There are several factors that differentiate wool from merino wool, including:
Fineness: Merino wool is very fine, with a fiber diameter ranging from 15 to 24 microns, compared to the 25-45 microns of average wool. This makes merino wool soft to the touch, highly prized, lighter, and more comfortable against the skin. Its fineness is due to the area of the sheep’s body from which it is sheared: the finest part is the neck and shoulder, while the coarsest is obtained from the back and legs.
Thermoregulation: Merino wool has a structure made up of overlapping scales that create air chambers between the fibers, which help it adapt to changes in temperature while maintaining a constant body temperature. Merino wool’s ability to absorb or release excess heat, depending on environmental conditions, allows for thermoregulation. Furthermore, merino wool is fire-resistant and will not melt or catch fire upon contact with flames.
Breathability: Merino wool absorbs moisture up to 30% of its weight without wetting or weighing it down, leaving the skin dry and preventing the formation of bacteria and unpleasant odors.
Sustainability: An eco-friendly and biodegradable fiber, merino wool is also ethical if it comes from farms that respect animal welfare and do not practice mulesing (the removal of a flap of skin from live animals in the perianal area to prevent parasite infestations).