some added comfort.

Merino wool shirts can vary a lot in weight as well. Thicker shirts will naturally resemble sweaters, whereas thinner options may feel more like performance wear.

Since merino wool is naturally temperature regulating, both thin and thick shirts can be worn comfortably most of the year. However, thicker offerings will obviously have better insulation for especially frigid temperatures.

The care required for a Merino wool shirt will likely be a bit more important than some other t-shirts in your wardrobe. It’s very easy to mistakenly ruin a perfectly good shirt if it’s machine-washed or dried at a high temperature.

I made sure most of the options on this list are machine washable, yet hand washing may be required. The same goes for drying–some options can be tumble dried on low heat and others must be air dried depending on the brand .

As a writer at FashionBeans, I’ve done my fair share of research into men’s attire and style trends. I’ve also been putting these principles into practice for over a decade, trying out different brands and determining what’s best.

Merino wool is found in some of the most comfortable articles of clothing–especially shirts. So, I made sure to include only the very best on this list, narrowing down dozens of options in the process. Hopefully, these recommendations can inform you of what to expect when searching for the best merino wool shirts.

At the end of the day, if you want the best merino wool shirt around, you really can’t beat the 72-Hour Shirt from Proof. It’s a comfortable, lightweight merino t-shirt that will quickly become a go-to for you. The Neem London ZQ Merino Neem T-Shirt is another high-quality piece offering similar benefits.

Different merino wool shirts require special care depending on the blend of materials. Typically, shirts that are primarily (or entirely) made of merino wool must be hand-washed and air-dried. However, if you have a shirt that features a blend of materials, it can likely be machine-washed on a delicate cycle and dried at low heat. Coming from someone who has accidentally ruined a merino wool shirt, it pays to read the label carefully before washing.

Merino wool shirts can definitely shrink if dried at high heat. If you have a merino wool shirt that can be tumble-dried, you should always do so at the lowest setting possible to prevent shrinkage. On the other hand, merino wool shirts can also stretch out significantly, so you make sure to follow exactly what the instructions say to do.

Ryan is a writer, filmmaker, and all around content creator. Over the years, he has written screenplays, short stories, and nonfiction informational pieces. Ryan is currently working to build up his YouTube channel (@ ryan-jamison ) via creative video essays that combine his love of filmmaking and writing. He also *occasionally* posts some photography on his Instagram (@ ryanjamison99 ). When away from the keyboard, Ryan loves running, hiking, reading, and he’s also a total boot nerd.

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The World’s Best Merino Travel T-Shirt

Unbound Merino T-shirts are simple yet stylish. Understated, yet luxurious. They can be worn for a hike in the sun, used as an undershirt, or dressed up for a nice dinner out.

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15 Best Merino Wool Shirts for Traveling and Beyond

Apparently, the perfect low-maintenance top does exist.

Throughout your evolution into manhood, you've likely owned many different style shirts . Cotton, linen, knit, polyester, the list goes on. After a while, they all may start to seem the same. Shirts are a dime a dozen, you think. That is until you've met the Merino wool shirt.

Merino wool is a special kind of fabric that has long been revered for its quality and comfort, making it a staple for outdoor enthusiasts and fashion aficionados alike. Derived from the Merino sheep, this fine fiber manages to be both luxuriously soft and extremely practical at the same time. Unlike traditional wool, some of the best Merino wool shirts have moisture-wicking capabilities and are odor-resistant , which helps regulate your body temperature in both hot and cold conditions.

best everyday merino wool shirt

Allbirds soft tee.

best short-sleeve merino wool shirt

Bonobos sweater polo.

best button-down merino wool shirt

Eton houndstooth shirt.

Available in an assortment of styles—from athletic fits that are comfortable for a hike, to semi-formal styles that are more office-friendly — Merino wool shirts are the ideal travel companion or Father's Day gift to drop hints about. And to help you choose the perfect one, we've included 15 of the best options below.

An ultra-smooth active tee designed for laidback vibes, this style is guaranteed to keep you comfy while you're on the move.

Why We Like It: - It's great for everyday wear, jogs, and walks. What You Should Know: - It's also crafted with organic cotton and lyocell.

Cut like a vintage polo, Bonobos created the perfect Merino wool sweater that can easily be paired with a blazer or light jacket. Why We Like It: - It fits a range of body types. What Should Know: - It's available in two different colorways.

Since 1928, Eton has been a flag bearer for style, quality, and craft, and their houndstooth button-down shirt will ensure you clean up real nice. Why We Like It: - It's softer and less stiff than a traditional dress shirt. What You Should Know: - It has a contemporary fit and a spread collar.

Merino.tech T-Shirt

Simple, easy, and versatile—what else could you possibly need in a T-shirt? Why We Like It: - It's made with UPF 50+ protection to shield you from the sun. What You Should Know: - It comes with a free pair of hiking socks.

MR P. Striped T-Shirt

Elevate your T-shirt collection by adding this Mr. P style to the mix. It's the ultimate grab-and-go option for summer drinks, your 9-5, or that upcoming trip to Tokyo. Why We Like It: - The knitted construction gives it a nice drape. What You Should Know: - It's designed for a slightly looser fit.

Paul Smith Polo Shirt

A long-sleeve polo shirt? For summer? What the fuck am I thinking ? Have no fear; I'll let you in on a little secret: not only will this Paul Smith style elevate your everyday wardrobe, but it will also keep you protected from the sun's harsh rays.

Why We Like It: - It's an essential that works year round. What You Should Know: - A concealed placket makes for a clean finish.

Huckberry 72-Hour Shirt

We've written a love letter to this Merino wool tee before, and I'm happy to report that our feelings haven't fizzled. This best-selling option is the ultimate travel shirt, and perfect for adventures that call for packing light and staying comfortable. Why We Like It: - You can take it just about anywhere. What You Should Know: - Even after 72+ hours of constant wear, it’ll still pass the "sniff test" thanks to its naturally odor-resistant and moisture-wicking properties.

Unbound Merino Polo Shirt

If you've ever wanted a soft and stylish polo that you can wear just about anywhere, then look no further that this polo from Unbound Merino.

Why We Like It: - It's light and airy, so will hold up on even the hottest days. What You Should Know: - It's wrinkle-resistant, so it's ideal for packing.

Bonobos T-Shirt Pack

Two-tee's for the price of one? In this economy? It's a no-brainer. Why We Like It: - This multi-pack option is great for layering. What You Should Know: - No irritating tags scratching at your neck.

Jack Victor Bailey Shirt

This Jack Victor option offers more breathability than 100% Merino styles because it’s 58% Merino wool, 30% silk, and 12% linen—making it an ideal summer staple. Why We Like It: - It's the perfect mix of a sporty and casual vibe. What You Should Know: - It's available in four different colorways.

Designed specifically for workouts, this Merino wool tee allows you to train in just about any temp. Soft and adaptable, it has odor-fighting and moisture-wicking properties that will hold up to even the most intense fitness routine. Why We Like It: - It will help cool you in the heat and insulate you in the cold. What You Should Know: - It sits close to your body and almost feels like a second skin.

Quince Merino Tee

Not only is this pick affordable, it comes in four colors that can anchor any wardrobe. It's not too thick or thin so it'll layer nicely any time of year.

Why We Like It: - It's wrinkle-resistant, has UV protection, and is naturally breathable; need we say more? What You Should Know: - This option will keep you comfortable all day long.

AllSaints Polo

This All Saints polo is a great designer option—without the designer price tag. It offers a tailored fit, collared neck, and embroidered logo, and will allow you to stunt without spending too much. Why We Like It: - It can easily be dressed up or down. What You Should Know: - This option has a straight hem.

Arc'teryx Base Layer

This wouldn't be a list of the best Merino wool shirts if we didn't include an option that was created just for the great outdoors. With its streamlined and comfortable fit, the Arc'teryx base layer top is made to move with you on your hikes, runs, ski tours, and mountain treks. Why We Like It: - It's breathable, lightweight, and air permeable. What You Should Know: - The soft fabric give you unrestricted mobility.

Patagonia Capilene Shirt

Of course, Patagonia, the brand known for creating upscale outdoor clothing, would make a durable Merino wool shirt that can also serve as a great basic. It's truly the best of both worlds—you can either wear it while mountain biking or while munching on some chips and salsa at home; I'll let you decide which one is better. Why We Like It: - It's everything we love about a rugged shirt without looking too rugged. What You Should Know: - Set-in sleeves allow for enhanced movement and fit.

What To Look For

On this list, we have a style for just about every vibe. But if you don't know where to start, we suggest finding the right fit first. Athletic Fit: Merino wool shirts with an athletic fit tend to stick closer to your body and are great for those days when you're ready to rev your heartbeat up . This style also tends to make a great base for blazers, button-downs, and knit sweaters because it will stop your body from overheating.

Semi-Formal Fit: If you're looking for a dressier style, you should seek out Merino wool shirts in the form of a polo or button-down . These options will typically hug you in all the right places and can easily be worn on their own for an elevated ensemble.

Casual Fit: Basics should never be overlooked, which is why we think Merino wool shirts with a more casual fit are essential. This style is extremely versatile and will probably become the most-worn garment in your rotation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Merino Wool? Merino wool is a specific kind of wool that comes from a variety of sheep first bred in Spain. It's finer than standard wool , which also makes it softer and much more comfortable—you won't have to worry about any irritation here. Why Are Merino Wool Shirts Good for Travel? Merino wool shirts are a great option for travel because the material has antimicrobial properties, slowing the growth of odor-causing bacteria. You don't have to wash them as often as other clothing so that you can reduce the number of items on your packing list. Plus, they're also temperature-regulating, making them reliable options in warm, cold, and wet weather conditions.

Why You Can Trust Esquire

We're not going to say something is great unless it's actually great. Our fashion and e-commerce teams carefully choose every product in Esquire's roundups.

When it comes to Merino wool shirts, one style does not fit all—which is why we've compiled the options we've tried, tested, and loved over the years, as well as the shirts that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse. We've put in the research, we've worn these ourselves , and now we're recommending them to you because they're just that good.

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Best Merino Wool T-Shirts (For Men And Women)

Merino wool t-shirts are always a good purchase, and frequent travelers know why. They don’t absorb moisture, they don’t retain odors and they are incredibly soft and comfortable to wear. A single merino wool shirt can easily replace three cotton ones and free up a lot of space in your luggage .

Our Top Picks

Merino.tech 100% organic merino wool t-shirt.

MERIWOOL Men's Base Layer

Woolx Remi - Women's Long Sleeve Tee

But how do you know which shirts are the real deal, and which are just average? Well, I already did the research; all you have to do is read on, and you will see what the absolute best merino wool t-shirts for men and women are!

Top Product Overview

Best merino wool t-shirts for men.

Let’s kick things off strong, with an awesome,  100% merino wool t-shirt that does not contain any synthetic materials . The thing I love about this short sleeve shirt is the color variety. You will soon see that most merino wool t-shirts are available in really boring colors.

This is actually a rare t-shirt that comes in colors other than black, blue, and grey  – if you like fun and colorful tops, there’s no need to look any further.

And this is also one of the few merino wool t-shirts that are made from merino fibers with 17.5 microns , meaning that it is super soft, smooth, and comfortable. A shirt with fibers of 17.5 microns is actually defined as an ultrafine merino t-shirt , which is the finest merino wool in the world.

This is  a standard-fit shirt, but it is a little on the slimmer side . If you want it to fit loosely, I recommend you go a size up. If you can, that is, since this merino wool t-shirt is  only available in sizes ranging from S to XL.

You also get a pair of merino compression socks for free when you buy this ultrafine merino shirt , which is actually pretty cool. I did an entire post on compression socks for travelers  a while back – the bottom line is they are excellent for frequent flyers because they keep your feet from swelling like giant sausages.

Overall, this is the best merino wool t-shirt in the short sleeve range.

• Merino compression socks included in the purchase
• Good color variety
• Made from Ultrafine merino wool
• Size variety is not great

Product Information

• Microns: 17.5
• Fit: Standard
• Sizes: S-XL

Smartwool Men’s Short Sleeve Shirt

If you want  a comfortable fitting merino wool t-shirt , the  Smartwool  one is a good option for you. It is available in a good variety of colors, with seven very different options. The size variety is also okay; this t-shirt comes in  sizes ranging from S to XXL.  Unfortunately, there’s no information about the exact number of microns in the fibers, so I can’t tell you exactly how soft and smooth this t-shirt is going to be.

The shirt does  run a little small –  if you want it to fit really comfortably, you should go a size up.

It’s a good merino wool t-shirt, but it is very pricey for a top that’s not even made from pure merino wool.  With 13% nylon content, this is actually one of the few t-shirts that are made from a mixture of merino and synthetic materials . Which is not what you would expect with such a high price point.

There are some good things about the nylon though – for one thing, the durability of the shirt is increased. Merino is a biodegradable material, and it is not known for its exceptional durability. The  addition of nylon fibers helps increase the durability of the t-shirt, meaning you will be able to wear it for a longer time.

But if you’re not keen on spending upwards of $70 on a men’s merino wool t-shirt that’s not even pure merino, I completely understand that. And at least you get a lot of other options, which actually are 100% wool!

• Nylon and merino mixture is very durable
• Lightweight and breathable
• Very pricey
• Not pure merino
• Microns: No information
• Fit: Comfortable (loose)
• Sizes: S-XXL

Obviously, I have to include some long-sleeve options since it’s wintertime and everyone’s looking to stay warm at the moment. And I love the Meriwool t-shirt – it is  available in sizes ranging from XS to XXL , so there are plenty of options for everyone. This shirt is  made from 100% merino wool,  and it features a classic crew neck.

This merino wool t-shirt also comes in seven different colors – six solids and one striped print that I don’t like that much. I’m of the opinion that horizontal stripes look good only on supermodels, and I avoid wearing them. But if you actually like the print, you’ll be glad to know that you can a striped merino wool shirt.

This shirt features  18.5-micron fibers , which are  very soft and comfortable to wear . It is not itchy at all, and it is super  lightweight . This makes the shirt an  excellent under-layer,  something you can wear beneath a hoodie or a sweater, and not feel like you are wearing multiple layers of clothing.

This is  a slim-fitting merino wool t-shirt , so it does fit quite tight on your body. You can go for a size up if you want it to be looser, but then you’ll just have to deal with long sleeves and a loose neckline. If you’re not looking for a slim-fitting shirt, you will see plenty of other options in the rest of this review.

• Lightweight and very soft
• Good size variety
• Made from 100% merino wool
• Little color variety
• Microns: 1 8.5
• Fit: Slim-fitting
• Sizes: XS-XXL

Woolly Clothing Men's Merino Wool V-Neck Long Sleeve Shirt

Looking for a long-sleeve shirt that you don’t have to layer under hoodies and sweaters? This one is a great option! The Woolly Clothing shirt is  made from 17.5-micron merino wool,  which is very smooth and soft. It feels  super comfortable against your skin,  meaning that you can wear this shirt without anything underneath and you won’t feel itchy at all.

This merino wool t-shirt is available in only four colors , so there’s not really a lot of variety. The size variety is also not the best, since you can get the shirt in  only four sizes, ranging from S to XL . But you can get it in the size that you normally wear since this shirt generally fits true to size. It is a standard fitting, so it should not be tight at all – this shirt is actually on the loose side.

I like this merino wool t-shirt because it is kind of unique – I didn’t manage to find a lot of  v-necks , and definitely none that were better than this one. And, even though the color of variety could be significantly improved, the existing colors of this shirt are actually pretty interesting and not something I’ve seen anywhere else.

I also love that  the interior of the shirt is tagless.  If you have sensitive skin, I’m willing to bet you’re like me and the first thing you do with new shirts is cut off the tags. And honestly, the fact that this shirt does not have any internal tags is reason enough to buy it, at least for me.

• Tagless interior
• Unique colors
• True to size
• Fit: Standard (on the loose side)

LAPASA Men's 100% Merino Wool Thermal Underwear Top

If you’re specifically looking for a shirt to wear under sweaters and hoodies, this is the best one you can get.  It’s long-sleeve underwear , which you can wear under anything you want and feel very comfortable. It goes under hoodies, shirts and sweaters, and it helps regulate your body temperature while keeping you dry and fresh.

Obviously, this is a  very tight crew neck shirt . It is supposed to fit really tight on your body because it’s meant to be worn as an undershirt and not an actual merino wool shirt. You can get in a variety of different sizes, ranging from S to XXL.  But  since it is so tight, I recommend going a size up from what you normally wear , especially if your idea of a six-pack includes a bottle opener.

The top is  made from pure 18.5-micron merino woo l. It is incredibly  soft and light,  making it the perfect base layer of any outfit. And it has  ribbed cuffs, which will lock in your body heat  and ensure that you always stay warm.

One thing I don’t like a lot about this top is its thickness. It is an undershirt, so it makes sense that this is  a really thin top . But, merino wool tops do deteriorate over time, and a really thin top will last you much shorter than a proper t-shirt.

• Great as an undershirt
• Ribbed cuffs lock in heat
• Soft and comfortable
• Very thin and tight
• Not good as a stand-alone shirt
• Fit: Ultra slim

Best Merino Wool Shirts For Women

Meriwool women's base layer.

If you want a warm shirt you can wear under an itchy sweater, this is probably the best one to get . The crewneck underlayer is made from 17.5-micron merino wool,  so it is very soft and comfortable. This long-sleeve merino wool shirt is pretty tight , so it’s not a great option if you want something loose-fitting.

You can go a size up if you don’t want this top to be too tight, but there aren’t that many size options.  The shirt is available only in sizes ranging from XS to L ,  and only in the color black,  which is honestly a little disappointing.

But, this also might be exactly what you’re looking for – a lightweight, black undershirt that will keep you warm during winter adventures. The  ribbed cuffs  are actually one of my favorite things about this top, as they lock in your body heat and ensure that the cold doesn’t sneak into the sleeves.

You can wear this shirt on its own, with a jacket or a vest, but only when it’s not too cold outside. Keep in mind that this is supposed to be a base layer; it’s  a pretty thin shirt , which is meant to help regulate your body temperature under heavier layers. On its own, it won’t do a lot, in terms of keeping you warm in sub-zero temperatures.

• Great as a bottom layer
• Ribbed cuffs
• Pure merino wool
• Only available in the color black
• Sizes: XS-L

Woolly Clothing Co. Women's Merino Wool T-Shirt

The Woolly Clothing Co. T-shirt is  an excellent option for ladies that want a classic t-shirt.  This top is  made from 95% merino wool and 5% elastane , which is okay if you actually prefer tight, stretchy shirts. But if you were looking for a pure merino wool t-shirt, I recommend you skip to the next one.

Because of the elastane, this t-shirt is very stretchy and it will hug your body curves . It’s also not as good as repelling moisture and odors as a pure merino shirt, so bear that in mind.

