Merino wool has become a go-to material for those who value comfort, performance, and sustainability. Softer than traditional wool and naturally moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and temperature-regulating, Merino wool is a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, and activewear lovers.
We’ve rounded up 7 of the highly popular merino wool activewear brands:
1.Icebreaker
2.Smartwool
3.Woolx
4.Ridge Merino
5.Tracksmith
6.Artilect
7.JanJi
We’ll dive into each of these 7 merino wool activewear brands，and show you how they can be winner in this competition.
(Note: These brands are presented in no particular order — each one brings something unique to the table.)
Headquarters: Auckland, New Zealand
Founded: 1995
Icebreaker is a pioneer in natural performance apparel, best known for its use of merino wool. The brand was created with a vision to provide an alternative to synthetic activewear, offering clothing that is natural, sustainable, and high-performing. Icebreaker sources its merino wool from ethical farms and promotes transparency across its supply chain. Their products are designed for outdoor enthusiasts who value comfort, breathability, and environmental responsibility. Now part of the VF Corporation (also home to The North Face and Timberland), Icebreaker continues to lead the way in sustainable innovation and natural fiber technology.
Main Product Types
Icebreaker specializes in natural, performance-oriented clothing made primarily from Merino wool. Their key product categories include:
- Base layers (thermal tops and leggings)
- T-shirts and running tops
- Mid-layers (sweaters, hoodies, zip jackets)
- Underwear and socks
- Lifestyle wear for travel and daily use
- Hiking and outdoor gear (multi-day adventure clothing)
Key Features
- 100% Merino Wool or Wool Blends: Known for temperature regulation, moisture-wicking, and odor resistance.
- Sustainability Focus: Committed to ethical sourcing, animal welfare (non-mulesed wool), and environmental transparency.
- Odor-Resistant & Breathable: Ideal for long-term wear during outdoor activities without frequent washing.
- Natural Performance: Positioned as a sustainable alternative to synthetic sportswear.
Merino Wool Activewear Spotlight
Men’s Long Sleeve Zip Jacket : 100% Merino Wool
Headquarters: Colorado, USA
Founded: 1994
Smartwool is a leading American brand specializing in merino wool performance apparel. Originally known for its innovative merino wool socks designed for skiers and hikers, Smartwool has since expanded into a full range of base layers, outerwear, and everyday essentials. The brand focuses on comfort, moisture management, and temperature regulation, making it a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts. Smartwool is committed to sustainability and ethical sourcing, using ZQ-certified merino wool and working closely with suppliers to ensure animal welfare and environmental care. As part of VF Corporation, Smartwool continues to blend natural materials with technical performance to support an active lifestyle.
Main Product Types
Smartwool specializes in Merino wool-based apparel and accessories, with a strong focus on outdoor and active lifestyles:
- Performance socks (their original and most iconic product)
- Base layers (tops and bottoms)
- T-shirts and mid-layers
- Underwear and bras
- Accessories (beanies, gloves, neck gaiters)
- Outdoor wear for hiking, skiing, and running
Key Features
- Premium Merino Wool: Naturally soft, breathable, and temperature-regulating
- Odor-Resistant: Ideal for multi-day activities like hiking, skiing, and travel
- Fit & Comfort Focused: Known for seamless construction and body-mapped designs
- Sustainability Commitment: Uses ZQ-certified wool, supporting animal welfare and regenerative farming
- Outdoor-Oriented: Designed with performance in mind for activities in varied climates
Merino Wool Activewear Spotlight
Women’s all season tops ： 88% Merino Wool
Headquarters: New York, USA
Founded: Around 2012
Woolx is an American brand specializing in ultrafine merino wool apparel designed for comfort, performance, and year-round wear. Founded in upstate New York, Woolx focuses on producing high-quality base layers, activewear, and everyday essentials that are soft, breathable, and naturally odor-resistant. The brand uses 100% Australian merino wool, often in 17.5-micron or finer fibers, which gives its garments a luxuriously soft feel against the skin. Woolx is popular among hikers, travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts who value natural fibers, durability, and versatility. The company also emphasizes no-itch comfort, sustainability, and ethical sourcing.
