Our Honest Unbound Merino Review: Why Merino wool Is Perfect For Travel

Odor-resistant, quick-drying, and oh-so-cozy, Unbound Merino is a solid addition to your travel wardrobe.

In our almost 20 years of travel together, we’ve tested all sorts of travel gear, from travel jackets, to the best travel backpacks, to packing cubes, and even the Scrubba portable wash bag.

One thing we’ve never tested, however, is merino wool clothing. Sure, we’ve heard from our backpacking and outdoorsy friends that merino wool is one of the best fabrics out there.

Unbound Merino hoodie review

Merino wool is moisture wicking, odor-resistant, and versatile. It keeps your skin dry if you’re sweating in cooler temperatures, and it will keep you cool and dry as well on a hike in the warm sun.

So, we decided it was about time to give merino wool a try. In this article, we review the Unbound Merino hoodie, t-shirt, and polo shirt.

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What is special about Merino wool?

Merino wool is a natural fiber made from the fleece of Merino sheep from Australia and New Zealand. Merino wool is known for being softer and thinner than regular wool, making it easier to wear next to the skin, and meaning that you don’t get that itchy, scratchy feeling from merino wool that you might get from less expensive wool.

Merino sheep by the mountains

Because merino wool can be re-worn multiple times due it’s inherent nature, it means that you don’t need to pack as much. If you couple that with smart clothing choices, and using packing cubes to save even more space, you’ll end up with plenty of extra room in your carry-on.

Unbound Merino wool clothing

Unlike cotton or poly blends that quickly absorb sweat and odor, Merino wool can be worn multiple times without needing to be washed, making it a fantastic choice for travel. You’ll save on trips to the laundromat, and be able to keep your suitcase lighter at the same time. It’s actually possible to go a few weeks wearing the same merino wool clothing, without washing (though you might get tired of the outfit well before then).

Unbound Merino Review

Unbound Merino was founded by three lifelong friends who became huge fans of merino wool on long road trips across America.

What is Unbound Merino?

Unbound Merino has a wide range of men’s merino wool clothing. The men’s line has t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, hoodies and sweaters, polos, and button down shirts, as well as socks, shorts, pants and underwear. The women’s line is coming soon.

Unbound Merino has free shipping in the USA and Canada on most orders, plus free exchanges and free returns within 90 days.

First impressions

Our Unbound Merino clothes came in a luxurious black package, with simple white lettering on the outside. Inside, the hoodie, t-shirt, and golf shirt were individually wrapped in tissue paper, with a colorful leaflet inside.

When I buy a premium brand like this, I expect luxe packaging, and Unbound Merino delivers here. I’d give them 10/10 for presentation.

Unbound Merino wool clothing package

Unbound Merino Hoodie Review

We love hoodies in our household. Each of the four of us in the family owns multiple hoodies – some for outside, some for snuggling up on the couch, and some for travel.

Unbound Merino hoodie in blue

The Unbound Merino hoodie is made with superfine (21.5 micron) merino wool, making the fabric softer and more comfortable than a cotton hoodie.

The merino wool hoodie has a matte YKK zipper, with a black oxidized finish.

Unbound Merino zipper on hoodie

The Unbound merino hoodie’s fabric is 97% merino wool, with 3% elastane added for stretch and durability. The fabric weight is 250 GSM (grams per square millimeter), for a light feel, without the weight of a typical cotton hoodie. There are seamless pockets that keep the hoodie looking sleek, and not bulky.

Unbound Merino T-Shirts and Polo shirts

Are merino wool shirts worth it? Merino is long-lasting, versatile, and durable, but that does come with a higher price tag than a standard t-shirt.

Unbound Merino wool t-shirt

Merino wool shirts are a great option if you’re looking for a durable, long-lasting shirt that you can wear for multiple days without washing. Merino is great for travelers like us who want to keep their suitcases light, and it’s especially good for hikers and backpackers, as well as outdoor lovers.

Unbound Merino polo shirt

Is Unbound Merino good?

We’re really happy with our Unbound Merino experience. The merino clothing is comfortable, cozy, and nice looking.

Getting wrinkles out was a breeze. All I did was mist lightly with a spray bottle, and any wrinkles were gone within 10 minutes.

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Spraying Unbound Merino with water to reduce wrinkles

Is merino only good for cold weather?

It’s true that merino keeps you warm and cozy in cold weather and it’s especially great in cold weather, because it wicks sweat away from your body when you exert yourself, thus keeping moisture away from your skin when it’s cold.

In warmer weather, merino fibers wick away moisture as well, leaving you feeling cool, instead of damp and uncomfortable.

How to care for your merino wool clothes

Taking care of your merino wool clothes doesn’t take a lot of extra effort. Turn your merino clothes inside out, and wash with warm or cold water with regular detergent. Be sure to hang to dry, as merino can shrink in the dryer.

Unbound Merino wool clothing laundry instructions tag

If you do wash a thick merino wool jacket while you’re traveling be aware that it can take a while to dry.

Have you tried merino wool for travel? Let us know what you thought in the comments!