what is merino wool made from

Merino wool is made from the soft fleece of Merino sheep, a specific breed known for producing very fine, elastic, protein-based fibers composed mainly of keratin (the same protein as human hair).

Quick Scoop

• Merino wool comes directly from the fleece of Merino sheep, not from synthetic or plant sources.

• Each year, the sheep grow a new coat, so the fiber is naturally renewable and animal-derived.

• On a microscopic level, Merino wool fibers are about 97% protein (keratin) and a few percent natural fats and minerals that the sheep take in from their diet.

What exactly is it made from?

• Source: The outer coat (fleece) of Merino sheep, shorn once or twice a year.

• Composition:
  • Mostly keratin protein.

* Small amounts of natural lipids (fats) and minerals like calcium and sodium.

• Form: Individual hairs are carded, spun into yarn, then knitted or woven into fabric.

Why it matters

Because Merino wool is animal-based and protein-rich, it’s naturally breathable, warm, biodegradable, and doesn’t rely on fossil-fuel plastics, which is a big part of why it’s popular in outdoor and everyday clothing today.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.