Let’s face it, winter in Canada is cold. While Calgary and surrounding areas get blasted with warm Chinooks periodically during winter, the average temperature is below 0 degrees Celsius and we can dip into the -40s and -50s for stints at a time. Brr. The key to dressing for a Canadian winter is layers – and layers and layers. You’ll want an outer layer that protects you from the wind and snow. Mid layers are designed for warmth, and they can be bulky to trap warm body heat next to your skin. But a good base layer can make all the difference. This is a story about merino wool, and why you should consider it for your next base layer.

What’s a good base layer anyway?

A good base layer is first and foremost comfortable. It’s against your skin, so you don’t want something that’s going to be itchy or sweaty. As you come in and out of the cold, you’ll take off outer layers and mid layers to meet the occasion, but a base layer is there for the long haul, and you’ll likely wear it all day long. Natural fibres are best when it comes to a base layer, and we recommend merino wool to keep you going the distance.

Merino wool is a sustainable, environmentally friendly resource that’s soft, comfortable, moisture wicking, stretchy, durable, and biodegradable. Merino wool garments are also machine washable, because no one has time to hand wash laundry. This may sound like a wonder-fibre, and it kinda is. It’s not too good to be true, but it can come at a pricepoint that’s higher than synthetic materials on the market. If you can afford it, it’s worth the price tag.

Why is merino wool so fantastic?

Merino wool is a natural fibre that comes from merino sheep, a special breed of sheep that originates from New Zealand. This breed of sheep is hardy with a particularly fine wool. The strands of merino wool are about 1/3 the diameter of human hair, so when the fibre touches your skin, it bends away. This eliminates the itchy and scratchy feeling of traditional wool products and provides a broken-in-outta-the-box feeling. It’s soft, it’s stretchy (it can stretch over 30% without breaking), and it’s porous, so it can absorb moisture and pull it away from your skin. It can absorb up to 35% of its weight in water without feeling wet. So if you’re getting sweaty in the chilly weather, you’d never know it.

Because it’s a natural fibre, it also stays warm when wet. If you get caught in a surprise snowstorm, or the temperature warms up and you’re working up a sweat, you’ll still get the heat-trapping benefits of this fabric against your body. Athletes love it. If you’re cross-country skiing, running, or otherwise getting your heart rate up outdoors, you’ll quickly notice the benefits of the wet-but-warm properties as well.

But doesn’t it smell? No, actually. Odour is caused by bacteria that like to party in your sweat. Gross. But natural fibres like wool don’t allow that sweat to build up in the first place, while synthetic fibres trap the sweat against your body because it has nowhere to go. Less sweat = less bacteria = less odour. If you’re planning to be out all day long, a merino wool base layer will keep you fresher for longer.

Where can I get a merino wool base layer?

Brands like Smartwool and Icebreaker make fantastic merino wool clothing, and they source their wool from ethical farmers who are working on reducing their carbon footprint and who raise their sheep with the highest standards in humane treatment. They also have lots of information about merino wool and the farmers who produce this product. Both brands are available at Sundance Ski Shop and other sporting goods stores throughout the city.

Kate Barker