The size variety of this merino wool shirt is a little bit disappointing – you can get it only in sizes ranging from S to XL . But it is a stretchy top, and those always fit differently. And the size variety is definitely not as disappointing as the color variety –  y ou can get this top in only two colors, and both of them are really bright and fun.

Which is okay if you want a colorful merino wool shirt you can wear all spring. But very disappointing if you were just looking for a classic merino t-shirt to pair with everything.

Another thing worth mentioning is that  the merino wool used in this shirt has 17.5 microns.  That’s  ultrafine merino wool  that is super soft and smooth, so even though the merino wool t-shirt is not pure merino, it still feels very luxe and comfy on you. Especially since the  interior of the top is tagless,  and you don’t have to worry about anything scratching your skin.

• Very comfortable
• Lightweight
• Ultrafine merino
• Available in only two colors
• Not pure merino wool

If you want a proper, merino t-shirt with long sleeves, I really think you will love this one . For one thing, it is  available in a wide variety of different colors , so it’s super easy to get a top that you can wear with pretty much anything in your closet.

The top is  made from pure merino wool with 17.5 micron s, meaning that it is super soft and smooth. It is a  thin and lightweight shirt , which you can wear on its own, or under bulkier layers. And I love that it is  entirely tagless ; if you usually remove all those scratchy tags from your shirts, you will really like this merino top.

This is  a slim-fitting shirt, but it’s not as tight as the other long-sleeve shirt I’ve shown you so far. In fact, this particular top actually runs a little large. If you would prefer it to be a tight fit, you might want to go a size down. And if you get the top in your usual size, expect it to be a bit loose at the sides.

The top is  available in sizes ranging from XS to XXL , so there’s enough variety for people with standard body types. Especially since this is not a very tight top.

One thing I’m not a huge fan of is the price point of the Woolx Remi shirt. It is a little expensive for a thin long-sleeve shirt, but it’s still not the priciest out of all the shirts I’ve shown you.

• Great color and size variety
• Very comfortable to wear
• Runs a little large

WoolX Addie Merino Wool Tee

This is literally like   a short-sleeve version of the previous top . It’s made by the same company, it is available in the same fun colors, and it is made from the same  17.5-micron merino wool . Meaning that it is equally soft, comfortable, and tagless  as the previous Woolx shirt.

It’s a  slim-fitting merino t-shirt, but it’s more of a relaxed fit than a really tight fit . Which means that this is going to be comfortable on your body, as long as you get it in a size that fits your body well. And  there are plenty of sizes to choose from, ranging from XS to XXL . It is also worth noting that the top is a little longer than traditional t-shirts, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

Additionally, this t-shirt is  made from pure merino wool , and it does not contain any synthetic materials. Which means that you get the full benefits of merino wool, like the temperature regulation and moisture-wicking features.

Another upside of this top is that  certain sizes and colors are cheaper than others. You can get the shirt for as little as $30, which is absolutely insane for a top that’s made from pure merino wool. I would recommend checking the prices of your sizes in every single color and going for the best deal you find.

• Starts to pill pretty fast
• Not very durable
• Fit: Relaxed slim

Smartwool Women’s Base Layer Top

This is another great option if you want a long-sleeve top that works both as a shirt and as a base layer. It’s a little thicker than most other tops I’ve shown you, but it is still made from pure, ultrafine merino wool. Which means that it’s soft, smooth, and very comfortable to wear.

One thing to note is that the exact number of microns in the fibers is not specified. But, Smartwool does state that this  top is made from ‘ultrafine merino wool’,  which refers to wool with 17.5 microns or less. Merino wool with 17.6-18.5 microns is categorized as ‘superfine wool’.

Since this is mostly meant as a base layer,  it is pretty tight . The shirt will hug the contours of your body, and it mostly fits true to size. But, if you don’t want it to be super tight, I recommend going a size up.

That should be easy to do since the top is available in sizes ranging from XS to XL . And what I like even more is the color variety. This top  comes in 13 different colors , including both the basics like black and navy blue, as well as some really fun colors like mint and bright pink.

The downside of the top is the price point. This is a very  expensive merino t-shirt, especially for a base layer. Some colors and sizes are cheaper than others, but even the cheapest version of this merino t-shirt is well above $60.

• Great color variety
• One of the thicker tops
• Quite pricey
• Largest size is XL
• Microns: Not specified (Ultrafine)
• Sizes: XS-XL

What To Look For

Why merino wool t-shirts are great for travel.

Packing is the worst part of any trip. Deciding what you need to bring, ironing your clothes for hours, and trying to delicately fold them so you can fit way too many items in a suitcase that’s too small. You can make this tedious process a little bit easier if you start wearing merino wool shirts.

There are so many benefits to switching out cotton t-shirts for merino wool t-shirts . For one thing, merino wool shirts are  naturally moisture-wicking and antibacterial.  Which means that they  don’t absorb sweat, and they don’t retain any odors . You could technically wear one merino t-shirt for a week, and you wouldn’t stink.

Why is this great for travel? Well, because  you can pack one merino wool t-shirt instead of three cotton ones  and you would be fine. You could wear it for multiple days, and it would still be a pretty fresh shirt. Just think about the amount of space you could save in your luggage if you swapped out all your cotton t-shirts for merino wool ones!

In addition to that,  merino wool has really good temperature regulation properties, just ask a Merino sheep!  It will  keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter , which is exactly what a good merino t-shirt should do. This is also why merino wool t-shirts are the go-to choice for many hikers and backpackers – not only do they last a long time, but they also help with temperature regulation in all sorts of conditions.

Comfortable To Wear

Merino wool is the softest type of wool that exists, meaning that all merino wool t-shirts are super soft and comfortable to wear. They’re not itchy at all, so you can wear them without undershirts. On top of that, these t-shirts are very lightweight and feel really good on your body.

The exact softness of the merino t-shirts depends on the microns. A micron is a measurement that is used to express the diameter of a wool fiber. And the lower the number of microns in wool fiber, the softer and pricier the shirt is.

I’ve indicated the number of microns in the fibers in the product infoboxes, so be sure to check those.

Fit And Sizing

Obviously, you should think about how you want this merino t-shirt to fit you. I’ve shown you some slim-fitting shirts and some loose t-shirts, so there should be plenty of options for everyone.

And I hope there are enough options for different people size-wise. Not all of the shirts featured here are available in plus sizes, and I’ve always indicated that in the cons boxes. Be sure to check those, to see if a t-shirt is available in your usual size.

Merino wool is a high-quality material that costs a pretty penny. The t-shirts I showed you here are not cheap – on average, they cost anywhere between $40 and $140. Which is a lot of money for a shirt.

But I think they are definitely worth it. Merino wool is truly a premium material, and it feels incredible against your skin. These t-shirts will make your travels so much easier since they don’t retain moisture and odors, so you can wear them more than once.

Most of the shirts I showed you here are around the $60 price point. That’s the standard for merino shirts; whenever I say that a shirt is pricey or expensive, that basically means that it costs more than $60

Taking Care Of Merino Wool Shirts

Merino t-shirts are great because you can wear them for ages before they start to smell. So, you can go a really long time without washing them.

However, the big downside of merino t-shirts is that they’re not easy to wash. You have to be really careful when washing them since wool does not respond well to high heat. If you wash a merino t-shirt in really hot water, there’s a good chance that it will shrink and become unwearable.

This doesn’t mean you can’t throw them in the washing machine – most merino shirts are machine washable, as long as you use the wool cycle. You can even put them in a dryer, just make sure that you use the low tumble dry setting. I would recommend hanging them to dry though, just to be on the safe side.

If you properly take care of your merino shirts, you will be able to wear them for at least a year, depending on how often you wear and wash them. I have shirts that I’ve worn for 5-6 years straight, and they are still in really good condition – I attribute that to being very careful when washing them.

The Best Merino Wool Shirts: Our Top Choices

Not quite sure which top you should pick? That’s fine – go with one of our top choices and you’ll be getting a premium merino wool shirt!

Let’s start with the gents.  My favorite long sleeve merino shirt for men is the Meriwool Base Layer Shirt . It’s made from pure merino wool with fibers that have  18.5 microns , so it is very soft and comfortable.

This is a slim-fitting shirt that’s going to be pretty tight on your body, so you will get the full benefits of merino wool if you wear this as a bottom layer. The top is  available in sizes ranging from XS to XXL , and your usual size should fit you just fine.

• PACKAGE INCLUDES: 1 – Merino Wool Men’s Merino Wool Thermal Crewneck Top in Denim Blue / Large | MATERIAL: 18.5 Micron, 100% Merino wool, 250g/m2 | FIT: Fitted
• SUPER SOFT: 100% all natural superfine 18.5-micron Merino wool ensures comfort all day – no itch! EASY CARE: Mid-weight long sleeve crew top shirt is machine-washable and dryer-safe, so it’s ready when you are for your next adventure.

If you’re more interested in a classic t-shirt, go with the Merino.tech tee .  It’s  lightweight, affordable, and made from pure 17.5-micron merino wool.  This is a  standard-fitting shirt that’s on the slimmer side, but it is not too tight. And it  comes with a free pair of merino socks , so you’re getting pretty good value for your money.

The only thing that might be an issue is the size range – the shirt is available only in sizes ranging from S to XL.  

• Merino Wool Hiking Socks ($ 21 Value): Package includes Merino Wool T Shirt Men Lightweight 165 g/m² and Merino Wool Hiking Socks. Makes a Great Gift!
• Super Soft & Comfortable: 100% Superfine 17.5 Micron Merino wool base layer mens shirt provides all day comfort and no itch! Merino Wool Tshirt Mens was designed for daily wear without rubbing and overheating of regular cotton.

And now we’re moving on to  women’s shirts. If you want a good base layer for the colder months, go with Woolx Remi long sleeve shirt .  It is made from  pure, 17.5-micron merino wool, so it is very smooth and soft.  It has  ribbed cuffs  that lock in your body heat, as well as an  entirely smooth and tagless interior.

On top of all that, both the color and size variations are excellent, and there are a lot of options for everyone.

• LADIES LONG SLEEVE WORKOUT TEE: Ideal for year round comfort, wear alone or layer, our long sleeve tops are cozy yet lightweight! You'll stay comfortable without overheating, & helps protect your skin from the sun with SPF 50+!
• KEEPS YOU COOL & PREVENTS ODOR : Merino Wool might not sound like the best fabric for workout gear, but it really is! Wool shirts wick moisture away from the skin & regulate body temperature to keep you cool! The result is all-day comfort!

Maybe you’re looking for a simple merino wool t-shirt? In that case, I recommend the Woolx Addie tee .  It is very similar to their long sleeve shirt I talked about previously but in a good way. It is made from the same  soft merino wool, and it is available in a lot of different sizes and colors .

Virtually the only differences are that this is a short-sleeve shirt and that it is a little bit looser than the long sleeve version.

That’s it when it comes to our favorite merino wool shirts. But you are okay getting any one of the shirts featured in this review – they are all made by really good brands, and are rated very highly.

Check out our related posts, for ideas on other merino clothing every traveler should have! After all, Icebreaker from New Zealand might be expensive, but it’s also worth checking out.

RELATED POSTS:

SMARTWOOL VS. ICEBREAKER

DARN TOUGH VS. SMARTWOOL

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• Travel Clothes

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

Published December 19, 2023

Written by:

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

Co-founder, tortuga.

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

Jeremy Michael Cohen

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

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.

Bring everything you need without checking a bag.

• Carry-On-Sized
• Easy to pack
• Comfortable to carry
• Built to last

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.

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 & 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& 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 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 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 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 & 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 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

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 & 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 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 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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Jessie is a writer, editor, and content marketer who covers travel gear and adventure travel. She’s called many places home and traveled to 45+ countries.

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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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12 Best Merino Wool T-Shirts for Men & Women

Posted by Mac Misseldine June 06, 2019 Updated February 14, 2024

Merino wool is nature’s finest performance fabric, able to fight odor, wick moisture, regulate body temperature, and protect you from the sun’s UV rays from sunrise to sunset.

We’re not saying merino wool is magic. But we’re not saying it isn’t , because when you weave merino wool into a t-shirt, it’s a magical experience.

Merino wool t-shirts are incredibly versatile, equally comfortable in cool and warm weather. The surface repels water while simultaneously pulling moisture into its core, creating a dry body climate that cools you down in the heat and insulates you in the cold.

Merino wool is also naturally antimicrobial. Combined with its moisture-wicking properties, that means merino wool t-shirts resist odors.

There are stories of people wearing their merino t-shirt for a week without washing it, claiming it smelled just as fresh on day one as it did on day seven.

I know — magic, right?

We’re not even finished. Merino wool is naturally springy and luxuriously soft. The fabric is renewable, biodegradable, fire resistant, and hypoallergenic.

Merino t-shirts also hold their shape better and don’t stretch out, so they’re built to last longer than a cotton shirt.

In short, everyone should have a merino wool t-shirt in their wardrobe.

Merino Wool T-Shirts

Here’s a look at 3 of our favorite options for 2020.

Icebreaker Tech Lite T-Shirt

Ideal for outdoor adventures – think hiking, camping and backpacking – that require superior moisture wicking and comfort.

Outlier Ultrafine Merino T-Shirt

American-made quality shirts that work well in any season, anywhere.

Woolly Everyday Weight Short Sleeve Tee

Affordable versatility for work, play and more – all without sacrificing style and quality.

In fact, make that two — a lightweight option for outdoor adventures, and a heavier, fashionable one that you can pair with a blazer for casual Fridays at the office.

Now that you’re sold on buying one (or two), let’s talk about our favorites.

Here’s a list of the best merino wool t-shirts on the market, from budget-friendly buys to luxury upgrades and everything in between.

Editor’s Choice: Icebreaker Tech Lite T-Shirt

The Icebreaker Tech Lite is the perfect merino wool t-shirt for outdoor adventures. Whether you’re backpacking, mountaineering, climbing, or skiing, this premium t-shirt delivers the breathability, odor resistance, and quick-drying performance you need for a comfortable base layer.

The Tech Lite t-Shirt features Icebreaker’s core-spun fibers — nylon fibers wrapped in merino wool for optimal durability, strength, and softness. Backpackers will especially appreciate the offset shoulder seams that reduce chafing when carrying a pack.

In addition to the standard crew neck, the Tech Lite t-Shirt is also available in V-neck , patterned , and graphic print styles. We’re fans of the Tech Lite Crewe Canoe Companions T-Shirt , a fun graphic print that’s sure to get a few laughs on the trail.

Editor’s Choice: Black Diamond Rhythm Tee

Wait, two Editor’s Choice awards? That’s right — both of these shirts deserve a place in your closet, because they each shine in different areas.

The Icebreaker Tech Lite T-Shirt is our favorite all-around merino wool shirt for style and versatility. But when it comes to high-output, sweaty outdoor activities, nothing beats the Black Diamond Rhythm Tee .

Built for freedom and mobility, the Rhythm Tee is the lightest technical merino wool t-shirt on the market. Thanks to Black Diamond’s NuYarn merino wool fabric, the shirt breathes better, dries 5x faster, and has 35% more stretch than your average merino shirt. So, if you’re looking for optimal sport performance while you’re sweating it out on the trail, this is it.

The Rhythm Tee was actually designed with the help of ultra athlete Joe Grant . Of the Rhythm Tee, Grant says, “I always try to choose gear that I can forget about when I’m out in the elements and that doesn’t hinder the experience. The Rhythm Tee is soft to the touch, very light and breathable, and has plenty of stretch.”

Upgrade Pick: Outlier Ultrafine Merino T-Shirt

If you’re going to splurge on a merino wool shirt, make it the Outlier Ultrafine Merino T-Shirt . Simply put, this is the finest merino wool t-shirt that money can buy.

What does this shirt offer to justify its premium price tag? For starters, the wool comes from the Mackenzie Basin in New Zealand, an area with a rich history in wool dating back two centuries. The shirts are audited and certified by AsureQuality to ensure a pristine supply chain, so you know you’re getting a pure product from the farm to the factory.

Speaking of the factory, the Ultrafine Merino T-Shirt is manufactured in the San Francisco Bay area, so you’re getting American-made quality.

The Ultrafine Merino T-Shirt features 17.5 micron merino fibers that are finer, softer, and more beautiful to the touch than standard merino. Outlier uses 195 gsm fabric instead of the standard 150-160 gsm fabric so that the shirt is more durable, drapes better, and feels more luxurious.

This shirt is geared for the fashion-conscious, featuring a moderately lean cut that’s long enough to keep you covered while you’re moving. This would be our go-to shirt for the airport and casual Fridays at the office, especially if you bike to work.

Best Value: Woolly Everyday Weight Short Sleeve Tee

Looking for a 100% merino wool t-shirt?

Many top options on the market are a blend of wool and synthetic, but the Everyday Weight Short Sleeve Tee from Seattle-based Wooly Clothing Co. delivers 100% 18.5 micron merino wool.

The Everyday Weight Short Sleeve Tee is a versatile piece of foundation wear, equally comfortable as a standalone shirt or a base layer.

The simple, classic style is great for work, play, leisure, and travel in hot and cold climates. You’ll enjoy four-season comfort thanks to the shirt’s natural stretch, moisture-wicking properties, and odor resistance.

The Everyday Weight Short Sleeve Tee is available in three styles: crew neck , V-neck , and Henley .

If you find this 190 gsm shirt too heavy, consider trying the 150 gsm Ultralight Tee , which is also available in crew neck and V-neck styles.

Icebreaker Cool-Lite Sphere

When you’re heading to hotter territory, grab the Cool-Lite™ Sphere T-Shirt from Icebreaker. It’s the ideal merino wool t-shirt for when you’re on the move under the sweltering sun, whether that involves trail running, hiking, climbing, or biking.

Awarded Best in Category by Ultra Running Magazine for wool running tops, the Cool-Lite™ Sphere is comfortable, quick drying, odor resistant, and highly breathable.

The Cool-Lite™ Sphere T-Shirt features the same core-spun fabric as the popular Icebreaker Tech Lite, with a lighter jersey and Icebreaker’s proprietary Cool-Lite™ technology to keep you cool and comfortable on hot days. It also features offset shoulder seams to keep your backpack from rubbing your shoulders raw.

In addition to the standard crew neck, you can find the Cool-Lite™ Sphere T-Shirt in V-neck and graphic print styles.

SmartWool Merino 150 Tee

The go-to brand for merino wool at REI is SmartWool , so you know you can trust the SmartWool Merino 150 Tee . It’s SmartWool’s lightest, most versatile layer, with enhanced durability to resist odors, wick moisture, and regulate your body temperature.

The SmartWool Merino 150 Tee features Core Spun technology, wrapping the merino wool around a nylon core to boost the durability without sacrificing merino wool’s natural comfort. The offset should seams are comfortable under pack straps, and the UPF 20+ rating means you’ll enjoy basic protection against the sun’s UV rays.

