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The Gift of Merino Wool with icebreaker
David Shuck
November 26, 2025
The Gift of Merino Wool with icebreaker
We teamed up with icebreaker to take a closer look at the benefits of merino wool and some top-tier products that use the powerful fiber.
James Smith
The holiday season is here, and whether you’re gifting for someone else or simply treating yourself (c’mon, we’re all guilty of this), merino wool will always fit the bill for a purchase that embodies comfort, longevity, and functionality. Arguably the most versatile wool in the game, merino sheep fibers offer a range of qualities that see merino wool applied to a range of garments from iconic knitwear to performance wear.
We’ve teamed up with merino masters, icebreaker, to look at the properties of merino wool and put together a merino-fueled gift guide for the holidays and beyond.
Why Merino Wool?
Merino wool is made from the wool fibers of merino sheep, a domestic breed with fleece that protects them in the freezing winters and cools them in the scorching summers. In a world full of synthetic performance fabrics, merino persists as one of the most compelling options with its unique blend of natural properties that see it excel in both everyday casual wear and performance gear. Let’s look at some of the reasons why.
Soft & Lightweight
Image via Vandeputte
Merino wool fibers are much finer than regular wool fibers, typically ranging from 15 – 24 microns in diameter compared to the 30-40 microns of generic wool. As well as making the fibers lighter, this also makes the ‘scales’ on the outer cuticle layer of the fibers smaller, reducing friction and making merino wool softer and far less itchy than traditional wool. On performance wear like a base layer, this also reduces chafing.
Breathable Insulation
Image via Matt Graves
As well as being softer and finer, merino wool fibers have a natural “crimp”. This wavy, spiral-esque shape creates tiny air pockets within the fibers themselves, which act as natural insulation by trapping warmth when it’s cold and circulating air when it’s hot.
Superior Moisture Management
Moisture-management is where a material draws sweat away from the body and distributes it across its fibers, allowing it to evaporate and prevent moisture buildup, keeping you cooler and drier.
This is a key part of any performance fabric, but Merino is particularly effective in this department, absorbing up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling wet to the touch and offering quick drying times; a combination that has synthetics hot under the collar.
Odor Resistance
Merino wool fibers are naturally antimicrobial, which, combined with their ability to dry quickly and reduce the dampness that bacteria need to thrive, makes merino wool fabrics highly odor-resistant. So you can wear them over and over without the need for repeated washings.
Sustainability
Unlike polyester or nylon, merino is a naturally renewable fiber that’s biodegradable. It can also be recycled.
Durability
Last but never least – longevity. Despite its fine fibers and light weight, merino wool is highly durable and can retain its shape for many years.
Merino Wool Gift Guide
An elevated take on the classic polyester fleece, icebreaker‘s Merino Blend 800 Classic Pile Long Sleeve Zip Jacket is made from the brand’s trademarked RealFleece; a blend of merino wool, TENCEL Lyocell, and nylon. Brushed merino wool imbues icebreaker’s RealFleece with the qualities detailed above, while TENCEL doubles down on natural brilliance with its merino-adjacent properties of breathability, durability, and sustainability.
The Classic Pile Long Sleeve Zip Jacket features a high neck, offset shoulder seams for backpack compatibility, flatlocked seams for reduced friction, and a 2-way zipper for versatility in varying temperatures. Perfect for everything from dog walks and hikes to layering up on the slopes, the Classic Pile Long Sleeve Zip Jacket is a daily driver that will keep you comfortable no matter what life throws at you.
Available at icebreaker for $300.
When it comes to heritage-inspired knitwear, HEIMAT is one of the biggest hitters in the game right now. The German imprint is known for its heavyweight knits, but its Rundhals Sweater is a mid-weight merino number knitted from 8-gauge merino wool yarns. Perfect for transitional weather or layering up on those really frigid days, this loose-fitting beauty is made in Germany and comes in 8 (!) colorways, so there’s something for anyone who will appreciate some merino goodness.
Available for $315 from HEIMAT.
HAVEN only reaches for the best materials for it’s in-house line, so it comes as no surprise that they drew for merino wool for their luxury take on the Watch Cap. Made in Japan from a blend of 95% merino wool and 5% cashmere, this is an extra soft, highly insulating Watch Cap available in 3 colorways, each finished with a branded label on the brim.
Available for $110 from HAVEN.
Socks get a bad rap in the gifting game, but let’s be real, if someone isn’t happy with some high-end socks like these from J. Press, that’s Scrooge behavior and only Jacob Marley will be able to help them. Knit in Italy from superfine merino wool yarns and 20% nylon for stretch/shape-retention, these socks go halfway up the calf, making them perfect for formal wear as well as casual wear.
Available for $31 from J. Press.
For the runner in your life who still laces up their kicks on the frostiest of mornings or steps out on a hike in the depths of winter, look no further than the icebreaker 300 MerinoFine™ Polar Long Sleeve Roll Neck Thermal Top. This heavyweight 100% merino wool base layer is built for the coldest days ahead and designed to keep one warm, not hot. Ultra-fine merino yarns (15.5 microns – among the finest we’ve seen here at Heddels) insulate while being supremely soft on the skin.
Built with a high roll neck and a dropped rear hem for extra coverage, the 300 MerinoFine™ Polar Long Sleeve Roll Neck Thermal also features thumb loops on the cuffs, flatlock seams for friction-free comfort, and raglan sleeve construction to keep your shoulders free to move.
Available for $220 from icebreaker.
I’ve been paying a lot of attention to Filippo De Laurentiis lately, and one of their Sturdy sweatshirts is absolutely on my wishlist. Its a midweight sweater knit in Pescara, Italy, from 8-gauge merino wool yarns, selected for their lack of fuzz, which gives the Sturdy a sharper look. The silhouette is just perfect: flattering without being skin tight, just the right amount of room in the arms, and a snug ribbed neckline.
Available at Brooklyn Tailors for $195.
One of HEIMAT‘s mantras is “keep your head safe and your body warm”, and this merino wool edition of their popular Mechanics cap will certainly keep your head safe. The Mechanics cap is a short-fitting style inspired by naval watch caps, with a deep fold that sees it sit above the ears. Knitted from the same 8-gauge merino wool yarns as the Rundhals sweater mentioned earlier, bringing the laundry list of merino benefits directly to your dome.
Available from Iron Shop Provisions for $85.
The master artisans at Warehouse have managed to combine the forces of merino and melton wool to make the ultimate casual winter jacket. Based on a 1930s cold weather army jacket, the Lot. 2228 is like the precursor to a Filson cruiser but has the warmth and wicking characteristics of merino woven into a dense and durable woven melton, this is a jacket that can last at least another century.
Available for $1,155 at Lost & Found.
A lightweight but highly insulating vest is one of those fall/winter essentials that makes for great gifting, especially when the wrong make and model can feel like wearing a trash bag on your person. icebreaker‘s Merino Blend 300 RealFleece™ Descender Vest offers a natural option powered by a proprietary blend of merino wool and TENCEL Lyocell.
These yarns are woven into a lightweight performance fabric that’s perfect for layering up on a cold-weather hike, serving as an insulating layer in a casual outfit, or pretty much everything in between. A lightly brushed surface keeps things cozy while 2 zip hand pockets allow you to stash your valuables on the trail.
Available for $190 from icebreaker
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