Merino wool is expensive, but it can save you money in the long run.

How can paying $25 for a pair of Merino wool socks save you money? Well, because of the anti microbial properties of Merino, your socks don’t stink after you wear them.

In fact you can wear them two or three more times before washing them meaning you don’t have to bring as much clothing while traveling. Less to pack means you don’t check your bags and considering the exorbitant fees on airlines nowadays, you end up saving!

And if your Merino wool socks happen to be made in Vermont by Darn Tough (like some of mine) you get a lifetime guarantee (your life not the socks!) These socks are built to last. Now that’s money well spent!

Also Merino dries much quicker than other fabrics making sink, shower, or bathtub washing much easier. Washing in the afternoon means dry garments in the morning.

The same is true with any material made from Merino wool. I plan to pack two short sleeve shirts, one long sleeve 1/4 zip shirt, a sweater, and a Merino buff. Merino fits into my less is more packing mantra for my Icelandic saga.

I may be rocking the same outfit a few days in a row (with no ten years olds pointing it out) but I’m here on vacation not at a fashion show.

The Story of Merino

Merino wool comes from the domestic sheep established in the Extremadura region of Spain. It was at one time illegal to export the sheep or it’s wool outside of Spain. Offenders faced certain death! Eventually these restrictions were loosened and Merino was exported around the world.

Today Merino wool is produced in many places including Australia, China, New Zealand, Argentina, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.