Merino Skins® Sports Active Range

Mid Weight Base Layer – 230 gsm

Merino Skins® – mid-weight base layer high-performance Merino wool thermal wear is made in clean green Australia – delivering worldwide.

Stylish, high-performance sports activewear that combines performance with function. Made from the finest, softest Australian Merino wool, Merino Skins® garments are the perfect contemporary collection, merging exclusive designs with the benefits of wool’s remarkable natural properties. Our Merino Skins® Merino wool t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirt, long sleeve zip front and Merino long johns are breathable, moisture, odour and UV resistant for ideal comfort in cool or warm weather.

Thermoregulation and moisture control of the body

The key to greater performance is keeping the body’s temperature at its optimum comfort level. Merino Skins® constantly monitor the body’s temperature and moisture levels and naturally adjust body temperature to maintain the optimum comfort level.

In cold or damp environments, Merino Skins® instantly generate heat through a unique molecular process known as “heat of sorption”. In hot or warm environments, Merino Skins® release moisture as a vapor, thus cooling down the body. Truly nature’s miracle thermostat!

Merino Skins® is the perfect 100% pure merino wool mid-weight base layer for cycling, running, hiking, snow skiing and backcountry hiking.

two girls hiking in snow with dog
cyclist at Tour de France
lady sitting in snow hiking

Merino Skins® Base Layer

Heat sensitive photos illustrate the power of Merino Skins® to keep your body cool when the going gets hot. The much greater red/yellow area on the back of the 100% Synthetic wearer (man-made fibres such as Polypropylene/Nylon/Polyester) shows that Merino Skins® are at least 2°C cooler – a real performance edge.

Body Temperature Regulation

The key to greater performance is keeping the body’s temperature at its optimum comfort level. Merino Skins® constantly monitor the body’s temperature and moisture levels and naturally adjust body temperature to maintain the optimum level of comfort.

The Merino Skins® Edge

Merino Skins® provide the power to keep you going. To keep the body’s muscles working at full capacity during activity, the body’s temperature must not rise excessively. Merino Skins® are highly efficient in body cooling during strenuous activity. At the same time, they protect the body from the outer cold environment- keeping you miles ahead – the natural performance enhancer.

merino skins vs synthetic fabric
Merino Skins will “wick” moisture away from the body (up to 27% more moisture than any comparable synthetic)

Merino Skins® Merino Wool Performance Underwear vs Synthetics

Unlike petrochemically based synthetic thermal underwear – natural Merino Skins® key feature is its ability to regulate the body’s optimum comfort level – never too hot, never too cold.

How? The key is moisture and temperature control. Conventional synthetic underwear is manufactured from chemical-based fibres or plastics which have very limited ability to breathe or to absorb moisture. While they can “wick” or move moisture away from the body, they merely transfer that moisture to the outside of the garment creating a wet, sweaty, unhealthy environment that becomes unbearably cold in the winter months and uncomfortably hot in the summer months.

This is where Merino Skins® garments are different is they will “wick” moisture away from the body (up to 27% more moisture than any comparable synthetic) and because of there natural breathability, it will evaporate that moisture quickly, leaving your body drier and more comfortable in all types of conditions. Cool in summer, warm in winter and 100% natural and organic.

Thermoregulation and Moisture Control of the Body

The key to greater performance is keeping the body’s temperature at its optimum comfort level. Merino Skins® constantly monitor the body’s temperature and moisture levels and naturally adjust body temperature to maintain the optimum comfort level. In cold or damp environments, Merino Skins® instantly generate heat through a unique molecular process known as heat absorption. In hot or warm environments, Merino Skins® release moisture as a vapour, cooling down the body. Truly nature’s miracle thermostat.