Main Product Types
WoolX focuses on 100% superfine Merino wool apparel, offering:
- Base layers/top & bottomsin lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight options
- Mid-layers & outerwear: hoodies， ¼ zip tops
- Leggings
- Socks, underwear, accessories
- Their lineup spans activewear, travel, and everyday lifestyle
Key Features
- Ultra-soft 17–19 µm superfine Merino: itch-free and next-to-skin comfortable
- 100% wool construction: natural stretch, shape retention, no synthetic blends
- Temperature regulation, moisture wicking & odor resistance: ideal for multi-day use and layering
- Machine-washable & dryable with no shrinkage: promotes easy care and long-term use
- Wide style and color range, inclusive sizing (up to 3X): versatile for both outdoor and urban wear
- Ethical sourcing: Woolmark-certified, non-mulesed Australian Merino
Merino Wool Activewear Spotlight
Travel Joggers ：42% Merino Wools
Headquarters:California, USA
Founded: 2014
Ridge Merino is a performance apparel brand that specializes in affordable, high-quality merino wool clothing for outdoor enthusiasts. Designed by former ski industry professionals, Ridge Merino offers base layers, mid-layers, and everyday wear that combine natural performance with minimalist style. The brand uses 100% merino wool and innovative merino blends, known for their softness, breathability, and temperature regulation. Ridge Merino is also committed to sustainability and transparency, using ZQ-certified wool, biodegradable packaging, and a strong focus on environmental responsibility through its 1% for the Planet membership.
Main Product Types
Headquarters:California, USA
Founded: 2014
Ridge Merino is a performance apparel brand that specializes in affordable, high-quality merino wool clothing for outdoor enthusiasts. Designed by former ski industry professionals, Ridge Merino offers base layers, mid-layers, and everyday wear that combine natural performance with minimalist style. The brand uses 100% merino wool and innovative merino blends, known for their softness, breathability, and temperature regulation. Ridge Merino is also committed to sustainability and transparency, using ZQ-certified wool, biodegradable packaging, and a strong focus on environmental responsibility through its 1% for the Planet membership.
Key Features
- High-performance Merino ：Uses ultra-fine Woolmark-certified Merino sourced from non-mulesed sheep in Australia/New Zealand，Natural temperature regulation, moisture-wicking, and odor resistance.
- Technical fabric blends：Features advanced blends like crowd-favorite Polartec Power Wool™ tights/hoodies that combine natural Merino and synthetic fibers for durability, stretch, insulation, and wind resistance.
- Built for outdoor life, priced accessibly ：Created by outdoor veterans (ski industry background) aiming to offer pro-quality gear without premium mark-up, via a direct-to-consumer model Competitive pricing (base layers around US $50) without compromising performance.
- Sustainable & Ethical Practices:Sources from certified humane, non-mulesed farms; member of 1% for the Planet; California Green Business certified.
- Positive user feedback & robust warranty
Enjoyed good reviews for sweaters and hoodie fit, comfort, odor control, and durability.Offers lifetime warranty on workmanship and materials; flexible return policy.
Merino Wool Activewear Spotlight
Merino Joggers : 100% Merino Wool
Headquarters:Massachusetts, USA
Founded: 2014
Tracksmith is an independent running brand that blends performance, heritage, and style. The brand is known for its premium running apparel inspired by classic New England track and field culture. Tracksmith emphasizes craftsmanship, timeless design, and the needs of dedicated runners, offering gear that performs equally well in training and on race day. The company sources high-quality technical fabrics, including merino wool blends and Italian-engineered materials, to deliver both comfort and durability. Tracksmith also stands out for its storytelling approach, often highlighting amateur runners and the culture of competitive running beyond the elite level.
