Does Merino Wool Wick?

[Dan00001]

I've been reading this book 'Keeping Dry & Staying Warm', authors of which include Mike Parsons of Karrimor, Chris Townsend, Author and ambassador of the BMC and Alan Hinkes OBE. Altogether there are some pretty experienced outdoors people who have contributed to this book. Anyway, the book states that Merino wool is non wicking.

"Merino wool is very often used for base layers. But it does not wick; instead it absorbs 60 per cent of it's own weight in water. However, the garment still feels good because the outer surface of the wool remains dry. It is often claimed that it is antibacterial, but that is not correct. Wool just takes more time for the bacteria to build up because of the dry surface. Because wool lacks wicking capability (it can't possibly wick because it retains a dry surface), it is often mixed with polyester (which will be used on the outside of the garment)."

I think this is the first time that I have ever read somebody say that wool is non wicking. I'm not saying this article is right or wrong but interested in peoples opinion on this and whether others have heard this before or not?

 

[Toddy]

No, it doesn't wick. It's hair, it's meant to A) shed the rain and B) let it dry off as the hair blows about in the wind.

Thing is though; even sodden wet, so long as you stop the windchill (and felted wool does that to a very good effect) it'll still keep you warm....unlike cotton which clings like a cold wet shroud

Wet wool's heavy though.

 

[Dan00001]

No, it doesn't wick. It's hair, it's meant to A) shed the rain and B) let it dry off as the hair blows about in the wind.

Thing is though; even sodden wet, so long as you stop the windchill (and felted wool does that to a very good effect) it'll still keep you warm....unlike cotton which clings like a cold wet shroud

Wet wool's heavy though.

Yes, pretty much what it says in the book, wool will still retain it's insulating properties even when wet.

Thanks.

 

[Broch]

Merino wool does have some wicking properties compared with other wool textiles but not as good as a number of man-made fabrics. All materials are a compromise to some extent though.

This table was published following independent research (i.e. not a clothing or fabric manufacturer but, sorry, I've lost the source) - one can argue with the detail based on one's own experience, but it's a reasonable comparison table.

 

[Herman30]

Merino will not feel cold and damp worn directly against the skin when wet. Unlike cotton.
And last summer I had a mesh polyester undershirt and on top a merino t-shirt.
I did not feel at all wet though bicycling in decent rain and t-shirt was soaking wet.

 

[hughtrimble]

Merino will not feel cold and damp worn directly against the skin when wet. Unlike cotton.
And last summer I had a mesh polyester undershirt and on top a merino t-shirt.
I did not feel at all wet though bicycling in decent rain and t-shirt was soaking wet.

Merino isn't magic, it can definitely feel very damp when directly against the skin, it just depends heavily on the conditions and also the garment. I say this having been caught in some extraordinarily heavy rain, 55mph gusts, and my trousers wetting out and my merino leggings (I think 180gsm) very much telling me about how much water they were holding.

I was warm, but they felt very wet indeed, and they were!

But I wouldn't change them for any others, because at least in my experience of synthetics, these are what work best for me in the vast majority of conditions.

 

[Broch]

I agree, I wouldn't choose any other material over merino wool as a base layer. I also have a merino mid-layer and (subjectively) it feel like the warmest I've got.

 

[hughtrimble]

On your OP @Dan00001 I have always wondered what is meant by 'wicking', isn't it just the movement of water/liquids from one place to another by capillary action? As such, lots of clothing fibres do this and merino does certainly, but it's the manufacturers adding to what's meant by 'wicking' which makes things a bit more tricky. Is that the addition of 'transporting a liquid from one side of a material to the other and forcing its evaporation' or suchlike?

 

[Pattree]

I get the impression that when used in advertising “wicking” implies a one way movement, usually of perspiration.
Whether it would in any way impede water from the other direction I have no idea but doubt.
I have never taken “wicking” into consideration when buying clothing.

Do merino woollen garments absorb moisture - yes.
Do they control the flow in any way - I doubt it.
Do they keep you warm when evaporation might cool you - a bit.

(In my limited experience of merino base layers.)