The SmartWool Merino 150 Tee comes in a variety of fun graphic prints, making it one of the few merino wool t-shirts that let you express your style on the trail. We’re fans of the Mountain Morning Tee , Llama Adventures Tee , and Bear Camp Tee .

Arcteryx A2B T-Shirt

As the name suggests, the Arc’teryx A2B T-Shirt is made for travel. Whether you’re commuting around town, biking to the office, or catching a plane for a weekend getaway, the A2B T-Shirt will keep you comfortable and odor-free.

The A2B T-Shirt is a lifestyle tee that’s made for walking and cycling, featuring an ergonomic patterning, lower length, and streamlined trim fit that move with your body. It’s easy to layer with a button-down shirt or sweater, and you can wear it straight from the office to the backcountry.

The A2B T-Shirt is particularly popular with bike commuters thanks to the lightweight, comfortable Polylain™ merino wool blend that naturally resists odors. It’s also available in a V-neck style for men.

Merino 365 Short Sleeve T

Most of the time, merino wool comes from a foreign commodity market. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but it makes it pretty unique that Merino 365 sources their merino wool directly from the farm. It’s not exactly farm to table — perhaps farm to closet?

Try on the Merino 365 Short Sleeve T and you’ll quickly notice that it’s an upgrade from your average 100% merino wool shirt. It’s made with ultrasoft New Zealand merino wool that’s noticeably more comfortable than typical merino. It also sports a trendier cut with a modern fit that looks great when you wear it.

In addition to the standard crew neck, the Merino 365 Short Sleeve T is also available in a V-neck .

Unbound Merino Wool V-Neck

The Unbound Merino Wool V-Neck might not be the cheapest shirt on our list, but it represents an extraordinary value at its price point. It’s an amazingly versatile merino shirt that you can wear casually around town or dress up with a blazer for the boardroom.

The Unbound Merino Wool V-Neck is made with the highest quality ultrafine merino wool. It’s moisture wicking, odor resistant, anti-wrinkle, and anti-bacterial, able to control your core temperature as you move from air-conditioned interiors to sweaty subway trains. It also features reinforced stitching for improved durability.

Not only is the Unbound Merino Wool V-Neck trendy and modern, it’ll be the most comfortable shirt in your wardrobe.

Wool & Prince 100% Merino T-Shirt

The Wool & Prince 100% Merino T-Shirt was designed for wool purists who roll their eyes at the mention of synthetic blends. It features a heavier jersey fabric than the average 100% merino wool shirt, and a finer fiber size of 17.5 microns. The result is a better drape, luxurious hand feel, and improved durability.

The Wool & Prince 100% Merino T-Shirt is built for traveling, commuting, and casual Fridays at the office.

If you’re looking for a merino shirt for outdoor adventures, we’d recommend going with the standard Wool & Prince T-shirt instead. It features a merino wool blend that’s a little more durable, and it’s machine-washable (whereas the 100% Merino T-Shirt is hand wash only).

Woolx Outback

The Woolx Outback is the perfect merino wool t-shirt for shoppers on a budget. It’s available for a killer price, and an even better value considering the quality.

The Woolx Outback features 17.5 micron Australian merino wool. It’s super soft, with flatlock seams to avoid rubbing and chafing while you’re on the move. Like any good merino wool shirt it’ll help to regulate your body temperature, wick moisture, and prevent odor. Woolx guarantees against pilling and itching, too.

Minus33 Algonquin T-Shirt

Minus33 started as a snowmobiling brand in 2002, setting up shop in the historic L.W. Packard Mill in Ashland, New Hampshire. They’ve since branched out to all kinds of merino wool products, including the Algonquin T-Shirt (labeled as the Appalachia T-Shirt for women).

The Algonquin T-Shirt is a versatile 100% merino wool shirt. It’s a great solo option on warm summer days, and makes a good base layer when the weather turns chilly. It’s soft, comfortable, and odor-resistant — everything you’d expect from a merino wool shirt.

More Apparel Recommendations

While you’ve got your Amex card out, let’s keep upgrading your wardrobe. Check out our favorite trail running shoes , UV protective apparel , American-made watch brands , minimalist sandals , lightweight rain jackets , hiking pants , American-made hiking boots , American-made work boots , Chukka boots , bomber jackets , and waxed canvas jackets .

Looking to upgrade your commuter game? Grab one of our favorite leather messenger bags , or try a casual messenger bag you can take from the office to the outdoors .

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Posted by Mac Misseldine

Mac is a digital marketer and freelance writer based in Pleasant Grove, Utah. He enjoys exploring the countless trails that the Beehive State has to offer, though his favorite outdoor adventures involve a snowboard and fresh powder.

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This is the most upscale Merino shirt on the market. Just read the reviews!

Never worry about being underdressed and looking like a tourist. Intentionally designed for dinner in Rome, business in London and any first class cabin.

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Forclaz Men's Travel 500 Merino Wool T-Shirt

The best material for trekkers on the go!

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About this item:

• Odor Control: The component reduces the odours from perspiration. ISO 17299-3 laboratory test
• Breathability: The wool is breathable and can be worn in summer or winter
• Softness: Ultra-fine (19.5 microns) Merino Wool
• Weight: 5.22 oz (148 g) in size L. Fabric 5.5 oz (155 g/sqm)

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Forclaz men's travel 500 merino wool t-shirt | a merino wool t-shirt for complete peace of mind while you hike around the world for weeks on end., odor control.

The component limits perspiration odors. Laboratory test ISO 17299-3

The addition of acrylic to the fabric speeds up the drying time

The blend of merino wool and synthetics makes the T-shirt more durable

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Wool is breathable and can be worn in summer and winter

Fine Merino wool (19.5 micrometers)

The t-shirt weighs 5.2 oz. in size L. 155 g/sqm fabric

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Used in Norway and for multi-day treks, bought to not "stink". It did its job. Not pretty but effective.

Very comfortable garment to wear.

This is my 8th merino t-shirt that I have purchased from this range and I am very satisfied with it.

They don't make it in dark grey anymore, perfect as an everyday shirt

The product is good

Top product, see my comment on another T-shirt from the brand. Just some additional information from me. I exclusively use a size S in other products, from various brands, for the upper body. I like it to be close to the body. For this type of t-shirt, for "aerobic" activities, such as hiking, TT motorcycle, mountain... I wanted more breathability, for the air to circulate between the skin and the t-shirt. So I chose, as recommended by the online site, size M. Perfect for this type of product, and the activities I practice with it.

I discovered Merino products recently. I use sleeveless t-shirts for some low or medium intensity sports for their comfort, their quick drying and, importantly, no smell even after several days of hiking. I'm going to buy some with sleeves for ski touring. Compared to other brands, the quality/price ratio is unbeatable, what's more, with a percentage of merino wool that is often higher! Be wary of certain brands, much more expensive, which do not communicate too much on this last point, but which sell you the same products, much more expensive. Something to think about...

Good lately the summer type easy to break are very expensive but overall good product

Good product, light, nice look

Good product, simple design, light

They are very new, but after several washes they lose their hold.

Good merino t-shirt, but they are cut crooked. I bought 3 recently and all 3 have the same defect. If I take the seams on the side, the t-shirt is slightly twisted

Everything itches as you wear it. Terrible material. And definitely not worth 20 euros

light and ultra comfortable. nice design

Very good price-quality ratio

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Main fabric: 70.0% Wool, 30.0% Acrylic

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The Best Travel Outfits For Women That Blend Comfort With Style

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The best travel outfits for women blend comfort with style, prioritizing moisture-wicking fabrics that feel light and breathable but still look polished. After ranking our favorites—including those we’ve personally worn—we researched best-selling items from a variety of top retailers and took into account trends and reviews. Our top picks include the viral Tanming Women’s 2-Piece Lounge Set , the silky soft Cozy Earth Women's Bamboo Jogger Pant and these cozy On Cloud 5 sneakers .

The best airport outfits blend comfort with style, prioritizing breathable foot support and plush, ... [+] moisture-wicking fabrics while never skimping on what looks best.

While lugging suitcases through the airport and waiting on busy security lines can be hectic, bringing along the right outfit, shoes and accessories can provide much-needed comfort. For more options, read our guides to the best travel pants for women , best crossbody bags for travel and best travel totes . Below, the best travel outfits for women in 2024.

The 6 Best Linen Sheets Sets, Based On Our Firsthand Expert Testing

The best maternity jeans to flatter every baby bump, editor’s picks:.

• Best Lounge Set: Tanming 2-Piece Lounge Set
• Best T-Shirt: Unbound Merino Women's Crew Neck T‑Shirt
• Best Coat: J.Crew New Icon Trench
• Best Cardigan: American Eagle AE Crew Neck Lady Cardigan
• Best Travel Pant: Cozy Earth Women's Bamboo Jogger Pant
• Best Jeans: Good American Soft-Tech Good Legs Straight Jeans
• Best Travel Shoes: On Cloud 5
• Best Travel Tote: Cuyana Classic Easy Tote

Best Lounge Sets

Chic and versatile, tanming women's 2-piece lounge set.

I am a New York-based editorial assistant working across the beauty, fashion, travel and home & kitchen categories. Prior to joining Forbes Vetted, I served in an editorial role at HarperCollins. My work has also been featured in Make Muse and The Common. I hold a bachelor's degrees in English and psychology from Amherst College, and attended the Columbia Publishing Course.

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Featuring a chic knit top and wide-leg palazzo trousers, this popular lounge set is the embodiment of effortless style—and is also incredibly comfortable. It comes in nine trendy colors (including blue, pink and Khaki) for on-the-go versatility, and can easily be dressed up or down with light accessories.

Soft, Simple And Great For Long Flights

Skims cotton fleece classic hoodie and jogger.

Skims’ super soft lounge set is perfect for staying cozy on long flights. The hoodie features kangaroo pockets and a double-lined hood, while the jogger has an interior drawcord so you can adjust the fit as needed.

Flowy Fit For All-Day Elegance

Monos sevilla top and pants.

When they’re not engineering top-of-the-line luggage , Monos is also designing comfy lounge sets to keep you snug on your journey. Enter their Sevilla loungewear: If a more flared look is what you seek, this bamboo-cotton set will impress with its flowy, relaxed fit and airy drape.

Light And Moisture-Wicking

Unbound Merino

Unbound Merino Women's Crew Neck T‑Shirt

Unbound Merino’s tops have been praised for their moisture-wicking properties, and this simple crewneck tee remains no exception. It’s made of luxuriously light, Merino wool fibers that are wrinkle-free and wear-and-tear resistant. Forbes Vetted senior travel editor Astrid Taran has been wearing this top on a number of recent flights and praises its breathability.

Stretchy And Great For Layering

Alo sheer glow tank.

Dressing for travel is all about layering—which is why we recommend this closet staple from Alo. Throw it on beneath a light jacket to keep yourself warm on your long plane ride.

Trendy Hem, Relaxed Silhouette

Athleta seasoft bubble hem hoodie.

Cooling fabric? Check. Sustainably sourced fibers? Of course—this trendy, bubble-hem hoodie from Athleta has it all.  Feel free to store your passport and other essentials in its roomy pockets while you rush from terminal to terminal.

Elegant And Warm

Quince mongolian cashmere fisherman crewneck sweater.

As far as ribbed crewnecks go, this cozy sweater from Quince hits all the marks for quality: Its sustainably-sourced cashmere fabric is both durable and stylish, keeping travelers warm while looking good. Winter travelers can pair it with a stretchy jean and simple statement jewelry.

Best Outerwear

Light and reversible with hidden pockets, lululemon women's reversible insulated bomber jacket.

Another layering essential, this reversible bomber jacket is lightly insulated on the inside and out for versatile wear. Bonus: Its pockets have hidden sleeves on both sides, perfect for keeping your valuables and travel docs secure.

Instantly Upgrades Any Travel Outfit

J.crew new icon trench.

An update on their popular 2011 design, J.Crew’s new Icon Trench now has a removable hood and comes in a relaxed, classic fit for day-to-day travels. It falls just at the knee, with welt pockets, sleek button closures and an adjustable belt that are sure to turn heads between terminals.

Understated Yet Elevated

American Eagle

American Eagle AE Crew Neck Lady Cardigan

For a lightweight outer layer, snag this soft, knit cardigan from American Eagle. Designers modeled it to emulate Parisian high fashion styles, and it comes in six colors to instantly elevate any on-the-go ensemble. Note: Some reviewers suggest ordering a size down.

Best Travel Pants

Bamboo fabric, super soft feel, cozy earth women's bamboo jogger pant.

These joggers from Cozy Earth are made from the brand’s famous, temperature-regulating bamboo viscose, which is why we deemed it our most comfortable pick in our roundup of the best travel pants for women . Its cinched waistband is extremely flattering, and its side pockets are perfectly tailored to fit phones. “This is my go-to travel pant,” says Taran. “It’s one of the softest pairs of pants I own.”

Weightless, On-The-Go Leggings

Lululemon align high-rise pant.

Pair these buttery-soft leggings with an oversized hoodie for the ultimate comfy, weightless travel look. The brand claims they’re so stretchy and breathable, in fact, that you might even forget you have them on.

Stretchy And Body-Shaping

Good American

Good American Soft-Tech Good Legs Straight Jeans

Khloe Kardashian’s Good American jeans are beloved for their tummy-smoothing technology and plush, cotton feel. These Soft-Tech Straight Jeans from the brand stand out in particular for their sculpting effect; style them with a pair of comfortable heels for a striking yet casual jet-setting look.

Breezy Shorts Under $50

Uniqlo ultra stretch airism shorts.

While shorts aren’t everyone’s airport go-to’s, these flared ones from Uniqlo can make getting around a breeze. They feature ultra-stretchy fabric with extra room at the hips, and fall in a soft drape around the thighs—and all at a relatively affordable price.

Best Travel Shoes

Cloud-like cushioning.

A perennially popular footwear pick here at Forbes Vetted, this shoe continues to top a variety of our lists, including the Best Shoes For Standing All Day and the Best Walking Shoes For Women . It has cloud-like cushioning and a molded heel for ample support, with a mesh upper that stops your feet from getting too hot. In other words, it will keep your feet happy even when you’re stuck on a seemingly endless airport security line.

Great Arch Support And Easy To Slide On And Off

Vivaia water-repellent sneaker boot sliders.

These shoes from Vivaia aren’t quite sneakers and aren’t quite boots, but rather something in-between—which makes them the perfect, stretchy footwear option for long treks around the airport. Simply slip them on and you’re ready to go; with their lightweight, cushiony arch support, they’re sure to become an instant travel essential.

Timeless And Comfy

BIrkenstock

Birkenstock Arizona Birko-Flor

Let’s be real—you’d be hard-pressed to not find a few of your fellow passengers sporting these, and for good reason. Birkenstock’s timeless Arizona design has persisted since 1973 due to its supportive cork-latex footbed that molds to the contours of your foot, making it a comfy cult-classic for jet-setters everywhere.

Best Accessories

Classic and effortless.

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Women's New York Yankees '47 Navy Adjustable Hat

Whether you wear them to rep your home team or just for the aesthetics, baseball caps remain forever in style—and have also become an important part of current airport fashion trends. Loop your ponytail through the back and pair it with a plush lounge set for that classic, effortless look.

Provides Sun Protection

Madewell lantern straw hat.

If you’re headed for a tropical destination, consider saving on luggage space by wearing your sun hat to the airport. This straw number from Madewell comes in four handwoven, embroidered options.

Sleek, Quiet Design

Bose quietcomfort ultra.

No trip is complete without a set of noise-cancelling headphones to ease your flight. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra was chosen as our top overall pick in our roundup of the Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones thanks to their crisp sound quality, deep base reverb and sleek design. 

Spacious Yet Stylish

Cuyana classic easy tote.

Don’t let its minimal design fool you: This stylish, Italian leather tote from Cuyana has enough space to fit a laptop (up to 16 inches), your passport, wallet and more. Its double-strapped handles allow you to carry heavier essentials with ease. If you crave even more space, check out the bag’s accompanying tote insert to add extra room. In her review of this bag, Taran praised its quality, durability and style.

A Versatile Crossbody Option

Lo & Sons

Lo & Sons Waverley 2

Another leather favorite, this Lo & Sons bag not only sits at the hip with its adjustable strap, but can also be worn in three other different ways: as a chic clutch, belt bag or shoulder bag. Its adjustable styles can compliment just about any travel outfit, which is why we deemed it our favorite versatile pick in our list of the Best Crossbody Bags For Travel .

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

• Here at Forbes Vetted, our team has performed thorough research for dozens of travel product stories, from the Best Travel Toiletry Bags to the Best Compression Socks For Travel .
• This article was written by Whitney Bruno , a lifestyle editorial assistant who writes across the beauty, fashion, travel and home & kitchen categories. She has written travel apparel guides, including a guide to the Best Travel Pants For Women .
• Senior travel editor Astrid Taran , who’s covered the ins and outs of hotels, cruises and travel-related accessories for over seven years, has overseen the editing of this article and contributed several picks that she has worn on trips.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is best to wear to the airport.

Comfortable, moisture-wicking clothes like joggers, leggings and lounge sets are best to wear to the airport—especially if you anticipate standing in lengthy security lines or sitting on a longer flight. Some of our favorite, cozy airport essentials include the Skims Cotton Fleece Classic Hoodie And Jogger , the Good American Soft-Tech Good Legs Straight Jeans and the On Cloud 5 sneakers.

What Is The Best Outfit To Wear On A Plane?

Outfits made up of soft, loose-fitting clothes are the best to wear on a plane. Loungewear, sweat sets and athleisure are incredibly popular plane fashion items for that reason: They’re made of flexible fabrics that provide extra comfort. For a fashionable upgrade, you can match a lux hoodie and joggers with simple accessories, such as a travel tote, baseball cap or headphones. You can also layer a simple tee/tank with a statement jacket or coat in a louder color.

For shoes, seek out footwear with plenty of cushioning and arch support. Sneakers tend to fit the bill, but a supportive boot or sandal will do just as well.

What Is The Best Color To Wear To The Airport?

Neutral colors are the best to wear to the airport; you can always easily dress a neutral outfit up or down. This gives you a lot of leeway to re-wear your pieces regardless if you’re traveling for business or pleasure.

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20 Travel Comfort Essentials Every Wanderer MUST Pack

Exploring our beautiful world is liberating and exhilarating. No doubt, travel is one of my biggest passions and I never miss a chance to pack my bags and hop on a flight.

However…

Those long haul flights.. wait times at the airport.. 24 hour bus rides (Yes! I have done those too).. can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being.

That doesn’t mean you stop traveling. It only means you travel smarter. This is where travel comfort products come into the picture.

It is ultra important to carry that ONE item which makes you feel comfortable and helps you relax during those long commutes. So if you don’t have a travel comfort essential in your suitcase yet, here are 20 ideas from avid travelers to help make your travels more comfortable.

