Ultimate Merino Wool Brands: Top Picks for Comfort and Quality

Merino wool is prized for its softness, warmth, and moisture-wicking properties, making it a popular choice for high-quality clothing and outdoor gear. With so many options on the market, selecting the perfect brand can be a daunting task. Whether you are looking for performance wear or luxurious winter essentials, there are several standout brands known for their exceptional merino wool products. To ensure you find the ideal apparel or accessory that suits your needs, explore the list of top merino wool brands below.

Illustration of merino wool

Best brands of merino wool in 2025

Icebreaker

Icebreaker is a leading producer of high-quality merino wool apparel, known for its commitment to sustainability and animal welfare. The company sources 89.7% of its fibers from merino wool, with 64% coming from New Zealand, 14% from Australia, and 22% from South Africa. Founded in 1995 by Jeremy Moon, Icebreaker has grown to be sold in over 38 countries and is now part of VF Corporation since 2018. The brand is renowned for its transparent supply chain, including a Growers Club with 70 contracted merino growers, all of whom are part of the ZQRX regenerative agriculture program. Icebreaker's products are available in over 3,000 wholesale customers globally. For more details about their supply chain, visit their supply chain information page.

Smartwool

Smartwool is a leading brand in the production of merino wool products, particularly renowned for its high-performance merino wool socks designed for various activities such as skiing, hiking, and everyday wear. Founded on the discovery of merino wool's unique properties, Smartwool has revolutionized the wool sock industry since its inception. Their socks are crafted with a blend of merino wool, nylon, and polyurethane, ensuring optimal fit, comfort, and sustainability. Smartwool's merino wool is ZQ certified, ensuring environmental, social, and economic sustainability, as well as the well-being of the merino sheep. The company is also transitioning to recycled nylon, which is Global Recycle Standard (GRS) certified, highlighting their commitment to environmental innovation.

Ibex

Ibex Outdoor Clothing is a leading producer of high-quality merino wool apparel, founded in 1997 and now based in Boulder, Colorado. The company specializes in merino wool, sourcing it sustainably from sheep in New Zealand and ensuring ethical production practices with WRAP-certified manufacturers. Ibex's products are designed for all-season activities and sports, leveraging the natural benefits of merino wool such as temperature regulation, anti-microbial properties, and moisture-wicking capabilities. The brand has seen significant growth, from $1.5 million in sales in 2001 to $20 million on average between 2014 and 2017. Ibex is committed to sustainability, using recycled materials and aiming to be climate neutral.

Woolx

Woolx is renowned as one of the best producers of merino wool clothing, utilizing the world's finest natural high-performance fabric to create ultra-soft and breathable garments. Their products, made from 100% Superfine Australian Merino Wool, are designed to regulate body temperature effectively, keeping wearers warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. The wool fibers trap warm air in cold conditions and release moisture to absorb heat, ensuring comfort in various climates. Woolx garments are machine washable and dryable, guaranteed with no shrinkage, and are available in various weights, including heavyweight baselayers at 400 g/m2 and lightweight options for hot weather. The brand's attention to detail includes flat seam construction, underarm gussets, and no irritating tags, making their clothing ideal for active individuals.

Allbirds

Allbirds is a pioneering brand in the footwear and apparel industry, renowned for its commitment to sustainability and the use of high-quality merino wool. The company plans to use only wool from regenerative sources by 2025, a move that aligns with its goal of achieving zero emissions and enhancing soil health and biodiversity. Merino wool accounts for about a quarter of the natural materials Allbirds uses but contributes to 80% of the emissions related to these materials. Allbirds has already achieved significant sustainability milestones, including a 40% reduction in carbon footprint compared to traditional footwear manufacturers and a 25% reduction in water usage for production. The brand's focus on regenerative agriculture and sustainable materials has positioned it as a leader in the eco-conscious market. For more details on their sustainable wool efforts, visit their official page.

Ortovox

Ortovox is renowned as one of the top producers of merino wool products, emphasizing high-quality and sustainable sourcing. The brand sources its merino wool from six designated farms in Tasmania, ensuring adherence to the Ortovox Wool Promise (OWP), which exceeds the standards of the Responsible Wool Standard. This commitment to transparency and sustainability has been a cornerstone since Ortovox began sourcing merino wool in the mid-nineties. The farms provide optimal conditions for the sheep, resulting in uniform fiber growth and high-quality wool, with each sheep producing between two to four kilograms of wool per year. Ortovox's meticulous supply chain management, keeping production within Europe, enhances efficiency and quality control. For comprehensive insights, visit their merino wool information page.

Unbound Merino

Unbound Merino is a leading brand in the production of high-performance merino wool clothing, sourcing their wool from independent, mulesing-free farms that are Woolmark certified. Their products are known for their natural antibacterial and moisture-wicking properties, making them ideal for extended wear without the need for frequent washing. The brand's merino wool is exceptionally soft, breathable, and temperature-regulating, ensuring comfort in various climates. Unbound Merino's clothing line includes a range of products such as crew neck T-shirts, long sleeve crews, and travel hoodies, all designed to maximize travel wardrobe efficiency. Their custom-blended fabrics can include up to 92% merino wool, combined with other strong and lightweight fibers like Spectra and Spandex.

Patagonia

Patagonia is renowned for its high-quality merino wool products, sourced from sustainable and environmentally conscious suppliers. The company ensures that the wool it uses comes from farms that prioritize animal welfare and environmental stewardship. For instance, Patagonia's merino wool is often sourced from farms like Dingleburn Station, where sheep are sheared once a year and produce about 4 kilos (8.8 lbs) of wool per shearing, with a fiber diameter of less than 18 microns. Since its founding in 1973, Patagonia has committed to sustainability, including using 100% organic cotton and renewable energy, and donating a portion of its profits to environmental conservation. This dedication to sustainability has made Patagonia a leader in the apparel industry.

Isobaa

Isobaa is a leading brand in the merino wool industry, renowned for its high-quality, sustainable, and cruelty-free products. Since its inception in 2016, Isobaa has been committed to ethical sourcing, regenerative farming, and minimizing environmental impact. Their merino wool is sourced from an Australian supplier with a heritage dating back to 1857, and their garments are OEKO-TEX certified, ensuring the highest standards in fabric treatments. Isobaa's innovative approach includes using recovered merino wool insulation, introduced in 2019, which combines warmth with sustainability. Their products are biodegradable, odour-resistant, and moisture-wicking, making them ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and comfort seekers. Discover more about merino wool: a history of innovation.

Darn Tough

Darn Tough is a leading producer of merino wool products, renowned for its high-quality, durable, and comfortable socks. The brand utilizes the finest merino wool fibers, which are incredibly soft and moisture-wicking, capable of absorbing up to 30% of their weight in moisture without losing insulation properties. In 2021, Darn Tough expanded its production capabilities by developing a 30,000 square foot facility, increasing its capacity by over 35%. Their merino wool socks are combined with nylon and Lycra spandex for enhanced resilience and are backed by an unconditional lifetime guarantee. This commitment to quality and performance makes Darn Tough a trusted name in the merino wool outdoor wear market. For more details about their merino wool products, visit Darn Tough's merino wool page.