The Ethical Wool Base Layers Edit
We’ve been putting on our cozy merino wool thermals every day for the last few months and it’s made all the difference. Growing up on the east coast, I always thought being frozen all winter was just part of the deal. The alternative was being bundled in puffy layers that made it hard to move. Anyone else have memories resembling Randy from A Christmas Story?
I came back for my first New England winter in two decades and this time, I wanted to dress smarter. As MANY people were sure to tell me, “there’s no such thing as bad weather just bad clothes.” I was determined to make sure my son could comfortably enjoy playing in the cold with nary a frozen extremity in sight.
Layers, Layers, Layers
It took me awhile but I finally embraced the power of a good merino wool base layer. Why wool? Merino wool is beloved for doing some pretty amazing things. It’s breathable, moisture-wicking and temperature regulating. How? Merino wool is crimped, creating tons of naturally occurring tiny air pockets that act as the ultimate insulator and has the ability to hold up to a third of its own weight in moisture before it feels wet. It means it keeps you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s warm, by creating its own little microclimate around the body.
Merino wool is also natural, renewable and biodegradable. Wool is durable too and up to six times stronger than cotton (wool fibers can bend up to 20,000 times before they break, cotton only 3,000). And because wool is dirt-repellent and regenerates by airing, it needs less washing.
Ethical Wool Matters
Is there a reason to not love merino wool? Well since it comes from merino sheep it’s important the wool is produced ethically, ensuring the fair treatment of animals. Always look for standards and certifications that show happy sheep and respect for the environment.
Organic sheep farms mean a more healthy and stress free life for the sheep. They have less sheep per acreage, don’t use chemicals on pastures or animals and don’t practice mulesing. Mulesing is a painful procedure, usually done without anesthesia, cutting away the wrinkles and folds of the skin around a sheep’s breeches that can hold moisture, to reduce infection from flystrike. There are alternatives that provide a more humane existence so always look for non-mulesed wool or recycled wool.
Besides GOTS certified organic, some of the other certifications to look for that ensure non-mulesed wool are the ZQ Merino Standard and Responsible Wool Standard. Most brands making ethical wool provide transparent information on their websites. If you can’t find the info, there’s probably a reason.
Good quality merino wool is soft, comfortable and doesn’t itch. It’s also extremely versatile. Merino separates can be worn as a base layer, pajamas or on its own in both cool and warm weather.
This winter, we’re personally wearing Engel, Siskin, Chasing Windmills and Disana. They are holding up very well and I’d recommend them all. Our favorite has been from Chasing Windmills, the ribbed solid long John set in winter moss. The set is the softest by far and also a little thicker than the others. Besides wearing as thermal layers and pajamas, we’ve had the top in our weekly rotation as a stand alone item.
Lastly, we can’t talk about kids wool without mentioning MamaOwl. The UK online shop easily has the best assortment of ethical brands. Not only that, but they are really thorough on product descriptions, helpful notes and reviews. When polled, MamaOwl was a favorite shop recommendation of MeerMamas worldwide, not only do they really know their wool, they love their wool.
Check out our edit of the best ethical wool thermal kidswear brands.
ENGEL
Engel makes untreated merino wool, GOTS certified organic and produced in Germany. All the dyestuffs are free from heavy metals and harmful AZO-dyes.
Photo by Engel
When we think of wool base layers, this is what most comes to mind, the feel and weight of the fabric is thinner, best worn as pajamas or for layering. Although they can be worn as a stand alone pieces, some of the lighter colors are not completely opaque.
SISKIN
Made by Engel for Mama Owl’s in house brand. Engel makes untreated merino wool, GOTS certified organic and produced in Germany. All the dyestuffs are free from heavy metals and harmful AZO-dyes.
Photo by MamaOwl
These are made of 30% pure silk and 70% organic merino wool. When we think of wool base layers, this is what most comes to mind, the feel and weight of the fabric is thinner, best worn as pajamas or for layering. Although they can be worn as a stand alone pieces, some of the lighter colors are not completely opaque.
SMALLS
Smalls is a UK brand making merino wool in Portugal. Their wool comes from New Zealand, certified by ZQ Merino. Their fabric is spun in Italy at the only mill in the world to be EMAS certified for environmental practices.
Photo by Smalls
These sets are 17.5 micron superfine knit that can be worn as stand alone every day wear, pajamas or base layers. This is the only brand that has a slightly looser style for the pant, instead of a typical fitted legging. Some of the lighter colors might not be completely opaque.
CHASING WINDMILLS
Chasing Windmills is made in the USA from New Zealand merino wool. Their wool is certified by ZQ Merino and the Responsible Wool Standard. They also purchase carbon offsets to ensure that renewable energy projects and methane-capture projects offset their environmental impact
Photo by Chasing Windmills
Although best known for their windmill print, their solid ribbed are incredible and sell out when available. The material is thicker and more opaque than other options and can be worn as stand alone every day items, pajamas or base layers. Their knee patches extend durability.
NUI ORGANICS
Nui Organics makes merino wool that is chlorine free and GOTS certified organic. Their wool comes from New Zealand and is produced in Europe with SA8000 and Blue Sign certified manufacturers.
Photo by Nui Organics
Their 17.5 micron merino wool is thicker and more opaque than other options and can be worn as stand alone every day items, pajamas or base layers. Their knee patches extend durability. They also have thinner 70% wool/30% silk organic sets and thicker wool knitwear.
MINIMALISMA
Minimalisma makes organic cotton, silk, alpaca and merino wool clothing. Their merino wool is made in China and comes from Australian sheep that are mulesing free. They use non-toxic dyes and are compliant with EU Standards.
Photo by Minimalisma
Their ribbed merino wool is seamless, for extra comfort. These are a thicker set that can be worn as stand alone every day items, pajamas or base layers. They also have tanks, turtlenecks and bodysuits.
DISANA
Disana is made in Germany, their merino wool is untreated and GOTS certified organic. Their wool comes from Patagonia in South America.They are also members of the International Associaton of Natural Textiles Industy.
Photo by Disana
Although considered the gold standard for boiled wool outerwear, their leggings shouldn’t be overlooked. Their thick ribbed wool leggings are great as a stand alone pant and layered under outerwear for winter play.
SIMPLY MERINO
Made and based in Canada, Simply Merino uses 100% organic merino wool from Australia that is non-mulesed. Their wool is certified by the Responsible Wool Standard and Okeo-Tex Standard 100.
They have two sets that are soft 18.5 micron and can be worn as stand alone everyday wear, pajamas or base layers. Some of the tops have thumb holes to keep wrists extra cozy. Sized from baby to adult.
DILLING
Dilling uses 100% organic merino wool from Argentina that is non-mulesed. The UK company is transparent about their supply chain, ending with final sewing down in Lithuania or Belarus. They don’t use any harmful chemicals in their dye process in Denmark has received the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.
You’ll find a more traditional light weight merino perfect for layering and a ribbed merino is a thicker weight purposely designed to be made for play or sleep in a full run of everyday basics in tons of colors for baby, children and adults.
JOHA
Joha makes 100% merino wool that’s mulesing-free, Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified and Woolmark Certified. This Danish company has been around for 50 years and produces in the Ukraine.
Their wool come in various weights and designs that can be worn for play or everyday wear. There’s tons of colors and patterns to choose from and they come in baby to adult.
We hope you enjoy the products recommended here. We think it’s important to provide unbiased content you can trust. All brands and products are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy through the links on this page we may earn a small affiliate commission.
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