Why Armadillo Merino USA?
Armadillo Merino USA offers the healthiest next-to-skin clothing and fire department station wear made from Merino Sheep in New Zealand. We are regularly asked, "What is Merino wool and isn't it scratchy?"
WHAT IS MERINO WOOL AND WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?
Armadillo Merino USA wool comes from Merino sheep. Of the 200+ breeds of sheep, Merino is famed for their fine, soft wool and their ability to thrive in extreme climates. They are recognized by their wrinkly skins and fleeces, and rams with large curly horns. Merino sheep were originally from Spain and can now be found in New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and South Africa.
Once a year, our sheep get sheered making our fabrics sustainable. Here the wool is cut like how we get our hair cut and collected. During the shearing, the sheep are notably taken care of and completely relaxed during the process.
Once a year, our sheep get sheered making our fabrics sustainable. Here the wool is cut like how we get our hair cut and collected. During the shearing, the sheep are notably taken care of and completely relaxed during the process.
WHY DO YOU USE MERINO AND NOT OTHER TYPES OF WOOL?
Merino wool has unique properties that make it ideal for our next-to-skin clothing and station wear.
- It's fine: Merino sheep grow long fibers that are super soft and fine making it soft and comfortable next to your skin. If the wool wasn’t soft, you would feel the itchy and it would not be very comfortable.
- Fiber length. Merino wool fibers are naturally long making them strong and suitable for an active lifestyle. Short fibers like other sheep offer are prone to developing holes over time and they aren't as strong or soft as ours.
- Natural crimp. Merino wool has a natural crimp to it. This increases the resilience of the yarn and fabric, meaning that it stretches easily, increases the loft, making the garment warmer in colder weather and giving it it's natural moisture wicking abilities.
WHEN DID PEOPLE START USING MERINO?
In the 12th century Merino sheep arrived in Spain where they thrived. They created a prized royal flock whose wool was widely used for soldiers' uniforms and as a mark of wealth and privilege in luxury clothing. In 1765, King Carlos III of Spain presented a select flock of his rare sheep to the German Elector of Saxony, starting the spread of merino throughout the world.
Other early users of Merino were the Bedouins of the Sinai Desert and the Tuaregs of the great North African deserts. They used Merino wool garments for hundreds of years to combat the extremely dry daytime heat and cold nights of the world’s greatest deserts. Exactly what Merino wool is perfect for.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF MERINO AROUND THE WORLD
USA
In 1802, Merino was introduced into Vermont with 21 ewes and 70 rams. The British embargo on wool and wool clothing exports to the U.S. before the British/U.S. war and led to the "Merino Craze." By 1835, there were over 1,000,000 sheep in Vermont. Very few Merino sheep can be found in Vermont, they're now concentrated in the Western states.
In 1802, Merino was introduced into Vermont with 21 ewes and 70 rams. The British embargo on wool and wool clothing exports to the U.S. before the British/U.S. war and led to the "Merino Craze." By 1835, there were over 1,000,000 sheep in Vermont. Very few Merino sheep can be found in Vermont, they're now concentrated in the Western states.
Australia
The first Merino sheep were imported into Australia around 1800, and by 1830 there were over 2,000,000 sheep. These numbers continued to rise over time so much so that by 1901 there were over 72 million. Today, Australia estimates more than 125 million sheep and counting.
New Zealand
Merino sheep were the first sheep breed and brought to New Zealand in large numbers. From the 1840s to early 1860s thousands of Merino sheep were imported from Australia. They were not always the highest of quality, so New Zealand breeders imported small numbers from Germany, France, Britain and the US to improve the stock. By the early 1880s the New Zealand Merino sheep had developed a distinct type of fleece known for their long, soft fibers that are still seen in today's fabric. Our special Merino sheep can only be found in New Zealand where they are ethically taken care of. It shows in our Armadillo Merino USA fabrics.
The first Merino sheep were imported into Australia around 1800, and by 1830 there were over 2,000,000 sheep. These numbers continued to rise over time so much so that by 1901 there were over 72 million. Today, Australia estimates more than 125 million sheep and counting.
New Zealand
Merino sheep were the first sheep breed and brought to New Zealand in large numbers. From the 1840s to early 1860s thousands of Merino sheep were imported from Australia. They were not always the highest of quality, so New Zealand breeders imported small numbers from Germany, France, Britain and the US to improve the stock. By the early 1880s the New Zealand Merino sheep had developed a distinct type of fleece known for their long, soft fibers that are still seen in today's fabric. Our special Merino sheep can only be found in New Zealand where they are ethically taken care of. It shows in our Armadillo Merino USA fabrics.
WHAT ARE THE NATURAL PROPERTIES OF ARMADILLO MERINO WOOL?
- Does not smell when worn for many days in a row.
- Will not melt or drip when exposed to fire.
- Natural fire resistance. If you take the energy source away (i.e., cigarette lighter), it will stop burning due to its natural water content.
- Keeps you warm when it is cold outside and when you get wet.
- Helps to keep you cool when it is hot because of the natural crimp.
- Moves moisture away from the skin, naturally moisture wicking better than all other synthetic fibers.
- Natural UV protection of SPF40+ across the entire spectrum.
Go to our technical white papers
WHY DOESN’T IT ITCH?
We only use our Merino Wool at Armadillo Merino USA because of the long, soft fibers. Our wool is not the wool you think of years ago that was made from short fibers that were bulky and itchy and often shrunk when dried in the dryer. Wool is measured in microns and is available from 12 microns to 35 microns. For no-itch, next-to-skin fabrics merino wool needs to be below 20 microns and 23 microns for socks.
Here at Armadillo Merino USA, we use our Merino Sheep from New Zealand for our next-to-skin clothing measuring from 17.5 microns and 18.5 micron to give you the softest no-itch feeling on your skin.
HOW IS WOOL FABRIC MEASURED AND WHAT DOES GSM MEAN?
Wool fabric is measured by weight in grams per square meter (gsm). The larger the gsm, the heavier and the warmer the garment. Our weights are 140gsm, 170gsm, 190gsm and 195gsm.
- Very light weight: less than 150gsm
- Light weight: 160-190gsm
- Mid weight: 195gsm – 250gsm
- Heavy weight: greater than 250gsm
HOW DO I CARE FOR MY ARMADILLO MERINO USA CLOTHING?
Our clothing resists the buildup of odor so it can be worn for longer without getting smelly (days, or even weeks). When you do wash it, nothing could be simpler.
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Machine Washable - Simply wash it at up to 40°C/ 104°F (cold/warm) with all your other clothes, using your usual detergent. Merino wool is self-cleaning in water and naturally releases dirt and odor even when washed in cold water.
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Quick Drying - Your Armadillo Merino USA clothing will line dry quick and in no time in the dryer on air fluff or extra low heat. If you have the time, you can leave it on a hanger overnight. If pressed for time, you can tumble dry on a low heat, but do so sparingly to prolong the life of your clothing. No odors mean no dryer sheets are necessary. Today's dryer sheets are filled with chemicals and toxins that you don't want next to your skin.