Must-Have Travel Comfort Essentials

Dr. Cacinda Maloney from PointsandTravel

My Ooloom face blanket is something I never leave home without on a long haul flight! What is a face blanket?  Well, it is really just a sleeping mask, but face blanket does make it sound better! My face blanket is of a plush owl design and it is great for blocking out ambient light and letting me have a good rest while traveling on a plane. I invested in a slightly pricier one that sits away from my eye sockets, and it is larger and softer than the typical eye mask. Also with this deep eye cavity mask, I don’t have the material pushing on my eyelids, so that my eyes are unobstructed during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. At least, somehow it makes me feel like I get better sleep and helps me block out the rest of the plane activity!

My Travel Comfort Pick – Kip-Kit 🙂 

A good night’s rest is essential to get us through the next day without being grouchy, especially when you are on the move. Hence, my choice for the ultimate travel comfort essential is Kip-Kit.

This new innovative device will completely change the way you travel, whether it is by bus, train or plane. It is also fab to whip out at those endless waits to board your chosen means of travel. Kip- Kit has developed the almost perfect travel aid that takes comfort levels to a new high, and helps me reach my destinations without the inevitable sore neck (Thank god).

The new Kip-Kit travel aid, gives just the right support to my chin, by maintaining the correct posture while sitting. This not only reduces stress on the muscles of the neck and keeps the head upright, it also allows the body to relax and subsequently even sleep peacefully. As a person who suffers from cervical, this is indeed a god-sent for me.

The compact design, helps to fold and unfold Kip-Kit in a jiffy, and also eliminates the use of the travel pillow. Yay for my new travel companion – Kip-Kit!

Kip-Kit is due to launch a crowdfunding campaign soon, so make sure you sign up on the  Kip-Kit website  to be the first to know when you can get your hands on one. Your body will thank you.

Kirstie from  Venga, Vale, Vamos

I never took a liking to travel pillows until I tried the J-Pillow. It may look a little funny, and I’ve definitely had a few people approach me to ask what it was, but I’ve found it to be an incredibly comfortable pillow for sleeping on planes, trains, and buses. Shaped like a J (hence the name), it provides head or chin support, depending on how you rotate it. No more jolting awake when your head drops or waking from a nap with neck pain! I’ve also used it as a regular pillow, and being able to fold the “legs” on top of each other makes for a cozy way to curl up on an airport floor or in a tent. I used it for about eighteen months of constant travel (until I sadly left it behind in a hostel), and it never wore out, so the quality is great as well. I’ve gotten so much more rest while on the go thanks to my J-Pillow!

Jub from TikiTouringKiwi

Every time I’m about to board a plane, train, or bus the one thing I always dig out of my checked bag is my HAT SCARF. A dig through the Facebook leads me back to 2008 when the hat scarf and I were united in a Tui (my favourite beer) promotion at the rugby, best freebie ever. It’s essential as I only travel with a hoody so the scarf wraps my whole head up nice and snug when the crank the a/c on the bus. It’s also essential for long transport as I can tie the scarf section to my seat if I have to sleep sitting up without the window seat. This prevents the dreaded head nod and me drooling on my neighbor.

Ruben Arribas and Rachel Pregunta from Gamintraveler

We travel light and simple but one thing we don’t travel without is our Sonopillow – one of the new discoveries we had a few months ago. Sonopillow allows you to travel well and pretty much sleep everywhere as it takes into account your position in sleeping and your back – helps so much with my backpains, too. The Sonopillow founder and CEO, Zach, is a real traveler, and discovered the itch once when he had a long flight delayed and pretty much had to sleep in the airport. It’s very amazing how travelers know how to make the best things for travelers!

Rohan from Travels of a Bookpacker

I always travel with a pair of Icebreaker merino wool socks in my bag. Socks are an essential on any journey, especially if you have poor circulation like me. And merino wool is the perfect material for travel and comfort. It is light-weight, quick-dry, super cosy and doesn’t hold odour! The wool is warm but also breathable, making them comfortable to wear in most temperatures.

Merino wool is made from a special type of sheep mostly found in New Zealand. Ice breaker do a great range of merino everything and their socks are brilliant for hiking, travelling or cosying up on a long journey!

James from Portugalist

Birkensocks are the epitome of travel comfort! Just to clarify I am talking about Birkensocks, which is a slight variation to the ever popular Birkenstocks. So, what is the difference? As the name suggests, Birkensocks is a combination of socks and Birkenstocks. And before I sense the disgust about how uncool it looks can I just tell you that comfort 100% wins out over looking fresh.

For a week in Iceland as we drove around Birkensocks were my choice of footwear, except when hiking of course, (however I think I even did a couple of really short strolls in them and they worked a treat). Why you might ask would I wear such a type of footwear? Well for one it was cold and two, when you are living out of a tiny camper being able to slip shoes on and off with no laces, is the ants pants. For these reasons alone I love Birkensocks and know once you try them you will too.

Sudipto De from Salt&Sandals

The human sleep cycle is very much dependent upon the number of hours of darkness it experiences. This all goes for a toss while traveling on long haul flights as the airlines only switch off the lights after their service is over. An eye blanket plays the perfect role of helping you sleep by cutting off your visual stimulation.

This eye blanket from Chumbak is my favourite because of its twin vivid colours of baby pink and patterned green on the other side. The lining of the eye blanket is also very comfortable with it’s soft lining which is soothing to the eyes.

Alana Tagliabue from Family Bites Travel

As I travel ‘solo’ with three small kids, there is little room left for my comfort items. One item though is non-negotiable, every trip there is a large shawl or wrap in my carry-on bag.

We mostly fly budget airlines, so that means BYO blanket but I cannot justify the bulk. I despise being cold, and for some reason, the ambient temperature on a plane is always -10470 degrees. So, a shawl is a perfect solution. Warmth and will not add weight or bulk to your luggage.

A shawl has versatility; I have used mine as a breastfeeding cover, as a cover-up item (eg.visitng temples), as a sarong, as a sheet and even used it once as a towel! I have so many shawls and collect a new one in most places we visit and will choose one with an intricate design. I do this on purpose; so I can hide stains and marks. After a flight, I inevitably covered in crud. I can easily rearrange my shawl then Wallah I instantly look less dishevelled.

Mia Herman from Travel With Mia

The Inflatable Travel Footrest by Go is my “go-to” item. It’s easy to carry and it doesn’t take up much space since it’s inflatable. Use it as a footrest by placing it under the seat in front of you and stretching out with your feet up. If you’re worried about having enough room for your bag and the footrest, place the footrest under the seat and the bag underneath your legs. If you want to switch things up during the flight, you can use the footrest in a few different ways. Place it on the armrest between you and the window for something to lean on, use it as a pillow, or even as a table for your tablet or book. The possibilities are endless and it’s only $15.99!

Janine from FillMyPassport

I am an anxious traveller. Can’t sugar coat it. I just deal with it the only ways I can in order to arrive to my chosen destination with all my hair, unbitten nails, and my wits. In order to keep my attacks at bay, I have tried medication, homeopathic methods, deep breathing, meditation, prayer, you name it. But one thing that does somehow work every time while others work on occasion, is the art of puppetry and not just with any puppets, but the characters from Fraggle Rock.

Meet my puppet BFFs Mokey and Wembley. These two characters are my favourites. They have travelled with me all over the world, seen all the landmarks, UNESCO heritage sites, and been in helicopters, jet boats, and fine-dining establishments. I have lost count of how many hotel rooms they have graced.

Somehow when they are brought to life in my presence, the comforting voice acting brings my anxiety to a halt and makes for a remedy to stop the attacks at the knees before they reach my head. I don’t know why the imaginative personalities of puppets have this effect on my traveller’s psyche, but instead of questioning the method and its success rate, I roll with it and bring the Fraggles everywhere, incorporating them into the adventure. They work. They are a piece of my childhood memories, and they just are the most comforting item for an anxious girl to pack along with her camera.

Megsy and Tommo from FoodFunTravel

There is one thing that has been in our backpacks for the last 4 years of travel – and that is our Dream Essentials Eye Masks. We couldn’t imagine going anywhere without it. Sleeping in tents, on buses, in rooms that seem to have forgotten the importance of curtains….we always have our trusty eye masks. It’s a funny thing, people always ask us what the most important thing in our backpack is and we always reply “eye mask and ear plugs”. If you can’t get a good night sleep on the floor of an airport, waiting for your early morning flight…then how will you ever survive travel! We prefer the Dream Essentials masks as 1. they provide good coverage and really keep the light out 2. They are well made and don’t leave any marks on bed sheets like many lesser quality products. We love our eye masks!

Skye Gilkeson from TheFitTraveller

I’ve had my Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie for a couple of years now and I don’t know how I have ever lived without it, let alone travelled without it. I first took it out on to the streets of Paris to ease the Autumn chill, paring it with jeans, tights and boots to remain traveller chic, since then it’s travelled with me to ski fields, up hiking trails , through rain showers, snow storms, all while keeping me cosy, dry and warm. The best thing though is that it appears to be quite bulky as a puffy jacket, but rolls up easily into my carry on or suitcase. It is often pulled out to be used as a pillow or doona on a plane too and to clean it I can throw it in a washing machine and even the dryer (with a couple of tennis balls) and it’s a good as new. Patagonia products are made with a lifetime guarantee so this has to be one of the travel accessories I will ever own and I will continue to carry it around the world with me.

Natasha from The World Pursuit

My travel comfort essential is a Youphoria Travel Towel. I never travel without a towel meant for traveling. Travel towels are lightweight, small, and heavy duty towels that are great for traveling because they dry fast and are very thin. Most of these towels are comfortable, anti-microbial, and easy to travel around with. They are perfect for backpackers who need to shower then dry themselves and have a dry towel the next morning to fit into their backpack. I personally have traveled all across Europe and Africa with one of these towels and refuse to ever get a new one!

Tim Kroeger from Universal Traveller

I always try to travel as light as possible. However, one item I can not travel without is a Sarong. It is super light and really diverse. You can use it for example as beach towel or towel to dry yourself, as a blanket for example on a flight or in one of the super air conditioned buses in Asia, to wrap fragile items in your backpack or suitcase, as a picnic blanket, as a headscarf, or as a scarf when you want to enter a temple. You see, a Sarong is really small and light and at the same time helpful in so many situations… and the best, it costs almost nothing when you buy it in Asia. I paid for mine never more than 4 USD.

Gemma and Craig from Two Scots Abroad

After 17 months travelling around 16 countries, there is one item that I can’t travel without – a baseball cap. This cheap yet worthy accessory hides a multitude of sins such as ugly sleeping faces pulled on planes, trains and buses as well as terrible next day hair. My hair is normally very styled (I know, not your typical backpacker’s look) and is guilty of ‘the flop’ without some love. The flop makes me look like a greasy mess so a baseball cap is my saviour, helping me appear to look sharp when underneath my barnet is actually a two-day mess. It also helps keep the sun out of my eyes which I think is its intended use. I like my MotoGP Rossi hat, it’s a good conversation starter.

Inma Gregorio from A World to Travel

As the light sleeper I am, I could not live without my ‘Aqua Ears’ soft silicone ear plugs. Whether it is a music festival, a long-haul flight or a noisy dorm; I use them almost daily when traveling unless I am sleeping in upscale hotels with almost no noise pollution. The silicone ones squish into the ears just right to keep out the sound and believe me, I tried a few other but none are as comfy as these. You can find them in almost every drugstore or pharmacy and they usually come in a little box to keep them clean and away from the mess that backpacks are.

Olga Maria from Latinas Who Travel  

As I’m constantly on the road for my work (as a travel and lifestyle blogger), or just to fulfill my passion for traveling, I want to feel as comfortable as possible, especially when on longer flights or trips. For my comfort, I cannot travel without two essential kits. One is my sewing kit which has invisible tape and a stain stick for all of my fashion needs, plus any wardrobe emergencies. It has truly saved my life when my dress or pants have torn, a button has come off or something has happened in the middle of a trip. The other kit, which is always in my carry-on or purse, is a small first-aid kit (with bandages, alcohol pads, painkillers, etc.) because you never know when you will need to deal with a boo-boo. I am always running around, since I have a big sense of adventure and love to explore places usually off the beaten path. Both of these kits have allowed me to enjoy myself worry-free!

Natalia from MyTripHack

I really wish I could always carry with me my pyjama, home clothes and bathrobe, however this kind of stuff takes space and doesn’t really enter in the category of travel essentials. Still, I always find it challenging to dress jeans right after taking bath or constantly sleep in leggings, thus I do prefer to carry one item that is comfortable, not skinny and can serve several purposes. This is my version of multipurpose “home” dress. The shoulders and knees are covered which makes it a decent piece in many countries in Asia. It’s also light and takes the same space in the bag as a long t-shirt.

So, what’s your travel comfort item you simply MUST carry? Tell me in comments below. 

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DROPS Big Merino 22, 19, 08

DROPS Big Merino 07, 14, 05

DROPS Big Merino 07, 06, 23

DROPS Big Merino 23, 22, 08

DROPS Big Merino 01, 21, 02

DROPS Big Merino

Superwash treated extra fine merino wool.

Content: 100% Wool Yarn Group: C (16 - 19 stitches ) / 10 ply / aran / worsted Weight/yardage: 1.8 oz (50 g) = approx 82 yds (75 m) Recommended needle size: US 8 / 5 mm Gauge: 4" x 4" / 10 x 10 cm = 17 sts x 22 rows Care : Machine wash on gentle cycle warm 40°C / 104F. Don’t use fabric softener. Dry Flat Superwash: yes

Made in: EU Raw material origin: Wool from South America

This yarn has an Oeko-Tex® certification (certificate number 25.3.0110), Standard 100, Class I from the INNOVATEXT TEXTILE ENGINEERING AND TESTING, HUNGARY. This means that is has been tested for harmful substances and is considered safe in human-ecological terms. Class I is the highest level, and it means the yarn is suitable for baby articles (ages 0-3).

• United States

DROPS Prices - Your guarantee of a great purchase! We know that you invest a lot of time and effort in your knitting projects. When you choose to use our patterns, it is therefore a pleasure for us to provide you with affordable quality yarn that ensures a great result. As Northern Europe's largest brand of hand knitting yarns and designs, we have unique opportunities to work with the very best raw materials and make savings that benefit you. That's why you can buy DROPS yarn 20-30% cheaper than similar products!

Stores selling this yarn online

Click on the Order button and you'll be redirected to the DROPS retailer's own web store to place your order.

Check here if your local store has it in stock.

• Česká republika
• Deutschland
• Kalaallit Nunaat
• Magyarország
• na h-Eileanan Fàrach
• Northern Ireland
• Republika Hrvatska

18 Colours in DROPS Big Merino

DROPS Big Merino uni colour 01, off white In stock at wholesale company

Looking for matching colours?

DROPS Alaska uni colour 02, off white

DROPS Baby Merino uni colour 02, off white

DROPS Karisma uni colour 01, off white

DROPS Lima uni colour 0100, off white

DROPS Merino Extra Fine uni colour 01, off white

DROPS Safran uni colour 18, off white

DROPS Big Merino uni colour 24, light beige In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Air mix 02, wheat

DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk uni colour 40, marzipan

DROPS Daisy uni colour 02, marzipan

DROPS Fabel uni colour 121, wheat

DROPS Karisma uni colour 85, light beige

DROPS Kid-Silk uni colour 56, marzipan

DROPS Melody uni colour 24, marzipan

DROPS Soft Tweed mix 02, marzipan

DROPS Big Merino uni colour 19, beige In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Baby Merino mix 23, light beige

DROPS Kid-Silk uni colour 20, light beige

DROPS Big Merino mix 21, greige In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Baby Merino mix 57, greige

DROPS Big Merino uni colour 05, mocca In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Big Merino mix 03, anthracite In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Air mix 06, anthracite

DROPS Karisma mix 53, anthracite

DROPS Kid-Silk uni colour 02, black

DROPS Melody uni colour 05, black

DROPS Merino Extra Fine mix 03, dark grey

DROPS Sky mix 05, black

DROPS Big Merino mix 02, grey In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Alaska mix 04, grey

DROPS Fabel uni colour 115, light grey

DROPS Karisma mix 21, medium grey

DROPS Lima mix 9015, grey

DROPS Melody uni colour 04, grey

DROPS Nord mix 04, light grey

DROPS Puna natural mix 06, gray

DROPS Soft Tweed mix 07, cobblestone

DROPS Big Merino uni colour 26, lemonade In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Daisy uni colour 16, lemonade

DROPS Flora uni colour 26, lemonade

DROPS Kid-Silk uni colour 52, lemonade

DROPS Loves You 7 uni colour 57, lemonade

DROPS Nepal uni colour 8919, lemonade

DROPS Snow uni colour 106, lemonade

DROPS Big Merino uni colour 22, powder pink In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Kid-Silk uni colour 03, light pink

DROPS Lima uni colour 3145, powder pink

DROPS Nepal uni colour 3112, powder pink

DROPS Big Merino mix 09, lavender In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Big Merino mix 08, marble In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Big Merino uni colour 23, ice blue In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Baby Merino uni colour 53, dew

DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk uni colour 14, morning mist

DROPS Kid-Silk uni colour 06, blue mist

DROPS Merino Extra Fine uni colour 39, ice blue

DROPS Big Merino mix 06, forget-me-not In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Muskat uni colour 76, light denim

DROPS Nepal mix 8913, light blue

DROPS Paris recycled denim 101, light blue

DROPS Big Merino uni colour 07, jeans blue In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Big Merino uni colour 17, navy blue In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Karisma uni colour 17, navy blue

DROPS Big Merino uni colour 14, forest green In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Karisma uni colour 47, forest green

DROPS Paris uni colour 43, forest green

DROPS Big Merino uni colour 25, pistachio ice cream In stock at wholesale company

DROPS Air mix 42, pistachio ice cream

DROPS Alpaca uni colour 9030, pistachio ice cream

DROPS Baby Merino uni colour 58, pistachio ice cream

DROPS Brushed Alpaca Silk uni colour 33, pistachio ice cream

DROPS Cotton Merino uni colour 32, pistachio ice cream

DROPS Daisy uni colour 08, pistachio ice cream

DROPS Kid-Silk uni colour 47, pistachio ice cream

DROPS Kid-Silk uni colour 60, peppermint

DROPS Lima uni colour 9031, pistachio ice cream

DROPS Melody uni colour 26, pistachio ice cream

DROPS Big Merino uni colour 04, black In stock at wholesale company

• About this yarn

Spun from multiple thin strands of 100% extra fine merino wool, which give the yarn its elasticity - DROPS Big Merino’s main characteristics are its softness, volume, elasticity and even result, which makes it ideal for knitting structured patterns such as cables. It is this special construction of the yarn that makes it extra important to use the correct tension in your project, so use a tight tension rather than a loose one. DROPS Big Merino is also superwash treated and therefore machine washable and suitable for everyday use; but when washing your garments you must take extra care and and follow closely the care instructions. DROPS Big Merino is spun from fibers from free-range, mulesing free animals from South America and is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified.

