Sure, Merino Wool is the go-to thread for your winter mission. In a very simple nutshell, it keeps you warm - sans the sweat, stink and synthetic cling. But what a lot of people don’t realise is that Merino wool doesn’t stop ticking when the snow melts. The same properties that make it so good on winter skin tracks are exactly what make it a game-changer when the day heats up.
Lightweight, odour-kicking, sweat-wicking and temp-regulating, Merino Wool is the fabric that keeps you cool and comfortable all summer long. Well after synthetics have waved the flag.
In true Mons style, we’ve spun Merino to create gear that’s made to move. Whether you’re hiking, riding, scrambling or running through the hills - if there’s sweat, you’ll want your Merinos.
Built for heat. Made to move. Why Merino Wool is epic for summer
So, why is Merino Wool so good in summer? There’s a few key reasons.
1. First, sweat. Or lack thereof.
While synthetics get sweaty and stay that way, Merino Wool manages moisture 96% better than polyester, and can hold up to 35% of its weight before feeling damp. It actually pulls vapour away from your body before it becomes a problem, then releases it into the ether before it pools. Just ask our mates at Woolmark. Okay, we’ll do it for you.
“Wool’s structure responds in real time to changing physiological needs. It automatically keeps athletes close to their comfort zone, allowing 100% focus on the challenge – especially in unpredictable and high-output activities.”
Woolmark Managing Director, John Roberts
What does that mean for you? It means no more wet back feel. No more sweat patches that stick around long after the climb, no more synthetics sticking to your skin. Instead, Merino wicks sweat and dries fast, so you stay dry, cool and collected.
2. Second, Merino is stink-free.
Merino wool is naturally odour-resistant. Forget synthetic tees that smell worse than you do by the top of the hill, and trust us when we say that Merino keeps you fresher. Honestly, we actually forgot how hard Merino works in this field until we ran out of Merinos and had to throw on an old synthetic tee again. Wowee - turns out we hadn’t stopped stinking when we exercised. Merino was just shouldering the load, so we never got a whiff.
3. Third, it keeps you cool.
Think Merino is only good for keeping you warm? Au contraire, mon frère. Sure, when temps drop, Merino thrives keeping the chills at bay. But equally, when you heat up, Merino fibre works just as hard to keep you cool, regulating your temps like it’s the weatherman. On a ridgeline, in the desert, or halfway through a humid trail run, it’s constantly adjusting.
Merino Wool vs. Synthetic and Cotton
When the ride heats up, fabric choice matters. Synthetics wick well, but trap stink. Cotton feels great, until it doesn’t. And hero-boy Merino breathes like a natural, resists odour, dries fast, and regulates your temp. It’s the one fabric that genuinely performs across seasons, so you can pack less and do more.
Choosing the right Merino for the summer mission
We’ve got Merino essentials for every type of mission. For heat, choose ultralight or lightweight blends. For movement, more stretch, less chafe - look for flat seams and underarm gussets. Here are some adventures we prepared earlier.
- Hiking and camping: You need a kit that is lightweight and dries fast. From summit to sundown, Merino Wool adapts with the incline. Cool when it’s hot, warm when it drops and never stinks, so no one will judge when you pull it on the next morning.
- Mountain biking: Scorching sun or incoming clouds, Merino Wool has you covered. Stretchy, breathable and odour-repelling, especially when you’re pushing.
- Trail running: Reach for the Aero Tee, which offers ultra-light performance and odour-fighting properties. Merino Wool is lightweight, dries fast and won’t smell - even if you do.
- Everyday mission: Commuting to work, flowing from yoga to coffee, or just working up a sweat in the summer heat, Merino Wool keeps you fresh.
Aero: Our lightest tee for the high intensity mission
Modern Merino isn’t your nan’s woolly crew. When spun with a touch of nylon, it becomes something new: tough, quick-drying, and soft enough to forget about.
The Aero Ultralight Merino Tee from Mons Royale takes that idea to its logical conclusion. It’s the lightest tee we’ve ever built - a go-to layer for high-output missions. Run, ride, scramble, travel - it handles it all without adding weight or bulk. Pack it once. Wear it everywhere.
Less wash, more wear: Caring for Merino Wool and the planet
Because Merino Wool doesn’t hold odour, it needs less washing - which means less water, less microplastic pollution, and gear that lasts longer. That’s not just better for you, it’s better for the planet. Every thread of Merino starts in nature with ZQRX Certified Wool. And it ends there, too. Renewable, biodegradable, and quietly radical in an industry still addicted to plastic.
If you’re out and about, just air out between missions and hang it from its handy loop. When it does finally need a proper wash, here’s how to make sure it will last a lifetime:
- Wash cold with wool-safe detergent
- Air dry flat - no tumble required
Check out our full Merino Wool Care Guide.
Pack less, do more this summer with Merino Wool
Merino Wool isn’t just good for summer - it’s made for it. It’s the fibre that keeps your microclimate balanced while you chase sunrises, climb switchbacks, or sweat through long-haul travel. Light. Technical. Effortless.
This isn’t marketing hype. It’s nature and science doing what they do best. So, when you’re packing for that next heat-soaked mission, leave the synthetic tees at home. Take the one that adapts, breathes, and keeps up - Merino, nature’s performance fibre.
Ready to switch on summer mode? Explore the Mons Royale Outdoor Collection and stay cool, dry, and naturally dialled-in.
