Journal
How to Care for Merino Wool Swimwear (So It Lasts for Years)
Merino wool swimwear is an investment. With the right care, it'll last for years — here's exactly what to do.
The basics
Merino is hardier than its reputation suggests, but it does need a little more attention than polyester. The good news: the routine is simple once you know it.
- Rinse immediately after use — saltwater, chlorine, and sunscreen are the main enemies. A quick cold rinse after every swim removes them before they can break down the fibres.
- Hand wash is ideal, but a gentle machine wash works fine. Use a wool-specific detergent or...
Can You Wear Merino Wool Swimwear in a Sauna? Yes — Here's Why
If you've ever sat in a sauna in a polyester swimsuit and felt like you were slowly being cooked, you're not alone. There's a better option — and it's not what you'd expect.
Merino wool swimwear performs exceptionally well in saunas, steam rooms, and hot pools. Unlike synthetic fabrics that trap heat and cling as you sweat, merino actively regulates your body temperature — keeping you comfortable whether you're in the heat or moving between hot and cold environments.
It sounds counterintuitive. But once you understand how merino handles heat and moisture, it makes complete sense.
Why merino...
From the Gym to the Water: Why Merino Wool Works for Both
The idea of wearing the same piece to the gym, the pool, and the sauna sounds like it shouldn't work. With 96% merino, it does.
Most activewear is designed with one environment in mind. You train in it, perspire in it, and then change out of it. The idea that a single piece could carry you from a gym session, yoga mat, or pilates studio to open water — without compromise — isn't something the synthetic-dominated activewear industry has had much reason to explore.
Swimm has.
The Gymm to Swimm range is built on the same 96% merino-elastane...
Does Merino Wool Swimwear Lose Its Shape in Water?
Merino wool gives briefly when wet. Then it snaps back. Here's the science behind the recovery.
Merino wool absorbs water. That's the point.
Unlike synthetic swimwear fabrics like nylon or polyester, which repel water and sit on the surface of your skin, merino wool is hydrophilic — it absorbs moisture into its fibres. Merino can hold up to 30% of its own weight in water before it even begins to feel wet.
When you first step out of the water, that absorbed water adds weight to the fabric momentarily.It lasts a few seconds — then the fibres begin...
Can You Wear Merino Wool for Cold Plunge and Sauna?
The fabric that works harder the more extreme your environment gets.
The Problem With Synthetic Swimwear in Extreme Temperatures
Most swimwear is designed for one thing: looking good poolside. When you take it into a 38°C sauna or a 10°C cold plunge, it's just along for the ride — offering no thermal benefit whatsoever.
Synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester are essentially plastic. They trap heat inconsistently, hold onto moisture, and in high-heat environments like saunas, can off-gas trace chemicals you'd rather not have against your skin.
Merino wool works differently. And the reason comes down to fibre...