The Insider Tip Against Cold Hands: Merino gloves

Merino wool is a remarkable material with unique qualities different from other wools. It is particularly popular with athletes due to its excellent moisture and temperature regulating properties. Our Merino gloves, such as the MERINO LINER PRO and the MERINO TUBE, benefit from these advantages. In this blog article we will take an in-depth look at how merino wool works and the origins of merino wool.

Sustainable Merino Wool - the Wool That Can Do It All

Sustainability has become an important topic in the area of sports and leisure. More and more people are choosing products that have been produced in an environmentally friendly way. Merino wool is obtained from the fur of the merino sheep and is completely biodegradable. Merino wool is therefore a sustainable choice for consumers who are environmentally responsible.

The Merino Sheep and Its Origin

The history of merino wool dates back to the 14th century, when merino sheep were bred in Spain. Over the centuries, they became highly sought after as they were only bred in Spain. It was not until the 18th century that the sheep first came to the rest of Europe, where they were crossed with domestic sheep. Merino wool comes in different colors such as white, beige and brown.

Features of Merino Wool

The fabric of our MERINO LINER PRO and MERINO TUBE gloves consists of a patented 2-component knit, Polartec® Power Wool™. It is a special blend of merino wool and synthetic fiber that offers unique advantages. The merino wool ensures that the gloves are very soft and not scratchy on the skin. In addition, it is very elastic and durable, as it can expand up to 5 times of its original size without losing its shape.

The Unique Properties of Merino Wool

Softness

Merino wool is known for its fineness and softness. Compared to normal wool, it is three times softer and feels pleasant on the skin. This makes it ideal for gloves, especially for people with sensitive skin. Merino wool does not feel scratchy or uncomfortable on the skin.

Elasticity

Merino wool is five times more elastic than cotton, which means that gloves made of merino wool fit better and adapt better to the hands. This is particularly beneficial for sport activities where you need to be comfortable and free to move.

Insulation Properties

Merino wool has excellent insulating properties that help keep the body warm. It is able to retain heat and keep moisture away from the skin. Therefore, our Merino gloves are ideal for winter and cold weather conditions.

Humidity Regulation

Merino wool can absorb up to a third of its own weight in moisture without feeling damp. The wool can also wick moisture away from the skin, making it comfortable to wear.

Odorless

Odor neutrality is an important factor for winter sports. Gloves made of merino wool are naturally odorless and are perfect for athletes who sweat despite low temperatures. Due to their natural antibacterial properties, the MERINO TUBE and the MERINO LINER PRO absorb fewer odors than other gloves and therefore need to be washed less often. This keeps the material fresh and hygienic for longer without sacrificing breathability and thermal performance.

Durability

Thanks to the fineness of the fibers, Merino wool is more durable and resistant to wear and tear than other types of wool. This makes it an investment that can pay off in the long run, as Merino wool gloves last longer and need to be replaced less often. Our MERINO LINER PRO and MERINO TUBE gloves also benefit from this longevity.

Scratch Free

Merino wool has the advantage of being scratch-free compared to other types of wool. This is because the fine merino fibers have fewer coarse spots and therefore rub less on the skin. Therefore, our gloves are particularly pleasant to the skin and do not cause an unpleasant scratching.

Not Charged Electrostatically

Another advantage of merino wool is that it is not electrostatically charged. This means that our Merino gloves do not generate static electricity and do not attract hair or lint.

Merino Wool Gloves for Outdoor Activities: Merino Liner Pro and Merino Tube in Comparison

The MERINO LINER PRO glove is a high-quality finger glove made of merino wool. As a liner glove it is the first layer of our HEAT LAYER SYSTEM. The HEAT LAYER SYSTEM is a 3-layer glove system with numerous possible combinations. It offers you a wide range of solutions for different requirements and can be individually adapted to your needs.

The MERINO LINER PROis thin and light, but still very warm and breathable. This allows you to wear the MERINO LINER PRO under our ZWEITEN LAYER to keep your hands even warmer without starting to sweat. You can also wear the MERINO LINER PRO on its own when you're out and about when temperatures are milder. Due to its silicone print on the inside of the glove, the MERINO LINER PRO is particularly resistant to slipping, which has its advantages especially when holding camera equipment. Our MERINO LINER PRO glove also has a small pocket on the back of the hand for our handwarmers providing even warmer hands. The MERINO LINER PRO is especially popular for ski mountaineering.

