We first wrote about Patagonia’s new Merino Air baselayers when announced at Outdoor Retailer last winter. Well, the time has finally come for these covetable pieces to hit the market. To create the innovative garments, Patagonia took merino wool and blended it with recycled Capilene polyester in a unique knit construction that delivers warmth, breathability, and high performance for those high-intensity outdoor activities in cold environments.
New athleisure brand Qor (pronounced ‘core’) promises to offer men what Athleta and Lululemon offer…
One of the fastest growing women’s active brands in Europe is finally making its way over the pond. Norwegian brand Kari Traa will introduce their line of base layers and sport accessories to the US market in time for fall. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill base layers either– these are fun, colorful, well-fitting pieces that are meant to see the light of day.
Your basic merino wool gear is evolving. Whether mixed with other fabrics in baselayers, or used as insulation in a variety of outerwear, next generation merino is here. Below are some of the more interesting uses of merino wool that we saw at both Outdoor Retailer and ISPO this winter.
When you think of merino wool, brands such as Icebreaker, Ibex, and Smartwool immediately come to mind. Two relative newcomers (at least to the US) are trying to challenge theses dominant players with deep offerings that include pieces from urban apparel to standard baselayers. Over the course of the winter, I had the chance to test out some baselayers from both WoolX and Super.Natural.