Read more about our products' sustainability here

How do I care for this yarn?

Machine wash on gentle cycle warm 40°C / 104F. Don’t use fabric softener. Dry Flat

See the washing symbols explanation

Read more about washing yarn

All our super wash treated merino yarns should be washed in the machine, using a gentle cycle program. That being said, there are a few more tips that are extremely relevant when it comes to caring for this yarn:

• Machine wash - separately - using a gentle cycle program at 40ºC, with a light centrifugation (about 800rpm). Only use detergents without enzymes and optical brighteners.
• NEVER use fabric softener (the wool fibers become too soft and can slide apart).
• NEVER leave the garment to soak/wet in the washing machine for a long period of time.
• To dry the garment, shape it and lay it flat - do not hang - ideally on a warm bathroom floor or on top of a drying rack in a room with good air circulation. Never dry the garment in direct sunlight.
• Never iron the garment directly. Use always a damp cloth between your steaming iron or regular iron and the garment.

Do you have a question about this yarn?

See a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) about our yarns.

1) What type of fibers make the DROPS yarns?

Yarn can be made from a large number of natural and synthetic fibers. DROPS carries mainly yarns made from wool, cotton, alpaca, linen, mohair and silk. Each fiber type has its own qualities, and they are often mixed to take advantage of the best properties of each one. Coarse yarn has the advantage of being stronger and more durable, and finer fibers offers more softness and comfort. Here a bit about the main fibers we carry:

Alpaca: Alpaca fleece is the natural fiber harvested from an alpaca, and it is similar in structure to sheep wool fiber. Its softness comes from the small diameter of the fiber, similar to merino wool. It is a soft, durable, luxurious and silky natural fiber. Yarn made from alpaca fibers does not felt or pill easily, and it can be light or heavy in weight, depending on how it is spun. While similar to sheep’s wool, it is warmer, not prickly, and has no lanolin, which makes it hypoallergenic. Alpacas come in 22 natural colors, with more than 300 shades from a true-blue black through browns-black, browns, white, silver and rose-greys.

Mohair: This fiber comes from the Angora goats, and its considered a luxury fiber. Mohair yarn is warm as wool, but much lighter in weight; it is durable, dyes well and does not felt easily. Mohair fibers have also a distinctive luster created by the way they reflect light. Despite being a hard fiber, mohair is usually spun into a very fluffy yarn, resulting in airy and lustrous garments.

Wool: The wool fibers comes from the skin of sheep and are relatively coarse fibers. Two striking characteristics of wool are its susceptibility to heat and its felting property, which is caused by the scales on the surface. Depending upon the breed of sheep, the appearance of the wool varies. Wool from Merino sheep is considered the finest type of wool, having as characteristics that is finely crimped and soft. All the Merino wool in the DROPS yarns has its origins in South America, coming from sheep that have not been subject to Mulesing. Pure new wool is wool made directly from animal fleece, and not recycled from existing wool garments. Machine washable wool is wool treated chemically to minimize the outer fuzzy layer of the fibers, and be therefore fitable for machine wash ( see Superwash ).

Silk: The silk fiber is a fine continuous fiber produced from the cocoon of a moth caterpillar known as the silkworm. While silkworm is cultivated, the wild or tussah silk is obtained from uncultivated silkworm cocoons. Silk fiber is one of the strongest natural fibers and makes a wonderful knitting yarn. It blends really well with other fibers, especially wool. Silk also dyes beautifully with natural dyes.

Vegetable fibers: There are several varieties of vegetable fibers, found in the cell walls of plants or vegetables. Of all the varieties, two are recognized as major knitted or textile fibers. They are cotton and linen. Cotton is the fiber surrounding the seeds in a cotton pod, and it is almost pure cellulose. Cotton is usually white in color but there are green and brown varieties as well. The cotton fiber is most often spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft, breathable textile that is good for summer clothing and accessories, making a weaker yarn than silk or linen but stronger than wool. Mercerized cotton is cotton that has been through a mercerization treatment. This treatment gives cotton fabrics and threads a lustrous yarn that is more lustrous than conventional cotton. It is also stronger, takes dye a little more readily, makes the yarn more resistant to mildew and reduces lint. It also may not shrink or lose its shape as much as "regular" cotton. Linen is a fiber derived from the stalk of the flax plant that is durable and stronger than any other fiber. The linen fiber is relatively soft, straight and lustrous and becomes more beautiful with age. Linen is more comfortable to wear in hot temperatures than cotton, due to the fact that it absorbs moisture better and dries more quickly.

Other materials used in our yarns include synthetic fibers such as acrylic, viscose, polyamide (nylon) and polyester.

2) What is polyamide?

The polyamide fibre, commonly known as nylon, is very strong, durable, lightweight, easy to care for (can be machine washed and dried), and elastic, which makes it perfect for blending with other fibres to produce hard-wearing yarns like sock yarn.

3) What type of information can I find on the DROPS yarn labels?

All DROPS yarn labels include information about fiber content (wool, cotton, etc.), weight in grams and ounces, length in meters and yards, washing instructions and symbols ( explained here ), color number, dye lot number and yarn group information.

4) What are the DROPS yarn groups?

All DROPS yarns are classified into 6 different thickness groups ( A to F ). Yarns in a same group have similar knitting tension/gauge, and can therefore be interchanged in patterns; however the length may be different, so when substituting always calculate the amount of meters/yards needed for the pattern to know the amount of yarn you need to get.

5) Can I use a different yarn than the one mentioned in the pattern?

Yes, as long as the yarn can be worked in the same knitting tension/gauge. Always swatch to make sure you get the same number of stitches in width and rows in height as given in the pattern.

Remember that different yarns with different textures, will give the garment different looks. The yardage/length may also be different, so when substituting always calculate the number of yards needed, in order to know the amount of yarn you need.

Read more about how to calculate the amount of an alternative yarn - and how to replace 1 thread of a yarn with 2 or more of another, here .

6) What does it mean when a yarn is “Superwash”?

A superwash wool is a special wool product that has been treated or processed in a way that allows it to be machine washable. Many people are afraid to work with wool because it is so easy to shrink (though some shrink wool on purpose) and superwash wool can allow them to work with great fibers without worry. ( Read more here ).

7) What does “Oeko-Tex® certified” means?

The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 was introduced at the beginning of the 1990s as a response to the needs of the general public for textiles which posed no risk to health. The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 is a globally uniform testing and certification system for textile raw materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of production. The test for harmful substances comprise substances which are prohibited or regulated by law, chemicals which are known to be harmful to health, and parameters which are included as a precautionary measure to safeguard health.

For more info go to www.oeko-tex.com

8) Where are the DROPS yarns produced?

You can read about where all DROPS yarns are produced in each of the yarns shade cards and in our price list.

9) Why are your yarns so cheap?

As Northern Europe's largest brand of hand knitting yarns and designs, we have unique opportunities to work with the very best raw materials and make savings that benefit you. That's why you can buy DROPS yarn 20-30% cheaper than similar products!

10) How accurate are the colours on the shade cards online?

When obtaining images for the shade card, we do our best to achieve the highest level of color accuracy. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee how images will appear on your computer screen. Every monitor displays color differently, some colors might look darker than they really are, and some colors might be more saturated on some screens. If you experience that many of the yarn colors looks different on your screen than the actual color of the skeins, you can adjust the setting on your monitor.

11) What is a micron? What does super fine / extra fine mean?

The fineness of yarn fibers is measured in microns (thousands of millimeters). Super fine alpaca wool is 26-28 microns. Fine merino wool is less than 21.5 microns and extra fine merino is under 19.5 microns. The less microns the softer and more delicate a quality can be, the more microns the more hard wear the quality will be.

12) Why are the colors in my skeins of print yarn different?

The reason why two skeins of a same print yarn look different can be 1) that both skeins are part of different dye lots; 2) that the skeins have been dyed using a technique called "magic print" (the one used for example in DROPS Delight), which provides unique patterns and smooth color transitions to each skein, meaning also that within one dye lot, lighter or darker varieties might appear. This is no fault or defect, but part of the yarn's character.

13) My store doesn’t have the color I want, what can I do?

If your DROPS store doesn’t have the yarn color you want, try contacting a DROPS Super Store (the ones with the golden badges) - they will make sure to get a hold of the color even if they don’t have it in stock themselves. See a list of all DROPS stores here .

14) Where can I find a specific dye lot of a color?

Always try contacting your DROPS store first. If they do not have the dye lot you want we recommend you to ask other knitters and crocheters in the DROPS Workshop in Facebook or Ravelry , which may have the dye lot in their stash and might be willing to part from it.

15) Why does my yarn shed?

Yarn sheds because there's not enough twist to hold all of the fibers together. All yarns have excess fibers (from production) that might come off as lint or shedding, in varied degrees that depend on how the yarn is spun. Brushed yarns ("hairier" yarns) like DROPS Melody, have more of these loose fibers than other yarns, and therefore shed more. Shedding also depends on what is worn under or over the garment, and whether this pulls at the yarn fibers. It’s therefore not possible to guarantee that there will be no shedding.

Below are some tips on how to get the best result when working with hairier yarns:

• When the garment is finished (before you wash it) shake it vigorously so the looser hairs come off. NOTE: do NOT use a lint roller, brush or any method that pulls at the yarn.
• Place the garment in a plastic bag and put it in your freezer - the temperature will cause the fibers to become less attached to each other, and excess fibers will come off easier. Leave in the freezer for a few hours before taking it out and shaking it again.
• Wash the garment according to the instructions on the yarn label. Garments worked with hairier yarns usually need to be shaken once dry after washing, so that the hairs rise and any excess fibers can come off.

16) Why does my garment pill?

Pilling is a natural process that happens to even the most exclusive of fibers. It's a natural sign of wear and tear that is hard to avoid, and that is most visible in high friction areas of your garment like a sweater's arms and cuffs.

You can make your garment look as new by removing the pilling, using a fabric comb or a pill/lint remover.

How can I replace this yarn?

If you are looking to replace this yarn with another DROPS yarn, you can use another yarn within the same yarn group, or try our yarn converter !

• See all yarns in Yarn Group C
• Read more about replacing yarn

Comments / Questions (222)

Hi, what happened with red color (no.18.)?

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Aca, if a colour is no longer listed here it means that it has been discontinued. You can contact shops that ship to your country to ask them if they have any leftover stock. Happy knitting!

Guten Morgen, ist die Farbe „Natur“ ungefärbt? Oder naturfarben eingefärbt? Womit sind die anderen Farben gefärbt? Danke im Voraus für eine Antwort. 😊

Liebe Annika, alle Farben Big Merino sind gefärbt. Viel Spaß beim Stricken!

Neulon big merino mokka langasta puseroa. Olen pettynyt ,koska 2 kerässä on ollut jatkosolmuja 3 ja toisessa 4 kertaa. Olen neulonut dropsin langoilla useita puseroita ja asusteita, eikä tätä ole ennen tullut vastaan. Tietysti tiedätte että solmu on avattava, ja solmu kohta laitettava saumaan/ sivukohtaan. Lankaa menee hukkaan ja joutuu purkamaan edelliseen saumaan asti,korjatakseen solmu ongelman.

Hello, I am looking for one of the now discontinued colours (pistachio 20) to finish a project, do you know if there is any way for me to get hold of this or find out if anyone has stock remaining? Thank you!

Dear Mrs Donn, you can ask the different DROPS stores shipping to your county if they still have some, or also ask our users in our DROPS Workshop . Happy knitting!

Will this yarn be canceled soon? A lot of colors are gone ;_;

Dear Ola, nothing planned yet, we even have new colours. Happy knitting!

Is there any chance you provide a system where we can view our choice of colours together in one screen to help us compare which colours suit our project please?

Dear Gideon, we don't have such a function planned for now. You can try searching for external apps which may help you coordinate colours.

What is the American yarn weight -ie #4 worsted/Aran?

Dear Dottie, you can find all of our yarns with their thickness indicated in different terms here:https://www.garnstudio.com/yarn-groups.php?cid=19. In the case of Big Merino, it's 10ply or Aran/Worsted. Happy knitting!

Salve, vorrei fare una sciarpa per mio marito. Non so orientarmi bene tra i vari filati in merino o alpaca. Avevo preso Drops Nepal ma dice che pizzica. Quale mi consigliate perchè sia soffice e non pizzichi? Grazie

Buonasera Renata, può provare con Baby Alpaca Silk, Cotton Merino o un filato in lana merino. Buon lavoro!

Hi, I see that 3 of the colours in Big Merino have been discontinued .Are you phasing out the entire line or just decreasing the number of colours? Will you be doing more new colours in Big Merino? Thanks, Eimear

Dear Eimear, we don't have any information about Big Merino being discontinued yet, so it should still last for a while. We are constantly renovating the color palettes and yarns; trying to make replacements for those that get discontinued. As of now, we don't have any details on new colours of Big Merino. Happy knitting!

Leider ist bei den angegebenen Modellen für die Garngruppe C nicht ein Modell für ein Herrencardigan dabei.

Liebe Frau Schödl, hier finden Sie alle unsere Anleitungen für Herrenjacken mit einem Garn der Garngruppe C. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

Wie viel Gramm benötige ich für einen Herrencardigan in Größe 54 mit der Big Merino? Danke

Liebe Frau Schödl, je nach Schnitt, Maschenprobe, Muster, usw kann es unterschiedlich sein - hier finden Sie alle unsere Modellen für Jacken, die mit einem Garn der Garngruppe C wie Big Merino gestrickt werden können - benutzen Sie den Garnumrechner wenn nötig ist. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

Big merino on yksi lempilangoistani ja olen käyttänyt sitä paljon! Tein paidan, jossa päävärinä oli harmaa numero 02. Olin pettynyt langan laatuun. Käytin 9 kerää harmaata lankaa erää 36788 ja kaikissa kerissä oli sotkuisia ja solmuisia kohtia. Solmuja ja katkenneita pätkiä oli yhdessä tai kahdessa säikeessä ja muu lanka oli normaalia. Kerät sai käytettyä ja paita valmistui, mutta huonolaatuisen langan kanssa joutui kikkailemaan, että sai siistin lopputuloksen.

Hei, olemme pahoillamme siitä, että kyseisessä erässä esiintyi paljon solmuja. Voit halutessasi ottaa yhteyttä liikkeeseen, josta ostit langat ja tehdä reklamaation.

Moin! Wie unterscheiden sich "mix" und "uni color"?

Liebe Mascha, die Farben "uni color" sind echte einfarbig, und die "mix" haben Farbtöne. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

Hei, Jeg har brukt ufattelig mye tid på en genser til min sønn (10). Den er i Big Merino. Han har brukt den en del, men favorittgenseren måtte vaskes. Den ble vasket i maskin, alene, på ullprogram, med Milo. Den er blitt nå altfor stor for meg!!! Ø-de-lagt!!! Hvordan er det mulig? Jeg føler at det er mange timer og penger som er gått i vasken. Vet dere om dere hadde kanskje et parti som ikke var som det skulle? Farge 02, dyelot 42906. Mvh

Hej, nej hvor kedeligt. Du kan prøve at vaske en gang til ifølge vores vaskeanvisning, som du finder inde på farvekortet: DROPS Big Merino

Ile wełny Drops Big Merino potrzeba na kocyk o wymiarach 80cm x 100cm

Witaj Danusiu, to zależy jaki to ma być kocyk, bardziej ażurowy, na drutach czy szydełku. Myślę, że będziesz potrzebować około kilograma tej włóczki. Pozdrawiamy!

Czy będzie w najbliższym czasie dostępny uni colour nr 15 (pomarańczowy)?

Witaj Kasiu, w karcie kolorów DROPS Big Merino nie istnieje taki kolor. Może chodzi o inną włóczkę? Pozdrawiamy!

Ik zoek big merino, kleur 01, verfbad 55889 7 bollen zo dicht mogelijk bij dit nummer.

Het bestellen van garens gaat via een van de verkooppunten die onze artikelen verkopen; wij verkopen geen garens via de site. Hopelijk kunnen zij je verder helpen met het juiste verfbad/kleurnummer Via deze link vind je een lijst met verkooppunten.

It says that the yarn should not be soaked, does this mean that it cannot be wet blocked? If it can’t what methods of blocking can be used for this yarn?

Dear Priscila, you can wet block it, by spraying a bit of water on it, so that it's not too wet; similar to when you take it out of a centrifuge. Soaking in this case means leaving it in water for a longer period of time.

Il filato big merino va bene per fare un gilet con cappuccio per un bimbo di 3 -6 mesi?

Buonasera Gianna, per dei lavori per neonati può utilizzare Baby Merino o Merino Extra Fine, o ancora Cotton Merino. Big Merino potrebbe risultare troppo pesante per un utilizzo su un neonato. Buon lavoro!

Dobrý den, který odstín příze Kid Silk je nejbližší odstínu Big Merino 09 levandulová prosím? Chci použít při pletení oběma přízemi zároveň. Děkuji Pavlína Hájková

Dobrý den, Pavlíno, k Big Merinu 09 se nejvíc hodí DROPS Kid-Silk 09, světlá levandulová. Hodně zdaru! Hana

Bonjour, je vous contacte car j'ai acheté de la laine big merinos couleur myosotis, la couleur ne me convient pas vraiment, j'aurais aimé pourvoir l'améliorer, en y ajoutant un autres fil, qui puisse lui donner du peps, mais c'est difficile d'imaginer le résultat. Pourriez vous me conseiller un autre fil ? Et sinon avez vous des catalogues avec des échantillons. J'aime beaucoup votre laine. Et mes copines sont conquisent aussi . En vous remerciant amicalement

Bonjour Mme Rignault, vous pouvez lui associer un autre fil d'une couleur similaire, mais vous changerez automatiquement la tension requise, ou bien tricoter une autre laine en jacquard/rayures qui pourra la mettre en valeur. Pour toute assistance complémentaire, n'hésitez pas à contacter votre magasin DROPS, même par mail ou téléphone, on pourra vous conseiller personnellement. Bon tricot!

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren Woher stammt Ihre Merinowolle bzw. ist sie mulesing-frei? Für Ihre Antwort bedanke ich mich. Freundliche Grüsse Brigitte Schüller

Liebe Frau Schüller, ja genau: Das Garn stammt von der Wolle freilaufender, mulesingfreier Tiere aus Südamerika . Viel Spaß beim stricken!

How can i order this yarn? And how can i pay this yarn?

Dera Juliana, find the list of DROPS stores shipping worldwide here if you can't find a DROPS store in your country. You can then order online, choose your Online store and check their conditions for more informations. Happy knitting!

Di quanta lana drops alpaca ho bisogno per fare un maglione da uomo taglia M?

