Journal
What is Merino Wool Swimwear? Everything You Need to Know
Merino wool swimwear is back — and it's changing the way we think about sustainable swimwear. Here's everything you need to know.
Can you actually swim in merino wool?
Yes — and this is the question almost everyone asks first. Merino wool swimwear is nothing like the itchy, heavy wool you're thinking of. Merino fibres are ultra-fine, which means they're soft against skin, quick to dry, and surprisingly comfortable in water.
Did you know swimwear was originally made from wool?
Before synthetic fibres existed, wool was the swimwear fabric of choice. In the late 1800s and early 1900s,...
Is Merino Wool Swimwear Worth It?
Merino wool swimwear costs more than a polyester suit. Here's an honest look at what you're actually paying for — and whether it's worth it for you.
What you're paying for
Merino wool is a premium natural fibre, and the process of turning it into swimwear — fine enough to wear against skin, durable enough to handle chlorine and saltwater — is more involved than spinning polyester from plastic bottles. The price reflects the material, not a margin exercise.
Swimm uses 96% merino, fine enough to wear against skin without irritation. That specification matters. Coarser wool would itch...
Merino Wool vs. Polyester Swimwear: Which is Better?
When it comes to swimwear, most of us reach for whatever's on the rack — but the fabric you choose matters more than you'd think. Here's an honest comparison.
What is polyester swimwear?
Polyester has dominated swimwear for decades. It's cheap to produce, holds its shape well, and resists chlorine reasonably well. Most fast-fashion and mid-range swimwear brands use it as their default fabric.
The downsides? Polyester is a plastic. It sheds microplastics with every wash, doesn't breathe, and can feel clammy against skin — especially in and out of water. It also doesn't biodegrade, ever.
What is...
Will Self-Lined Merino Gym/Swim Wear Make You Overheat?
The case for built-in lining, and why merino wool makes it work.
What Is Self-Lining?
Self-lining means the swimwear is lined with the same fabric it's made from — in swimm's case, merino wool throughout. There's no separate synthetic lining sewn in. The inner and outer layers are the same material.
It's a construction detail that most people never think about — until they've worn it.
Why Most Swimwear Uses Synthetic Lining (And Why That's a Problem)
Standard swimwear — even premium pieces — typically uses a thin nylon or polyester lining regardless of what the outer fabric...
Is Merino Wool Good for Swimming? The Science Explained
It sounds like a strange combination. Wool and water don't exactly go together — or do they? Here's what actually happens when merino wool meets the water.
The common assumption
Most people assume wool is the last thing you'd want near water. Heavy, scratchy, slow to dry — that's the reputation. And for traditional wool, it's not entirely wrong.
But merino is different. Fine merino fibres behave in ways that coarser wools simply don't, and understanding why changes the picture entirely.
How merino handles moisture
Merino wool is hygroscopic — it actively absorbs...