Main Product Types
Tracksmith crafts premium running apparel, footwear, and accessories, designed with serious amateurs in mind. Key categories include:
- Singlets, T-shirts & Base Layers (e.g., Van Cortlandt Singlet)
- Shorts & Tights (e.g., Longfellow and Session Shorts)
- Outerwear & Jackets
- Footwear (e.g., their debut “Eliot Racer” shoe)
- Accessories (hats, gloves, and the signature “Trackhouse” bags)
Key Features
- “Amateur Spirit” Philosophy
Embraces competitive non-professional runners who balance training with life—dubbed the “Running Class” - Timeless Aesthetic Inspired by 1970s & Ivy League
Clean, collegiate colors (navy, crimson, forest green), subtle branding, and vintage influences. - High Quality Materials & Craftsmanship
Fabrics from Swiss schoeller, merino blends with silver yarns for moisture and odor control—built for mileage and durability. - Local & Global Production
Made with care in New England (some pieces are fully made within an hour of Boston), alongside international sourcing from Switzerland, Asia, and Canada. - Community-Centered Brand
The Boston Trackhouse hosts regular group runs and events. They’ve grown to London and NYC flagships, tying stores to vibrant runner culture. - Premium Price & Cult Status
Higher price points reflect quality, aesthetics, and engineering—builds long-lasting gear that many runners see as a worthwhile investment
Merino Wool Activewear Spotlight
Running Hoodies : 60% Merino wool
Headquarters: Boulder, Colorado, USA
Founded: Around 2020
Artilect is a next-generation performance apparel brand founded in Boulder, Colorado, blending cutting-edge textile innovation with a deep respect for heritage outdoor design. Launched in 2020, Artilect is built for those who demand elite-level technical gear for high-output activities in extreme environments. The brand utilizes advanced fabrics such as Nuyarn® merino wool, known for its exceptional strength, stretch, and moisture management, alongside performance-enhancing technologies from partners like Pertex®, Lavalan®, and Trizar®. Artilect is driven by a philosophy of performance systems thinking, meaning every product is designed as part of a cohesive gear system. Sustainability, durability, and pushing the limits of innovation are at the core of the Artilect ethos
Main Product Types
Artilect offers a performance-driven apparel system (branded A/SYS) featuring:
- Base layers(light to heavyweight tees, crew tops, leggings)
- Mid layers & jackets(¼ zip, full zip fleece and insulated outerwear)
- Accessories(e.g., technical hats, gloves)
Their lineup targets adventurers with pieces designed to work solo or layered for varied climates
Key Features
- Nuyarn® Technology :A patented, twist-free merino spinning technique introduced in 2013, combining merino fibers with high-performance filaments to enhance:
5× faster drying
8.8× greater durability
35% more insulation (loft)
53% less wind permeability
85% stretch—without synthetics
- Advanced Material Tech & Sustainability :Incorporates innovations like:
Trizar (space tech-based heat re-radiation, boosting warmth by up to 5 °C)
Empel™ (permanent hydrophobic treatment, PFC free)
Lavalan, PrimaLoft® Bio, RECCO, and waterproof membranes—all focused on performance and eco-conscious design
- A/SYS Apparel System:A thoughtfully engineered layering system where individual items excel on their own but work in synergy for optimal moisture control, thermoregulation, breathability, and freedom of movement .
- Clean Design & Ethical Approach :Combines “art and intelligence”:Pioneers in PFAS/PFC free fabrics ,Uses non-mulesed Australian merino wool, championing both environmental and animal welfare standards .
- Brand Philosophy & Culture:Rooted in Boulder’s progressive outdoor culture—bold, future-focused, and aimed at explorers seeking next-level performance with style
Merino Wool Activewear Spotlight
Short Sleeves Tops : 40% Merino Wool
Headquarters: Massachusetts, USA
Founded: 2012
Janji (pronounced “JON jee”) is a socially-conscious running apparel brand with a unique global mission. Each seasonal collection draws inspiration from places around the world—featuring patterns created in collaboration with local artists—and channels 2% of proceeds to clean water projects in those same regions
Janji’s gear is built to Run Everywhere, backed by a 5 year Run Everywhere Guarantee highlighting its focus on durability and performance .They emphasize responsibly-sourced materials and mindful manufacturing, balancing technical features with sustainability
Main Product Types
Janji is a performance-running apparel brand offering a mix of road and trail gear, including:
- Singlets, T-shirts, base layers, and thermal tops
- Shorts, leggings, and tights(notable are the AFO and Trail Tights with deep phone pockets)
- Wind- and waterproof jackets(e.g. Rainrunner, Zephyrunner)
- Sports bras, caps, gloves, and accessories
Key Features
- Purpose-Driven Giving
Donates 2% of every sale to clean water projects in countries that inspire its seasonal collections; to date, contributed over one million dollars
- Artistic, Location-Based Designs
Each season launched with prints by local artists from the region being highlighted—every collection tells a visual story
- Performance & Sustainable Fabrics
Uses Bluesign® and OEKO TEX certified materials, increasingly incorporating recycled fabrics. All water-repellent finishes are PFC-free
- Smart Pockets & Thoughtful Design
Runner-approved deep pockets with minimal bounce (e.g. in AFO and Trail line)—praised highly in user discussions
- Community & Transparency Focus
“Run Everywhere Guarantee” and strong community presence via field teams, pop-ups, and social engagement
Merino Wool Activewear Spotlight
Merino Muscle Tank : 47% Merino wool
Premium Activewear Meets Merino Wool
Wonderful exercise experiences for consumer ,eventhough it is more expensive than other natural fibers.
As a activewear brand or wholesaler,Yuuker will be your best choice for manufacturer partner