With our MERINO TUBE, which is also made of merino wool, the fingers are free. This makes the glove ideal for the transitional period, but also perfect for working in the office or home office in winter. The MERINO TUBE is also a LINER which can be worn as a 1st layer under our SHELL glove. Due to its extra long cuff it provides warm wrists. Like the MERINO LINER PRO, the MERINO TUBE is super elastic and has an extra pocket on the back of the hand for our handwarmers. The MERINO TUBE is not only good for walking, but is also especially popular with photographers in the transitional season.

Animal Welfare In Focus: Merino Wool Without Mulesing

We are particularly concerned about the animal welfare of merino sheep, which is why we make sure that our merino wool comes from mulesing- free farms. This helps to ensure that the welfare of the animals is promoted and that the ethical and sustainable production of merino wool is supported.

What is mulesing?

Mulesing is a procedure used on sheep. It involves removing excess skin around the anus and genital parts to prevent the fly maggot from settling in the folds of the animal. The goal is to create a smooth skin surface where the fly cannot settle. The procedure is often performed without anesthetics or painkillers and causes significant pain and suffering to the animals. We therefore only use mulesing-free wool to ensure that animals do not have to suffer from this practice.

The 5 freedoms of animal welfare

For us it is not only important that the wool is mulesing-free, but also that the animals are kept in a species-appropriate manner. In doing so, we follow the 5 Freedoms of Animal Welfare:

1. species-appropriate feeding & fresh water

The Merino sheep have constant access to fresh water and their diet is adapted to them. Balanced and species-appropriate feeding is an important part of species-appropriate animal husbandry.

2. weather-protected accommodation with rest areas

Attention is also paid to species-appropriate housing conditions. The animals have enough space and can retreat to rest areas. They are protected from the weather and can thus be accommodated in a dry and warm barn when there is bad weather.

3. veterinary prevention & care

It is important to us that the sheep are regularly examined by a veterinarian and treated if necessary. Preventive measures such as vaccinations are also carried out regularly. This ensures that the animals remain healthy and do not suffer unnecessarily.

4. sufficient space & company with fellow sheep

It is also important to us that the animals have enough space to move and rest. In addition, they need to live in the company of conspecifics, as this is important for their well-being and health.

5. possibility to live out the natural behavior

The animals should have the opportunity to live out their natural behavior. For example, the animals need enough space to graze and move around. It is important that the animals also have opportunities for activities to avoid boredom.

Washing instructions MERINO TUBE and MERINO LINER PRO

Machine wash: Thanks to the combination of merino wool and synthetic fiber, our gloves can be easily washed in the washing machine. Use a mild detergent at a water temperature of up to 30 degrees Celsius.

Drying: Lay the gloves flat on a towel and let them air dry. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources as this can damage the material.

Ironing: Do not use an iron on merino gloves as this can damage the material.

Do not bleach: Gloves should also not be treated with bleach or harsh chemicals.

Do not dry clean: We do not recommend cleaning with dry cleaning products.

Recommended by professionals: The unbeatable performance of our merino gloves

Silke und Christian - Born to Roam

We have been a couple since 2019 and use every possible opportunity to find exciting new ways. Nothing keeps us in our flat at home in Bavaria, the weather forecast is no obstacle and must not serve as an excuse. The first attempts to capture the most beautiful moments on a photo then developed more and more over time into the central point of our excursions. We have been taking photographs as a couple "Born to Roam" for about 3 years now. Besides our passion for photography, we also found the perfect companion for our adventures: the MERINO TUBE glove. We have learned to love it on our excursions and it is now always with us to protect us from wind and cold. What is particularly practical about the MERINO TUBE is that the fingers remain free. This allows us to react spontaneously and flexibly to capture our best shots without worrying about cold hands.

Jeremy

Bonjour! My name is Jeremy and I live on the countryside in France. I share my life with my wonderful Japanese Shibainu named Saina. Saina is not only my dearest companion, but also the star of my Instagram channel where I regularly post dog content. Winter can get pretty cold in France and that's why it’s especially important for me to be warm and comfortable during our dog walks. My must have accessory for walking Saina in the snow is the MERINO LINER PRO finger glove. This glove has proven to be absolutely perfect for our winter walks. It keeps my hands warm and dry while trudging through the snow with Saina. Moreover, the MERINO LINER PRO h is also incredibly comfortable and I can wear it for hours without my hands getting sweaty.