Wacky for Wool; Mad for Merino

When autumn and winter are on the horizon, I'm sure I'm not the only one who looks forward to cosying up under bobble hats, scarves and mittens on crisp winter walks. I love double-sock layering, and consuming guilt-free hot chocolates whilst binge watching Netflix and snuggling under a cosy blanket.  This winter, I have also become especially, and exceptionally, wacky for woolly jumpers and mad for merino base layers. I'm hooked.  Some days, every item of clothing I am wearing is wool.

Autumn is the start of base layer season for me. This top is a lovely Kari Traa eBay bargain
Photo by Ben McKeown

Woolly Wins! 

I used to just wear fleeces as an overlayer in the wintertime, but in the last few years I came by some lovely knits, and they definitely keep me warmer. Snug as a bug in a rug! My collection has steadily built up since (something which has not gone unnoticed by Ben).

Wool doesn't need to be washed so often - it really doesn't get stinky for days, unlike cotton which I find needs a wash after just two days wear (armpit test!). This means less cycles in the machine, a save in energy and not having to try to get stuff dry as often inside in the wintertime. I tend to find myself living in properties at risk of condensation dampness, so the less drying washing the better - although it can be a fine line between extending the wear of something and it getting stinky! I also find wool airs really well outside (fleeces do to some extent too), so often air my jumpers instead of washing them. I tend to do a big hand-wash of woolly jumpers in the springtime - shrunken jumpers are best avoided!

All about the Base

This Finisterre merino top is a lighter one - great for hiking when you know you're going to work up a sweat. Photo by Ben McKeown

Merino base layer tops are all I have worn this winter. Merino tops come in a variety of thicknesses, so its worth thinking about what you want it for. I tend to wear lightweight merino in the spring, and heavier ones through autumn and winter. Merino is fantastic for regulating your temperature - it keeps you cool when you're warm and warms you when you're cold. 

This winter has been so cold that I've resorted to sleeping in merino layers too. I have a Kari Traa merino onesie (last I looked it was still available on Sportpursuit!) and it is the most wonderful item of clothing... until you need to go to the toilet! 🙈🥶

For winter running and mountain biking, I use merino blend tops, which tend to be made of polyester and/or polyamide alongside merino. Unlike my purely synthetic running tops, these ones can be worn for multiple runs/rides before I need to wash them. 

On winter hillwalking days, I wear thicker merino tops, such as Smartwool's 250 crew or Kari Traa 100% merino tops, and merino leggings underneath my walking trousers. 

Layers of Knit

All about the wool, especially when yoga practice is in a cold room!

Layering is key to winter warmth and comfort, especially when spending hours sitting working from home, and trying to balance the thermostat so you're not shivering but not paying a fortune on the electricity bill!

Some days it's a merino bra and base layer, thinner woolly jumper and fleece on top. Other days it's the merino undergarments and a thick woolly jumper overlayer. On really cold days I throw an insulated gilet on top. Can you tell I hate being cold?! I recently saw a photo on Instagram of a Scandinavian lady working from home in a sleeping bag that had arm holes... maybe that's the next step?!

Are you after some new woolly wonders? Here are my favourite places to buy woolly garments:

Hiking in Norway in another fabulous Kari Traa top. Photo by Ben McKeown

I absolutely love my Finisterre woolly jumpers and base layers. They are really pricey brand new, so I wait for their sales or, most often, buy secondhand on eBay and Depop. Finisterre are an ethical and eco British brand based in Cornwall. I can especially recommend their chunky rollnecks.

If you haven't signed up for Sportpursuit yet, you're missing a trick (but your bank balance is probably healthier than mine!). Sportpursuit sell mega brands at mega deals. You have to sign up and they have daily flash sales. Wonderful woolly brands to look out for include Kari Traa, Smartwool, Super Natural, Icebreaker and Isobaa. 

Howies have lovely jumpers and base layer tops, and are an independent Welsh company (they were bought by Timbaland years ago but thankfully are independent again).  Again it's worth waiting for a sale, or buying second hand. 

For running, my favourites are sadly designs that aren't available anymore, but they can be found on eBay and Depop sometimes, and I'm sure the brands have similar designs out there. My favourites are the Sweaty Betty Elite Merino Run Hoody and the Lululemon Woolly Wunder and Swiftly Wool tops, all bought second hand.

Most of these brands create their garments from ethically sourced wool. To read more about this, see this website.