natural fiber merino wool

Merino wool is a natural animal fiber, free of the plastics in polyester and nylon activewear. It regulates temperature and resists odor on its own, without antimicrobial chemical treatments. The concern is the superwash coating, so choose untreated merino with OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and the Responsible Wool Standard, which also bans mulesing. Toxome scores each piece by its fiber content.

Merino fibers are much finer than regular wool, so they feel soft rather than scratchy against the skin. Any itch is prickle, a physical poking, not a true allergy. That fineness is why merino is worn as a base layer next to the body.

Because it is so fine, merino is well tolerated and can even suit eczema-prone skin. Pick fine grades around 17 to 18.5 microns and untreated, non-superwash merino when you can.

Fiber content is what touches the skin. Toxome reads each garment's composition and rates it, so the score reflects what the clothing is made of, not a brand's marketing.