Buonasera Riccardo, per un'assistenza così personalizzata può rivolgersi al suo rivenditore DROPS di fiducia. Buon lavoro!

Dove posso acquistare la lana colore blu ghiaccio? non la trovo nei siti indicati. Che misura dei ferri consigliate?

Buonasera Riccardo,, può acquistare i filati DROPS sono nei rivenditori: provi a mandare una mail ai superstore, loro hanno tutto l'assortimento DROPS di colori e filati. Buon lavoro!

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Boboutic brown knit wool travel pants. Made from the softest lightweight merino wool features a zip front with elastic waist, side seam pockets. This wool has the softest hand. 100% wool. Made in Italy. Emma is wearing size XS.

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The Best Men’s Flannels of 2024

Ask the GearJunkie staff what their favorite season is, and it would undeniably be flannel season — doing fall chores, warming up by the fire, and simply working from home. As hot days give way to cool mornings, we’re all looking forward to jumping into the best flannels out there.

To find the perfect cuts for 2024, we combed through stores, scoured the internet, and spoke with brands to find the best options available. To test the flannels, we wore them at work, hammered through weekend chores, brought them camping, and occasionally shouldered them as we tossed our legs over a bike.

What makes the perfect flannel? We looked at materials, cut, and construction, excusing color and patterns. Color schemes are more personal, and we’ll let you pick what looks best in your wardrobe. From the do-it-all Pladra Every Day Elite to the ‘buy-three’ Legendary Whitetails Buck Camp Flannel , we’ve got something to recommend to most everyone.

To find the best flannels for men, scroll through to see all of our recommended buys. Once you’ve done that, check out our comprehensive Buyer’s Guide to unravel what makes a flannel a flannel, our Comparison Chart  to see how our choices stack up against one another, and our Price & Value section for any lingering questions.

Editor’s Note: We updated our Best Men’s Flannels guide on September 24, 2024, to add our whole new lineup of award winners for the season, with a particular bent toward winter-ready cuts, as well as flannels that won’t bankrupt you to get there.

• Best Overall Flannel: Pladra Every Day Elite
• Best Budget Flannel: Legendary Whitetails Buck Camp Flannel
• Best Heavyweight Flannel: MuskOx Grand Flannel
• Best Lightweight Flannel: The Vermont Flannel Company Lightweight Flannel
• Best Synthetic Flannel: Poncho Outdoors Original Flannel

Pladra Every Day Elite

• Materials 100% Portuguese cotton
• Fabric Weight 268 g/m² 
• Garment Weight 14.5 oz. 
• Best for Every Day use, with a bias for non-hard work

• Soft lofty cotton
• Durable buttons
• Bar tacked reinforced pocket
• Fully flat-felled
• Plaid matching seams
• True to the name, the Every Day is styled more formally than a work shirt
• On the pricier side

Back on top this year, we are happy to share the Pladra Every Day Elite ($139) as our favorite flannel. We caught an early release of the cut last year, which really gave us the opportunity to put it through the paces and confirm it really nails all the things we love about a good flannel. The Every Day Elite is our top pick for both its comfort and Pladra’s continued bar-raising attention to detail.

Starting with the material, the Every Day Elite uses a higher end fabric than their $99 Every Day Flannel . The quality, 8-ounce 100% Portuguese cotton is brushed into a lofty soft flannel. The loft is so plush, first take might have you believe it lacks durability. But during our testing, we’ve found it over-delivers and wears fine crushing the weekend chore list.

The plush fabric is entirely sewn together using flat-felled seams. We talk a lot about flat-felled being the benchmark in stitching, but it really depends on the materials you are joining together. This flannel hits the sweet spot. It is incredibly soft yet burly enough to employ top-shelf stitching without feeling bulky under the arms or weakening the fabric. Not every flannel can hit all the marks so well. Fortunately, the Every Day Elite sits in that rare Goldilocks zone of fabric and stitch.

Continuing Pladra’s style, they reinforce the cuffs and yoke with nylon backing, printed in woodland scenes. We always get compliments on this extra touch, and we like how the nylon liner allows the shirt to slide over another shirt without pulling up the sleeves.

But the quality of the shirt might be best appreciated in the details. For example, how Pladra sews on the buttons. The four-hole buttons are cross-stitched with an “X” for durability, which protects them from coming loose. The panels are pattern-matched at the side seam. So is the front pocket, which is reinforced with a pair of bar tacked stitching. While the cuff only has one button at the wrist, it still slides over a large modern sports watch. It’s the little things.

The Every Day is offered in their standard 180 g/m² cotton and a plush 268 g/m² “Elite” cotton , which we are reviewing here. You pay an additional $40 for the Elite, but you get a more comfortable and practical flannel with that investment. Billed as a heavyweight flannel, we feel the Elite wears more like a midweight shirt, and comparing it to the 395 g/m² Minus33 Sportsman Guide Shirt confirms it. It breathes more and has your back in the shoulder seasons, opening up more options to wear it.

Yes, it costs a little more. At $140, it’s going to have you question if it is worth the extra cash. But the attention to detail increases the longevity and merits the cost, truly launching this shirt into another category of flannels we’ve seen this year. Plus, the athletically styled fit wears closer to a dress shirt than other flannels on this list. It veers away from “lumberjack,” making it more wearable across a variety of situations.

Whether you are new to flannels, and just want to give brushed twill a shot, or if you are elevating your flannel game with a next-level shirt, we feel the Every Day Elite is a great shirt to bring to your wardrobe.

Legendary Whitetails Buck Camp Flannel

• Materials 100% cotton
• Fabric Weight 144 g/m²
• Garment Weight 14 oz.
• Fit Relaxed
• Best for Spring to fall everyday flannel for yard work and camping

• Fantastic construction at this price
• Double pleat on the back for extra flexibility
• Corduroy-backed sleeves and collar
• Work-oriented cut
• 45 different patterns available
• The collar loses form easily
• Not the most premium-feeling flannel

We didn’t have high expectations for a bargain flannel, but the details on the Buck Camp blew our minds. Fit, construction, and materials — it’s tough to beat the $35  Legendary Whitetails Buck Camp Flannel .

The 5-ounce cotton flannel is double pleated in the back for extra mobility. All seams are sewn flat and fell stitched, and even the pocket pattern aligns with the shirt pattern. These little details add up in price and are usually found in shirts twice the price.

There’s outsized value in the pattern options here, as well — something we don’t typically get hung up on, but 45 different options are certainly above and beyond the typical three or so you might choose from with a more expensive cut. With classic plaids and heathered monochrome, luck is on your side in finding one (or two) that’ll fit your style.

The collar and cuffs are backed in corduroy, giving it a little rugged flare. Our ding on the otherwise fantastic shirt is we found the collar can get a little limp — something we see on all lighter-weight cotton flannels. You can probably iron it to right that otherwise minor flaw.

If you’re in need of a little warmer flannel, the equally value-oriented Jetty Breaker Flannel ($70) makes use of a 220 g/m² organic cotton weave, which should get you deeper into the shoulder seasons. The Buck Camp Flannel is certainly the more work-oriented of the two, however.

Wear it alone in the shoulder seasons, or layer it for winter, the Buck Camp Flannel gives you the best bang for the … um … buck. Get ’em before they realize they’ve underpriced the shirt.

MuskOx Grand Flannel

• Materials 100% BCI approved cotton
• Fabric Weight 300 g/m²
• Garment Weight 1 lb., 3.5 oz.
• Fit Appropriately roomy
• Best for Wear it for chores or to the bar. If you just want one flannel to punch up your wardrobe, the MuskOx Grand will land it with a TKO

• High-quality Egyptian and US sourced BCI cotton
• Milled and sewn in Portugal
• Built like a tank
• Fat loop to hang the shirt in the nape of the neck
• 22 solid and plaid patterns to choose from
• Too much flannel for some
• Cotton weft shows early pilling around the wrist

If we asked you to think of what a flannel is, most would land on a soft, chunky cotton shirt with a bold plaid pattern. No snaps. No eccentric trim. No handcrafted embroidery. It’s a white Ford truck with heated seats. It’s not going to blow any door off. It just “is.” Durable. Capable. Dependable. Tipping the scale at just over 300 g/m², the Detroit-based  MuskOx Grand Flannel  ($154) is the F150 of flannels.

MuskOx sources its Better Cotton Initiative-approved cotton from Egypt and the United States. Egyptian cotton exudes a certain quality — think hotel linens in Monaco with handmade chocolates placed on its 1,000-count weave. In technical terms, “it’s the good stuff.” The cotton is then shipped to Portugal, where it’s milled and sewn into an overbuilt chassis of a shirt.

The heavy cotton panels are tacked together using flat-felled seams in the body, flat-locked, and then overstitched and sewn flat where the arms meet the torso. We love to see flat-felled seams when possible. It folds and interlocks three layers of material together, leaving seams clean-looking and increasing overall durability.

Because of the Grand’s hefty material, a triple-sewn, flat-felled seam would be uncomfortably bulky in the armpits. And it can eventually form what is called “roping.” You see roping in denim jeans, where the dye fades away in high-stress areas to reveal the underlying white cotton. But it isn’t great in a shirt, and we’ve seen why in other heavyweight shirts that flat-fell the arms to the torso. It can be uncomfortable under the arms and eventually frays, leaving your shirt looking a little ratty.

The Grand is a no-frills shirt with just the basics, but all of it is superbly done with intent. Unlike the Pladra Every Day Elite, th e two front pockets are sewn diagonally to the panel patterns, perhaps the only shortcut they took on the shirt. But it doesn’t surprise us. Aligning the pocket square pattern to the shirt pattern requires more time (read  money ) and produces more material waste. And that’s not something MuskOx wants to compromise.

Like our reliable truck, the Grand Flannel is capable of heading up to the cabin to dispatch a cord of fuel. But it’s equally happy to swing a leg over the barstool when the job’s done.

The Grand Flannel was our top flannel pick last year and it’s still a very, very good choice. We do feel the heavyweight 300+ g/m² fabric can be limiting for some buyers outside a cold Midwest winter. We strive to help guide readers to appropriate flannels, and the Grand is our choice for the best heavyweight flannel. If you run cold, or simply want the best traditionally styled flannel, you will not go wrong with picking up the Grand.

The Vermont Flannel Co Lightweight Flannel

• Materials Certified Organic cotton
• Fabric Weight 140 g/m² 
• Garment Weight 9 oz. 
• Best for A great choice to keep flannels running into summer

• Stiff shirt placket adds structure
• Great pedigree from farm to factory
• The lightweight material breathes well
• Oversized buttons are easy to use
• Reinforced sewing keeps buttons on the shirt
• More long threads than usual, and you may need to trim them
• Partnership with Lone Pine Brewery on our model is patched large and conspicuously on the lower left front panel, but it tucks out of sight

We love to see companies that solely focus on brushed twill. With that kind of focus, you know they wake up in the morning thinking about one thing, and one thing only: how to make a better flannel. Given flannels are primarily a fall and winter affair, we loved to see the Vermont Flannel Company Lightweight Flannel ($89) squeeze more flannel into our seasons.

At just 140 g/m², the shirt punches under T-shirt weight. This isn’t hyperbole. Some of our favorite T-shirts use heavier, 150 g/m² fabric. The 100% organic cotton is brushed on both sides, giving the material a nod to flannel. It’s soft and breathable and feels almost like linen. We’ve been wearing ours during a smokey Idaho summer and humid Minnesota fall. Its fitted form drapes like a dress shirt with some extra oomph.  

Unlike a dress shirt, all seams are overstitched and left exposed on the inside, and this is a conscious decision with some good merit. Good stitching isn’t solely dependent on the kind of stitching as much as it is the material it connects and the factories that complete the seams. Vermont Flannel Company uses long staple, yard dyed 100% GOTS Certified cotton and keeps the manufacturing stateside. Meaning it’s the best of the best and made in America. 

Lightweight materials require seams that move with the material. Using double/triple flat-felled stitching puts a lot of stress on adjacent material. Over time, this robust stitching could tear the lightweight fabric. With this in mind, the overstitched seams begin to make a lot of sense. It gives the seams more mobility and stretch, making the Lightweight Flannel shirt more durable.

The shirt is closed with fat buttons that pull through a stiff placket (both sides of the flannel are bonded together). This is unique to what we usually see in flannels and gives the welterweight shirt some structure down the front. It prevents the lightweight material from billowing between buttons, awkwardly giving others a peak under the hood. 

The Lightweight Flannel we saw is a limited release in partnership with Lone Pine Brewing. The Summer Lights Colorway will likely change from year to year, but the general Lightweight lineup is perennial and worth considering for flannel lovers looking to extend their flannel season.

Poncho Outdoors Original Flannel

• Materials 99% polyester, 1% spandex 
• Fabric Weight 175 g/m² 
• Garment Weight 13.5 oz. 
• Best for Great synthetic flannel with utility; the slim fit version is a good choice for more formal occasions like work

• Offered in slim or regular
• Synthetic fabric is durable
• Well constructed
• Touch of stretch
• Practical pockets
• Three closure styles on a shirt can be confusing (snaps, magnets, traditional buttons)
• Magnetic chest pocket magnets are weak
• Polyester can hold stench

Coming in hot out of Texas, Poncho Outdoors focuses on outdoor lifestyle shirts for fishing, ranching, or general work-hard, play-hard activities. We like that they have a product focus, with the sharp end on shirts. The Poncho Outdoors Original Flannel ($95) is the more “pure” flannel of the line-up, with a more brushed fabric that gives it that lofty nap we look for in a flannel.

The decision to construct the shirt from polyester is appropriate, given the brand’s MO. It is an outdoor shirt, implying it’s meant to get dirty, wet, and sweaty. The poly is wrinkle-resistant and washes grime out easily. The 1% spandex weave gives the material some stretch with a low risk of bagging out over time. 

The caveat with polyester is it can hold body odor. The porous filaments trap bacterial waste, and it’s hard to wash the funk out. That said, we haven’t experienced any of this in our synthetic flannels. And chances are if you are wearing a flannel, you will layer it over an undershirt that takes the majority of the smell.

Lightweight accent piping is sewn into the collar. Giving the shirt some extra formality, the collar snaps to the chest with plastic snaps (over buttons). Because the snaps punch through the material, Poncho backed the snaps with extra flannel patches. It gives the shirt extra durability and feels more comfort against the skin. 

We like the pivot to snaps over buttons on the collar. For most shirts, this would be a shoulder-shrugging observation. But if you want a little extra wind protection on the river, they unsnap with one hand and allow you to pull the collar up for an added few degrees of warmth or sun protection. 

The pair of chest pockets support the work shirt’s ranch style, but they close a little differently. While the mitered flaps have a button — and look like they button shut — it’s for show. Instead, a pair of small magnets close the pockets. We really liked this and found it useful when our hands were double-tasking. The magnetic seal keeps the contents from falling out, but the seal breaks easily and lets you slide your hand in to pull out what you need.

A deep zipper pocket hides under the left chest pocket. It’s great for keeping your fly tin or sunglasses. They also have a nylon loop under the left chest pocket to sling the shades or you can use the pencil sleeve on the right pocket. The shirt gives you lots of options to tack your EDCs. Inside the right hem, Poncho sewed in a chamois to clean your sunglasses. 

We tested the shirt in both a slim and regular fit. The slim wears snugger the arms and torso, and has less room around the wrist. This makes it a good shirt for more formal work and yet still perfectly capable for fishing after 5. The regular wears more relaxed. Both have an appropriate fit, and it’s a personal choice.

If you like the general vibe of the Original Flannel but want more durability, we’d recommend looking at Poncho’s Western Flannel . It is generally the same shirt but closes with pearl snaps and has more doubled fabric over the shoulder yoke. The primary difference is that the Western’s 175 g/m² fabric is brushed less, making it more durable overall. 

&SONS Yukon Field Flannel Shirt

• Materials 100% BCI cotton
• Fabric Weight 290 g/m²
• Garment Weight 14.5 oz.
• Fit Fits normal
• Best for Tasks where functional and fashionable intersect

• Impeccable craftsmanship
• Burly BCI cotton fabric
• Attention to detail is top shelf
• Work-ready weave
• Heavy buffalo plaid options aren't for everyone

&SONS is the inspiration of UK photographer and filmmaker Phil James. James’ muse comes from vintage workwear that was functional and fashionable. Pulling classic designs from the 1950s motorcycle culture, the clothes harken back to hardwearing utility clothing. Holding the &SONS Yukon Field Flannel ($210) in hand, you can tell the brand rolls up its sleeves for the task. It’s overbuilt in every way.

The 290 g/m² BCI cotton is stiff and lightly brushed. It breaks in over time, but it is never going to be a soft, plush flannel. Like the Minus33 Sportsman Guide Shirt, this one is for the shop (or those who want to look like they spend their evenings wrapping cedar strips around a kayak form). Every stitch is fully flat-felled with heavy gauge nylon thread.

The buttons are a whopping ⅝” in diameter and cut from bison horn. For extra durability, the yoke and elbows are patched with extra flannel. Out of the box, the Yukon oozes hard-wearing quality and confidence that it will endure seasons of hard wear.

The diagonal twill has some give. A single center pleat is sewn below the locker loop at the nape of the neck yielding some extra mobility. We loved how the nylon-backed cuffs are generously sized, sliding over a modern 15 mm-thick sports watch with room to spare.

While inspired by vintage, &SONS minded a few modern details. Reinforcing gussets are sewn onto the shirt’s side seam near the bottom for durability. The patterns are thoughtfully matched on both sides. A hidden pocket is sewn into the inside of the left chest. It’s large enough to sleeve a card or folded cash. The pattern-matched front pockets are pleated at the sides, allowing them to billow out a full inch. A pencil slot is stitched into the left billow on the inside.

Our only ding — aside from the price — may be the limited color schemes… all bold buffalo plaid (available in green, blue, and the traditional red). They shout old-timey flannel, which may turn some buyers off, but &SONS doesn’t shy away from this. They lean into vintage-inspired designs for “modern-day pioneers.”

If you are looking for a hardwearing, heavyweight cotton workhorse, the Yukon Field Flannel is a great addition to your winter wardrobe and is one of our favorite flannel finds. For something with even a bit more work-worthiness (and a slightly thicker weave), the MuskOx Grand Flannel is our current favorite heavyweight flannel — and even a bit cheaper than this option.

Jetty Breaker Flannel

• Materials 100% organic cotton
• Fabric Weight 220 g/m²
• Garment Weight 13 oz.
• Best for Everyday flannel for fall through spring

• Great value at less than $100
• Nice details like bar tacking and gussets
• Durable organic cotton twill fabric
• Collar backed with nylon
• Cuff buttons are snug even when buttoned with the outer button
• No pattern matching on pockets or flannel sides

Looking for an organic cotton flannel for everyday casual wear? But you don’t want to break the bank? We recommend Jetty’s Breaker Flannel ($70). Over the past few years, we have seen a lot of flannels from Jetty. Across the board, they offer great value in a flannel. They do this by keeping the focus on quality materials, like organic cotton, and avoiding extra accessories and overbuilding the shirt.

