Merino wool and sports: A surprising, but effective combination

Although it might not be the first textile material that comes to mind when someone thinks about sports, Merino wool is one of the best fibers that can be used in sportswear, due to its surprising technical qualities. This type of fabric is natural, light, breathable, elastic, incredibly comfortable and has insulating and water resistance properties. Furthermore, it is a fully sustainable product, as it is renewable, biodegradable and does not contribute to microplastic pollution, like other fibers do.

“The use of Merino wool is currently experiencing a revolution. Due to its unique properties, today we can find it in car upholstery or fire protection clothing. However, one of its most interesting uses is, without a doubt, sportswear,” says Francesco Magri, regional manager for Europe at The Woolmark Company, a non-profit created by Australian wool producers and considered the world authority on this material. Among their activities, they research, develop and promote the use of Merino wool around the world, collaborating with the most important fashion brands and textile industries.

Although Merino wool comes originally from Spain, today Australia is the world’s largest producer. There, more than 60,000 farmers produce millions of pounds each year, most on family-run farms where sustainability and animal welfare are fully respected. They care about every detail, from the quality of the grass that grows in the endless Australian meadows and which feeds the sheep, to the breeding, shearing, and distribution of the final product.

Without a doubt, one of the most interesting collaborations that The Woolmark Company is currently undertaking is the one with the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team, the Italian representative for the 37th America’s Cup. In this challenging maritime competition nothing can be left to chance, and the sailors’ clothing is crucial for success. The team needed a uniform that would meet a long list of requirements to maximize comfort and performance, and together with The Woolmark Company they created a kit that includes t-shirts, hoodies, shorts, leggings, a cycling suit, a waterproof jacket and a revolutionary ultralight windbreaker, all made of 100% Merino wool or with a high percentage of it.

For instance, the windbreaker contains 55% Merino wool and, with a weight of only 60g/m2, it perfectly fulfills its protective function while it also offers much higher breathability than similar garments made with synthetic fibers. “During the previous America’s Cup, we discovered the unique properties of Merino wool,” says team director Max Sirena. “So we took the opportunity to develop a training kit together, exploiting the features of this natural fiber that, moreover, is perfectly in line with our lifestyle and the sustainability policy pursued by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.”

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