Who Is Smartwool?
Smartwool started making socks back in 1994, their founders simply wanted to be able to ski longer without getting cold toes. Smartwool was the first outdoor company to make performance Merino wool ski socks—revolutionizing the category and forever changing the way outdoor enthusiasts viewed their feet.
Why We Love Smartwool
Smartwool socks are designed to be moisture wicking, thermoregulating, and odor controlling- all comforts for a life outside
Our History Together
For many years we have believed in Smartwools idea that your feet are the foundation of all of your outdoor adventures so it's important to get the good stuff.
Plain and simple, Merino wool is amazing. Merino wool is a natural fiber grown by Merino sheep. It’s thinner and softer than regular wool—making it easy to wear next to skin. And when you wear wool next to skin, a lot of benefits come with it.
It's Natural
What is Merino wool made of? Proteins composed of amino acids and natural compounds. Merino wool is a natural, renewable fiber—meaning one sheep can grow four to five pounds of wool per year. These happy animals hang out in temperatures that range from 5 degrees to 95 degrees—no problem. It’s a pretty amazing fiber.
It Helps Regulate Body Temperature
What is Merino wool really good at? Helping keep your body at a stable temperature. When it’s cold outside, the natural crimps and bends in its fibers trap air, insulating you. When it’s warm outside, it transports sweat quickly away from the skin, helping to keep you cool and dry.
It Helps Keep You Dry and Sweat-Free
This benefit of wool gets a bit technical. Merino fibers are inherently porous. They’re composed of little plates that moisture vapor can get in between—meaning you're not left feeling wet, cold, and clammy after a workout. Synthetic fabrics are not porous. They usually wick sweat when it’s already a liquid, and then your body has to heat it up to evaporate it—making you feel clammy in colder weather.
It's Natural
What is Merino wool made of? Proteins composed of amino acids and natural compounds. Merino wool is a natural, renewable fiber—meaning one sheep can grow four to five pounds of wool per year. These happy animals hang out in temperatures that range from 5 degrees to 95 degrees—no problem. It’s a pretty amazing fiber.
It Helps Regulate Body Temperature
What is Merino wool really good at? Helping keep your body at a stable temperature. When it’s cold outside, the natural crimps and bends in its fibers trap air, insulating you. When it’s warm outside, it transports sweat quickly away from the skin, helping to keep you cool and dry.
It Helps Keep You Dry and Sweat-Free
This benefit of wool gets a bit technical. Merino fibers are inherently porous. They’re composed of little plates that moisture vapor can get in between—meaning you're not left feeling wet, cold, and clammy after a workout. Synthetic fabrics are not porous. They usually wick sweat when it’s already a liquid, and then your body has to heat it up to evaporate it—making you feel clammy in colder weather.
It Likes It When You Layer
Sometimes it’s really cold outside and you need to layer. By using all Merino wool when you layer, you create an escape route for sweat and excess heat.
It Resists Odors
Merino wool is unique in that it absorbs odor caused by bacteria—trapping their smell and keeping them from building up. This means Merino wool is great for traveling or longer treks when you may not have as much room to pack.
It Is Soft
What is Merino wool better at than traditional wool? It’s super-fine and soft. A single Merino wool fiber is ⅓ the diameter of a human hair. It’s so fine, actually, that when it brushes up against skin, it bends out of the way. So it’s soft. Really soft.
It Likes It When You Layer
Sometimes it’s really cold outside and you need to layer. By using all Merino wool when you layer, you create an escape route for sweat and excess heat.
It Resists Odors
Merino wool is unique in that it absorbs odor caused by bacteria—trapping their smell and keeping them from building up. This means Merino wool is great for traveling or longer treks when you may not have as much room to pack.
It Is Soft
What is Merino wool better at than traditional wool? It’s super-fine and soft. A single Merino wool fiber is ⅓ the diameter of a human hair. It’s so fine, actually, that when it brushes up against skin, it bends out of the way. So it’s soft. Really soft.
It’s Biodegradable
Merino wool disappears after about 12 months in the ground. That means that, when you’re done with your gear, the earth will take back this fibrous protein composed of amino acids—releasing carbon and nutrients back into the soil.
It Helps Provide UPF Protection
Depending on how they’re spun and dyed, Merino fibers help block out harmful rays from the sun (UPF 20+). And since the sun typically does more damage in the mountains, it’s good to have all the help you can get.
It’s Fire-Resistant
Most outdoor gear spends at least some time around campfires. Merino typically won’t melt or burst into flame. Nylon starts to melt around 320 degrees and polyester starts to melt around 452 degrees.
It’s Biodegradable
Merino wool disappears after about 12 months in the ground. That means that, when you’re done with your gear, the earth will take back this fibrous protein composed of amino acids—releasing carbon and nutrients back into the soil.
It Helps Provide UPF Protection
Depending on how they’re spun and dyed, Merino fibers help block out harmful rays from the sun (UPF 20+). And since the sun typically does more damage in the mountains, it’s good to have all the help you can get.
It’s Fire-Resistant
Most outdoor gear spends at least some time around campfires. Merino typically won’t melt or burst into flame. Nylon starts to melt around 320 degrees and polyester starts to melt around 452 degrees.
New gear for new adventures this season