At just a nickel under $70, some shortcuts should be expected to keep the price in check. The arm hole seams are over-stitched and sewn flat, with fully flat-felled seams sewn down the side. The mitered pocket patterns are sewn on at 45 degrees. And the sides are not pattern matched at the side seam.

Instead of ramping up ‘nice to have’ elements, they keep their focus on value. Like building a shirt around high-quality organic cotton and reinforcing the gussets at the hem with bar-tacked stitches. The collar is backed with a nylon strip (a feature seen in our favorite flannels like the Pladra Every Day Elite), and they’ve sewn a small locker loop into the neck. These are conscious compromises that offer quality and ensures durability, while keep the price from creeping up.

Made from roughly 250 g/m² organic cotton fabric, the low nap twill is durable but has minimal give. No pleats. No under-the-arm gussets, the cut wears fitted. And it doesn’t have the mobility you would want for those reachy chores. We threw ours over another shirt and wore it to work and Friday night beers. Which is really what the silhouette and materials are designed around.

The Jetty Breaker Flannel is a casual cut for those work-adjacent hours. And at $70, you have left-over change to spend, though if you’re really hard-pressed, you can even slide into two $35 Legendary Whitetails Buck Camp Flannels for the same price.

Minus33 Sportsman Guide Shirt

• Materials 80% merino wool and 20% recycled polyester
• Fabric Weight 385 g/m²
• Garment Weight 1 lb., 12 oz.
• Fit Appropriately oversized
• Best for Hardwearing tasks outside in mixed conditions

• Comfortable against the skin
• Good mobility
• Cuffs are snug when buttoned with the inside button
• Runs a touch large; buy down a size if you are in between sizes

We caught wind of the Minus33 Sportsman Guide Shirt ($200) at the Outdoor Media show last fall, and we immediately fell in love with the shirt. Punching in at 385 g/m², the merino-poly blend flannel wears like an overshirt and is the most shacket-like shirt we have on our list.

The Merino wool blend fibers are milled into a densely woven fabric that feels buttery soft against the skin. It’s a great choice if you want the benefits of wool (warm when wet, odor and fire resistance) but are turned off by that scratchy wool feeling. We’ve worn this shirt over a tee shirt all winter and found it very wearable.

All seams are fully flat-felled. Because of the oversized fit, the seams don’t bunch under the arms. A pair of side pleats expand behind the shoulders to give the shirt extra mobility. The hem is cut straight on the square, with the pole hem tail dropping about ½-inch lower than the front. This helps the shirt stay tucked in or gives you extra protection while cooling your boots in the blinds.

The cuffs are rounded and pleated, and the pair of chest pockets are pleated and closed with mitered flaps which deter catching on edges. Under the collar, the yoke is double-reinforced with an extra swatch of wool material. The shirt closes with dime-sized buttons.

Generously oversized cuffs slide easily over the fattest watch or another shirt. The two-button design allows you to snug the cuff around the wrist. There’s a 2-inch difference between the two wrist buttons. When closed with the inner button, you have a lot of fabric folded under on the inside. It feels almost too tight around a 7-inch wrist, which can be uncomfortable.

Shackets and overcoats like the Sportsman can be a burly shield against winter winds, and if the style appeals to you but not the Merino-driven price, the Egyptian cotton MuskOx Grand Flannel is similarly tough in all the same ways, just $46 cheaper. We also like the &SONS Yukon Field Flannel for the same reasons, though don’t expect a wider range of patterns — you pretty much get the same handful of buffalo patterns with the Sportsman.

Minus33 is the house brand of clothing created by the New Hampshire-based textile plant, L. W. Packard & Co. Inc. Created in 2002, it is the mill’s showcase of how it envisions materials to be best used in the outdoor space. The Sportsman Guide Shirt is a pattern out of the archives and we are happy to see it is back. It is one of the best overshirts we have seen in the last 10 years and is our favorite splurge flannel for outdoor use.

ANIÁN Berlino Flannel

• Materials 80% recycled wool, 20% nylon
• Fabric Weight 500 g/m²
• Garment Weight 1 lb., 4 oz.
• Best for A deconstructed work shirt that looks and wears great around town; too refined for hard labor

• Quality craftsmanship
• Environment-friendly process
• Well-priced for what you get
• Weather resistant
• Chest pockets are small
• Too refined for hard work

More than a shirt, less than a shacket — the ANIÁN Berlino Wool ($155) overshirt straddles the seasons with the ease of fall weekend.

ANIÁN has made our list a few times over the years. We feel the company’s best offerings come from its line of wool shirts, which have a clean, timeless appeal. Wool makes a lot of sense in an overshirt. It has an inherent warm-when-wet disposition. ANIÁN weaves in nylon for extra durability.

Lighter weight than ANIÁN’s Melton shirt, the Berlino is still a heavyweight flannel. The whopping 500 g/m² fabric is trimmed with refined details, exuding heritage quality without feeling vintage. There’s just enough room to layer a base or lightweight flannel underneath, which you are going to want to do.

While Merino wool — like that used in the Minus33 Sportsman Guide Shirt — has become ubiquitous with modern wool, the Berlino uses recycled traditional wool. With it comes that traditional itchy feeling. ANIÁN sewed in a nylon band to protect the neck, but most will find the Berlino too rough to wear against the skin.

And while there’s some room to layer, the cut is a touch trim, and smaller chest pockets are more style and less task-friendly. We found them too small to do much more than lose that receipt from the hardware store.

To reduce its environmental footprint, ANIÁN takes pride in using high-quality post-consumer recycled fabrics that are created in dye and chemical-free processing.

Made in Canada, the Berlino is stout and heavy and feels more felty than woven — like traditional peacoat wool used by the Navy. It sheds water and blocks wind, making it an ideal outer shirt and a bridge between flannel and shirt jac flannels. This may be a touch too much flannel for everyday use, which is why we tend to recommend the slightly lighter MuskOx Grand Flannel more often, but for deep winter use, it’s prime.

Iron and Resin Sunshine Lightweight Cotton Flannel Shirt

• Fabric Weight 254 g/m² 
• Garment Weight 14 oz. 
• Fit Slightly oversized 
• Best for Wonderfully comfortable shirt for relaxing on weekends

• Great pattern way
• Oversized metal buttons
• Soft, comfortable flannel
• Good return and repair policy
• Sewing is solid, but sloppy in places
• Gusset bar tacking is a bit bulky

Iron and Resin is another outdoor clothing company from Ventura, California. Purpose-built, its curated collection of wearable provisions has a distinct Cali vibe. The Sunshine Flannel ($90) is emblematic of the brand and permeates cozy casual. 

The brushed 7.5 ounce (~250 g/m² ) cotton twill is distinctly mid-weight. Brushed on both the inside and outside, Iron and Resin firmly plants the flag in flannel. Short of Pendleton, the Sunshine Flannel was the softest flannel we tested this year and will appeal to buyers looking for that plush, soft shirt for fall.

In a field of plaid, the Sunshine takes another direction, which sort of fits the Iron and Resin’s “doin’ it our own way” vibe. And while we usually don’t comment on colors, we like where they are going. Like the setting sun over Rincon Point, the bold horizontal stripes fade softly in both size and tone. You won’t see a lot of other people wearing a flannel like it, and it doesn’t skimp on details. The Sunshine is constructed with subtle details that make it a stunner. 

Leaning into their West Coast roots, two pattern-matched pockets are sewn to the front of the shirt. The cuffs and pocket flaps are beveled to prevent snatching corners. Fat, oversized metal buttons close the front of the shirt and cuffs. These are a cool touch, though be warned the cuff buttons tap on a table top when punching the keyboard.

At the bottom, the shirt drops with a rounded hem, with a flannel gusset joining the front and back panels. For durability, they bar-tacked the gusset to the shirt in three places. It’s noticeably thick where the shirt meets the gusset. Given most guys will wear this shirt untucked, it’s not that big of a deal, but it adds bulk to the shirt when you tuck it in.

A good way to determine the quality of a shirt is to turn it inside out. All major seams are sewn shut with red nylon thread (while the outside threads color-match the shirt). The arms, sides, and yoke are fully flat-felled, which we love. The armholes are overstitched and sewn down flat with double stitching. This is pretty common on thicker fabric. It reduces bunching under the arms. It’s simply more comfortable.

What’s less common is that one of the overstitched armhole seams missed one of the double stitchings over the shoulder in our shirt. This doesn’t affect the durability of the shirt, but it does bring into question the quality control of the factory in Pakistan.

We see a lot of shirts, and this occasionally happens — even with our favorite brands. More importantly, it’s covered by Iron and Resin’s Repair or Replace program. We simply sent a photo and proof of purchase to Iron and Resin and got a new shirt. Easy.

The shoulder yoke is 2X flannel, doubled for durability and smoother draping. The label is sewn into a patch of flannel behind the neck, and a fat cord is sewn under the collar for a locker loop. 

We really like this flannel, and at $90, it’s about the going rate for a flannel these days. It’s a touch more than your big-brand mountain flannels, but given you can buy the Sunshine at Huckberry for $62, we feel it’s a steal. We’re liable to recommend a few other classics before it, such as the Pladra Every Day Elite, but for a good bit less, you still net a solid flannel.

Devium Boca Flannel Shirt

• Materials 100% US cotton
• Fit Fits normally
• Best for The Boca is tough-wearing flannel that’s American enough to make a bald eagle shed a tear of Miller Lite

• Entirely made in the USA
• Durable weave
• Horn buttons made in Pennsylvania and notched to protect against abrasion
• Twin chest pockets
• Expensive, but the price reflects the backstory
• A pencil slot would put the final nail in the shirt
• Cuffs could use a 45 degree notch to reduce catching

No-fuss, no bull, Devium lightly brushes its 220 g/m² cotton twill into a low suede-like nap, giving the  Boca Flannel Shirt  ($158) a tougher, more durable finish.

The shirt is patched with a pair of diagonal pockets that close with a buttoned flap. The flaps are notched at 45 degrees to reduce catching. Ideally, we’d love to see Devium take that approach on the cuffs too, which are cut and finished on the square.

Dime-sized cat-eye buttons close the shirt are easy to use and recess at the thread holes, protecting the thread from abrasion.

Softer than Duluth’s Free Swinging and better fitting than Patagonia’s Farrier shirt (last year’s choice for best work flannel), the Boca is a capable flannel that caulks the gap between form, function, and comfort. They don’t put their money into marketing; they put it into materials and construction. This flannel isn’t quite as hard-working as the MuskOx Grand Flannel, but damn close.

Devium holds itself to the venerable Berry-Compliant standard, which is a requirement to sell to the DoD. To be clear, Devium isn’t truly Berry-Certified (and the SeaBees aren’t swinging iron in Boca flannels). That certification would be on file with the suppliers and require a DoD contract.

Yet, Devium takes to heart what it means to sew that American flag onto every shirt. The 220 g/m² cotton is sourced and milled in Missouri and sent to SoCal for finishing. The horn buttons are custom-made at a factory in Pennsylvania.

From cut to finish, down to the last stitch of nylon thread, the entire Boca Flannel Shirt is made in the USA. Resisting the urge to take a shortcut and to do things truly right … well, that’s an admirable mission statement we can get behind with enthusiasm. The price typically keeps us from recommending it right off the bat, but if the story resonates, it’s an easy go-to.

Filson Alaskan Guide Shirt

• Fabric Weight 275 g/m²
• Fit Fits normal if you size down
• Best for The provenance of western American workwear, it is up for any task and wears casually around town

• Durable cotton and construction
• Classic styling
• Pleated chest pockets
• Several color options available
• Expensive; there are better options in this price range
• Would like to see the armholes flat-felled
• Sizing is one size too big

Lightly brushed 100% cotton, the Filson Alaskan Guide Shirt ($145) is a frequent flier on our top flannel guide. It shines as a reliable work shirt for the shop or worn around town and is a great choice for a weekend chore shirt.

The 8 oz. cotton is densely woven, helping deflect wind and sharps. A locker hook is tacked at the nape of the neck just over the single center pleat. The pleat gives you a little extra room in the shoulders to swing an axe or reach those holiday boxes tucked away on the top shelf. 

We appreciate that the cuffs and pocket flaps are rounded to reduce catching on edges. Both chest pockets have center pleats, allowing you to store a little extra. While the cuffs have two buttons to provide extra room (or batten down), we would like to see a little more room given to the outside button. The cuffs snug tight around the wrist and don’t leave a lot of room for a watch.

The shirt is sewn together through a combination of flat-felled seams in the arms and body, and overstitched seams in the armholes. This stitch combination is usually reserved for sewing heavy-weight fabrics together, and is more often seen in lower price point shirts. The 8 oz. fabric is densely woven and lightly brushed and probably could get away with fully felling the sleeves to the torso. At nearly $150, this ends up feeling more like a shortcut in the Alaskan Guide than a functional decision.

Similarly work-oriented, the MuskOx Grand Flannel is more often our recommendation for a heavyweight flannel for roughing it in. The Egyptian cotton is of higher quality compared to this flannel, and the flat-felled seams are a more durable and clean-looking option comparatively.

Filson shirts are known to be oversized by one full size. We always order down one size smaller and the fit feels spot on. The fit is still loose enough to layer over a midweight base layer without feeling constrictive. Because of this size disconnect, we recommend trying the Alaskan Guide Shirt on before you buy it.

Proper Cloth Jackson Country Shirt

• Fabric Weight 210 g/m²
• Garment Weight 13.5 oz.
• Best for Casual dress day at the office and looking sharp on weekends

• Beautiful cotton weave
• Great color options
• Customized fit
• Attention to detail
• On the expensive side
• Not a heavyweight flannel for winter

Although billed as a heavyweight shirt, we feel the 210 g/m² 100% cotton Jackson Country Shirt ($140) wears more as a midweight, work-inspired shirt. Lightly brushed, the warp and weft of the fibers are soft, but in the hand reveal the natural knotty inconsistencies of the cotton yarn.

It feels more rugged than the traditional shirts we find from Proper Cloth and lacks that buttery-soft flannel feel some yearn for in a flannel shirt. But it carves a line without sacrificing all that we love about the brand.

No detail is overlooked. All seams are flat-felled. The collar is reinforced with hearty antique brass stays. The pair of front pockets are pattern-matched. The double-layered split yoke creates a more form-fitting shirt over the shoulders and adds subtle western flair. The side seam is double-backed at the hem for extra durability and closes down the front with ½-inch buttons. Taken all together, the Jackson is decidedly well-finished.

Proper Cloth is an online supplier that distributes made–to–order clothing. You enter your measurements and pick the materials and they send you a shirt that is tailor-made to your size. The Jackson is more of their off-the-shelf shirt but you can plug in your measurements to dial in a near-perfect fit.

While the shirt probably won’t get you any credibility at the Dutton Ranch, it’s a great option to bring a little Western vibe into your wardrobe. This flannel likely doesn’t want to be worn for your more contact sports such as swinging a hammer or small-engine work, which is why we more often recommend more all-around cuts like the &SONS Yukon Field Flannel, but the fit and pattern options are current, and at $130, we feel you are getting quality with the Jackson Country Shirt.

Fjällraven Singi Heavy Flannel Shirt

• Materials 100% organic cotton 
• Fabric Weight Unknown g/m² 
• Garment Weight 1 lb., 1.5 oz. 
• Fit Regular 
• Best for Classic cotton flannel that wears in well over time

• 100% organic cotton
• Long-lasting durability that gets better with age
• Safari straps keep the sleeves rolled up all day
• Trending towards expensive
• Long hem feels too long when wearing untucked

Fjällraven brings a timeless look to nearly everything they touch. Classic lines, no frills, the thick, brushed cotton twill in the Singi Heavyweight Flannel ($120) gets better over time. 

We’ve been testing the Singi for years now. Off the shelf, the cotton feels stiff. It hasn’t been broken in yet. But wash after wash, the shirt really begins to take shape and gets softer over time. And really, that’s the sign of a solid flannel. It should wear in, not out.

The heavyweight 100% organic cotton is brushed on both sides for softness. In our experience, it doesn’t nap out or pill after years of washing. It retains that brushed feeling without compromising the look and feel. 

We often see cotton shirt pockets wrinkle up and shrink after years of use. Fjäll sews their chest pockets to their G-1000 nylon backer. This is both for aesthetic and functional reasons. It’s easier to use a pocket that lays flat, but it also prevents the mitered flaps from losing their form. 

Similar to the Pladra Every Day Elite, Fjäll sews in the same nylon backers to the collar and the cuffs, and to great effect. The shirt layers smoothly and slides over other shirts without pulling up the sleeves.

Hanging inside each sleeve is an 8-inch strap for keeping the sleeves rolled up tight. The sleeve placket unbuttons 8 inches, allowing you to roll them up and sling the strap under the rolled up arms. It gives the shirt that safari like look and they are great for active work. The strap keeps the sleeves up over the elbows all day long.

The Singi is sewn together using a combination of flat-sewn overstitching and flat-felled seams. The hem is long and stays tucked in. Instead of a gusset, Fjäll sews a strap of flannel to the bottom of the side seams hem. Worth noting, all the buttons are wrapped around the stem, giving them extra longevity in your wardrobe. Not a lot of manufactureres give this much attention to details.

The Singi Heavyweight Flannel is a classic perennial flannel that Fjällraven hasn’t touched for years. And why would they — it’s a well-built, classic flannel that does the job well.

Pendleton Burnside Flannel

• Materials 100% cotton 
• Garment weight 12.5 oz. 
• Best for Work-inspired looks for casual use

• Incredibly soft
• Oversized buttons
• Durable craftsmanship with bar tacked seams at every high-stress point
• Soft cotton shows early signs of napping and pilling

Portland-based Pendleton Mills has been turning out shirts since the end of the Civil War. That’s logging a lot of history — especially given Pendleton hails from the Pacific Northwest. To this day, all of their woolens are woven in Pendleton-owned mills. So it’s a no-brainer that we’ve added Pendleton our flannel buyer guide. We love their cotton staple, the double-brushed Burnside Flannel Shirt ($100).

Named after one of Portland’s historical streets, Burnside was one of America’s first “skid rows.” This isn’t a pejorative. This originally refers to streets that were used to “skid” felled timber off the forested hills down to the sawmills on the river. 

Leaning softly into Portland’s working roots, the Burnside has a pair of mitered pockets sewn to the front. For durability, the pockets are bar tacked to the shirt. On the inside, all seams are flat-felled, giving you both a simple and very clean shirt. Yet, the Burnside swings hard into comfort. The double brushed cotton is buttery soft off the shelf and continues to soften over time. It’s the softest flannel we tested this season.

Another nod to the work-shirt roots, we love the oversized buttons. They are easy to use and sewn to the shirt with criss-cross stitching over the 4-hole buttons. They are so confident in their buttons that they don’t sew spares into the hem.  

