Merino wool and TENCEL™ Lyocell are two natural-origin fibres that are increasingly used in activewear and base layers. Both feel great against the skin, but they work differently. Here we compare them, explain why we often blend them and help you choose.
Quick comparison
| Merino wool | TENCEL™ Lyocell | Merino + Tencel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel | Soft, warm | Cool, smooth and soft | Softer than pure merino |
| Warmth | High, even when damp | Low, feels cool | Medium, works all year |
| Moisture | Moves moisture away from the skin | Absorbs a lot of moisture | Good balance |
| Odour | Naturally odour resistant | Less odour resistant than merino | Odour resistant |
| Best for | Cold days, skiing, multi-day trips | Warm days, running, everyday | All-round, four seasons |
| Care | Wool cycle, max 30 °C | Gentle cycle, max 30 °C, may shrink up to 8% | Wool cycle, max 30 °C |
What is merino wool?
Merino wool comes from merino sheep and has much finer fibres than regular wool – around 17–20 microns in our garments. That's why it feels soft rather than scratchy. Merino stays warm even when damp, moves moisture away from the skin and resists odour, so you can wear it several times between washes.
The wool we use is mulesing-free and traceable through programmes such as ZQ and AME.
What is TENCEL™ Lyocell?
TENCEL™ Lyocell is a fibre made from wood cellulose. We use lyocell from Lenzing in Austria, labelled with the EU Ecolabel. It is smooth, soft and cool against the skin and absorbs a lot of moisture, which makes it comfortable on warm days and during high-output workouts.
Lyocell shrinks a little more than other fabrics, up to 8%. Gently stretch the garment after washing and let it dry flat or hanging.
Why blend merino and Tencel?
In several of our garments we combine the two fibres. Merino brings warmth and odour resistance, while Tencel gives the fabric a softer drape, a smoother feel and adds reinforcement in some constructions. The result is a fabric that works both when it's cold and when it's warm.
- Activist range: 60% merino wool and 40% TENCEL™ Lyocell – an all-round fabric for four seasons.
- Woolly Treemerino™ in the Alto range: 60% merino wool and 40% Tencel® in a warm, stretchy, fluffy midlayer, made in Sweden.
Which should you choose?
- Warm days, running and everyday: TENCEL™ Lyocell, such as the Tree Tee.
- Cold days, skiing and multi-day trips: pure merino wool, such as the Desoli Thermal base layer.
- All year, one garment for everything: a blend, such as the Activist Tee.
- A warm natural-fibre midlayer: the Alto Houdi in Woolly Treemerino™.
Shop all natural fibre activewear
Frequently asked questions
Is Tencel warmer than merino wool?
No. Merino wool is warmer and stays warm even when damp. Tencel feels cool and works better in warm conditions.
Which fabric smells least after a workout?
Merino wool resists odour best. A merino-Tencel blend also resists odour well, while pure Tencel needs washing more often.
Does merino wool itch?
Most people don't find fine merino itchy. The fibres are much finer than in regular wool – around 17–20 microns in our garments.
Can you machine wash merino and Tencel?
Yes, on a wool or gentle cycle at max 30 °C, without fabric softener. See our washing and care guide.
Is Tencel a natural fabric?
Tencel is made from wood cellulose, a natural raw material, but the fibre is produced in an industrial process. It is therefore usually classed as a regenerated cellulose fibre rather than a purely natural fibre.
Read more about how we work with natural materials.