Superior wicking abilities

Merino Skins® rapidly absorb sweat and pump it through the outer layer where it quickly spreads and evaporates. This powerful wicking transport system keeps you dry throughout the strenuous exercise – up to 27% more than synthetics.

merino skins sweat absorption

The Structure of Merino Wool Fibre

Each minute fibre is made from interlocking proteins called keratins – the same proteins that act as a protective outer layer on your own skin. This gives Merino wool the unique ability to work like a second skin – in total harmony with your own body’s protection mechanisms.

Wool not only stretches and moves when you do – it insulates your body, keeping you dry when you sweat, cool when you are hot and warm when it’s cold

The structure off wool fibre

A microscopic look at the surface of an individual Merino wool fiber reveals a protective scale structure. The scaly outer layer repels water, while the core remains highly absorbent. Under normal conditions, the hydrophobic scales shut moisture out. However, as humidity increases due to body heat and perspiration, the scales open slightly to allow the sweat-absorbing core to be exposed. These scales hold the fabric away from your body maintaining a dry comfortable feel.

merino skins sweat absorption

Odour Free

Merino Skins® do not retain offensive odours, unlike all synthetics. They evaporate perspiration and thereby eliminate the breeding ground for odour causing bacteria. That’s one more important benefit for you to enjoy, wearing Merino Skins® will inhibit bacterial growth and offensive odours.

Static Free

Merino Skins® fabric is in harmony with the body’s natural electrical field, thus unlike synthetics which carry static electricity that runs against the body’s blood structures, Merino Skins® will keep you comfortable in natural harmony.

Flame Resistant

Natural Merino wool is an excellent flame resisting fibre – unlike synthetics which will incinerate, combust and melt on impact with any naked flame. Sitting around the campfire, you can feel protected, safe and rest assured that your natural Merino Skins® thermal undergarments will protect you against any stray sparks.

Dries Quickly

Drying time in our busy lives is extremely important – with the latest in technology, the care of Merino Skins® thermal wear requires no special handling as they are fully machine washable.

High Level of Inbuilt UV Protection

Merino wool has a much greater level of natural protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays. Wearing Merino Skins® outdoors significantly increases the level of protection against UV rays as compared with other thermal wear.

Merino Skins – As field-tested on trailhiking.com.au

Darren Edwards from www.trailhiking.com.au field-tested our Merino Skins short sleeve base layer.

You can read the full field test on Trail Hiking Australia.

group of hikers
merino skins t shirt on man beside creek

As for durability, as this is what I was really interested in, the Merino Skins® Sports Active Range has performed exceptionally well

On cold, wet days, they kept me warm and dry under my mid-layers and on warmer days when I just wore the t-shirt, the merino breathed well and kept any perspiration well away from my skin

Ktena have reignited my faith in merino wear. Merino Skins® will certainly be my go-to base-layer for the unforeseeable future

Double Knit – Interlock Fabric

Almost all Merino wool base layer garments on the market are made from a fabric known as single knit or jersey fabric. These fabrics are knitted possessing only one single layer – this knitting style can be compared to ladies stockings, where if a small hole or run appears in the fabric, the fabric pulls away like a drawstring and is ruined for life.

Single knit jersey fabric is primarily used to save cost as there is less wool in the fabric, this however also results in compromising fabric performance with reduced garment life despite the actual wool fiber being of high quality.

This is why so many experience competitors garments giving up only after a few washes.

Merino Skins® however are made from a superior fabric known as double knit or interlock fabric -where two layers of fabric are interlocked together – resembling a 2 ply construction, resulting in a fabric that is super soft, durable and long-lasting.

Our fabric is run-resistant, firmer and much more stable than all the merino products on the market today. This is why our garments can be machine washed (no handwashing necessary) and can be tumble dried warm and will last and last.

Our double knit interlock fabric provides a much higher level of insulation than competitors single-knit garments due to our twin set of yarns knitted together resulting air pockets formed between the two sets of yarns, trapping warm air between the fibers providing a superior level of insulation – ensuring Merino Skins® will keep you warm when you need it most.

Thousands of Merino Skins® users around the world have already experienced the double knit interlock fabric difference.

double knit or interlock fabric

Merino Skins® FAQ’S

Are Merino thermals worth it?