The front placket and side hem gussets are backed with cotton twill taping. A loop of the cotton twill is sewn inside the collar as a locker loop. The twill is pliable and durable without adding a lot of bulk. 

It’s a simple shirt with just a few upgrades. The left pocket has a pencil loop. We used it to keep our sunglasses. The cuffs have two buttons to adjust around your wrist. You are buying into pedigree cotton with this shirt, and it’s incredibly plush. So much so that it will begin to wear in a bit prematurely — and if you need a longer-lasting flannel, we recommend looking to the Pladra Every Day Elite.

While wool is the brand’s old-school classic, the Burnside is a fantastic daily driver option for those who don’t like the course fibers of wool. And while we don’t usually look at shirts as assets, their classic wool Board Shirt holds value and will still run you $50 for a beat-up shirt at the thrift store. The Burnside Flannel, on the other hand, is half the price of the eye-wincing $200 Board Shirt and is regularly on sale. 

Men’s Flannels Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Men’s Flannels

At GearJunkie, flannels are an extension of our everyday lifestyle. A shirt, a sweatshirt, a jacket — flannels are the most flexible garment we own. Unlike a tent, camp stove, or a pair of boots, we shoulder flannels daily, allowing us to put the brushed twill through the paces. We tested flannels at the office, and through the weekend, grinding through chores like cleaning the garage, raking leaves, or simply walking the dog on cool summer mornings.

Cozy in coach and a fashionable way to layer up, we always pack at least one flannel for travel. They’ve had our backs on flights to Germany, Italy, France, Slovenia, and Japan, as well as transcontinental flights across the States. In warmer climates, we’ve flanneled up on cool nights on the Dariense Isabelia ridge in Nicaragua and high up on the Colombian Coffee Triangle.

Field Testing

During real-world consideration, we aim to wear flannels for what they were made to do. For example, hard work-oriented flannels are worn doing tasks that are hard on a shirt. Specifically, we want to know how it accommodates range of motion and if it holds up.

We want to know if we can swing a hammer or reach boards from the top shelf without exposing our torso or restricting motion in the arms. We also test it for snagging and durability. Does the flannel catch on wood, metal edges, or granite shards? Does it collect a lot of dust and grime?

Finally, we shoulder the flannels and evaluate them for fit. The best material and construction can’t fake a good fit. We test it for mobility and proper length. Does the shirt bind under the arms? Are the pleats and gussets appropriate? Does a straight-cut work without pleats? Are the arms or hem cut at a proper length or do they ride up when reaching? How does the shirt taper in the torso and arms?

Bench Testing

To test flannels, we always start with how the material feels in the hand. We rate it for plushness, softness, and durability. We look at the fiber material, weave, and brushed finish. The material choice and finish are indicators of how the manufacturer envisions the flannel should be worn and used, and it points us in the direction of how they should be sewn and in the end, how we should test the shirt. We want to see if the two align and how they stack up to the marketing story told online.

Why You Should Trust Us

Steve Graepel has been leading the men’s flannel buyer guide since 2015. Over the span of 9 years, Graepel has seen over 200 flannel shirts, rigorously testing 94 flannels. Graepel has worked at GearJunkie as a contributing editor since 2009, testing everything from packrafts, to bike bags, sleeping bags, winter boots, and trail runners. His latest beat is travel pants and flannels. Before his time as a fashion blogger, he wrote for Travel Idaho, National Geographic Adventure, Patagonia’s Tin Shed, Trail Runner, and Gear Patrol. 

Graepel has researched and tested flannels extensively — traveling, working, and camping in the high alpine desert of Idaho, Montana, and Utah and traveling abroad in a variety of environments, including Europe, South America, and Asia. He continues to long-term test flannels year-round and searches for anyone who will listen to his yarns testing the brushed twill.

In 2020, we saw 47 flannels and listed 15 flannels on our men’s buyers guide. In 2021, we tested an additional 20 flannels, highlighting nine new flannels on our list. In 2022, we saw an additional 20 flannels, adding 12 new flannels. 2023 was a big year, where we created a newly minted seasonal heavyweight edition of our flannels buyer’s guide, adding nine new flannels. For fall of 2024 we saw 20 new flannels, adding six new flannels to our fall buyer’s guide.

Each year introduces new styles and materials, and we try to reflect the best on the market of that year. Some stalwart flannels remain on the list, year after year. They are either so good, or so good of a deal, that they are tough to topple.  

Flannels aren’t hard, but their simplicity makes it important to understand the details of a standout shirt. To keep a finger on the pulse, we read reviews from top sites and contact manufacturers directly. Steve Graepel has the owners of several companies on speed dial, and has had conversations with manufacturers and mills from around the world. It’s not uncommon for manufacturers to reach out to GearJunkie before they release a flannel to get a sense of the new lineup.

These relationships allow us to stay up to date on what makes flannels better every year, and keep an eye on sleeper flannels that just don’t have the marketing budget to get mass attention.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Flannel Shirt

Wool used to own the flannel scene, and it has a lot of merits. It retains warmth when exposed to moisture, resists odors and UV light, and can block the wind. We love ANIÁN’s heavyweight Berlino overshirt, which delivers all of these qualities with its heavy wool material.

While the Berlino weaves some nylon into the fabric, it still feels scratchy. For a softer wool, consider merino wool blended with synthetic. Minus33 weaves Polyester with their merino and feels very wearable against the skin and pumps up the durability. But there are other materials worth considering.

Cotton can be buttery soft and an obvious choice to wear next to skin. Pladra, MuskOx, and Pendelton all use high-end cotton. But not all cotton flannels are brushed to this extent. &SONS Yukon Field Flannel is lightly brushed and feels rougher. This makes it better for hardwearing activities in the yard or at the shop.

Some cottons are sourced from organic or Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) approved cotton fields. No synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers can be used in the cotton to achieve the rank of “organic cotton.” The Vermont Flannel Company’s Lightweight Flannel and Fjällraven’s Singi both use organic cotton.

BCI-approved cotton meets sustainable standards that minimize pesticides, boost water conservation, and support better working conditions for farmers. Our top choice heavyweight flannel from MuskOx sources BCI cotton. Either way, meeting either of these standards costs more money to achieve and the cost is passed onto the buyer. Expect to pay a little more for shirts that list either of these certifications.

If you break a sweat in flannel — say mountain biking, skiing, or running — we recommend a synthetic flannel. They are easy to care for and can be thrown in the washer and tumbled in the dryer. Poncho’s Original Flannel is lightly brushed without sacrificing plush. It is our top pick for a synthetic flannel.

Like any shirt, flannels are offered in a variety of fits, from athletic and tailored to grandpa-style. If you prefer a tidy look with a slimmer athletic fit, Proper Cloth’s Jackson will be a good choice. But it can be a tradeoff with mobility. Without Lycra woven into the fabric, gussets, or mechanical weave, a tight, form-fitting flannel can bind behind the shoulders. Shirts like Filson’s Alaskan Guide get around this by adding a pleat between the shoulders.

On the other end of the spectrum, MuskOx is oversized and has no pleating. The roomy cut still allows great mobility to reach and work without feeling too big.

When making a purchase, let your use case guide you to the right flannel fit. And if it’s a work shirt, consider sizing down for everyday wear. As an example, Filson work shirts are typically sized just short of Arnold Schwarzenegger. We always have to buy one size down when looking at Filson. &SONS Yukon Field flannel shares a lot of the same merits we like about Filson, but unlike Filson, the off-the-shelf fit is spot on with &SONS.

Note that this review covers the best flannel shirts for men. Looking for a women’s flannel? We have another flannel buyer’s guide specifically for women .

Fabric Weights

Short for grams per squared meter, g/m² is the weight of one square meter of fabric. Generally the heavier the weight, the thicker the material will be, the warmer that flannel will likely be. We generally follow the same ratings as we use in base layers.

• Lightweight flannels fall under 150-190 g/m²
• Midweight flannels sit between 200-250 g/m²
• Heavyweight flannels weigh over 250 g/m²

For fall, we share a range of flannel options. As we enter the dark days of winter, our flannel guide shifts on mid- and heavyweight flannels. At just under 140 g/m², The Vermont Flannel Company sits as our lightest-weight shirt. As you might guess, it is best for mild temperatures and casual wear. We’ve even dressed it up with a jacket and worn it to work. On the other end sits ANIÁN’s Berlino , which uses a stout 500 g/m² wool blend and is supremely warm.

The numbers game isn’t hard and fast. Counter to the listed weights, Helly Hansen’s Classic Check (as seen on last year’s list) used a whopping 375 g/m² cotton material but weighs as much as Proper Cloth’s Jackson, a 200 g/m² cotton shirt. If you have doubts and can’t find evidence in the reviews, it is always best to try a shirt on and get a feel for the material.

A heavier fabric doesn’t imply the material will be softer — which the Berlino, woven with nylon, is not. That soft, velvety feeling comes from brushing the material, giving it that lofty plush nap. A fabric with more nap can also be warmer than a fabric without it. The raised fibers trap air warmed from your body and work best as an insulator when worn under a jacket that can keep that warm air from flushing away.

Our top flannel from Pladra takes a heavyweight flannel and brushes it until it almost achieves a shaggy nap. While you can see some traces of light pierce through the shirt, it wears really warm under a jacket.

Closure Style

Flannel closure is a contentious debate at GearJunkie, and many editors have a soft spot for snaps. Often seen on Western-style shirts, snaps hold well and are quick and easy to get in and out of. Granted, we are an active crew of reviewers who wear our flannels on runs and rides. The Western-style flannel from Poncho closes with pearl snaps.

While we love the usability of snaps, they can be problematic. Snaps disrupt the material by punching holes through the placket — that strip of material that runs dead center down the shirt. In rare cases, snaps can pull through, which we’ve experienced with a snap-style shirt. To add durability, most snap-style shirts punch through doubled-over fabric.

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” — the button has been tried and true for some 5,000 years. Most buttons are constructed from hard plastics, though Devium and &SONS use horn. Iron and Resin closes their Arbor flannel up with metal buttons. Regardless of materials, we prefer big buttons for heavier materials, which is one more reason to consider Devium’s Boca . Their horn buttons are custom-made in Pennsylvania and are the size of a penny.

Construction

While quality materials matter, the construction of the shirt is what often defines a quality shirt. The best will have flat-felled seams that roll the opposing material together and tack the seam down with a double stitch. The result hides all the cut edges, leaving a clean-looking, durable shirt inside and out. These shirts will often be double- or triple-stitched in high-stress zones, like the shoulders and sides.

While more durable, flat-felled seams can make a shirt bulkier, not every mill can pull off this level of construction. So flat-felled flannels tend to be more expensive.

Proper Cloth, &SONS, Pendelton, and Pladra use a flat-fell seam and vary the stitch count for extra durability where you need it most.

Many shirts use a more common overlock or surge stitch, where the two opposing panels are butted together and stitched down, leaving the seam’s edge raw on the inside. Using an overlock stitch is a much easier construction method, and since most sew houses can do it, the cost is (usually) reflected in the affordable price.

The downside is some overlock stitches are left unfinished. Exposed, they can rub against the body, snag, and fray, which eventually will pull on the surrounding stitching.

Seams are both art and science, so don’t read these a hard and fast guidelines. Overlock stitching can also be a valid choice for lighter weight fabric. The seams allow stretch and pair well with lightweight fabrics and it makes sense in The Vermont Flannel Company’s Lightweight Flannel.

A good compromise is to flat-lock the overstitching. It doesn’t hide the seams, but the overstitching is tacked down out of the way. This makes the seams less bulky than fully felled seams and costs less to sew. More importantly, it’s much more comfortable and practical when joining heavy-weight fabrics that creep over 300 g/m². Outerknown, Iron and Resin, ANIÁN, and MuskOx overstitched their flat-locked seams in the armpits.

When buying a shirt, look at the construction details. A well-constructed shirt will cost more in the short term but will last for years.

Price & Value

With a general range between $35 and an eye-watering $200, there’s a wide spread when it comes to flannels and a good bit of nuance in between those figures. Not only do different materials demand higher price tags, but we’d argue that construction methods augment the price just as much — if not more in some cases. Knowing what you’ll be wearing the flannel for the most will go a long way in choosing the best option for you.

Like everything these days, the price of flannels has been creeping up over the last few years. But you can still get into a flannel without having to spend a lot of cash. At just under $40, Legendary Whitetails is an affordable entry price point to give flannels a go without sacrificing quality construction. For a few bucks more, Jetty offers a mid-weight deal in the Breaker at $70, which is a great choice for more casual, everyday wear.

The mid-price of flannels seems to fall in around $90 (though we acknowledge we have a bump in shirts listing between $100-140). Just below will get you into most mountain-style flannels from the big stores, but there can be a swell of uninspiring shirts in this range that lean on its brand recognition, bright patterns, and color schemes to take your cash.

Here too, you get what you pay for, and it’s a good place to start looking at materials and construction to ensure you are indeed getting good value. Premium construction methods, like hand-sewn, double or triple stitching, and eco-conscious product development, start to tack onto the bottom line. The Pladra Every Day Elite ($140) is at the upper end of this range, and we find it to be one of the best things going in flannels at the moment.

Better materials and pedigree start to pry the wallet open. Unless there’s a backstory to support that extra cost, shirts priced over $150 leave you wondering if you are paying for someone’s mortgage. Topping out just over $200, we do feel that the attention to detail &SONS brings is of exceptionally high quality and warrants the expense. As does the beefy warmth you get with Minus33’s Sportsman Guide .

Frequently Asked Questions

Traditionally a brushed twill made from wool, the original flannel was woven to keep Welsh sheep herders warm while tending the flock on temperamental winter days. Nowadays, the term flannel has expanded into cotton, synthetic, hemp, and blends with stretchy fibers. What unequivocally defines flannel is the brushed surface that lofts the yarns into a heat-trapping nap that gives it that super soft feel to the touch.

True flannels start from twill — a diagonal pattern like you find in jeans. Either the front or back can be brushed, giving it a soft insulating nap. To give a flannel that lofty fluffy feeling, a metal brush works the material’s surface, mechanically teasing the fibers until lofted into that fuzzy surface that traps air.

Flannel is achieved by brushing the fabric to tease fibers out, which act like an insulator. The rub is it can compromise durability. In short, the fibers are broken and become more prone to catching dust and grime, which can continue to break down the fibers. Contrastingly, lightly brushed flannels tend to be more durable. They don’t collect as much grime or catch as easily on wood splinters or metal edges.

Flannel comes in all forms these days. It’s unfair to box a shirt in or out of the flannel club. It might help to think of the base material sitting on a brush scale. At the far end is a smooth-faced, durable shirt. On the other is a soft and plush shirt.

Our top heavy flannel pick from MuskOX is a buttery soft flannel made from 300 g/m² organic cotton. The shirt is brushed on both sides and exudes flannel. The fabric is so thick that it will retain durability year after year. For mid-weight, lightly brushed fabrics, like those found in  Devium’s Boca  or &SONS Yukon, will serve as better work shirts over, say, Proper Cloth’s Jackson flannel,   which brushes loosely woven yarns that get caught on sharp edges.

Flannel is a lofted fabric — regardless of the pattern. That fabric can come in a variety of solids and patterns, including the cross-hatched patterns, originally dating back to the Scottish culture to distinguish families and clans, we call plaid.

Start with how and where you want to use it. If you intend to wear your flannel outside or as a jacket, consider a wool or insulated flannel. Minus33’s Sportsman Guide is great at blocking wind and light rain. We liked Devium’s front pockets and the low nap is very durable, but the cotton flannel is best worn on cool, dry days. Proper Cloth’s Jackson is great for around town but lacks durability for hardwearing tasks.

We love Proper Cloth’s Jackson for its overall softness, quality, and general easy-wearing approachability. For more active pursuits, we liked how Poncho’s synthetic wicks moisture and has utility pockets that are user friendly. But neither are as durable as Filson’s Alaskan Guide’s nearly bulletproof cotton flannel. The hard-tack surface is also the least plush shirt on our list.

Some work flannels, like those offered by Filson, can be oversized. We found the work-inspired Boca from Devium fit spot-on. In general, you will be happier if you try them on before you buy. If you can’t, it’s worth sizing down for a more tailored fit — especially when buying anything from Filson, which generally runs one size larger.

Like a tool in your toolbox, the best flannel will be the flannel that meets your needs. Take stock of how you want to use it, and then use our guide to find the best option for you.

We update our flannel buyer’s guide for winter with more robust options. The warmest shirt on this season’s list is Minus 33’s Sportsman Guide. The wool is blended with Nylon (which is more durable than Polyester) and is brushed to trap heat like down. Of course, this is an overshirt that doesn’t wear casually at work.

For a more work-friendly warm shirt, we like Pladra’s Every Day Elite . The 260+ g/m² is athletically fitted and wears well either tucked in or out and is lofted to trap heat. The cotton 300 g/m² found in MuskOx is plush and comfortable, but we like to wear it untucked. It’s a lot of fabric to tuck in your pants.

If you want to stay warm in wet weather, reach for wool or synthetic, and that’s where the Minus33 Sportsman Guide Shirt shines.

On the other end of the spectrum, we loved what we saw from The Vermont Flannel Co. The 140 g/m² Lightweight cotton flannel keeps the sun off and the body and feels cool in summer.

With it’s über-soft brushing both inside and out, we loved Pendelton’s Burnside . It became the benchmark to test all other flannels for softness.

A less expensive option is Iron and Resin’s Sunshine flannel . The fit is more relaxed and the quality isn’t quite on par with Pendelton, but the material is more durable, plus you can get it on sale now for under $70 now at Huckberry .

How long a shirt lasts is a combination of materials, construction, and use.

If taken care of, quality materials sewn together with flat seams will last for years. MuskOx, Devium, &SONS, and even the stylishly tailored Proper Cloth are all highly durable shirts. Any of these shirts are solidly constructed and will serve you well.

How often you wash it depends on how you wear it. Using it daily as an overshirt, where you aren’t sweating directly against the fabric, gives you a few wears before you need to wash it. If you work out in it or are putting it to task with a shovel on a pile of dirt, you should wash your shirt.

Follow the instructions on the garment. While synthetics can be washed and dried on low, we recommend air-drying cotton shirts. They can shrink.

Wool shirts might need special care, like dry-cleaning. Never dry a wool shirt in the drier. The fibers can shrink significantly making it essentially unwearable.

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Steve Graepel is a Contributing Editor and Gear Tester at GearJunkie. He has been writing about trail running, camping, skiing, and general dirtbagging for 10+ years. When not testing gear with GearJunkie, he is a Senior Medical Illustrator on the Neurosurgery Team at Mayo Clinic. Based in Boise, Idaho, Graepel is an avid trail runner, camper, angler, cyclist, skier, and loves to introduce his children to the Idaho outdoors.

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