A Guide to Wearing Wool in the Summer

A Guide to Wearing Wool in the Summer
A Guide to Wearing Wool in the Summer

A Guide to Wearing Wool in the Summer

As the days start getting longer and the temperature heats up, it may be tempting to pack away your Merino clothes and bust out the flip-flops. However, a less extreme approach might be in your best interest; you can subtly transition to wearing wool in the summer with just a few tips.

 

Know Your Summer Wool Fabric 

While cotton is light and breathable, it’s not ideal for warm weather because it absorbs moisture and holds it next to your skin. For any situation in which sweat is a possibility, you’ll be more comfortable in a summer weight wool, which wicks moisture away from the skin, helping keep you cooler and drier. Not only does wool help keep you cool in summer, but Merino wool in hot humid weather doesn’t wilt or wrinkle like cotton and linen.

Wool and polyester blends are ideal for adventuring, because they combine the softness and natural odor-resistance of wool with the durability of poly. A few versatile, quick-drying pieces of summer weight wool clothing will take you far.

Be Prepared with Layers

In many locations, the weather can change on a dime. In this case, one thoughtful way of wearing wool in the summer is to dress in (or bring) two or three layers of Merino clothes. There’s no need to go nuts — a simple Merino 150 base layer under a regular shirt might be all you need. You can toss on a light hoodie if you live in an especially unpredictable climate.

The best thing about summer weight wool base layers is that when the weather really heats up, they become your high-performance stand-alone tees and tanks. 

 

Carefully Rotate Your Merino Clothes

Go ahead and pack up your winter base layers (but make sure to wash them first) as you prepare for wearing wool in the summer. We recommend storing socks and sweaters flat, rather than rolled up, to preserve their shape.

As you’re sorting out your winter clothes, keep an eye out for pieces that can still be worn through the warmer months. You may already have summer weight wool clothing in your regular rotation, e.g. sleeveless wool base layers that you wear under a sweater in winter can now serve as summer tank tops. Modern wool underwear and bras can easily be worn year round, and are just as perfect under shorts as they are under ski pants.

 

Embrace Color and Pattern

Summer is a time to celebrate, but of course without sacrificing performance and quality. When wearing wool in the summer, it’s great to have essential pieces in neutral colors that can be worn with anything — but sometimes you just want to show your wild side.

Break with bad weather and tradition with a downright joyful piece of warm weather clothing. A striped Merino 150 short-sleeved base layer or printed hike socks can set the stage for a summer of fun.

 

Finally: Adventure Smarter, Not Harder

It’s simple, really: be strategic about wearing wool in the summer and you’ll never let the weather stop you from being a trailblazing warrior.

Inaccessible: Three Athletes, One Landscape, and the Public Lands That Connect Us

Inaccessible: Three Athletes, One Landscape, and the Public Lands That Connect Us

Some places don’t invite adventure. Inaccessible is a film born from that truth. Set in Montana’s Crazy Mountains, these Smartwool® snow sports athletes discover that the checkerboard landscape in the Crazies...
Read Post
A trip to the Kootenays with The Snowboarders Journal

A trip to the Kootenays with The Snowboarders Journal

A Place That Feels Like Home There is something about Whitewater that feels like stepping back in time in the best way possible. No frills, no hype. Just a gravel...
Read Post
Snow-Ready Base Layers Built for Motion, Not Bulk

Snow-Ready Base Layers Built for Motion, Not Bulk

Whether you're skinning up at sunrise, grinding out frosty miles, or chasing the summit through deep snow, layering right is everything. And when you're in motion, bulk is the enemy....
Read Post
From Trail to Town: Smartwool® Styles for Fall Transitions

From Trail to Town: Smartwool® Styles for Fall Transitions

As the seasons shift and crisp air moves in, getting dressed gets trickier. Morning hikes feel like early winter but by midday you are peeling off layers in the sun. That...
Read Post
Merino Midlayers That Move With You: Transition to Autumn in Comfort

Merino Midlayers That Move With You: Transition to Autumn in Comfort

As the weather begins to shift and cool mornings ease into warmer afternoons, your gear needs to do more than just keep up. Smartwool® midlayers made with Merino wool are built for those transitions,...
Read Post
Trail-Tested Tough: Why Indestructawool® Socks Outlast the Competition

Trail-Tested Tough: Why Indestructawool® Socks Outlast the Competition

Some gear is made for the moment. Some is made for the mileage. Ask any trail runner chasing vert or a thru-hiker halfway through a 2,000-mile journey: socks take a...
Read Post
How to Choose the Right Boot Socks for Work

How to Choose the Right Boot Socks for Work

Long days. Hard surfaces. Constant motion. If your job keeps you on your feet, what’s under your feet matters a lot more than most people think. Choosing the right boot socks...
Read Post
Compression Sock Types: What You Need to Know

Compression Sock Types: What You Need to Know

From chasing finish lines, logging hours on your feet, or flying across time zones, compression socks can make a real difference in how your legs and feet feel. But not all...
Read Post
Summer Socks: Why Merino Wool Helps Keep You Cool on Your Adventures

Summer Socks: Why Merino Wool Helps Keep You Cool on Your Adventures

Let’s bust a myth: wool isn’t just for winter. In fact, when it comes to helping keep your feet cool, dry feeling, and comfortable during long days on the trail...
Read Post
Circular Fashion and Sock Recycling: Smartwool Second Cut Project

Circular Fashion and Sock Recycling: Smartwool Second Cut Project

At Smartwool, we believe that how you explore the outdoors should reflect how you care for the planet. Whether you're hiking alpine trails, running city streets, or chasing daylight on...
Read Post
Gorpcore Fashion: Integrating Smartwool into Your Wardrobe

Gorpcore Fashion: Integrating Smartwool into Your Wardrobe

A few years ago, your favorite trail fleece or hiking sock probably didn’t make it into your weekday wardrobe rotation. But now? Performance gear is the look. Welcome to the world of Gorpcore, a...
Read Post
How Often Do People Wash Their Merino Wool?

How Often Do People Wash Their Merino Wool?

How Often Do People Wash Their Smartwool™ Socks? Merino’s odor resistance is doing its job. The majority of Smartwool™ fans get at least 2 wears, often more, before washing, especially...
Read Post
Merino for Every Season: How One Fabric Powers Year-Round Adventures

Merino for Every Season: How One Fabric Powers Year-Round Adventures

When most people think of wool, they imagine cold weather, heavy knits, and snow-filled days. But Merino wool rewrites that story. Soft, breathable, and naturally adaptable, Merino isn’t just for...
Read Post
Crush Spring Hikes with Comfort: The Smartwool Guide to All-Day Layers

Crush Spring Hikes with Comfort: The Smartwool Guide to All-Day Layers

There’s something magical about spring hikes. The snow is melting, wildflowers are blooming, and the trails of Colorado (and beyond) are calling. But let’s be real: spring hiking can be...
Read Post
The Seamless Revolution: Inside Smartwool’s Virtually Seamless™ Sock Design

The Seamless Revolution: Inside Smartwool’s Virtually Seamless™ Sock Design

When you're on your feet all day, whether you're pounding out miles on the trail, hustling through your morning commute, or chasing snow-capped summits, your socks can make or break...
Read Post