The answer is definitely yes. Nothing comes close to the warmth, comfort and reliability of merino wool thermals. Merino Skins® 100% Merino Wool Thermals insulate your body, keeping you dry when you sweat, cool when you are hot and warm when it is cold. Truly nature’s miracle thermostat. They are well worth it.

What are the warmest thermals?

Merino Wool Thermals are by far the warmest thermals available.
This is because its merino wools warmth relative to weight factor. Merino wool has a natural loft that traps heat very efficiently between the fibers making it warmer than synthetics of the same weight.

Is merino wool the warmest?

Yes by far, merino wool is the warmest natural fiber you can get. Merino Skins® base layers are made from a unique fabric known as double knitted interlock providing a high level of insulation by trapping warm air between the two layers of interlocked fabric keeping you blissfully warm when you need it most.

What are good thermals?

The best thermals available are 100% Merino Wool Thermals.
Merino Skins® Thermals are made from 100% merino wool providing superior wicking abilities, absorption of odors, have a high level of inbuilt UV protection, dry quickly, are static-free, flame resistant, are naturally environmentally friendly and are fully machine washable and dryable – easy care.

Is merino wool warmer than silk?

Merino wool thermals are much warmer than silk because silk absorbs moisture from the skin but unlike merino wool that transports “wicks” moisture to the outside of the garment, the moisture in silk gets locked away inside its structure.

Apart from merino wool being warmer than silk, why would you want to put a fiber made from silkworm insect larvae against your skin that also costs a fortune to buy for no real benefit.

What percentage of merino wool is good?

This is a question we get asked a lot. The answer is simple – the best percentage of merino wool for base layer thermals is 100%. Anything less than 100% the natural miracle benefits of merino wool diminishes. Why add or “fuse” other inferior fibers such as polyester, modal, acrylic, nylon, elastane, spandex and other marketing terms with natural wool?

The reason some manufacturers add other fibers to wool is to cut down on costs, no other reason. These synthetic fibers they add are approximately 80% cheaper to buy than pure merino wool, a clever way to bulk up the fabric with second rate fillers, hope no one notices the difference and make more profit for themselves.

What’s the difference between base layer and thermals?

There is no difference, base layer is another way of describing thermal underwear. There are different fibers, fabrics and styles available, we recommend Merino Skins® 100% Merino Wool thermals made from double knitted interlock fabric.

Do you wear thermals under your clothes?

Yes, you definitely wear thermals under clothing. Depending on the activity, ranging from everyday wear to strenuous activities such as skiing, hiking or exercising, thermals are worn under clothes. Merino Skins® thermals also assist with thermos-regulation and moisture control of the body, have superior wicking abilities and help absorb odors.

Does merino wool shrink?

Gone are the days of scratchy wool that shrunk in the wash. Todays merino wool has been treated with a process known as hercosett making it superwash. Merino Skins® merino wool thermals are preshrunk with boiling water before sewing and can be machine washed and tumble dried and will not shrink in the wash if the washing instructions on the label are correctly followed.

Are merino wool thermals good?

Merino wool thermals are the best! Take it from thousands of satisfied users around the world who swear that merino wool thermals are the best thermals they have ever worn.

Merino Skins® Thermals are made from 100% merino wool providing superior wicking abilities, absorption of odors, have a high level of inbuilt UV protection, dry quickly, are static-free, flame resistant, are naturally environmentally friendly and are fully machine washable and dryable – easy care.

Is Merino wool the best base layer?

Yes by far, merino wool is the absolute best layer you can get.

Each minute fiber of merino wool is made from interlocking proteins called keratins – the same proteins that act as a protective outer layer on your own skin! This gives Merino wool the unique ability to work like a second skin – in total harmony with your own body’s protection mechanisms. Merino wool not only stretches and moves when you do – it insulates your body, keeping you dry when you sweat, cool when you are hot and warm when it is cold.